Start of Construction

The construction finally started on June 12^th.  The kids were so excited to watch the backhoe and dump truck.  We cancelled all of our plans those days I was home to watch the construction.  The hole they made was massive.  The amount a dirt we got was crazy.  The kids enjoyed playing on the dirt pile when Brian was home.  The foundation was done by the end of June. 

Nana came up for a visit.  She helped me clean the garage and pack up my house.  What I am most nervous about this project is the breaking down our walls to our house for the new addition.  There is so much we will need to do when the time comes.  She baked with the kids and everyone had a really good time.  Brian and I even went on a date to Cheesecake factory.  It was great. 

Things were moving along with the construction for about 10 days and then we got the news lumbar will not be delivered for several weeks.  So basically not much will be done until mid-July.  That did not make me too happy.  I so want this project to be over and it basically just started. 

Sydney has been playing Tball.  She seems to like it.  Austin wanted to play baseball but that was the same time as track and Austin chose track.  I did sign him up for a tball league with Sydney this summer but our schedules have been crazy and they have missed the last 3 weeks.  Hopefully they will get to go a few times. 

We are going camping for the first time this year near Cedar Point.  Since we have passes we thought we would do that.  This summer is going to be crazy busy with the addition so we wanted to squeeze it in now. 

Camping was a lot of fun.  Brian is getting good at preparing and moving the camper.  It seemed so hard last year but I think he has in down this year.  We left late on Friday around 6pm.  We could not find Sydney’s Kindle.  Kids were not helping us much so that delayed us leaving a bit.  We got to campsite around 7:30pm.  We set up camp and had a little fire.  Kids wanted to swim but we said it was too late. 

On Saturday morning, we went to Cedar Point.  Brian took Austin to get his 48 inch band.  Sydney and I rode the sky ride.  Austin did a few roller coaster.  Sydney rode on some kids rides.  We had lunch in the truck and then moved the truck to the waterpark area.  We went swimming.  It was cool especially with the wind.  But we all went swimming and had some fun.  Austin got really cold so then we changed and went back into the park. 

Austin decided he wanted to ride the Magnum but we made him ride Gemini first. I rode Gemini first with Austin.  I was holding on and he had his hands in the air.  Then Brian rode Gemini with him then went to Magnum.  Austin loved it.  He said his favorite ride was Magnum.  Then we left to go back to the campsite.  We let the kids swim at the pool for a bit.  We ate dinner.  Then Austin and Brian made a great campfire and we had awesome smores.  Kids also enjoyed catching fireflies. 

On Sunday, we decided to go back to Cedar Point since we were already up there.  Brian had a lot of work to do but he made it happen.  We went towards the back of the park since we had the camper. It worked out because there were no lines for rides.  We played in camp Snoopy area again.  Then rode the train around the park which the kids enjoyed.  And the one last thing they wanted to do was sing with Snoopy.  We were in line right at 1pm for them to do that.  Austin sang Cleveland Rocks and Sydney sang ABC’s.   Then we drove home.  Austin and Sydney were really sad to leave.  But Austin is learning about at least having the opportunity to do all these things.  So he was grateful for that. 

Austin Graduations Kindergarten

The next week, it was Austin's turn to graduate kindergarten.  Kindergarten was a lot of fun for Austin.  We are so happy with the school decision we made.  Austin had a great teacher.  He made lots of friends.  We enjoy all the families he is friends with.  It has been a great year.

Austin enjoyed being on the track team this year.  He did great with track.  Each meet he ran four events: 50 meters, 100 meters, relay, and field event.  Austin did great with the long jump.  He even got a medal for that.  He also got a medal for running one mile without stopping.  That was a lot of fun for him and he was proud to do it.

One thing Austin's teacher did was a clip up system.  If they behaved well at school, they would be able to clip up.  Then after 5 days of clipping up, they got to pick a treasure from the treasure box.  It was really cool for him.  Most days he clipped up.

Austin did enjoy art, music, and computer class.  He also liked the library and gym.  At recess, he played tag with his friends.  During indoor recess he liked to make art projects at his desk.  He has learned to read simple books.  He enjoyed learning to read with the superkids.  He has even taught Sydney some of the songs for the superkids.  Austin is very good at math.  Probably one of the best in the class.

Austin's graduation was in the church.  My dad was not feeling well so he did not attend.  My mom meet us at the church.  The kids came into the church single file and Brian got pictures.  They sat down and there were a few speakers.  Then they did a few songs.  Then they got their diplomas.  It was really cool.  Austin got the Excellent Thinker Award.  He got it the day before graduation from his teacher.

After graduation, we got some pictures with his friends.  Then we went to the playground and the kids played.  It was cold.  Afterwards, Brian went to work.  I took the kids to the rec center to swim.  Then we came home and took a nap before the Cavs game.  We all went to the Cavs game that night.  It was a fun day!

Now we have a kindergartener and a 1st grader!

Sydney Graduates Preschool

Sydney was very excited to graduate preschool and move on to Kindergarten.  The decision to send Sydney to kindergarten was obvious but it still makes me wonder if we did the right thing.  Because Sydney has an August birthday, we get to make the decision on what to do.  Part of me wanted to keep her home one more year but we knew that wasn't best for Sydney.  Sydney is smart and outgoing.  There is no doubt that she is ready to go.  However Brian and I are a little sad about it.

Brian took Sydney one evening out for graduation pictures.  He did the same last year for Austin.  Sydney enjoyed in and they got some really good pictures.  One tradition they both did was throwing balls back over the fence that got out like Austin did last year.  It was a favorite for both of them.

Sydney's graduation ceremony was on a Friday.  That Friday I had off but sent Sydney to preschool so I could volunteer at Austin's field day.  That was a lot of fun and I plan to be there again next year.  After school Austin and I hung out.  The builders came over to go over a few more details of our addition.  We got Sydney from school. My parents came over.  We had dinner.  Brian and Sydney left for graduation.  We came a little bit later.  We got front row seats again.  That is what happens when Brian takes all the pictures for the school's graduation.

Luckily Sydney was in the front row too so we could see her.  They did some songs and then they got there diploma's.  It is so cute.  Each child got a special award.  Sydney got the Princess Lovely Award for being pleasant, lovable, and charming.  That sums up Sydney.   Afterwards we hung out for a bit.  We knew that most of these people we will not see again.  There are only a small few people going to Sydney's school.  Then we came back to our house and had a little cake to celebrate Sydney's graduation.  It was a fun night!