Town Lake with Mommy

We need a new routine on Saturdays now that Charis is in school. We both just want to watch movies and play at home. But I want Saturdays to be her fun day with me. So, this Saturday we got up and ate breakfast and then went down to Town Lake. We packed our lunches and ate on a bench. We played on the swings. Charis rode her bike on the walking path. Kris took the pedals off so that she could start learning her balance and steering. It was fun but took some struggling for Charis to learn. She loves it!

We also walked and then watched the boats. It was a great day and so much better than watching movies.

Fat Tire Festival

Kris and Charis went to the Fat Tire Festival.
All I know about it is that there are a lot of bikes and tricks on bikes and a big group that does a slow ride around town.









Maybe Kris will add some more information. Apparently, Charis was a little crabby, but then she made friends with a little girl that she met, and was her happy self for the rest of the time. It looks like they had fun!

Fun pictures

These are just some random small events that I thought we got some fun pictures of but not much to blog about.
Fun shaped pancakes for Charis on a relaxing Sunday morning.
Charis playing in a hammock at Whole Earth.
Family photo from Brad's (Worm's) wedding.

Loving school

These are some great pictures that I had to share of Charis singing and dancing because she was excited about getting ready for school. Some of the songs she made up and some that she learned at school. I wish they were videos but the pictures are still good.
Then she came home with a treat bag because someone in her class had a birthday. And I let her have her first sucker. Her firsts of something are rare these days so I love capturing them. She is growing up so fast.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008
Charis' first day of school. I think both Kris and I excepted something big to happen but it was pretty simple. We packed Charis' lunch bag and laid out her clothes the night before. We all got up around 7:00. We ate breakfast together, got dressed and then went to school.
Charis finishing her vitamin.
Daddy and Charis leaving our house.
Charis walking up to the school on her own and stopping to play a little.
She was so excited and had been asking to go to school for several weeks. One of the other teachers in the school lead us to Charis' classroom.
She looked around the room for a little bit and put her lunch bag away then promptly asked "where are the kids?". They were outside playing and as soon as she learned this she had to go.
She had no reservations about going to school or us leaving her. Just a kiss, hug and see you later. She is my brave, strong, independent girl.
The school is Town and Country Montessori - it is a PreK through 1st grade school.When it was time to pick her up, both Kris and I went. Charis loved it! She wanted to show us everything she had learned and played with. She did not want to leave.
It was a great first day of school for everyone!

Little Artist

Kris and I are so proud of Charis' art skills. This is the first time I have ever seen her draw a bird. She named it Petey because of a story that Kris tells her about a bird he knew.Then a few days later she drew a great picture of a boy with a little beard.

Wildflower Center and Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday, I had to work for a few hours and then we wanted to take Charis to a pumpkin patch to pick out a few pumpkins. So Charis and Kris came with me to work - since it was on the way.
We found a praying mantis that Charis loved and called Mantis the rest of the day.
Charis helped me sweep a little. But mostly just played around with Daddy.
We got to see all four turtles at the pond.
The pumpkin patch was about an hour and a half away so Charis decided to take a nap.
The pumpkin patch was lots of fun! And there was lots to fill our time with. We will definitely do this again next year.
Charis helped Daddy pick out one of the largest jack-o-lanterns.
Then she started picking out ones for herself. We found ones her size on the other side in a truck and boat.

Charis loved "driving" the boat of pumpkins and "driving" the tractor.
They also had animals, hay rides and mazes.
Then back to picking out more pumpkins.
We took home 3 large, 3 medium, and 2 small pumpkins and 6 funny gourds!
But we could not leaving without letting Charis have some of their famous homemade berry ice cream from berries on their farm.

Catch up September

Wow, we have been busy and a little stressed. So there was no time or energy left for blogs. Therefore even though I hate to do it I will once again do catch up.

SEPT 11th - Learning to ride a bike
Kris and I took Charis out after dinner to practice riding her bike. The handle in the picture looks useful but is not for anything other than stopping her. She is getting better at pedaling and is pretty good at steering when she is paying attention but has a hard time doing it both together. Also anytime someone walks by, she has to say hi and takes her eyes off the road and stops steering. It can be funny or frustrating depending on your mood.

SEPT 18th - Doctor
In Minnesota, Charis loved playing with Evie's doctor kits and instruments. So back home she started pretending that her tools were doctor tools.
She makes herself a "doctor's table" and listens to her own heart, looks in her ears, eyes and mouth, listens to her lungs, and checks her ribs. It is hilarious!

SEPT 18th - Making friends and swimming
Charis makes friends so easy. She must get that from Kris.
Kris and Charis went to the fountain park and Charis immediately made a friend and played and "swam" in the fountain. She loves going to this park with Daddy.