Party!

I don't have any pictures with me at the moment but we had a great block party/birthday party for the kids.  I made the cupcakes with the umbrella's and gum for beach chairs.  I will try and get a pictures, but I got the idea on pinterest of course.  The pinata was a big hit.  All the kids got to hit the pinata and seemed to have fun.  Grandpa got whacked a couple of times.  Luckily it was a nerf baseball bat.  But he was taking some pretty strong hits from a 4 year old.  It was freezing outside but the kids still ate out in the playhouse.  They really tried to batton down the hatches out there to keep the wind out.  It was very cute.  All in all I would say a success. 
Yesterday we went out to visit Tara.  I don't have any pictures of her but she is at boot camp.  We finally decided to go and have her trained or she was going to be made into glue.  She has lost a lot of weight and it was only three days and her trainer got on her and was riding.  So far she has not bucked.  She just seems to really be into doing what is asked other than when she is worried about what the rest of the herd is doing out there.  Brandi and Skinner are going to have to go out and start riding with Tara and her trainer so that they can get a bit of training as well.  It was great to see though.  Hopefully there will be some posts about her on www.backwoodsbuckaroo.com which is Tara's trainer's website.  She lost so much weight she actually looks like a pony instead of a big horse.  Brandi was pretty happy to see her.  So next weekend hopefully they will get a chance to get out there. 

Grandpa here

Grandpa Jim-

 Here are the pics of our paddle on Pine Mountain Lake yesterday.  After Kay wanted to go back to the landing I stopped paddling with about 100yds to go, told Kaj to turn around (he was reversed in the stern seat) and paddle us back to the landing.  Even with a little breeze and coaching to switch sides to turn the canoe he got it right away and paddled us to shore.  Lots of discoveries during the circumnavigation of the lake: 3 old beaver lodges, followed a merganser around, saw a boat stored in the woods, learned about horsetails (reedy type weed in the lake), Kaj described an "alley" through the trees up to a high peak, found one potential campsite other than the one at the landing,and on the ride back out of the woods, a rocky slope with thick, thick sphagnum moss and reindeer lichen.

 

 Strong muscles!

 Lunch

 

Going for a ride!

Off and Racing

Well Kaj had a wonderful first week of Kindergarten.  He is not lacking in confidence which helps.  His favorite part he says is riding the bus.  He has talked about lunch time, gym class, and he really liked being the author for the day.  In fact they had to bring it home and write more about the story they were telling and he wanted to work on that at 6:30 in the morning on Saturday.  He said "Mommy I have a great idea!  We can work on my story right now!"  We will see if that keeps up, but I will take it.  Apparently the hot dogs are huge at school and he actually ate his meatballs that came with his spaghetti.  He also like Linnea who is the neighbor girl that comes home with him after school.  They have a great time. 

Waiting

Before I post any stories about Kaj and his first day of school lets talk about the stress for the Mother.  I leave Kaj at daycare all the time so what is the big deal you may ask.  I don't know if it is that he is growing up or if it is the greater independence that he has but what a wreck it can make of the Mother.  For me it is, I think, the not knowing how he is going to like it and also it is such a big place is he going to figure out where to go?  Is there going to be mean kids there and will he be able to stick for himself or will an adult jump in.  Doesn't help that last week on the news they showed a kid being torchered and the teacher helping to do it instead of putting a stop to it.  Everything will be fine I am sure once I hear the report back from Kaj of how things went and hopefully he will want to go again tomorrow.

Over the railroad tracks and through the woods ...

 The kids finnnnnnnnnnnalllllllllllly got to have and overnight with the Aunts and I think everyone survived and had a great time!  Next time they want to stay longer so that is good.

 Really who can argue with pizza.  The Aunts sure knew what they were doing to ensure the kids actually ate something. 

 The pre-bed wrestling match.  I remember that turning in to the in bed tickling match with my sister.  I am sure it drove my parents nuts when we were staying in a hotel.

 Brandi and Doris stayed up until Midnight working on a puzzle.

 Dusty allowed Kaj to get on the couch and share with her but she doesn't look very impressed.  He is taking up more than his share!

 Do you see Brandi!

 Random picture of Kaj helping Grandpa clean out the garage the other day.  It must have gotten a little stinky in there.

Back to the Aunts and wonderful easel they got for the kids.