Field Trip, New Camera, Holtz going Potty, and Halloween

Happy Thanksgiving!  Hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday.  We will be celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow with my family at my Dad's house.  We felt really lucky too because our neighbor's (Dana, Chris and Savannah) invited us over to their Thanksgiving Feast!  It was incredible and we ate until we were bursting at the seams!  Later last night, we went to our friend's house (the Wedeking's) and played cards.  It was a happy day indeed! 

We'll start today with Grace's school field trip to Boyd Orchards.  Evan and I both chaperoned the trip (Holtz came too) and it was a rainy, cold, FUN time!  Grace took her first bus ride to the Orchard and loved it.  We fed animals in the petting zoo, took a hay ride, and of course picked apples!  The apple trees were pretty picked over from previous field trips but lucky Grace had some tall man assistance from Evan so she was able to get three of the juiciest apples from the top!

Above is Grace with her teacher Mrs. Troyer.  Mrs. Troyer has been an absolute blessing to us.  She, along with the principal, Mrs. Bell, have been working with Grace to help build her confidence and trust in them and now, Grace can walk into school and up to her classroom all by herself!  She loves going to school and knows so much spanish!  It's incredible- she seems to always be singing songs in spanish or counting in spanish.  As embarrassing as it is, I have had to google the directions several times on her homework because I am not sure what they are asking her to do.

 

Holtz at the orchard- looks thrilled to be there...(grin)

On October 9th we attended an event downtown Lexington called 2nd Sunday.  2nd Sunday is a statewide event that encourages all forms of physical activity and promotes healthy living.  This year they added the sedentary parade which poked fun at the city being named Americas least active by Men's Health Magazine.  Above in the green shirt is Mayor Jim Gray leading the "parade" sitting on a couch atop an electric cart , complete with a table for putting his feet up.  Behind the sofa, there was a band (most in pajamas) playing music while sitting...this was absolutely hilarious and we were excited to take part.  After the parade the kids took part in lots of activities from hula hooping, jump roping, taking a tour through an ambulance, etc. and snacking on free healthy snacks.  

 Grace knows how to tear up some hopscotch!

 The prize she picked for doing such a great job...oh my!

 Evan taking Holtz down the inflatable slide.  So funny because although it looks like they are sliding down, they were stuck...Evan had to wiggle his way down.  Holtz didn't seem to mind though!

 And here is Holtz being awesome- he loves shades and cheesing!  He is one bad to the bone little dude-

Grace and I have started volunteering once a month on family day at God's Pantry Food Bank.  I found out about the organization because Maxwell Elementary did a food drive at school.  Children as young as 5 can participate and we were able to sort some of our own food drive donations.  I think it's important to get Grace involved doing things like this because it is really seeming to help her build stronger social skills and confidence.  

The two pictures above are of Holtz and his buddy Lauren (Lolo) Wedeking.  Grace has been friends with Lauren's older sister Megan since we moved here.  Michelle (Lauren's mom/ aka my buddy) and I take the kids on mini- field trips to Salato, Ashland, the library, etc. and frequently we do play dates at their house.  Michelle and I also do a sitter swap every other week so she can volunteer at Meg's school and I at Grace's.  It's so fun to see Grace in class.  I volunteer during workstations so I really get to see what they are working on.  Evan, Holtz and I also go to school to have lunch with Grace every other week.   

 I just bought a new DSLR "fancy" camera so I've been practicing a lot with the kids.  It's amazing what these cameras can do.  I've had a lot of fun learning how to use it- 

 Holtz now knows about 20 letters, can count to 10, knows a lot of colors, can blow his nose, can breathe in to smell and goes on the big boy potty.  Holy crap- his first time going on the big boy potty was on October 10.  He had been telling us for several weeks when he goes in his diaper so I figured I would bring the learning potty out to let him check it out.  We came home from a walk and he said that he had to go so I sat him down and he went!  I couldn't believe it.  I haven't been forcing the issue at all and figure when he wants to use the potty he can and when he wants to go in his diaper he can.  I figure this time around, after having a hell of a time training Grace, I'm going to let him kind-of train himself.  I don't sit him on the potty every 30 minutes or ask him if he has to go.  Today he kept his diaper dry from about 1PM until 7PM (went on the potty three times).  He even kept it dry during his nap :)  He is talking a ton, loves to say NO for no and K for ok, has started doing time-outs, and all in all has become a joy.  So long, Mr. Trouble...hello Mr. Sweetness! 

 Grace has been working really hard in gymnastics.  She has gotten really good at cartwheels and handstands and doing back flips over the bar.  She is strong now!  She also has been practicing once a week (on top of her regular ballet class) for her nutcracker debut!  She has been added to another cast so she'll be performing four times instead of just twice.  Because of this, she has two practices every week- she's really cranked for her performance.

