I just sent Jacob off to his last day as a kindergardener! I can't believe it! This school year has been SO good for him! He has been a fantastic student. Each week, he brings home a backpack full of worksheets, papers and art from the week. I love to see stars, A+, Wow!, and all the other great things that his teacher marks in bright colors at the top of the pages. He has excelled in every subject. I went with his class to the zoo yesterday and I just loved hearing him and another classmate read each of the signs in front of the animals. A whole new world has opened up for him now that he has that wonderful freedom to read!
I'm really excited for the summer to be here. Hopefully the kids will sleep in, even just a little bit. It doesn't help that the sun is up so darn early here! It's bright and sunny before 7 these days and Abby pops right up, comes in my room and says "Mom! It's daytime!" I usually can get away with a couple extra minutes before I have to wake Jacob by sending her downstairs to play or watch TV. I try and leave the TV on Nick Jr or PBS when we turn it off the night before so all she has to do is turn it on. I have, on occassion, come down in the morning to see her watching some random infomercial. I guess our next lesson should be how to find the kid shows using the remote! :)
Last summer was kind of tough. I was in the first trimester of my pregnancy with Rachel and I pretty much felt like crud all summer long. I was so tired and sick and didn't have the energy to run around with the kids to all sorts of activities. We did do some things and got to the pool a decent number of times but this summer I hope to be a little more energetic and involved in their activities. Sioux Falls has a summer activities guide that they send out each year. There are summer plays, family swim times, family movies in the parks and community center activities I can sign them up for. Hopefully we can do several things each week to keep them entertained and stimulated. Little do they know, I also plan on instituting a chore chart. If they don't get the chores done in the morning, no afternoon activities for them. I think it's going to be the only way to make sure we keep up with the house AND have a fun summer!
