Second first day

Today was Mac's second first day of preschool, but first day of Pre-K (4's and 5's compared to 3's and 4's last year). And I think I'm going to like afternoon preschool vs morning. He can get up when he wants, he can slowly ease into the day (i.e. have some tablet time!), eat breakfast (or two or three!). I'm hoping that was the issue last year with not wanting to go to school.

Anyway, he was more than ready today. In fact, we ended up having to wait for the bus, even though his pickup time was at 12:15, which is the time school is supposed to start! Weird...but we are only 4 minutes from school, but still!

This was his "really excited" face:

And me with my baby:

We took these pictures around 11:50 because with that weird pickup time, I was worried the bus would actually be early. Ha, I needn't have worried. We played basketball to pass the time.

And finally at 12:22pm, it came!

I remember the time because I had a hair appointment at 12:30 and Google said it took 6 minutes to drive there! Plenty of time!

He really has grown up so much in a year. His confidence and personality amaze me every day, and make me crack up a lot of the time! I can't wait to see what he does this year.

He came home on the big bus with the Bigs and when I asked how his first day was, he said it was short. I asked if that meant it went fast and he said no, it was just short! So I think he must have had fun!

My babies aren't such babies any more. I wonder when I'll actually come to terms with that fact?!?! Probably in twenty years! Who am I kidding? Probably NEVER!!! ;)

And finally, last year's first day (left) compared to this year's first day (right):

He's gotten quite a bit taller!

A First for our First Day

Today was the first day of school for Finnegan (4th grade) and Korrigan (2nd grade). It was like any other first day of school...try to get sleepy kids moving, making sure everything is in their back packs, teeth brushed, pictures taken. Then our morning ended with this:

The bus never came! Or it MIGHT have come, but before getting to our house it stopped, turned around, backed up and went the other way! So after waiting over 45 minutes and the start of school quickly approaching, we decided I would just drive them. So our new first is me dropping them off at school! Can you believe I've NEVER done that before?

It was actually kind of fun. And Korri was having a difficult time with being late (which she technically wasn't...she's just used to being early), so I was able to walk her to her classroom and connect with her teacher about it. I was volunteering for the incoming Kindergartners anyway, so it all worked out. But, sheesh!

So, here is my big 4th grader this morning:

This is his last first day of school picture in elementary! I can't believe middle school is knocking on our door. I need to stop thinking about it. There's plenty of time to worry about that in the months ahead!

Here is my very excited second grader (which is a HUGE blessing):

She's all sass. She picked out her outfit and hair style. She picked the blue spray for in the hair and she requested to pose in her picture! Love her so much.

I couldn't even bribe them to actually touch, but here they are in the same picture at least (that's something, right?):

We took a LOT of pictures while waiting for the bus, but I won't post them all here! Here's hoping for a better drop off this afternoon!

May God bless this school year and keep all children safe and help to create an environment where they can learn and be successful!! Amen.

Splits Club

At karate, they have different badges that you can work toward achieving; like attendance, academic, sparring, etc. Well, one of them is the Splits Club and it is exactly what it sounds like: do the splits and you earn the badge.

Well, Korri has been working on doing the full splits for a while (forward not front and back) and has been SO close. Today at class, I mentioned to Master Hourscht that she thought she was ready to test for it. At the end of the class, Mr. Newman tested her:

And she did them with only a faction of space at the bottom (which is allowed!)!! So proud of this girl and her determination. I really don't know anybody else who sets goals like her and works unceasingly to accomplish them, especially when it comes to manipulating her body. She is now working on one-handed cartwheels...so hard...but I know she'll do it!!!

Anchored in Faith

I have amazing memories of Bible camp from when I was growing up. I went to Lake Beauty Bible Camp and Pilgrim Point Camp and I often went by myself! Well, Korri was asked to go to Camp Omega with her friend Maria and I wasn't too sure if she'd want to or how it would go.

Ha, I should NOT have worried in the least. She said yes immediately and was super excited about it (I didn't even bother asking Finn!). The nice thing about THIS camp is that it is was for three days and two nights, which I think is perfect for this age range (6-8 year olds). Also, it was the same theme (Anchored in Faith) as her VBS was last week and even had the same counselors!!

I dropped her off Sunday at 4pm and after waiting in quite the registration line (note to future self: get there BEFORE check in starts!), we found Korri's cabin and she was ready for me to go! I think it helped that she was there with her friend Maria and a new friend she's been getting to know through Maria's church, Elizabeth.

