2nd day of preschool

It's Jonas' 2nd day of preschool and seems so surreal to me. He woke up excited to go again. WOW! As I was helping him get dressed, he asked for a collared shirt because it's preschool day. I usually put a collared shirt on for church days and he typically complains of having to wear them. Hee!

He is so cute! My little preschooler! We arrived 10 minutes earlier and was able to cozy up on a reading bench, a perfect size for little buns, and read. The teachers called out of the classrooms at 8:45am to come on in and Jonas wanted to finish the book I was reading. He never wants to end a book without finishing the story.

I left with high spirits this time and signed "I love you" to Jonas out the window. He held up his fingers and said "I love you too!" Ahh!

Silas and I headed home once again to play playdoh, drew a picture for Jonas, and practiced the piano with him. I love this one on one time with Silas. It's like I'm making up for lost time. I have never been able to give him my full attention for 2 hours without Jonas or Matt. It's AWESOME!

At 11am, I hopped on my bicycle with Silas in the bike trailer and pedaled to Jonas' preschool. It took me 6 minutes to get there. In the car, it takes 4 minutes. I'm hoping to be able to commute on the bike 50% of the time this year. Matt has been commuting for years now 100%. But he isn't toting the boys around. :)

Jonas told me he played with playdoh too, before I told him about our morning. So happy he is enjoying the activities there.

Today was a wonderful day! Happy Preschool days, Jonas!

Don't worry I won't post everyday of his preschool days. Lol!

1st day of Preschool

The day has come and gone...first day of preschool for Jonas.

After a healthy dinner the night before...and a restful sleep, Jonas woke up energized and ready to go to preschool. He was very excited and knew the day was here. Video below is the first minutes of waking up.

Jonas was thrilled about getting balloons and notes from mom and dad. Reading the letters out loud to him, I teared up and Jonas said, "don't worry, I'll be ok."

August 23, 2011 marks the day! Jonas has been learning his months and days for a year now. It's time for him to tell time.

Our big boy ready for school! Jonas picked out his Lightning McQueen shirt and Thomas the train backpack from Target.

"Not sure how I should feel." -Jonas thinks...lol!

Contemplative!

I was amazed how much Jonas wanted to take photos of him. Normally I would have to bribe him to look at the camera and smile.

Isn't he handsome? The drive over he told me,"Mom, I look nice!"

The arrival at school

We first walked in at 8:42am and the director told us he was assigned to the Blue Room in which the classrooms doors will open at 8:45am. We walked hand in hand to find his cubby hole to stash his backpack.

With all the parents and kids roaming the hallway, Jonas needed to find security. He found a reading place and picked out 2 construction books.

And then the classroom doors opened. Parents and kids flooded in to greet their teachers.

Ms. Sara(teacher #1) introduced herself and went down to Jonas' level to ask how he was doing. He said,"Good." He quickly picked out his name on the table...and

I guided him over to the carpet where everyone else was sitting. Teacher #2(Ms. Patti) asked Jonas to hand his name to her. He was too shy! But eventually he walked over and she asked him if he was wearing green. He said,"no, blue and red." Whew...I think he knows his colors...lol!

My departure was hard on both of us. I gave him a quick kiss on his cheek and then his arm with lipstick. And told him if he misses me to look at the lips on the arm and know I'm with him. He asked for another picture taken.(above) I think he was stalling the procedure of goodbyes.

I stood out and looked through the window for 10 mins. Eventually, Jonas left the door area and joined the others in the circle. He had to sit right next to the teacher and it looks like in this photo, he was talking to her. Yeah!

I scooped up Silas and walked out. By the time the door shut behind me and looking back at the building, I bursting with tears. This time, I was filled with happiness but a sense of me was missing.

Well, 2 1/2 hours went by quickly with Silas at home, in which I was delighted to play with him one on one, we left again to pick Jonas up. We hugged and I listened to his day. He told me,"Mom, I didn't cry. It was good." Gave him a snack and then Jonas walked me out to the play area to play with Silas.

Thought this was a fun photo of him in the tunnel.

Jonas toting Silas around on the trike! They missed each other!

One last photo of Jonas sitting in front of the preschool building. I can't believe how beautiful and new this building is. It's perfect for my little baby!

Since it was another 95 degree day, we mixed up a yummy smoothie to cool off. Jonas being content and neat...and

Silas being completely uninhibited and messy!

That evening, I took Jonas to the Rockies game and out to ice cream at the Little Man. It was the perfect day for us being apart and together! I love being a mom!

One more day until preschool

Only one more day. I can't believe that there is only one more day until Jonas goes to Preschool. Leading up to tomorrow, I have felt considerable amount of emotions. I either want to squeal with delight or cry uncontrollable. How did this time come? My little Jonas going to school. Time has flown and everyone tells me it gets worse when they are off to school. However, after a summer of activities and fun, I truly relish every moment with him. He is such a delight to be around!

Now that Matt is already back to school, we have accepted the routine of being on our schedule again. During the summer of travel, Jonas was able to learn a lot about the states. This morning, I placed a fruit loop(I know not the best cereal but it works to lace on a string) on each state on his placemat. And while I cooked breakfast, I asked him to find a state that I asked and lace it on the string. He was able to identify over 35 states. I think he is ready to move on to preschool.

