Preschool

Yesterday was Isaac's first day of preschool.  He was so excited!  He woke up at 7:30 and before 8 o'clock he had asked me 3 times if we could eat lunch and go.  He goes to preschool from 12:00-2:55 PM.  He was dressed with his shoes on and back pack in hand by 8:10 so I had to keep him preoccupied for a couple of hours.  We watched a new Mighty Machines video and then played outside for 2 hours.  Finally it was time for lunch and time to go.  Zach came home early yesterday so he could help me take Isaac to preschool for the first time. 

Isaac ready to go to preschool

Both boys before we left for preschool

When we got to preschool Isaac said goodbye to me at the car.  I couldn't answer him because I was choking back tears.  Not tears of sadness that he was going but tears realizing that my little boy is growing up so fast.  Isaac went right in and started playing like he belonged there.  We said goodbye and left. 

Isaac went right in a started playing

Caleb cried for all of us.  Until that point he was convinced he was also going to preschool with Isaac.  As we walked to the van he kept saying "I play Isaac, I play Isaac."  It was absolutely heart breaking and when he got in the car he put his head down in the seat and cried.  Zach took him to the park to play though & I think that made him feel better.  

Caleb thought he was going to preschool too.  Broken hearted little boy!

Isaac's first day was a success.  We picked him up and he was all smiles from ear to ear!  After preschool we celebrated at Dairy Queen.  Isaac saw a couple of his classmates there and recognized them but didn't know their names.  He has plenty of time to learn names! :)

Wisconsin Dells

We left last Monday, the 13th, for the Wisconsin Dells.  We arrived just before supper on Monday evening so the only activities we did were check in our hotel and eat supper.  Supper was at the Pizza Pub & we had some of the best pizza ever plus there was an awesome salad bar.  I LOVE salad bars! This was the 1st time we didn't bring Caleb's pack n play with us so he had to adjust to sleeping in the hotel bed with mommy & daddy.  We stayed at a cheaper hotel Monday night & then moved to a hotel with a small waterpark for Tuesday & Wednesday night.  Tuesday morning we went to Pirate's Cove where we did some mini golfing and rode the pedal carts.  They also had trampoline basketball and a giant pillow to jump on.  Isaac loved the mini golfing and Caleb liked to pick up his ball & put it in the hole.  Can't say he's a golfer yet

Daddy trying to help Caleb putt.  Caleb did not want his help.

Caleb walking up to the hole to put his ball in by hand

Isaac getting some coaching from daddy

It was a really pretty golf course.  Isaac is waiting by the hole for everyone to finish their turn

The boys mini-golfing

Isaac getting ready for his first putt into the cave

Daddy & Isaac when we were through.  I did a horrible job of getting the sign in the picture.  It said "Punishment for taking 5 Putts"

Isaac riding the pedal carts

Daddy giving Caleb a ride on the pedal carts

All my boys on the pedal carts

Isaac & Daddy digging in the sand at the playground at Pirate's Cove

Isaac sliding at the playground at Pirate's Cove

Caleb ready to "wee" at Pirate's Cove

 Tuesday afternoon we went on a Duck Boat tour.  It was a half land/half water excursion.  Caleb took his afternoon nap during this tour.  After the boat tour we checked in to our new hotel.  Zach & I were exhausted but the boys wanted to go back to Pirate's cove for more pedal carts so we headed out again.  We took the boys to a place called Buffalo Phil's where they deliver your food on a toy train.  It was cool but little hands had a hard time not touching the train!  After supper we played in the small water park at our hotel for a short while before getting the boys to bed.

Isaac & Mommy waiting for the Duck Boat tour to start

Daddy & Caleb ready for the ride as well

Wednesday we got tickets from our hotel to a bigger water park off site.  It had both an indoor park & an outdoor park.  It wasn't super warm outside so we spent most of our time inside.  The boys loved the small slides for tots and wanted to try the bigger slides.  Zach took Isaac down one & I took Caleb down with me.  At the bottom the life guard told us they only allow single riders, even with small children.  Caleb was set on going down the big "wee" again so we sent Isaac first, Zach second, followed by Caleb.  Zach caught Caleb at the bottom and I came down last.  We are thankful that our boys are so brave because the bigger water park would have been a waste if all they could do was the small slides in the toddler section.  Our hotel's water park would have been a better option if our boys weren't so brave!  We did try a couple of slides outside and one of them didn't have enough water pressure so Caleb stopped a 1/4 of the way down.  I had to come down after him and give him a push.

Caleb & Isaac playing in the toddler section

Isaac sliding down one of the smaller slides in the toddler section

Caleb sliding down the other small slide in the toddler section

Isaac having a good time!

The big green slide is one of the bigger slides that Isaac & Caleb were brave enough to do by themselves.  We were impressed & so we a lot of other people at the bottom.  They were especially impressed with Caleb.

This slide was outside.  You got on an inner-tube and came down from the left side up to the top of the right side.  And then kept going from side to side until your tube lost momentum & stopped.  It looked interesting & we'd never seen anything like it. 

Isaac wanted to try the big white slide with daddy.  They took the tube & climbed the steps but Isaac decided he didn't want to when he got close to the top.