Even though Korri got a bottom bunk and she really wanted a top bunk, she didn't fuss at all! I was very proud of her. Maria's mom threatened life and limb if we didn't get a picture of the girls outside their cabin and I'm happy to report that both Maria's dad AND I remembered!

And then I left. Let me tell you, it was far more difficult on me to leave than it was on Korri! I just kept thinking about her and what she was doing. I knew she would be okay, especially since Maria went last year and she knows how to take care of things! The camp offered "Bunk Notes" so I could send emails to her that were delivered to her cabin, so that made me feel better (although I found out later that she received all but one right before I picked her up!).

The boys went to Memere's for a few days, so Jim and I enjoyed some time alone. And then before I knew it, it was Tuesday morning and time to pick Korri up! Jim and I got there just before 11am for their closing ceremony, where they talked about their bible verses and sang songs. Then we signed Korri out, took a couple pictures and headed home!

Korri's counselor's name was Holly and their high school helper was Anastasia (Anna). We kind of grilled her on the way home but she couldn't remember a lot of details. But every few minutes, she'd think of something new to share. One of the best things was that she told me she helped two girls who were homesick (which was also verified by one of the other moms!) and even gave one of them her stuffed animal to sleep with! She really and truly does have an amazingly kind heart. She said SHE didn't get homesick at all and wants to go for a week next time! That's my girl!

Here are a few pictures that I got off the camp's website and a couple I took at the closing ceremony:

So, she already said she's going next year! Hopefully we can coordinate with Maria and Elizabeth again (I think it's always more fun to know a couple people). Thank you, Kochs, for including Korri! Great memories were made!

Another thing to note for my future self: when the suggested packing list says to bring "toiletries" it means to include shampoo and conditioner! Oops...at least it was only two nights!!

Oh and on the way home, we stopped in Jordan at MN's largest candy store! I mean, when in Rome, right? Jim wasn't feeling great, so Korri and I went in and had so much fun (last time we went it was PACKED and it was NOT when we went this time, which was so nice!).

Korri picked a giant push-up sucker and a peach lemonade for herself, Harry Potter candy for Finn and a sour toilet candy thing for Mac (he'd gotten one a couple years ago from Dr. Bob and talks about it ALL. THE. TIME...so it was a no brainer when we saw it!). I picked up a pecan nut roll for Jim and me (Yum-O!) and some Zott's to share. We got out of there for under $20...which clearly tells you that Jim did NOT go in! It was fun spending time with just my girl!

Did they pass?

All three kiddos had swimming lessons over the last two weeks. We had to find a different pool because the Delano pool was closed due to renovations/construction at the high school. I HATE figuring out new things, but Cokato (where we have gone before) only did lessons through the beginning of July. And I learned last summer that we can not do swimming lessons at the same time as other things. Too stressful!

So I looked around and decided on having lessons at Watertown. This was Mac's first time having lessons without momma (yay for momma!). Korri has always loved lessons but Finn has not. So, I was happy that all three were looking forward to it. We found where we needed to go (even though the pool is NOT labeled from the hallway...are you supposed to just know it is there?!?!).

The last two weeks have been very busy. We tried to fit karate in as much as we could, which was either immediately before or immediately after swimming lessons! I enrolled Mac in Preschool level 2, even though he should have been in Preschool level 1 because it was his first time...but it was the only one right after the Big's lessons and he does AMAZING in the water, so I wasn't worried. And he did great. I enrolled the Big's in level 2 (neither passed level 2 last year, even though Finn was SUPER close).

Korri seemed not to put a huge effort forward during lessons, which isn't like her. Finn, on the other hand, was swimming all over the place the entire time! I was shocked. He actually enjoyed himself. I really believe the change in attitude is due in part to how much we go to hotels where they can swim. He has gotten so much better over the last year. However, both Bigs said they couldn't tread-water for 15 seconds, which is required to pass on to level 3, so I was thinking we'd just do level 2 again next year.

Drum roll...

All three passed (look at the bottom check mark)! I was so proud of them. So next summer, we will hopefully be back at Delano (I was underwhelmed with the instructors, the teaching style and the cleanliness of the facilities), and Mac will be in Preschool level 3 (he can't go into Level 1 until he is six or with special permission) and Korri and Finn will be in Level 3...which is in the deep end! Yikes!

Video of Mac jumping in: https://photos.app.goo.gl/c8MLCrvoMVD6T6PL8

Once they pass level 3, which may take a few tries, I told them they can stop with lessons. I just want to know that if they fall into the water, they can tread water or swim to safety. There are too many bodies of water in Minnesota to have them not know how to confidently swim.

