Wednesday: DeGraaf

We went to DeGraaf Nature Center today.  Isaac liked taking pictures of the flowers.  Joshua enjoyed taking pictures too, but is still working on getting things centered.  It is nice having me in some of the pictures, even if several only have part of me in them.

Tuesday: picture

Joshua wanted to take several pictures today...

...of almost matching shark sandles.

...of him, Bear, and his medal.

...of me, Bear, and his medal.

Monday: last day of gymnastics

Today was the last day of gymnastics.

Joshua impressed me by doing the "high" balance beam twice without needing any help.  The second time he just zipped right along.

Both boys got to go to the older kids' area for the last little bit.  Isaac especially loved it...it might be enough to have him choose to come back later on.

The kids got to do some flying.  Joshua declined quite firmly.

They both jumped into the big foam pit.  Isaac's first run had him stopping on the vault...it reminded me of his gymnastics dive last summer.  There was also a long trampoline that they ran on.  And they got medals; both loved them, although Isaac seemed especially thrilled with his.



So, over the course of the year there was definite and obvious improvement.  We aren't doing the summer session due to other commitments, and right now I would be surprised if we start again next year.  I don't want Isaac to start kindergarten and an extra circular at the same time and I have a feeling that Joshua would enjoy a dance or music class more.  It will remain a viable option if the time is right though.

Sunday: Aunt C

Saturday: game

Today we went to play a board game in the morning.  We did it at Dad and Pat's house.  The game was fun and it was nice to get to know the people better.  Isaac and Joshua did excellently too...they played in the basement well.  They came up a few times to watch or have a snack, but didn't need too much attention.

So I let Isaac take a picture of some of his creations.

We have "a machine that makes smoke and sends it into space where it turns into food for the astronauts."

There was also a bee and a yellow flower from Duplos, but he used up his allotted amount of pictures on the first creation.

So here it is from another angle.

Friday: plans

Today's plan was to go to the playground.  It's been a lovely week and the kids were wearing shorts yesterday.  Well, at 10:00, a half hour before meeting time, the temperature was 46 deg.  We pulled out the hats and mittens and went anyway.

The kids had a great time, and I did too.  I don't think anyone got too cold, although Joshua did slide into a puddle near the end.  I had some spare pants, so we got to stay a few more minutes.  Isaac found that he could made hand prints on the sidewalk with the water from the puddle, and got his mittens soaking wet.  He took off his mittens, but then had no hand protection.  Everyone left shortly after that, so the timing was good.

Isaac and I packed lunches for Kids' Food Basket.  I don't think it's his favorite thing to do, but he still does it well.  Well, except for one sack dinner that had five cookies (instead of one).

This evening I changed some plans for a large trip semi-last minute.  The boys and I were going to visit a friend from college mid-June, but then other things changed and it worked better on our side to go the beginning of June.  Luckily, that worked for her schedule too.  So now I get to see her sooner!

Thursday: kindergarten assessment

Isaac had his kindergarten assessment today.  I had no idea what it would entail, so I was giving him example questions in the car...

How high can you count?
Do you know the alphabet?
What do you like to do?
Who is your best friend?
What is 2+2?
Who is the president?
What city do you live in?

ok, I didn't really think that they'd ask him who the president is, but it was the easiest social studies question I could think of.  He also said Michigan for the city that he lives in.

Apparently they only asked him to spell his name, count as high as he could, identify colors, and something with letters (out of alphabetical order).  However, he still remembered who the president was this evening when telling Ben.