Model Train Show

There was a model train show in Conway Saturday, so of course, we had to go! Both kids really enjoyed seeing all of the trains, and Conall kept "chasing" the trains as they went from display to display. I was quite surprised by how interested Caitlin was by the trains and how much she enjoyed the show, too.

"chasing" the train

Caitlin looking at the big circus train

watching the trains go around

this was one of their favorite spots -- if they sat here, they could see the trains as they came through the tunnel

Watermelon Party

Conall's school had a Watermelon Party Friday to kick off the planting of the Kindergarten's garden. Of course, Conall didn't eat any watermelon, he just picked out all of the seeds to plant later. Caitlin really enjoyed the watermelon, though, and hanging out with her friend, August (Kanton's little brother).

Getting ready to pick the seeds out

Conall's seeds

Caitlin sitting with August

Caitlin munching watermelon

Conall with his teacher, Mrs. Dorman

Late Night Visitor

We had a late night visitor last night, a Luna moth. Isn't it pretty?

hanging out on our door frame

close up of his fuzzy fern-like antennae

Stu's hand to put the size of the moth into perspective

Na Na's Card

When Aunt Amy came over and made cards with us, Caitlin kept saying "this is for Na Na" while she was making hers. She got to give it to Na Na on Tuesday. Here she is with Na Na and her card.

Squeakers

Conall's newest caterpillar "Squeakers" which is really a tomato hornworm.

Stamping with Aunt Amy

Pushing on the stamp

She looks like she's concentrating really hard

Stamping

I love this one -- the cute smile on her face when she sees what she stamped!

New Cat Blog by Footsie's Mom

Aunt Susan, Big Footsie's mom, has a new blog that will be published through the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's online blog page. It is all about the library cats at the Arkansas School for the Blind Library and is called Cats in the Stacks.

Check it out here if you get a chance -- it is something fun to read about and is well-written. The first post commemorates Footsie and talks about moving on and the current "acting" head library cat, Alex.

Staying Put -- Update on Our Week

We've just been staying put this weekend, trying to get ready for the next week. Caitlin has puked two nights out of the last week, which is a lot, considering she didn't puke at all for about a month and a half. The last two have been pretty bad and now that we know to be looking, she has shown signs that she has a bad headache, too. Hopefully this one will be a short cycle and we can recover quickly from it.

I strained something in my neck or shoulder this last week. I did it doing something the first night Caitlin puked so bad, something I did while cleaning, cleaning her or holding her while she puked. I spent 2-3 nights and days this week trying to get it back to normal. It is better, but threatens to tighten back up on me anytime I feel stressed.

Aunt Amy came over yesterday, and although the weather was nice, we stayed inside and let the kids stamp and color and mommy make a card. Notice I said "a" card -- the kids kept us so busy I only got one made. I have some cute pictures of Caitlin stamping with Aunt Amy that I'll post soon.

Conall also has a new caterpillar -- a tomato horn worm -- that Aunt Amy found devouring her tomato plant. He has named it Squeaker and is feeding it cherry tomatoes.

Conall had a great first week at school. He got a "green card" every day. His teacher uses a system of green, yellow, orange, and red cards for behavior. If he gets 5 green cubes (cards on his chart) in a row, he gets to pick something from the teacher's treasure chest. He can tell you every kid in the class who got something other than green and what each one did to get it! He is quite the little enforcer. We've gotten a lot of laughs out of this.

Hopefully, we can get Caitlin back on track this week and not be so worn out and do more fun things in the coming week.

Why Do Girls Wear Diapers?

Caitlin looked at me with all honesty the other day and said "Mommy, why do girls wear diapers?"
Of course, I laughed. Then I explained that it is just because she doesn't know how to use the potty all the time yet.
Conall laughed at her and started calling her a baby and telling her that it was because she is a baby. I explained that girls aren't the only ones who wear diapers and that Conall wore one until he learned how to use the potty all the time. Conall got really quiet and quit teasing his sister!

First Day of Kindergarten

Today was Conall's first day of Kindergarten. He couldn't get out of the door fast enough this morning.