Four and Fantastic

Mac had his 4 year well child appointment this morning. You may recall that his 3 year well child appt did NOT go well. In fact, I think I may have said I wanted to tranquilize him during it. Well, as I was getting ready this morning, Mac sauntered into my room, looked at me and said, "Well, I'm not going to the doctor today" and walked back out. ARGH!!!

So I did what any red-blooded parent would do...I bribed him with 4 Skittles now and he could pick out anything at the gas station on the way home. Duh!

Well, it must have worked or maybe four is just better than three (which I think it is in many ways!). He had attitude and didn't do everything that was asked of him...but it was a good appointment and I think he acted like every normal four year old does at an appt like this.

So, enough of that. His appointment went amazingly well! He is ridiculously healthy, which I'll take every time. I think this is the first well child appt that we've gone to that he didn't have an ear infection that I didn't know about. Yay for no more ear infections (fingers crossed) and not having mommy guilt!

Anyway, here are his stats as of 7/27/18:
Height: 42.75" which is 93% (39.25", 88% at 3 year)
Weight: 46 lbs which is 97% (39.8 lbs, 97% at 3 year)
BMI: 94% (94% at 3 year)

Yes, that is not a typo...he grew THREE AND A HALF INCHES this year!!! No wonder he eats constantly. Overall, his growth curve says that he is thinning out, which isn't surprising with how much he grew this year. Here's an interesting comparison. When we went to Disneyland, Finn had just turned 5 and could not ride the big rides because he wasn't 42". Mac just turned FOUR and could ride those rides that Finn couldn't at FIVE! Crazy. Tale of two kiddos!

Jumping in the deep end at swimming yesterday!

We talked about his speech and she was NOT concerned about it. She is glad that school is on top of it and said to come back and discuss with her if I felt the need once school does their evaluation this fall. She said that at this age, as long as you can understand over 50% of what he says, which you can, it is good. So, we'll see.

Finn helping Mac warm up before Tball on Tuesday!

Then I mentioned his skin. He seems to itch a lot and end up with scratches all over, especially if there are bug bites on him. She didn't see anything on him that was concerning so she said he probably just has sensitive skin (Korri does, so again, not surprising) and to use 1% Hydrocortizone on spots and use a Children's Claritin if it is all over. Good to know because I feel so bad for him when he's itching.

Mac batting at Tball on Tuesday...Lil' Slugger!

I asked her opinion about summer birthdays and Kindergarten. I know, I know...I obsess, but I just want to feel like I'm as informed as I can be. She said in general, she recommends holding kids, especially boys, which is basically what Mac's preschool teacher said. In general, with how much more intense Kindergarten is these days, it gives them more time to be ready for what is expected of them. Again, we'll see!

And finally, we talked about his belly button hernia. Basically, it shouldn't cause him any problems in life, or at least not until he is 80 years old (but then everything goes, right?!?!). However, if it is something we feel we or he will want corrected, that we should do it now. And I do think he'll want it corrected...but probably not until he is much older and kids start teasing him about it. So, she gave me the number for the pediatric surgeons at Children's Hospital so at least we can meet with them and make an informed decision. That will be next on my To Do list!

Sparring with Daddy last night!

We decided to wait with his Kindergarten shots until this fall when we do flu shots so it seems like fewer times he's getting shots (even though he'll need four that day!). Save the drama for one time! Then he had his vision and hearing screening, which he was a bit stubborn for, but in the end, passed them both. For the second ear for his hearing test, he wouldn't lift up his hand when he heard something, but instead shook his head "no" every time they made a noise...so at least they knew he could hear it. Little stinker!

Overall, great appointment both in results and behavior. Oh, I found out at the appt that even though he told me he'd had breakfast in order to get those 4 Skittles this morning...he in fact had not, so I think he started feeling kind of yucky at the end. But he didn't want to stop for breakfast afterwards. And for those of you still reading this, you won't be surprised at all to hear that he picked a dinosaur sucker at Casey's on the way home for being good at the appt! While wearing a dinosaur shirt and dinosaur Crocs! Ha, he knows what he likes!

And I'll leave you with one of the pictures of him and me from Tuesday. My baby is growing up (but don't tell him he's old...he's just big!).

Four-ocious

This morning, Mac and I went to get his 4 year pictures taken by the fabulous Renee. This is the fifth time she's taken Mac's pictures and she sure didn't disappoint. And yes, I said THIS MORNING and the proofs are already back! Who wants to wait to see pics of their cute kiddo?!?!