Jonas has asked me all week if I will miss him when he is at preschool. I told him I will but I'm very excited for this opportunity to meet new friends and learn more. He said,"Mom, I will be ok at school." Today he asked,"Mom, can I eat lunch at school?" I told him I will pick him up before lunch. He was disappointed. I think he is ready!

One more quote about school from Jonas. "Mom, why is dad at work when it's still summer? He goes back to school in the fall." He is so profound!

Silas at 22 months

I can't believe that there is only 2 more months until Silas turns 2 years old. These times are moving fast and Silas continues to keep up. Here is a video of him on Jonas' strider bike. He just wants to do everything that Jonas is doing.

To end the day at Grandmom's house, Silas was treated with a chocolate sundae. He thoroughly enjoyed it so much that he decided to put the bowl on his head. Chocolate was streaming down his face. He is a happy boy!

Rafting with Jonas

Jonas and I had the opportunity to go rafting with our good friends, Asher and his parents, Kirsten and Ivan. Silas was safe with Grandmom while we were on the river. We drove up to the Colorado River near Kremmling(3 hours) and rafted for 4-5 hours. Jonas and Asher were so giddy and loved every minute.

Getting ready for the adventure!

There were times where we just floated along the river and times of Class III rapids where we definitely got wet. See video below.

Jonas, Asher, Kirsten, and Ivan(our personal guide)

Having lunch on the bank of the river

Here was take out of boats. The boys were exhausted but wished they could have kept going down the river. Maybe someday we can go on a mulit-day trip on the river.

Georgetown Loop Railroad

Last week, Grandmom treated us to a day trip on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. We started off in Silver Plume and rode the train to Georgetown and back again. Jonas and Silas loves trains! So it was a special trip!

We went last summer with the boys and wanted to compare Jonas and Silas in the same Thomas the train outfit. Jonas(below) was 2 1/2 years old and Silas(above) was 20 months old.

Another comparison of Matt and Silas together on the open box car. Silas was 9 months old(above photo). He has grown up so fast and so much!

Our family of 4!

Matt's Great Aunt Beegie was in town visiting and enjoyed Silas so much. Here is the conductor punching Silas' ticket. He was amazed.

Great Great Aunt Beegie and Grandmom with Silas

Father and Son enjoying the spectacular views and listening to a little history on the railway system.

Grandmom holding to Silas tightly.

Grandmom keeping tabs on Jonas.

What a wonderful day that we will never forget! Thanks Grandmom!

Denver Art Museum

Recently, we perused the Denver Art Museum with the boys. It was brilliant to see the art work and the way the boys interacted with it.

Rocky Mountain National Park

One day last week we decided to go hiking in the mountains to stay cool. Since we bought the annual national park pass, we headed to Rocky Mountain NP. We are hoping to go to 10 National Parks this year for the 10 years we have been married. We have been to 3 already.

By the time we arrived in Estes Park, the temperature dropped from 96 degrees in Denver to 64 degrees. It felt cold! We didn't bring extra layers or jackets but the kids kept on trekking up the hill.

Our first activity was to hike to a waterfall. Jonas really likes waterfalls now and chose this hike on the map. It was a 2 mile out and back.

The boys were having so much fun hiking and climbing up boulders on the way to Alberta Falls.

King and Queen of the mountain!

Little man, Silas, was adamant to hike like his brother.

Finally made it to the top of the waterfall where it started to rain. We scampered into some thick trees to huddle and stay dry. Jonas commented,"this is fun, we are like animals in the forest."

Back to the car and off to a lake in the park to practice fishing with Jonas.

For almost an hour, Jonas enjoyed casting his line out to the lake and slowly reeling it back in. As I sat there beside the beautiful lake and view, I couldn't help but thanking God what a blessed life we have. I love my two sons and my husband who genuinely loves his family.

Matthew 4:19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Cooling off

During these hot days, we are either in the pool, at water pads, or eating ice cream. Gotta love summertime!

Matt has been working with Jonas for over a week now at the pool. Every morning, Matt takes Jonas to our condo pool in Lakewood and practices swimming. After just 2 lessons, Jonas has pulled away from the side to swim to Matt. Last weekend Silas and I were able to come watch the performance.

Jonas loves having goggles on to see underwater. Another way for kids to put their head under water.

First they practiced on the kickboard looking down with straight legs and small kicks.

Then Jonas pushing off from the side of pool and using his own power to swim to Matt. So proud of you Jonas!

Spectators at the pool were so impressed with Matt's ability to teach with laughter, fun, and patience. One lady told Matt,"I wish my daddy played with me in the pool like you." He really is an awesome dad!

Silas' turn to swim with dad. Holding onto Matt's shoulders while Silas kicks with legs straight.

Play time in the pool! Splashing each other! Silas thinks it's so funny to be splashed...good thing!

Off to Buffalo Bill days in Golden.

Cruising downtown Golden on Strider bikes. Jonas borrowed Asher's bike so Silas can start learning to ride one. He is doing so well! But of course, he is the boy that stops to smell the roses.

Frozen Yogurt stop! And they asked for chocolate and gummy worms on top!

Nearby there is a splash pad where the boys had a blast!

Good times!