Painting

After reading my friend Jen's blog today (click HERE), I decided to mix up some sidewalk paint for my kids to play with this evening. I wasn't sure of the ratios, so I just kind of mixed and tested it outside until I thought it would work for the kids. They had a ball. And it was worth it, even if John did get paint in Emma's hair. She threw a fit in the tub when I was trying to get it out, but I think it's all out. If not, I guess she'll just have blue streaks in her hair at church tomorrow.

First (and Second) Day of Preschool

After several days of "Is TODAY the day I go to preschool?", John FINALLY started on Wednesday. Knowing that he was so ready and excited, made it easy for me to drop him off...and he was so cute. He and Emma played outside for a little bit before we left since we were ready so early (I know, I know...shocker.)

riding his scooter and "LIGHTNING MCQUEEN!"

so serious...

outside the preschool on a bright, sunny day

inside before I left

I picked John up in the pick up lane after preschool and got out of the van to greet him. He came running toward me, so I opened my arms for a big hug...but he ran past and climbed right into the van where a sippy cup was waiting for my VERY thirsty boy. When asked about a day at school, some kids have few words to say. John, on the other hand, talked most of the day. He's got a friend, Zach, whom he knew already from MOPS. They listened to a story about Jesus healing a person and read a book called Spot Goes to School.

Day 2 (on Friday) was good as well. This time he gave me a huge bear hug on the way out. Then this was our conversation:

Me: How was school today?

J: Good, but a ball like a basketball or a baseball hit my head.

Me: (as I investigate the bump on his forehead) Ouch. Was it big like a basketball or smaller like a baseball? (showing him with my hands)

J: Um, like a baseball.

As the conversation goes on, he tells me he was playing ball outside with 3 boys and 2 girls, and the ball hit his head. He says he didn't cry and the teacher did see it.

When I ask if he has any papers for Mommy and Daddy today, he gets papers out...including an "injury/incident" report. The teacher filled out a report about John's injury. Here's what she filled out:

"John was playing in the Blue Room and was carrying a lot of toys when he tripped and hit his forehead on one of the chairs in the room. He was fine and continued to play after teacher checked with him."

John said he never fell in the Blue Room. Odd, huh?

John's 4th Birthday Party

John was blessed to have many family and friends at his birthday party. We had pizza and homemade cutout "cars" cookies at Village Park. Although it was cooler than most August days, we were pleased that it wasn't rainy.

The kids sat at the table to eat...at least for a few minutes

Emma Rae with her messy face, John opening presents

Tommy, John, Madison, Emma K

Bella and Grandma W, Drew

Great-Uncle Wes, John, Great-Aunt Arlys

Grandma-Great, Grandpa-Great, John, & Julie

John, Scott, Judy & Leon Thompson

Lauren and Blake Whitaker, John

Gpa & Gma W with the kids, Gpa VM & John

Alyssa & John, John & Grandma VM

Trying to get a picture of our family at the end of a long day proved to be challenging.

Stairs, Stairs, and More Stairs

John, Scott, and I joined Uncle Wes, Aunt Ginny, and several of my cousins on a climb up 319 stairs at Roche-A-Cri State Park in Wisconsin. We were rewarded with an incredible view. John climbed up the stairs all by himself (near the front of the pack) and made it most of the way down on his own. Uncle Wes carried him the last bit.

Going down...(where's John?)

The Generation 4 Climbers: Dillan, John, Luke, Adam, Grace

Riding the Train

Getting a good picture of all of us proved to be a challenge.

Aunt Ginny, Adam, and Luke

Luke and John by the engine, John and Luke talking to each other

Grandma VM, Emma, and John trying to wait patiently.

Looking at the scenery go by

Waiting for the Train

Some of us took the younger kids on a small train ride near the Dells. We had a little bit of a wait for the train, which provided a great photo opportunity...even if the kids weren't 100% cooperative.

John, Luke, Adam, and Emma

Aaron and Emma

Bounce, Bounce, Bounce

Brad and Alyssa brought Drew's bounce house for the kids to play in, and it provided great fun for the youngsters. Emma wasn't too sure about it at first, but she gradually warmed up to it. John enjoyed it toward the end since he fell asleep late in the afternoon and slept through supper. It took awhile to get the cranky boy to have fun, and then it took even longer for him to go back to sleep for the night.

CARS Dominoes

John and Landon were entertained before supper on the first night of family vacation by playing CARS Dominoes. John played with Luke later in the week too.