Beforehand, I was nervous. While I feel like Mac is slowly getting out of this phase, he can be DIFFICULT, especially when I need him not to be. We talked about behavior and expectations before we went. I think it also confused him because she moved to a studio instead of her basement, so it was different for him.

However, I know I shouldn't have worried. Yes, Mac was stubborn and hurt his throat once by not chewing his candy and rammed his nose into my shoulder another time...but Renee seriously worked magic with him and managed to grab that half a second look that was THE look each time! Also, her teenage daughter is her assistant this summer...and she was AMAZING! If she lived closer, she would be babysitting for us all the time!

Anyway, enough, right? Let's get to it.

That is your one sneak peek! If you want to see all of them, click here or copy and paste: https://reneemassingham.zenfolio.com/p841360953 Password: mac

As you will see at the end, our pictures from last year are still on there, too. Also, there are a ton of me and Mac...that was a gift she gave me. You know, never any pictures with mom, right? Thank you so much!!

Renee really does a great job! If anybody is in need of a great photographer, check out her website at www.reneefromdassel.com or her facebook page at www.facebook.com/reneefromdassel. Also, this is my last yearly picture session with my kiddos! Once they get to school, I use their school pictures! I'm really sad. Although, we'll keep doing family and sibling pictures periodically, so it's not goodbye, it's until later.

Mac-asaurus

While my baby has been 4 for 4 days, today we celebrated with a summer party. We couldn't have ordered better weather. And the birthday boy had a blast. Thank you so much to everybody who made today such a special day for my Mac-asaurus.

Here is a graphic of his special day.

I didn't get as many pictures of all the kiddos playing as I would have liked, but the day got away from me. Based on the fact that I have one left, at least all the kiddos got their parting gift which was a Jurassic World themed Kinder egg! Can't beat that! Hint: these were a HUGE hint, so maybe use them regardless if they fit with your theme or not!

Also, thank you, Mom ('Rama), for all your help! I would have been so much more stressed out if you hadn't been here! Also, thank you, Andrea, for Mac's amazing birthday shirt (I'm four-ocious!)! If anybody is looking for a custom shirt, ask her or click on her facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/customlyyourz/

Twenty Questions - Mac 4

Twenty Questions - Mac 4

Starting last year at age three, I asked Mac 20 questions around the time of his birthday. I chose NOT to direct or influence his initial answers but may have made suggestions after his first response. Here are his responses:

20 questions: answered by MacKeegan on 07/18/2018

1. What is your favorite color? blue
2. What is your favorite toy? Legos
3. What is your favorite fruit? strawberries
4. What is your favorite TV show/movie? Lego Jurassic World/Jurassic Park
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Nothing/everything, Lunchables
6. What is your favorite outfit? Dino shirt and swimsuit, with guidance, Under Armour
7. What is your favorite game? BeyBlades
8. What is your favorite snack? Everything/Candy/Skittles
9. What is your favorite animal? Dinosaur
10. What is your favorite song? Joy Joy all the Joy (he said from VBS at St. John's), 7 Years
11. What is your favorite book? Racecar one on tablet
12. Who is your best friend? Paxten
13. What is your favorite cereal? nope
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play basketball and 4-wheeler
15. What is your favorite drink? Orange juice and sprite (seperately, not together!)
16. What is your favorite holiday? Nothing, my birthday (I like my birthday, it's doing well)
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Kiki and ducky
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? oatmeal
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Chinese chicken (LeeAnn Chin orange chicken)
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Dino costume (for Halloween), race car driver (mommy’s suggestion)

Bonus Question:
21. What is your favorite sport to play? karate

Overall, it was fun doing these with him this year. I think he is still a little young to be able to really think about what his "favorite" is versus what he can currently see, what he just did/played with or the first thing that comes to his head. So I felt like I recorded his first response and followed up on a lot of them.

Click here to view his responses from last year.

Here are my thoughts comments.