Mommy & Caleb wait for Daddy & Isaac on the big white slide

Daddy & Isaac on the lazy river

Isaac loved mini-golfing so much that we went again Wednesday evening after supper.  We went to a course that is built right on the Wisconsin River.  Zach & I have never been so afraid of losing a golf ball than we were with Caleb & his golf ball by the river.  He managed to only throw it onto another hole!

We were planning on taking a horse drawn wagon tour through the canyons on Thursday morning but it rained overnight and the people told us every inch of rain equals a foot of water in the canyons.  They weren't even sure if they were going to open that morning.  It was a bummer but we decided to head back to the bigger water park until lunch.  After lunch we hit the road for Dubuque where our friends Mark & Julie live.  Julie used to watch Isaac when they lived in Indianola and her son, Asher, is 8 weeks older than Isaac. Caleb fell asleep in the car before we got out of town & it only took Isaac about 15 minutes to sleep.

We ate supper with Julie & Asher Thursday evening at a restaurant down on the Mississippi. After supper we took a walk on the river walk.  The boys loved running together and watching the boats.  Friday morning we went to Eagle Point Park and played at the playground.  It also had a look out where we could see the Lock and Dam on the river.  We ate lunch with our friends and then hit the road for home.  Both boys slept most of the way home.  We had to stop at my parents to get Molly.  They woke up about 20 minutes from their house so they probably got 2 or more hours of sleep.

Caleb, Isaac, & Asher on the river walk in Dubuque

Our family at the look out point in Eagle Point Park

It's good to be home but we were exhausted!  Caleb did so well in the hotel bed that we decided to take down his crib when we got home Saturday.  We took all the toys and split them between Isaac and Caleb's rooms.  Some made their way to the basement.  We took the rocker from Caleb's room & put it in the living room.  I love the living room with no toys!  Caleb has done pretty well in his big boy bed.  He doesn't really get out of bed but he doesn't go right to sleep either.

Zach taking down the crib

Caleb's big boy room with furniture rearranged

Catching up

We went on vacation last week and I am still trying to catch up and recover!  We had a busy weekend before we left.  Saturday evening we went to Monroe for their annual Old Settler's festival.  My dad drove his tractor through the parade and took all the grandkids in the trailer behind him.  My brother, Jim, & Zach were also voted into the wagon to ensure Caleb didn't try to jump out.  Jim & Zach left the kids with my sister in-law & I to golf Saturday afternoon so it's only fair they had to ride. :)

Grandpa with the Grandkids in the trailer

Jim pointing out where we were sitting to the kids

Isaac & Daddy dancing to the entertainment after the parade

Caleb giving mommy a good smile

The boys wanted these lighted mohawks and so we got them one instead of them riding rides

On Sunday, Zach's dad & grandparents came down to see us.  We went to Des Moines to a place called Monkey Joe's, which is an indoor inflatable playground.  Isaac & Caleb had a lot of fun playing and I think Zach's family enjoyed themselves too.

Caleb climbing a wall at Monkey Joe's

Isaac climbing a wall at Monkey Joe's

Isaac sliding down the slide

Isaac & the two Grandpa's before we left

It is finished...mostly!

The bathroom project is winding it's way down.  The walls are painted, tub is caulked, new floor installed, toilet back in, vanity is installed, & the mirror is up!  We can officially use it again and we are enjoying it tremendously!  It's amazing how thankful you are for a tub/shower when you've been showering in a 3x3 space for 30 days!  Zach did an awesome job with a little help from my dad & brother.  He will tell you it's not perfect but the things that are not quite perfect can not be detected easily by those who don't know about the imperfections.   It was a learning experience as always but the only way to learn is to try.  Here are a few of the pictures of our new bathroom:

Zach & my dad putting the toilet back in with some supervision from Caleb

Toilet & Vanity back in & working!

A look at our new vanity.  Zach is currently storing his tools in one of those drawers & he  & my dad think I should let him keep them there.  Not happening boys!

Mirror back on the wall & a look at our new shower curtain

Better look at the shower curtain.  We got one of those curtain rods that are curved so it feels even more roomy when you are showering!

New flooring with our new rug

Isaac wanted me to take his picture with Caleb in the new bathroom.  Love my Cyclone boys!

We still need to hang things on the walls & install a cupboard over the toilet but those things will happen when we get time. :)  The important thing is we can shower upstairs & it is so great!

Caleb got a scratch the other night and wouldn't go to bed without a BandAid.  It was late and the night wasn't going very well so I decided to pick my battle & not fight with him.  I did however document it for later laughs of how silly he is.  Here is the picture:

Happy boy with his BandAid on

A couple of weeks ago Zach & I took the kids out to my parents & headed to Ames for a few days away.  We desperately needed it as this summer has been one big event after the other.  It was time to slow down and get reconnected with each other & with God.  We saw some old friends on Thursday night and spent most of Friday, sitting on Central Campus being still & reading.  It was so much fun to be back in the place we met and fell in love.  I miss Ames and found myself longing to live there once again.  Saturday we came home and had a relaxing afternoon watching the Olympics.  The Olympics, by the way, are keeping me up way too late at night! :)  Here are a couple of pics from our time on Central Campus:

Central Campus with the Campanile in the background

Zach relaxing on Central Campus underneath a tree.

We are leaving next Monday to vacation in the Wisconsin Dells.  We are ready for a much need vacation with our little family.  The boys are very excited to play in the waterparks & see the sights.  Hopefully I'll post pics next time!