8.30.2013 Firehouse Museum

Today we met up with some friends and went to the local Firehouse Museum.

 

 The museum had a couple firetrucks for the kids to play on...

 

 ...and cool outfits to put on.

 

 Eli loved his fireman outfit too.  He was a sweaty mess by the time we were done, but he had a blast!

 

 'Driving' the truck.

 

 David got a turn too.

 

 And of course, Leah got in on the action.  My favorite part of the day was when David said 'Hey!  You can make the window go up and down with this stick thing!'  Apparently he's only used automatic window controllers :)

 

 :)

 

 I think they wanted to go down the pole...

 

 Our little group...minus Evie.  The Museum was really fun!

 

 There's a real fire station right across the street, so we headed over that way.  This fireman gave us a tour of the truck.  Midway through his presentation, he got a call, though...

 

 ...so we went over to watch him get his gear on. 

 

 He waved goodbye, and was off!  It was pretty neat.

 

 Watch out fire!  Eli's comin'! :)

 

 

Leah was in charge of the CB...they have no idea what trouble THAT could cause :)

 

Such a fun little trip!  We may have to go back again soon!

8.28.2013 The Park is more fun with cousins!

 Wednesday we got to hang out with Katie and Jacob, so we decided to head to the park (Eli was at school)  I think Jacob officially loves the wagon! 

 

 A little fun on the see-saw

 

 Some digging

 

 and bug hunting.  Katie is always happier when she's found a bug to study!

 

 This guy had a blast!  He loved climbing all over the playground equipment.

 

 Can't leave the park without playing in the sand...and getting completely filthy.  (Side note...she asked me to put her hair in piggy tails so she could look like Milli Measure from Team Umizoomi.  If you need birthday ideas for her, anything Umizoomi is a big hit right now :) )

 

A little exercise

 

Katie showing off her gymnastics skills.

 

Leah trying...

 

...and Jacob also trying. 

 

Love these animal rides.

 

This is seriously the worse playground animal ever...what is it?  A worm?  Weird.  But the kid on it is cute!

Fun fun fun at the park!  After they left, Leah (after crying hysterically) said "Now when are Isaac and Ethan coming?"  Hopefully soon!  (Don't be offended, Ben and Carly...the last few nights as she prays she tells God about how you guys came over, and how Carly painted her nails, and hopes you come agan too ;) )

8.26.2013 First Day of Pre-School

So...summer is over.  Eli started school today.  He's at a new school this year.  It's a pre-school just down the road from us.  It's at the church he goes to AWANA on Wednesday nights, so he was familiar with the layout. 

 All ready to go!  

 

 Leah wanted to get in on the fun too.  She's SO ready to go to school.  Keep waiting, little girl.  It's gonna be a while :)

 

 My two favorite kiddos!

 

 In front of Eli's room.  The school you have to wait outside the door until the teacher opens the door.  I thought Eli was going to go crazy.  He wanted to go into his class so bad!

 

 I stepped in to get one more picture, and he quickly looked up and said 'Bye mom, BYE MOM!'  translated, 'GET OUT OF HERE MOM!' :)  No separation anxiety here!

 

 Leah and I headed over to the park after dropping Eli off.  I told her to 'be crazy'.  This is what I got.  Then she ran off to chase squirrels.

 

 Happy girl.

 

 Not afraid of anything...

 

 Such a cutie!

 

 Anyway, back to Eli :)  This is what he learned today...I went and picked him up after his full morning, and met with his teacher.  

 

This is her :)  We had a meeting and talked over a few things in his IEP that he had gotten at the end of Pre-school last year.  She said he did really good today-fit in just fine.  He had some trouble staying in line, and staying on task, but didn't get upset when he was redirected, and participated just fine.  I'm so excited that he's in this class. His teacher is a retired teacher from the public school system-she taught elementary for 40 years, and is now in her 4th year at Eli's school.  She seems wonderful so far.  She also has a Masters in Special Education, so it's a perfect fit for Eli.  Plus, she has 3 grandsons that are on the Autism Spectrum.  Seriously...God could not have chosen a better spot for my special little guy!  We went to speech therapy after school and showed his therapist these pictures, and she was so excited when she saw Eli's teacher-that was the same teacher her daughter had had at that school.  She had only wonderful things to say about her-she said that his teacher is very organized and structured.  Perfect for Eli :) 

 

We are so thankful for a great first day!  I remember dropping Eli off at school for his first day last year.  I had a knot in my stomach....I was so worried that we were 'doing the right thing'.  And in the end...I don't know if it WAS what was best for him.  (Good thing kids are resilient!)  But today I had NONE of that feeling.  I was excited for him.  I wasn't even sad to take him.  I really truly felt he was in the best place for him and that this year is going to be an incredible experience for him.  I can't wait to see what God is going to do in his life this year!!