2. He had Legos in his hand...but it is a pretty accurate answer.
4. He just watched Lego Jurassic World but does really like it and dinosaurs (obviously). He really likes to watch Dino Dan, which is a YouTube show about...you guessed it...dinosaurs! And yes, Mac has watched the Jurassic movies (he's clearly a third child!). I don't know if they are his favorite or not. But he doesn't have a go-to movie right now like he has in the past (I'm pretty sure he watched Zootopia 500 times when he was two and three!
6. I think he meant any shirt with a dinosaur, then he asked if he could say his swimsuit, which I said yes. Then he said his dino swimsuit...which he doesn't have! I suggested Under Armour because he LOVES wearing UA, even if it is actually Target or Walmart Under Armour (meaning their brand!).
8. After his two responses, he asked me to start listing "all the candy" so he could pick one. That is where Skittles came from, which I think is fairly accurate. He is an equal opportunity candy eater!
9. To be fair, it is accurate and I didn't say it had to be real or alive!!
10. I LOVE his first answer (and kind of thought it would be Runnin' From the Lord Now from the Music Camp). He immediately answered and then I asked what Kids Bop song is his favorite. 7 Years (by Lukas Graham, performed by Kidz Bop) is probably his favorite right now. He also loves RadioActive, Believer, Thunder and Good Old Days. He's well versed!
12. Paxten is in Finn's grade and lives near us. Mac clearly loves him. This cracked me up though!
13. He doesn't eat cereal. I may need to take this one off of his, although he might eat it when he's older.
14. I had to remind him about his 4-wheeler AND he NEVER plays basketball outside. I think our hoop died.
16. Again, I don't think he understands what "holiday" means. I tried to explain it and he answered that!
21. I thought he would say T-ball since he had it last night and loves it, but I agree that karate probably is tied, at least!

The last picture of him before he officially turned 4 (he was born at 11pm):

He had a very busy birthday yesterday! We started out by going to two of Finn's baseball games, which he got to play at the park for most of them. Memere came to watch Finn's games, so he got so time with her. Then we went to Uptown for lunch (I mean, it's his birthday after all!). We had to hurry home to get ready for preschool (he's taking a short three-day summer session). The bus was over ten minutes early, so we were rushing to find his backpack and find some tennis shoes (thankfully, Becky had given us an old pair of Ben's because Mac's were nowhere to be found). When he got home just after 3:30, he took a nap, which I had to wake him up at 5pm from so we could get ready for T-ball! We stopped at McDonald's on the way to T-ball. T-ball was great (he had a couple good hits...he's improved so much!). Then he picked to go to Dairy Queen to get some birthday ice cream. Finally, we came home, went for a quick family walk so he could ride his 4-wheeler, opened two small presents (remember, the 4-wheeler was his present), sang to him with store bought cupcakes and went to bed.

Google helped me create a movie from all his activities from this birthday:   https://photos.app.goo.gl/hDtAep2uu8Wr4RVe6

Sheesh! We barely survived, but I think he had an amazing birthday. Although he was confused about it being his birthday but his party not being until Saturday. He MAY think he's turning five on Saturday because it's his next birthday! We'll see! He told us this morning that he's five today because he was four yesterday! Begin the countdown to his fifth birthday!

I love this kid so much. He brings so much laughter and silliness into our lives. He challenges me with his stubbornness, but I should expect that from any offspring of Jim and me by now! He really prides himself on being a "first-time listener" so I'm trying to use that to my advantage while it lasts! He loves food, Legos, BeyBlades, Nerf guns, his 4-wheeler and anything Finn is doing.

Chase the Fire Truck

I didn't want to get up this morning. I certainly didn't want to get up at 6:30am! But for part of our town's Waverly Daze celebration, the Fire Department sponsored a Chase the Fire Truck 5K Run/Walk. It was this morning at 8am and registration was at 7am. I set my alarm last night but I wasn't positive I was going to go. Then Jim basically said that I was going to run today anyway, so why not do the race. Hmmm...good point! And support our local fire department at the same time!

I woke up constantly last night and I think it was because I was afraid my alarm wouldn't go off. I finally just got up around 6:30 and got ready. I headed out to the event just after 7am, got registered and waited for the race to start. And we actually ran behind an old fashioned fire truck (once they got it started!).

This was only my second timed race ever and it was a tough run for me. There were some pretty significant hills (which I'm not used to) and I'm not used to running with or by other people, which can be motivating or distracting! I was sucking wind but thankfully had my MapMyRun app on, so I knew how far I was and how fast I was going. I wanted to beat 28 minutes, which I knew was a little bit of a stretch for me.

And I finished at...28:18!!! Which is a pace of 9:05! Bummer...so close! I walked very briefly at one point and I think if I hadn't, I probably would have made 28 minutes. Oh, well. I did it and I got a t-shirt and a medal. They only tracked the first three finishers, but I'm pretty sure I finished seventh overall and third for the females (keep in mind this was a pretty small field!). The first place finisher had a time of 19:20 minutes (I heard somebody say he ran the Boston Marathon last year...so there's that!)! Next year they are going to have the race be around the lake (much flatter than today's race!) which will be a more scenic run than through town and out to a gravel road and back :)