Pools & Sunshine

It has been a busy summer so far! Ethan started Kids Connection the second week in June. He had a few days off before that strarted, so one of the days he got to spend with his friend Mason. They went out to the lake fishing and paddle boating. It was definitely the highlight of his week!

There has already been a lot of swimming this summer. Grandpa and Grandma Poppe have a pool at their house, Carson's daycare has a pool and we have a small one at our house!   


Last weekend we went over to Janesville with Sara, Aubrey and Jack for the Hay Daze carnival. The kids went on a few rides. Ethan went on the titl-a-whirl so Carson also thought he should get to! I thought he would be scared, but he loved it and had a big smile on his face the whole time!

One of the kids favorite things to do in the summer is search for frogs and toads. Carson was SO happy one night because we found a toad in our yard. He played with that toad all night long and then released it into the garden when it was bedtime. The next day he asked if the "toady" was going to come back, he was a little disapointed when I told him that he probably would not be back.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Last day of 1st grade

Today was Ethan's last day of first grade!  He had a picnic at Spring Lake Park, Jarred and I both went and ate lunch with him.  I took a picture of him this morning.  He looks so grown up, even compared to the picture I took on the first day of school.

Last Day of 1st Grade

First Day of 1st Grade

Proud!

I am happy to report that both boys passed their swimming class! Ethan improved so much after taking this last class and has become a pretty good swimmer. Carson still needs to work a little bit on being a little more confident, he doesn't really like putting his face or head in the water. So we will practice that this summer.

The kids have also really been enjoying this weather we have been having. We brought the gator home from storage and Carson is now old enough to drive it by himself. Ethan really doesn't fit in it anymore, his legs are to long...much to his disapointment. He does try and ride with Carson so he can tell him where to go. :) I think the gator will be Carson's favorite toy this summer!

First Swimming Lessons

I am happy to report that Carson did a super job at his first day of swimming lessons! He was so excited. He didn't hesitate to go with the teachers when it was time, but he was a little shy when they talked to him. He did really good during the lessons and did what they said. We were very
proud of him. He is so grown up!

I think this picture captures his excitement perfectly! :)


Standing in line with the other kids listening to the teacher.

At the end of swimming the kids get a few minutes of free time, so Ethan go to come over and play. Ethan is in his third session of lessons at the Y, he did really good swimming across the pool!

Snow?

I guess I missed posting for the whole month of January. Oops! :) Not a lot has been going on in our household! The kids are missing the fact that we have hardly had any snow this winter. The few times we have, they are right out there to play in it. Ethan has been doing really good in school and just finished up a basketball camp and Carson is fully potty trained! Hallelujah! I may sign both of them up for swimming lessons in February at the Y. I am nervous to sign Carson up though...I am not sure if he will like staying with a teacher by himself and I also don't know if he will actually LISTEN to a teacher for lessons. I guess I won't know unless we try. Wish me luck!
Here's our last few months in pictures.

So happy to be out in the snow!

Ethan was pulling Carson around the yard in the sled...he was even doing it nicely!

Ethan all dressed up for his Sunday school Christmas program.

Carson opening presents on Christmas morning.

The kids with the LARGE Buzz tunnel that their nice auntie Shannon got Carson for Christmas.

Coloring a Mater cardboad play house. Our family gave the kids lots of large Christmas presents this year...I think they must be trying to drive us into a bigger house!

We went over to New Ulm to play with Owen over Christmas break.

Aubrey and Jack were over on a Wednesday (curling night!) and they are watching some TV. I took the picture because we thought it was cute that they were sitting from oldest to youngest, and we didn't even plan it.

Merry Christmas!

I am looking forward to a long weekend with family. The kids are very excited to open their gifts. Merry Christmas everyone!

Ethan is 7!

Over the weekend Ethan had a birthday party with two of his friends, Alex & Gabe. Jarred took them swimming at the YMCA. They came back to our house to play and had pizza and cupcakes. Grandpa & Grandma Poppe came to visit Ethan yesterday for his birthday and gave him a lego semi set, he worked on it all night long and finished it pretty much by himself. He was pretty proud of himself. Tonight we are going out for pizza with Jarred's family. It has been a fun couple of days.

I still can't believe you are 7, Ethan! Mom, Dad, and Carson love you lots!!!!!!! Happy Birthday!