Summer update!

Gabe, Emma and Maddie on July 4th!

It has been a great Summer, and I cannot believe that school will start in 2 weeks! (August 4th) We have been keeping busy--swimming and playing outside and playdates with old friends and more swimming and playing! And we took the kids to see Toy Story 3 and Shrek 4. On July 4th we went to Mike's parents for swimming, a cookout, fireworks and a bonfire! The kids had a blast!

Saturday night, Mike and Gabe went and saw Despicable Me and Emma and I saw Eclipse. Yes, Emma wanted to see it with me. She watched Twilight and New Moon too. :) Towards the end of the movie, I really had to use the restroom, but Emma asked me if I could "hold it" since she didn't want to miss any of Eclipse. LOL!! So I did. She is "Team Edward" too, just like her mommy!

Emma got her first library card and she has been reading a lot of books. Thursday night Barnes and Noble had An American Girl event, and we went. It was for girls 7 years and up, but I knew Emma would be ok since she has read a few of the books already. And of course she will sit still to do the craft. When Emma told everyone that she liked the Samantha mysteries, and that she was currently reading The Curse of Ravenscourt, one of the moms came over to me to ask me how old Emma was (5) and how long she had been reading. She told me she was surprised at how articulate Emma was! She was the only 5 year old there...the rest of the girls were 8 and 9. It amazes me how well that Emma not only reads, but comprehends the stories. She is a gifted reader, and loves to read everything. Handwriting is another story...she hates to practice her handwriting. LOL.

She also attended art camp in June and loved every minute of it. She LOVES to draw and paint, and even painted a Jackson Pollock canvas which is now hanging on our wall. The art teacher had them draw their "self portraits" on the side of the art studio. Emma's was so cute, complete with a pink bow! Let me just say...that Emma does not get her creativity from me! She can draw much better than I ever could!

Emma's self portrait!

Her Jackson Pollock painting--which we framed!

She loved art camp and Ms. Regina!

And the big news...she got her first pair of glasses on Friday! Last year at her Kindergarten eye exam, the doctor told us that he knew that Emma was going to need glasses, but that she was ok to start Kindergarten without them. But by the end of the school year, she was squinting more, and having trouble seeing things from a distance. And it was definitely getting worse as the Summer progressed, so we finally took her Friday knowing she would have a pair of glasses when we walked out. Her vision was 20/50 in each eye, and she has a mild astigmatism. She picked out the frames she wanted, and thankfully our insurance covered 2 pair! So she has a backup pair. But she loves them, and loves being able to see clearly now. And let me tell you, she looks so adorable in them. See for yourself...

Giving daddy a night night kiss!

Isn't she beautiful?

Posing for mommy!

We had Gabe's eyes checked too, and he was a little far-sighted, which is common and normal for preschoolers. We will take him back next year to see how he's doing.The doctor was amazed that Gabe knew all of his letters because most preschoolers do the exam with pictures instead of letters. He even tried to help his sister when she was having trouble seeing the letters. LOL. We had to move him so that he couldn't see the letters while she was having her exam. Oh, and a few days a go, Gabe wrote a "G" on his doodle pad. So far, that's the only letter he can write from his name. I try not to think about the fact the Emma was writing her name before she graduated 3 year old preschool. But he does know all of his letters...and he was the only one in his preschool class that did. So that's encouraging...I am sure that he will start writing his name in 4 year old preschool. Hopefully!!

"> Gabe likes to play cowboy.

Cowboys like to brush their teeth!

Putting his toothbrush away! That big hat makes me laugh!

Giving daddy a night night kiss!

So now, we are going to enjoy the rest of the Summer! There are only 2 weeks left of it! Next Monday, we are going with some friends and taking the kids to Holiday World! They have been asking to go all Summer. And we have planned a family vacation over Fall Break, and we all are looking forward to that!!

Saturday night, Mike brought out the telescope after we had grilled out. The kids were so excited!!

Gabe loved it!

Emma had a lot of questions of course...and she loved it!