Kindy Kick-off

The paperwork is signed and the day is fast approaching.  Jack will be heading to kindergarten next fall.  He is beyond excited to go to school with his big sister.  Last week, our amazing elementary school had Kindergarten Kick-Off.  What a fabulous event!!  They had activity stations plus every teacher from the entire school was present.  Jack was totally in his element - impressing everyone with his memory skills, insisting we sit in the front row, and all smiles for his school picture.  Hoping he is just as excited on his first day!!

 

Plus this big sister lost a couple more teeth - once again two falling out within 12 hours of each other.  Even if one had to be pulled out by her father.  The tooth fairy even left her a card.

Finding your Namesake

Each Memorial Day, we rise early and head to Tahoma National Cemetery to honor our fallen veterans.  This is the first year Jack is starting to conceptualize the idea of passing away and also wanting to learn about his grandpa.  He was pretty excited to point out his name on the wall, and then even more excited to see his middle name as well. 

 

Sadly our favorite Uncle Sam was not present this year.  Kyle is already thinking about what she will bring to honor Grandpa Dale next year.

Diving into the Deep End

For the fourth year, Kyle and Jack are doing local swim lessons.  After years of uncertainty, Kyle conquered the slide on her first try.  She can easily swim the length of the pool and was learning how to dive by day #2. 

As for Jack, he spent most of the last year sitting on the steps waiting for free time when he could play with the Star Wars toys.  This year, he is doing cannonballs, swimming into the deep end, learning the crawl stroke, and diving to the bottom for torpedoes. 

Suspect we have a lot of swimming in our future and the final breathing point where you don't have to constantly fear the kids around the pool!

The BIG 5

It's here - the moment Jack has been waiting for - telling the world he is 5.  For months, he has made sure to let everyone know he is 4 and a half.  Now he can announce he is one entire hand.  It's not entirely clear if Jack believes this age is full of many additional privileges, but it's big, really big. 

Jack is funny, a charmer and loving.  He is quick with a joke and has a natural ability to make people smile. Jack knows how to play a crowd, and at times, even trying to discipline can be difficult.  He is smarter than he might realize and knows how to figure out the answer to achieve what he desires.  We'll see what his teachers think of this in the future.  He is quick with the hugs and random moments of letting you know you are loved.  Sitting in his dad's lap in the new big chair has become one of his favorite places - especially if watching sharks or trucks on TV.  He is adventurous when it comes to climbing and swinging yet cautious about some new experiences.  Sitting quietly is not his preferred method when there are things to see, excitement to share and people to greet.  He thrives on his friends and social situations.  Kyle is still his ultimate companion and many days are spent playing outside, creating scenes, doing puzzles and even quietly reading.  This kid goes from when he wakes up until he crashes each night. 

This past year, favorites still were sharks and trucks.  His knowledge base has expanded with many new unusual facts including types of sharks and how long it would take to brush their teeth.  There was added love for Transformers, the Hulk and Star Wars.  He started learning to swim, took on every set of monkey bars, can swing as high as his sister, and climbs any structure there might be.  He got his first chainsaw and was ready to take on the big haul.  An archery set was a Christmas delight in preparing for his first hunt.   He took on wrestling and brought home his first medal.  The training might have tested all our patience, but he ended the season with a pin.  Jack started a new school this year where he sings more songs, counts to 100 and gained more social skills than we could imagine.  He loves French fries, chocolate milk and any sweet you might have.  A new found friend was found in Rex and a shark named Timmy.  A scary day brought his first concussion and new rules on rock walls.  Rule following might not be his forte, perhaps because there are so many to forget. 

This kid is so truly Jack.  He makes an impression everywhere he goes.  He tests all the limits but knows how to show such love, it's impossible not to enjoy every moment.  Jack is one who will befriend all.  He is eager for what each day brings and excited about so many things, he has a hard time containing even himself.  Jack is pint-sized joy bursting at the seams.  Life would be utterly boring without him.

 

 

Birthday BBQ - Bigger and Better

The Watson combined Birthday BBQ took place a bit later this year.  It was our best weather yet with a picture perfect day in the 70s.  Some scheduling was necessary to coordinate around softball games, jamborees, and other events.  However, we had our largest attendance to date and most folks stayed for hours enjoying the bounce houses and weather.  It was exactly what we had been hoping for from the day we started this event. 

There were two bounce houses, a scavenger hunt, pinata with lots of candy and sprinkly cupcakes to devour.  There was a lot of running and smiles with a few occasional tears.  The best part was one child letting us know it was the best birthday ever on his way home. 

Can't wait for next year!!

Eggs, Outs and Bunnies

Spring has come with softball starting up. Kyle is loving this season with many friends on the team and even already making an out.  Jack has made himself everyone’s little brother and gained a friend of his own. This means mom actually gets to watch the game.

