Wisconsin Dells 2012

 

I have come to an important conclusion:  I love Wisconsin Dells!  We had an awesome time meeting up with family at the Wilderness Resort again this year - each year it has just gotten better as the kids get more comfortable in the water; besides, it doesn't hurt that they play together so much and so hard that they're either giving us parents lots of time to chat with each other or are so exhausted they don't even bat and eye or make a pouty face when it's time for nap or bed (see Olivia below as evidence!).  Enjoy all the pictures - but I wish I had even more to help us remember this fantabulous weekend!!!

So what were the highlights?

1) Watching Olivia be brave and tackle some slides all by herself (with dad catching at the bottom).

2) Seeing the awesome bonding between cousins - by the way, Olivia and Graces's dolls are all now named Hannah!  :)

3) Stuffing ourselves totally full at Paul Bunyon's.

4) Visiting with my aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

5) Jumping waves in the wave pool with the girls.

6) Basking in the sun - with lots of sunscreen, naturally.

7) Eating lots of yummy baked goods.

8) Cringing and smiling in awe as Angie and Andrew (the bravest kid I know!) went on some crazy ride where you sit in a basket in go in circles - highest point about 6 stories - while flipping all around.  I have pictures of this, but can't figure out how to get them off my phone.

9) Enjoying a quiet ride home as both girls slept the entire way - 2 1/2 hours - a definite sign of true fun!

10) Knowing we'll get to see everyone again soon and undoubtedly meet up again for another awesome mini-vacation!

 

 Olivia and Andrew (AJ)

 Top - Grace, Olivia, Hannah

Bottome - Evan, Olivia, Grace, Hannah, Elliot

 

 The kids posing under Paul Bunyon's statue.

 

 

 Grace, Hannah, Evan, and AJ cuddling on the couch.

 AJ, Grace, and Evan

 Olivia and I at the indoor water dome.

 Olivia heading solo down the slide!

 Silly faces!

Bible Camp & Potty Training

The first full week in June, Olivia attended Bible Camp.  It was held at a local church and was a pretty big bunch of kiddos.  In Olivia's pre-school group, I'd bet there was at least 20 kids - and thankfully lots of volunteers!  The pre-school group starts at age 3, so next summer, Grace will get her first summer group experience too, and I'll get a chance to volunteer in their room which will be really fun - looking forward to it already.

As usual, Liv was a bit shy, but it was definitely clear to me that she was having a great time.  Drop-offs actually went a lot better than I expected - you just never know with her!  She randomly decided to cry on Thursday, but otherwise, while shy, did really well.  Olivia really bonded with one of her teachers, Riley (one of my past students too!).  She was definitely a little intimidated by some of the wild boys, and she's just naturally drawn to her teachers and adults - at least in situations where there's a lot of activity and her teachers give her a sense of calmness.  Well, that's my theory at least.  Each day, she'd come home with pictures and little crafts.  She was shy about sharing her learning with me, but did show me these little figurine animals they used to teach the camp's main lesson - TRUST GOD.

On the last day, the kids all gathered together for songs and actions.  I'd say Liv did about the same as her pre-school concert.  However, she did spin around and complete a couple of actions to go with one of the songs!  Progress!

 

Olivia's in the stripped dress on the end - she looks so tiny!

Her teacher, Riley is next to her.

 

While Olivia was at camp, Grace and I had some bonding time at home.  It was actually really awesome to spend some one-on-one time with her, and it gave us time to work on potty training too.  We spent lots of time outside playing in the sandbox, biking, playing babies, and kicking the ball around.  Grace also does a good job playing by herself, so I got to get a little house cleaning done too.  And, I have to take a moment to brag....  Since we started on Monday, June 4th, Grace has had 3 accidents, and I'm not really counting 2 of them because they happened at the water parks at Wisconsin Dells (later post coming on that!).  I think I lucked out and got her started at the perfect time - she was definitely ready and super excited to wear panties and be a big girl!  While she wore a diaper the first week during naps, we've abandoned that because (1) she refuses, and (2) she's been dry every single day.  She's also been dry at night too.  Way to go, Gracie!  Life without diapers...it's hard to imagine!

Preschool 2011-2012

May 22 was Olivia's last day of preschool at St. Ben's.  The year was a definite success, and it's been really fun to watch Olivia grow in her skills with writing, numbers, coloring, painting, cutting, following directions (at least for her teachers), and lots of other stuff too.  In the evening her class, along with the 4-5 year old class put on a little concert for the parents.

While Olivia didn't sing, I'm going to call the night a success as she didn't have her fingers in her mouth like at her Christmas concert, and this time she actually smiled!  :)  Maybe next year, she'll actually sing a few songs at the concert instead of only at home where she's apparently more comfortable showing off her skills!  The first picture is of Olivia during the processional - I was actually impressed that she was willing to walk by herself down the aisle!  The theme of their classroom was frogs - that explains the hat!

 

Okay, so the fingers did make a brief appearance.

  

No actions or singing, but at least smiling!

 

It's probably safe to say that Grace will have no problem participating despite having a huge audience watching her when she enters preschool.  She did fine while waiting for the program to start, but once she spotted Olivia during the opening processional, she threw an absolute fit because she wanted to be up there too!  We distracted her with a phone for a bit, but when it came time to sing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider," she had fit number two.  Grandpa Roger took her out of the building where the fit continued despite the distraction of a great playground.  Thankfully when they re-entered, Olivia's part was done.  Grace rejoiced in their togetherness and was super excited to have cookies and juice when all was over.  Little stinker - she'll be the one singing the loudest at her future concerts!

A pre-preschool picture of Grace!

FYI - Grace also cried when we left Liv in her 

preschool room and she didn't get to stay too.

Near the end of the year, I exchanged an email with Olivia's teachers.  They reported that Olivia is progressing just as she should!  She's a great listener, but they continue to work with her on speaking up and talking loudly - Mom, was I like this when I was little?  They thought the summer activities Liv is involved in (Bible Camp next week, Tot Day Camp in July, and swimming lessons) will help her work on her comfort with separating from Mom and Dad and also feeling more comfortable in new situations where there's a lot of activity.  I'm very happy that Olivia had such a good experience - nothing can make you happier than when your daughter pouts because school is over!  I wonder if my high school students ever feel that way?  :)

 

Mrs. Kane, Olivia, and Mrs. Bohr

Next year Olivia will be in the 4-5 year old group.  She'll go Monday, Wednesday, Thursday for the entire day.  We have the option of just doing 1/2 days, but with my school schedule picking her up would be really challenging.  Her teachers said they thought she'd do just fine at the all-day program, and she'll be able to ride the bus over to the high school when the days are done to hang out with me until we go pick up Grace.  The thought of my little Livy riding the bus is so bittersweet.