 We have been really lucky this fall because for the most part, we've had beautiful weather.  We've gone to Ashland several times (Henry Clay Estate) and play out back frequently.  On the days when Grace is in school, Holtz, Ralph and I almost always go on a walk.  Holtz holds the leash while he rides in his stroller.  Really cute!  The picture above where Holtz is hitting the ball, if you look at the top of the picture, you can see the ball.  I thought it was a really cool shot.   The kids also have been doing  a lot of coloring, painting, etc. 

 Pumpkin carving time-

 Cowboy Holtz...

 Grace is a flamenco dancer...

 Grace's school had a performance for the veterans on Veterans Day and her awesome Uncle Mikey flew up for it.  Grace was bursting at the seams to have him there. 

Yes, we have put up our tree already!  We want to enjoy it as long as we can!  Hope you enjoyed the latest post and pictures- 

Oglebay, Luau, Pierced Ears, Hair Cut, First Day of Kindergarten...

 Hello!  Hope everyone has had a good several couple of months.  We have had the most busy summer but it's been a fun and great one.  Here is Grace during her Pinkalicious camp at The Lexington Children's Theatre.  It was a 1/2 day week long camp in June.  All of the kids in the camp made their own props and acted out the book together- is was adorable and Grace seemed to enjoy it.

 From July 3-10 we had a family reunion in Wheeling, WV at Oglebay Resort.  We were helping my Grandad celebrate his 95th birthday and my Grandparent's 65th wedding anniversary (both on July 5th).  Phil and Michelle also got married this day and celebrated their 8th anniversary.  It was nice to have my grandparents, mom and all of my brother's with their families together at one time.  Oglebay had a lot to offer.  We shared two cottages at the resort.  Oglebay offered golf, a zoo, paddle boats, a park, etc.  We had gorgeous weather and went to the pool almost every day!  It was great for all of the kids.  A lot of my extended family also met us there whom I've never met so it was nice to meet them.  I've only posted a few pictures but here is a link that will take you to more if you'd like to see them.  Now I know some won't interest all of you but there are a series of shots where Grace and her cousin Lillian were making silly faces and it's hilarious!  Right click on the link to open it in a new window if you prefer...
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 The weekend after we returned home was our annual neighborhood luau.  Last year we had 92 people attend and this year we had 106.  It was different this year for some reason, much more mellow than last.  Here is a picture of my neighbor Dana and me and below is my little brother Mike chugging the last of the margaritas!  I, again, didn't want to post all of the pictures so will attach a link if you are interested.  It seems like I took a gazillion pictures before the party and very early on and then didn't take any more until the very end.  So the early pics are a lot of posey people and the end are the funny ones.  Enjoy!  Again right click on it...
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 Holtz had his 18 month appt. since the last post.  He is 20 months now so he's much bigger than this but at his 18 month appt. he weighed 23.6 lbs. (17th percentile), and was 33 1/2 in. tall (83rd percentile).  He is continuing to be long and lean!  He is wearing one of his train conductor hats from his 1st birthday party in the picture below.  These days he is talking more and more.  He says "nanolds" every time we pass a McDonalds (which isn't annoying at all considering they are everywhere- grin).  He also loves to pick up my phone, hold it to his ear and say "ello, ello"!  He knows all of his animal sounds and loves to say Ma ma ma ma, mom, mom, mom, ma ma over and over and over.  And over and over and over...  Holtz also seems to always be humming (on key) Happy Birthday and Twinkle Twinkle- it's really something!  He smiles on command now- say cheese!  He still strongly dislikes being in the car and he says "yah" when he wants something.  He can not only open doors but can unlock them too and on Sept. 15th, he crawled out of his crib (oh my).  He hasn't done it since so I'm hoping we still have another couple of months before we have to move him into a toddler bed.  Holtz loves to smell flowers (bends down and says "mmmmmm") and thinks every color he sees is blue.

 BIG NEWS!!!  On July 24th we (Grace included) decided it was time for Grace to get a haircut.  Now, this is her first real haircut since her baby mullet days (chuckle).  We cut off between 6 and 7 inches and when it was all said and done, she really looked so much more grown-up.  We all love her new do-

 MORE BIG NEWS!!!  Grace decided all by herself that she was big enough to get her ears pierced.  So on July 30th we went to Claires at the mall (Poppy and Mimi was down also) and let her get them pierced.  She was very brave...only a few tears after her first ear but none after her second.  She's had them now over 6 weeks so we are having fun changing her earrings-

 SO MUCH BIG NEWS HERE!!!  Grace's first day of kindergarten was August 11th.  She was ready to go!  Grace picked out her backpack and lunch box from Lands End and we had her name embroidered on them.  Her first day went well but was really long for her (7:45am-2:35pm).  I spoke to her principal the second day and she (Mrs. Bell) told me that Grace told her that she really needed to take a nap!!!  The second week of school Grace was very sad every day so I e-mailed all of the parents of the children in her class and scheduled play dates.  It's really helped Grace feel more comfortable going to class now that she knows some of the kids and so far we've been invited to 2 birthday parties- let the fun begin!  She is learning Spanish so quickly it's amazing! 