Originally, we had planned on all of us taking him to school his first day, but Caitlin had a vomiting spell late last night (the first in about a month and a half). We didn't want to wake her up early since it was such a bad one, so Stu took Conall to school.

Conall didn't seem remotely concerned that I wasn't going -- he just wanted to go right NOW. Of course, Conall, Caitlin, and I had gone to the school's "Meet the Teacher" day yesterday afternoon, so I guess I was covered there.

Conall got to school and immediately fell into line. He sat up straight, listened to his teacher's instructions, and started bossing other kids at his table to do what the teacher had instructed. He even yelled at friends across the room to sit down, etc.

Here are pictures of this milestone day that Conall just cruised right through, eager to go on to the next big thing.

super excited

getting his school supplies out

bossing the kids across the room

bossing the kids at his table

with his teacher

'Matoes

These are tomatoes (Caitlin calls them 'matoes) from Conall's garden. He is so proud of them!

Go Cart Racing

Daddy and Shane took Conall, Shelby and Garrett to race go-carts and play miniature golf yesterday. The place they went to had smaller go-carts that the kids could drive and bigger ones that they could ride in as passengers. Our intense little boy had a ton of fun!


Before they got ready to leave, Conall asked if Shelby was coming too. When he was told we didn't know for sure, he left the room to comb his hair (in case Shelby was there) so that he would "look his best." We got quite a laugh out of him, but at the same time were thinking, oh no, it starts! Little flirt.

For Pop Pop

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POP POP!

Wish we were there!

Conall's Zoo Trip With Na Na

As evidenced by the number of photos from the reptile house, it was a favorite. He also enjoyed the giraffes, the tiger, the fish, the flamingos, the train ride and the giraffe sculpture at the front of the zoo.

the fish -- he fed and fed and fed the fish

the tiger came out to see him

the reptile house

the reptile house again

the reptile house yet again

the giraffe sculpture out front

the train ride

hanging with the flamingos

Strawberry Girl

Na Na took Conall to the zoo the other day. Caitlin was upset that she didn't get to go (Na Na has plans to take her somewhere just the two of them once Conall is back in school) so they brought Caitlin a "gift." Caitlin LOVES strawberries so they brought her a package of her very own. She clutched it and hugged it and carried it around for quite some time before we opened it and she ate some. She was so proud of it!

Last Day of Swim Lessons

Today was the last day of swim lessons for both Conall and Caitlin. Caitlin's class got to pick their "favorite" activities to do. Conall swam the length of the pool and learned how to ask for help, how to help someone out of the water, and how to put his head under water.

Conall spent most of his bath time tonight saying "Mommy, I put my head under" over and over and over and over again. You get the picture. Truly, though, I am proud. I think we'll sign him up for classes again in the fall to keep him familiar with and unafraid of the water.

A Tribute to Big Footsie

FuRR (Feline Rescue and Rehome) has a memorial for Big Footise on their Web page if any of you want to check it out.

More Pool Pics

It has been a crazy week. Our computer freaked out when we tried to install our DSL service. It was getting to the point where one thing or more per day would quit working (printer, scanner, external drive, USB ports, etc.). We figured it was just a matter of time before it got to the point where we couldn't use anything. We found a great deal on a new computer and have been trying to get it up and running and everything we need transferred.

The kids have been going to swim lessons when it isn't raining. We've gone to the neighborhood pool some, but not as much as I'd like, mainly due to the rain/storms we've had. And, a good portion of Conall's friends have had some sort of virus. The boy is driving me up the wall!

That is pretty much an update for us. Below are some pics from the last week or so.

Swim Lesson Photos

Here's the slide show of photos from Conall's swim lessons.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Swimming Turnaround

After spending a whole year being terrified of pools and water, Conall is making quite a turnaround. He started this summer much more interested in the water and wanting to go to the pool. Then, we started swim lessons this week. Now, he is loving the water, has much more confidence, and can't wait to go to the pool every day. I think it also helps that he has a guy coach and that Conall really likes him.

They offer classes in the fall/winter and spring of this coming year at the indoor pool. I think we may enroll to help keep Conall comfortable with water and swimming.

Here is a video of him swimming with his coach/teacher. I'll post a slideshow of the photos later.