barrett: 64 months old

Barrett is fully engulfed in kindergarten now, and he seems to be enjoying himself.  Having been in preschool, he's a bit ahead of where they expect the kids to be, but that's giving him a chance to really understand the sight words and practice his reading.  He gets a kick out of me reading "Dick and Jane" books with my finger on each word, pointing out his sight words for him to read.  It's like "Mad Libs" bedtime reading!

I'm excited for Barrett to start soccer at the end of the month!  He enjoys having an activity, and I enjoy something tiring him out regularly!  The heat has been unbearable lately, and it seems that we spend all our time indoors, unless we are sprinting to the car or swimming in the pool.  

Likes:  playing with play doh, drawing anything and everything he loves - planets, soccer matches, people

Dislikes:  running out of tape when taping all his pictures on the walls because it makes him a "real artist"

109 months old

The new school year has hit us hard, and fourth grade is no joke!  I went to "Curriculum Night," and another mom and I discussed how this year just felt more "real" - the stakes seem higher somehow, and the handholding of younger grades is now gone.  This is the real deal, and the expectations are high.  Britton hasn't seemed to notice - she's still excited to go to school every day and loves homework.  

And Britton is reading more than ever, as her English/reading teacher encourages the kids to read upwards of 30-40 minutes per day in class.  She's made her way through tons of books this year, and especially enjoys ones that feature mermaids, unicorns, fairies, spirit animals, magical beings that live in the forest, sprites, witches, and fantasy.  We still read together every night, and I've found myself looking forward to the books and enjoying the stories as much as she does!

I feel like Britton is busier than ever this year, between the extra school work, plus continuing her piano lessons.  She's also doing dance class (ballet, tap, and jazz) weekly with two friends from the neighborhood.

Likes:  jumping in the pool in her clothes, cake pops

Dislikes:  the never-ending summer heat, practicing piano