Spring also brought egg hunts, Easter feast with extended family and extra special bunny treats.

Plus we tackled a few projects including preparing for steps. Handprints were set in stone, although Ace was not entirely cooperative.

Spring Break...Local Style

While others jetted off to tropical paradises, Kyle and Jack spent spring break with Grammi and Grampi just down the road.  Even with continual rain, it was a week full of swimming (lots of swimming), toy store trips, paint outings, museums, and all the food and treats you could imagine.  Pretty sure they had a spring break to remember, even if they never left the state of Washington or even our county.

Plus we celebrated Grammi's 70 birthday with ice cream cake, chocolate factory, and massive root beer floats.  Thankful to celebrate this day, and she was right there smiling. 

Conquering all Obstacles

With a few sunny days before the rain, we visited a favorite playground and an old destination from our former neighborhood.  There was climbing, monkey bars, lots of slides, zip lines, and obstacle course conquering.  Most of all there were lots of smiles!

Perfecting drop-offs and pick-ups

Sometimes the best moments are in the everyday. The sunny afternoon when you pick up a stegosaurus. The perfect weather for smiling in a new dress. The excitement of a Friday that gives mom enough time to style a bun. The lazinesss of being an old dog who may not see so well but clearly enjoys the view.

Sleepover....Check

Turning eight brings big opportunities. Kyle had her first sleepover - made even more exciting because it was at a hotel. Three friends joined her for lots of swimming, hide-and-seek, plenty of snacks, and big breakfast.

As one commented, “I don’t want to go back to reality”.

EIGHT - Be Great!

Today, our Kyle turns 8.  At a recent appointment, someone asked Travis about his children, and he responded, "my daughter is perfect." Most people question when this is said, but in so many ways, it is completely true.

 

Kyle is everything you could wish to be in a person...and everything a parent desires.  She is responsible and loves to help out.  During a recent work trip for mom, she took on making lunches with a vengeance.  She looks out for others and brings home more Paw Prints than we can count.  She is a friend to everyone and from a teacher's perspective - a joy to have in class.  Parents comment on how polite and mature she is. Kyle loves to please others and is constantly looking for ways to achieve praise.  It is her reward! She is a rule follower to a near fault, struggling at times when others are not doing the same.  She wants to be the best and will push herself for that point, sometimes going before she is completely ready.  She is an avid student, focusing on homework even when others mention fun activities.  She is thriving and loving 2nd grade.  It has been a fantastic year surrounded by a great teacher, lots of learning, and amazing friends. As a parent you could not be prouder - it is a joy to watch and experience every day.

 

Loves this year include stuffed animals -- porgi was a constant companion to outings and trips.  He was a cuddle buddy and even trekked to school for a day.  In addition, stuffed octopus, blowfish and all other measures of animals were making an appearance, piled high on the bed, and joining adventures.  LOL dolls, barbies, LEGOS, anything squishy, and imaginative play was an escape.  Jack was nearly always welcome, though with a few instructions.  Puzzles were built - some as large as 500 pieces.  Pictures were drawn with elaborate works of art - taking home a District advancement.  Coloring was done with nearly every type of option from crayons to markers to glitter pens or colored pencils.  Softball still reigns supreme with great preparation for the next season.  Swimming has become easier, knocking out our first swim test and big plans to head to the deep end this year.  Reading nonfiction is the mainstay followed by telling others stories of King Tut and George Washington.  Each day at recess Kyle spins more flips on the bars than might be recommended, at times coming home with bruised arms only to do it again the next day.  A special trip with dad involved picking out a new bike that she rides constantly in the driveway.  Teeth were lost - often in pairs.  More foods were tried than ever before, although sliders still sits as a favorite. 

 

Kyle continues to be an amazing big sister, as delighted in Jack's accomplishments as we are.   They read books, watch movies, constantly play outside.  She thrives on family time - loving every moment with us or extended family.  A weekend spent in Iowa for Thanksgiving was nearly perfect with water park, cookies, bunk beds, and everyone together.  She loves swimming at Grandma's and eating frozen raspberries.  Camp days were summer highlights with plans this year for horses and more time at Camp Gilead.  Roller coasters brought new heights this year and only intensified her thrill factor. 

 

In so many ways, Kyle is perfection.  She loves praise and bringing happiness to those around her.  she is smart, probably more than she even realizes.  She strives for hard work and focuses on each task.  Accomplishment is the greatest reward.  She gives fearless hugs and lives with compassion.  She is also hesitant at times to step out of the comfort zone, but often thrives once she gets to that place.  She is loving, patient, and eager.  We are beyond blessed...and only know standing in front of us will one day be an amazing individual!