 Holtz (and Daddy) is along for the ride the first day of school to support his favorite big sister-

The weekend after Grace's first 2 days of school we headed to South Bend, IN for my best buddy's daughter's baptism on August 12th.  I am flattered and proud to be Miss Chesney Rose VanTornhout's Godmother.  Craig and Katie are so blessed to have such wonderful kiddos and I'm so lucky to be in their lives.  What a good looking family! 

 On the 20th of August we met our friends Jeremy and Shannon Cummings at the Cincinnati Zoo.  It's so fun to let Grace and Holtz get together with their little Olivia.  It was yet another perfect day!

 It's 5:00 somewhere---  We finally made it to another Jimmy Buffett concert- it's been too long.  On the 23rd we went with our neighbors Dana and Chris to Riverbend to party it up...and party we did.  Buffett's still got it going on- just love his concerts!  Have to add in that my little brother Mike flew up to watch the kids for us (it's good to have a little bro that's a pilot)!  Mike- you are awesome!

Grace was asked to be a flower girl for the second time this summer.  Hayley and Kevin got married on Sept. 10th and Grace, again, loved being a part of the wedding.  She went to a salon to get her hair curled this time and was so tired she fell asleep while she was getting her hair curled- he he he!  She walked down holding Chelsea's hand (Hayley's sister) and when she got to the end she dropped flower petals where Hayley and Kevin were gong to stand.  The only problem was  (not really a problem) but Hayley got to Kevin before Grace was finished emptying her petals.  Chelsea walked her back to where she needed to be and Grace continued to spread the petals.  Some by gently dropping, some by tossing in the air...it was so innocent, sweet and freaking hilarious!  It was so hard to stay composed during it all.  I hope somebody got it on camera!  Congrats Hayley and Kevin- we love you!

Grace looking so sweet after the wedding...

Holtz not looking quite as sweet...but was having a ball nonetheless!

Last Saturday was National Gymnastics Day.  At 1:00 EST, gymnasts across the county were encouraged to kick up to a handstand and help USA Gymnastics break a world record for the number of handstands held at the same time.  Australia had the record at 2,400 and the US crushed it with almost 20,500!!  This picture below is during the practice part...I video taped at 1:00 but thought this picture was priceless.  If you look right in the middle you will see little tiny Grace doing a perfect handstand (in blue).  She really has become quite the gymnast.  She's able to do handstands, near perfect cartwheels and can even do a back pullover (I think that's what it's called) over a bar.  You can't see Megan, Grace's buddy, right next to her but she participated too- it was GREAT!

OK, all of the 'events' are done and now just for the fun part.  Other than the things listed above (which kept us plenty busy) we also went to several programs at the library (Little Leonardos and Daring da Vincis), Salato, McConnell Springs, Southland Pool and  the fair at our neighborhood park.  Grace has gotten to be quite brave.  She rode all of the rides (even the one that goes up slowly and drops straight down- yikes) all by herself.  We got there early (you can see that she's almost the only one riding). 

She was screaming at the top of her lungs on the dragon roller coaster...very funny (and unusual for her).

Holtz finger painted for the first time on July 28th.  I think he did a great job on his canvas and I proudly have it on our mantle- come check it out!

Grace loves her little brother.  She does pester him a bit though these days.  It's funny because she always has been so motherly to Holtz and that is what is getting on his nerves.  She loves to help him (all the time) and she wants him to be around her all the time.  He, on the other hand, is starting to like to make his own decisions.  He is such a lucky little guy (although he doesn't know it yet) to have a sister that loves him so much.  One thing they like to play is hide and seek.  It's unusual for a little guy to be so good at it.  He will stand behind a chair, or crouched down in his toy box until we get him out.  Honest to goodness, he will sit or stand there quietly without moving a muscle!!!  It's funny funny funny.  Grace even starts giggling when we are looking for her- I don't know how Holtz (who isn't known to be quiet) does it. 

When Grace is at school, Holtz and I hang out with Holtz's best friend (other than Grace) Lolo (short for Lauren).  This is Megan's (Grace's buddy) little sister.  Holtz and Lolo play so well together!  We do play dates and go on walks- it's so fun!

This was about a month ago- check it out, Holtz is a good block stacker!

Couldn't resist these last photos.  Grace and Holtz sometimes watch the Notre Dame games with me.  Katie and Craig (my buds from South Bend) keep my kids stocked with ND gear. 

One of the sweetest pictures ever...study Holtz study!

Touchdown Irish!

Hope this wasn't too long for all of you- and hope you enjoyed it!