Zane, Emerson, and Smith: August/Sept

Wow, this is a new record. It's been 2 whole months since I've posted on my blog. I guess I can say we've been really really busy. We have had such a great beginning of fall, and are now right in the thick of it.

Here are pictures from late Aug through most of Sept.

Emmy made her own pink popsicles.

Longmont had a great Lego exhibit. It had some really cool things to look at, but best of all, it had an awesome hands-on room for kids.

I love Emmy's facial expressions in this pic - she was actually really excited about going, but she doesn't look like it.

Two thumbs up from Zane - he couldn't have loved the place more.

He worked on building a bridge across this space almost the entire time we were there.

And Emmy worked on a big house

There were a few other rooms there too - Emmy and Smith went to one where they got to dress up and paint...

Emerson and Smith have been pretty good buddies lately. Smith is getting old enough to understand more and to be able to communicate better. And Em is a great big sister. They have fun together for sure. I guess when your big brother is at school, you have to find someone to play with!!

Zack took Zane to a high school football game. He was mesmorized and star struck by the players. He treated them like they were famous NFL guys. :)

He got a friend's autograph

What a cutie. Her rain gear finally fit well this fall and she wore it a lot.

Smith still gets to go to his My Gym class each week. He is totally in his element there. He can run, jump, climb, and be a wild boy. He's actually really good at all of it and loves it.

I love sprinkler pictures - these are from when we went up to Nell and Anthony's house. They always ask for sprinklers there.

One super warm late summer / early fall day. We spend a lot of time in our backyard.

Emmy started school a lot later than Zane. It was hard for her to wait!
She was excited, but a little hesitant because she didn't have any of her friends from last year in her class. Although she was bummed about that at first, it seems like now she's making some new friends. It just takes time! She thrives at preschool though, and I'm so thankful that she gets to go to the school she does.

At her school orientation the night before, Smith wanted to join in on everything. So cute.

Just a random picture of Emmy bowling at a birthday party

Make-shift swimming pool...haha.

Football season around here means Charger's gear! The kids are so funny now, they're torn between loving the Chargers exclusively like their dad or kind of liking the Broncos too since everyone else does.

I just loved this - watching TV, looking cool.

We had a strand of 3-4 RAINY days last month. There was really bad flooding all around us. Luckily we didn't have any damage to our house, but Zane was out of school for several days as a result of flooding in our school district.
So, when there was even a hint of sunshine we tried to run outside and play.

Emmy got to go on a special sleepover at her Aunt Jord and Uncle Ben's house. She got to pick what food to eat, what they did, etc. She had so much fun. And meanwhile, we had a boys' slumber party at home...
Boys time on the Wii

Trains...

Here's Emmy watching a movie

And hanging with her cousin Molly. She was excited that Molly had a matching pillow pet, just smaller.
She got completely spoiled and had a blast!

Here's the next day - she fell completely asleep grocery shopping with me, which never happens. She was sooooo tired!!

The boys and I also took a quick trip to the Butterfly Pavilion. Zane loves it there. Smith, on the other hand, feels nervous the entire time. He get creeped out by all the bugs, and ever since a butterfly landed on his head, he's scared of butterflies!

Look at that worried face - he kept checking his hair to see if there was a butterfly on it.

Zane's favorite is the "Owl Butterfly"

I had to hold Smith almost the whole time, poor guy.

Swim lessons!!
Zane and Emmy have made HUGE progress with swimming! I signed Zane up for a class with 6-10 year olds and it was really challenging but somehow he always did was he was asked to do. He swam the entire length of the pool on his own. He can tread water for a minute, and can dive down to grab things on the bottom of the deep end. Wow!
Emmy is as fearless as always. She loves being under water and can swim for a little bit by herself. When she jumps in to the teacher, she goes full force with no holding back.

Look how little Zane looks in his class. :)

This girl smiles the entire time she swims!

I taught the kids to play Monopoly on some of those rainy days. I can't believe it can hold their attention so well. And Zane is learning to be the banker - how to count out money and give change. Emmy is learning to count the dice super fast and move her player. They even talked Zack into playing once and he can't stand the game. :)

Haircut for Smith - he held as still as a statue the entire time...never made a sound.

Big boy!

Another picnic in the grass

Our city has an annual festival and this year Zane and Emerson both walked in the parade with their school.

This was Zane's art piece that he added to his school float.

Emmy's in the front with her Nuggets gear on!

They had bounce houses and slides of course.
Here's Smith and Zack

Then, Zane helped Smith up the stairs.

Boys!

I loved this - all 3 kids playing soccer in the backyard together

I take Smith and Molly to story time every week. It's SO fun for them. They get to play with a bunch of really good toys and learning activities, read books, and sing and read in storytime.