Kindergrad!!

Today we had kindergrad.  I can't believe the year is done, it seems like yesterday that we walked Connor down the lane for his first bus ride.  It has been a great year!  Connor was very sad that today was his last day.  The kid has loved going to school everyday.  I hope his enthusiasm for learning this year will continue.

 With his best buddies.

 I am so proud of the boy that he is turning into. 

 When his teacher asked what he was going to do this summer his reply was playing outside with his brother and sister.  I am so happy that he cherishes his siblings.

 He has learned so much this year.  He has started the very basics of reading and loves sounding out words.  Anything with numbers he thrives with - especially telling time.  Writing has become his favorite thing to do in the vehicle. 

This grin is permanent around everyone.  He is kind, caring and respectful of everyone around him.  My one concern about summer is that he won't have the constant social interaction that he does at school.  My shy little toddler thrives on being around people now.  It doesn't matter who the individual is, Connor is quick to befriend him - something this mama is proud of.  

Our Week

 This little lady LOVES ice.  If I need to get something done in the kitchen without her paws getting in the way - I just crush some ice.  She played here with her ice for nearly 20 minutes.  It is glorious.

 Last Sunday Kale decided it was time to transition from the balance bike to the pedal bike.  Tim was convinced that he'd need the training wheels but I convinced him to try without.  3 times down the garage pad and he had it figured out.  He hasn't stopped biking up and down the lane since. 

 BOZ is the only show that Lexi will watch.  Thank goodness for Right Now Media - instead of watching the same show over and over I at least get to hear 8 over and over!!

 My favorite moment this past week was taking Kale on a breakfast date.  We went to Cora's in Airdrie because of all my kids I figured he'd get adventurous enough to try a cool fruity breakfast.  I think I got 6 "I love you" hugs while we were waiting for our food.  He even held the door open for me when we were going into the restaurant.   

 But he ordered a smoothie and side of bacon!!

 My crepe was delicious

 I had to work a casino shift for a fundraiser for our skating club on Friday.  My mom and dad came up and watched the kids.  They put lots of miles on riding back and forth the lane way.  Lexi tagged along pushing her babies in her stroller.

 I love this picture of my dad and Connor.  You can totally see Connor telling Papa that he is going to win. 

 And the race is on....both bent over to get as fast as they can. 

 Kale and mom weren't racing but they were having fun. 

 Pretty cool to have 60+ grandparents that will go biking with you!!  Needless to say the boys haven't stopped talking about it. 

Yesterday Tim and I celebrate 12 years of marriage.  We were able to go on a date Saturday night.  It has been a great 12 years.

Cow Chasing Time

We have finally put every cow to pasture.  It has to be one of my favorite times of the year - not only do we get to hang out as a family - the cows are gone till fall!!!

 Our stylish babe...

 Kale received his own chasing stick this fall and I think he would have slept with it this week if I let him.  He had to be with every load.  If he wasn't with Tim; he was with Grandpa.

 If you look carefully you will see Kale in the red shirt.  Not only was he unloading every load, he was in the pen sorting and loading the cattle.  Tim checked his phone the other night curious as to how many steps he'd taken.  He had taken 24000.  Kale was matching almost every one of those steps.  I definitely have one tired boy on my hands now.

 This girl cracks me up.  She has got all the noises down pat when we are chasing the cattle.  Here she is "sshhhshhh"ing me.

 It made Kale's day when Tim let him come into the liner.

This is my favorite picture.  Grandfather, father, and son all in stride with their chasing sticks.  The fact that they are chasing the bull just makes it that much better.

Fun!!

 The best word to describe this past weekend is "fun".  We headed down to Vulcan to participate in their annual Tinman Triathlon.  Connor, along with 5 of his cousins, participated in the Tinbit triathlon.  They swim 1 length of the pool, bike about 4 blocks, and run 2 blocks. 

 It was sooooooo hot the day of the race that we had to find some shade for the kiddos to wait in.

 Connor and his cousin Gavin are both 6 so they were in the same swim heat.  Connor desperately wanted to swim without his life jacket on but I wasn't comfortable with that so....

 Off they went.  Connor is in the middle lane with Gavin.  But you can't see Gavin because he swam under water most of the time.  My sisters boys are incredible swimmers.

 On his bike and ready to ride...

 Coming in from his bike...

 He chased this girl in the bike and when he rounded the corner he had an incredible cheering section - he put his running legs on and ran as hard as he could.  He passed the little girl right at the end.  Last year all he could talk when he was finished was the metal he got.  This year he was super excited that he past the girl!  He's not competitive at all.

 These 2 are best buddies.

 Lexi wasn't so thrilled with it all and stayed close to dad.

 After lunch the kiddos were quick to put water and soap on the tramp to cool off.

 These 3 convinced Gram to bring hot water out to make a hot tub!!

 So much fun with cousins.

My brother and his wife always supply us and their friends with a pig roast following the race.  And as always it was delicious. 

 

 

My race went well.  Again I wasn't feeling prepared in all aspects but I am in shape so I knew it would be fine.  Last year I counted my lengths differently than the spotter did.  So this year I made sure I counted right.  So as I was pulling myself out of the pool I was told I needed to do 2 more lengths.  I didn't waste time arguing but I am convinced that I did my 20 lengths.  So I am knocking 1 minute of my time.  Hehe.  Anyways, we were pushing a wind on the bike which made it a little tougher but when it is 29 out with no cloud it was nice to have a little breeze.  My bike is my weakest element but I enjoyed every minute of it.  I was a little worried that I was going to be the last one to cross the finish line but than as I was pulling back into town there were 2 bikers heading west. PHEWPH.    We have time anklets on to break down the time of each element but for some reason (again) mine was messed up.  So I have no idea how I did time wise.  I asked the boys to pray for cloud cover when I was running and the last km the sun was clouded over.  I even passed 2 people on the run.  I think in hind sight I could have pushed a little harder in the run but it was sooooooo hot I didn't want to overheat.  In the end my time was the same as last year.  In my 30 - 39 division of 67 athletes I finished 17.  I am pleased with that.  My sister rocked it and was 2 in our division.

 

Such a fun weekend.  We even got to watch my nephew take his first communion yesterday.

A Date with the Boys

After church on Sunday, Tim stayed home while Lexi napped and the boys and I walked down the road to the place we call the Beaver Dam.  Basically a glorified slough.  But there are lots of birds down there.  I've been promising Connor that we could go on a bird watching date in the mountains sometime soon.  We came up with this solution and he was happy to have his brother come with us.  So we took our blanket, bird book, and  a pair of binoculars.  Connor had a blast.  He can't quite identify this bird below.  He thought it was a wren but when he told Granny and Grandpa about it we think it is too big for a wren.  So now he is thinking a sparrow of some sort.  The marking above the eye is throwing him off.  I am not great at identifying it either.  I find one that looks like it but he shows me some detail that isn't the same as the picture.  So if anyone has some suggestions we would gladly take them.

 

 He always calls this red winged black bird, the bird from Miss Coralie's.  Because that is where he first saw it. 

I've never really paid attention to the different birds around our place until Connor showed a keen interest.  This was the first time I've seen this yellow headed blackbird.  We were able to sit and listen to it for all of about 30 seconds before Kale started talking again.  He isn't the best bird watching buddy - a little too noisy!

 Connor has identified this one in his book but I can't remember the name of it.  He has to show and tell everyone about each bird we saw.  I'd say our date was a hit.  Now we'll just have to find another location to do one again.