Preschool Camp

Wyatt was enrolled in preschool camp last week. It was his first time away from us (without being left with a grandma) EVER! He was attending a Luau themed camp at the preschool he will attend this fall with some of his future classmates. The camp ran Monday-Thursday, 9-noon, and I was really hoping he would enjoy himself.

Monday morning I had to wake him up and had already explained to him the night before that he could not watch television when he woke up. Instead he needed to eat his breakfast and get dressed for school and if there was any extra time he could watch TV. He got right out of bed for me and went to the breakfast table and ate Honey Bunches of Oats. He then got dressed, brushed his teeth and hair and put his socks, shoes and backpack on. He was ready to go 30 minutes early and got to watch "Curious George" before we headed out the door.

When we arrived at preschool he was excited to get inside and was the first kid in line to go downstairs. He told me goodbye, and that he loved me and then waved to Sam and I as he headed off to camp. I was so proud of him!!

Later, when I picked him up from school, he was the first kid out the door and yelled "Mom!" and came running to give me a giant hug with the biggest smile.

The rest of the week was a lot of the same and he hasn't been able to stop talking about how much he loves his teachers and new friends. Each day he would proudly tell me that he played on the playground using the rope to climb up instead of the ladder. He also did a few art projects, loved the daily snacks, and read lots of books. He can't wait to go back.

He will officially start preschool three days a week on September 7. I am so excited for him for this next chapter and can't believe how quickly he is growing up.

Carter Falls @ Mt. Rainer

We took the kids to Mt. Rainer on Friday and hiked to Carter's Falls, which was 2.2 miles round trip. We had to cross a log bridge over the river to get to the trail head and the boys loved it.

The boys ran off and on up to the falls and then we hiked a bit down to the river bank and let the kids splash in the water.

Railroad Days 1K Run

I signed the boys up to participate in the Snoqualmie Railroad Days 1K run and we (mostly) had a fun time. Wyatt was a seasoned pro after running in the Cinco De Mayo 1 Mile in May and Sam was running for the first time. As we waited for the race to begin at the start line Sam began to have second thoughts... second thoughts about running, second thoughts about wearing his race t-shirt, second thoughts about wearing his racing number, second thoughts on his lot in life... you get the picture.



Wyatt, however, was excited to run with a bunch of friends from the Sno-Valley Moms Group and did his best to encourage Sam.


I warned Sam that the race would start with a loud train whistle so he kept his ears covered until a few minutes into the race.



Wyatt was a good sport and would sprint ahead and then wait for Sam and I as I gently pulled Sam along and eventually just gave up and carried him. Did you know carrying a 2.5 year old while running really adds to the intensity?!

We finished the race together and Wyatt was thrilled to receive a finisher's medal and free smoothie.

Afterward we went for a walk to check out the trains and by the time it was time to walk to the car Sam decided he wanted to RUN there! Better late than never...

Seafair

I took the kids to Seafair to see the Blue Angels fly over the weekend and we watched with Wood, Julie, Nick, Grandma and the cousins at Steward Park on the banks of Lake Washington. We had a lot of fun and the kids loved the planes- especially Sam, who kept saying "How I get in plane?"

The kids wore their pirate hats and received a lot of compliments including from a couple of Seafair pirates who gave the boys official 2011 Seafair coins.

Happy Birthday Wyatt!

Dear Wyatt,

How can it be that my little boy is turning four?! The time truly has flown by and I worry that you will be out of the house before I know it and something tells me that even if I could get time to slow down there would never be enough time spent with you.



You have grown up so much over the last year and are such a mature little boy. You still like to come in my room in the morning and wake me up to have some snuggle time, which is honestly my favorite part of the day, hands down. We snuggle into each other under the warm covers and hug and giggle and talk and I love every second of it no matter the time.
You love to play with Sam and go for bike rides, build elaborate train track sets, play catch, wrestle and jump off anything and everything. You are fearless, especially when it comes to climbing and can scale to the top of our citrus tree in the backyard- at least 15 feet in the air no problem. You like to do this stripped down to your underwear and barefoot while yelling "Look at me Mom! I'm a monkey!"



You love to go to the movies at the North Bend Theater Mommy matinees and munch on popcorn. We have seen Mega Mind, Kung Fu Panda 2, Cars 2 (twice) and Flushed Away. You also love to watch the movies "Tangled" and "Rio" at home, as well as the television shows "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" and "Curious George".

Dad has also introduced you and Sam to the Encore Western channel and the three of you watch old cowboy and Indian movies together, including one of your current favorites "The Three Amigos".



You have been fully potty trained for more than 6 months and I can count the number of "accidents" you have had on one hand.

You love to help us cook and routinely help stir the batter to make pancakes and waffles in the mornings. You are a wonderful helper and like to wash the cars, help load/unload and dry the laundry and mop the floors.

To take excellent care of Sam and help teach him new things and keep him safe. The two of you are the best of friends and only have occasional arguments over toys that usually gets solved quickly by taking turns.



You love to build "caves" using the couch cushions and blankets and like to pretend the couch is your very own pirate ship with the floor being the ocean.
You are very loving and hug and kiss us all day long and constantly tell us how much you love us and how nice it is to have a nice family.



You are our constant joy and we are so lucky to have you for a son. You are loved more than you will ever know.

Love, Mom

*****

Here is video of Papa and Nana singing "Happy Birthday" to you (in your new apron).