Friday, August 24, 2012

Holy Crap! A Kindergartener?!?!?

Kincaid started Kindergarten this year.  It's hard to believe he's ready for this milestone.

Wednesday morning he fell back into his routine that was established last year during 4-year-old preschool.  Alarm goes off at 6:10, gets dressed, eats breakfast, jabbers a million questions to Michael and me, brushes his teeth, combs his hair, shoes, bag, and coat on, feeds Bo, then waits for Denny (bus driver) to pick him up at 6:50.

He's excited to be riding the bus again.  I'm happy we made that transition last year.  This year brings it's own set of transitions... like no nap and no daycare.  He's still a little unsure of not going to Wendi's.  The only tears shed were for that reason.  Luckily Wendi is Michael's sister so he'll have the rest of his life to make more memories with her. 

So far school has gone well.  He loves his teacher and the kids in his class.  He gets to sit by his friend Anna, whom he has professed his love for.  He's excited to be back with his other friends too.  It's been a long summer away from them. 


His 5-yr-old signature

Kansas City vacation pictures.

The Mitchell's 2012
Sea Life Aquarium


Father and Son

Crowne Center

The weather was awesome!

My little man... pretty proud of him.

Lego Land

Beat after a day of Sea Life and Lego Land

Teaching Kincaid how to go across the monkey bars at the campground playground.
Day 2: Science City at Union Station


Freight House Bridge

Kincaid's favorite part of the day.  He loves model trains.

My awesome husband of 8 years.

Noah and Kincaid bonded quickly over Thomas the Train

Kincaid, Mila, Jack, and Sampson at snack time.

Amy and me at the balloon festival.  Spending time with her is what made the end of our vacation seem too fast. 

The boys at the balloon festival.  They were so good!! 

Our Kansas City vacation accommodations. 
S

Monday, August 20, 2012

Back from Vacation!!!

We're back from our extended weekend to Kansas City area!  It was so great!

It was the first real vacation we've taken just Michael, Kincaid, and I.  I don't know why we didn't do it sooner.  Maybe because Kincaid needed naps, had the occasional tantrums, we needed to take a bag everywhere we went, etc.  However, the kid was born to travel.  Michael always says he spent the first two years of his life in a carseat.  Sadly, he's right.  We drove a lot when he was little, which makes him a great traveler now. 

We packed up the Tundra and Dutchman and 6 1/2 hours, one major storm, and a stop at Sonic later, we were at our campground in Lawrence, KS. We didn't spend much time setting up as it was almost 10:00 and pitch black.  Good thing we did two trial runs with camping.  Michael & Kincaid have become experts.

Thursday we spent the day at Sea Life Aquarium, Lego Land, Crowne Center, and a little time at the campground.  It was fun to have our own schedule and go as we pleased.  Usually we do trips with my whole family.  10 adults plus kids means there has to be a schedule.
Friday we went to Union Station and Science City.  Also lots of fun.  Kincaid could have spent hours at the Model Train Experience.  We also took a tour of Olathe.  Michael showed us all his houses, his schools, and the basketball hoop he learned to play on.  I enjoyed it more than anyone.  I love knowing where he came from.  He couldn't believe how much everything has changed in the 15 years since he left.
Friday night we met up with our friends, the Helm's.  They have the cutest kids, EVER!  Noah (3) and Kincaid became fast friends.  Immediately they were playing with train sets and toys.  Mila (18 months) took a liking to Michael.  After more playing and eating, the kids went to bed.  Kincaid slept with Noah in the bunk beds (which he has now asked for).  The adults got to catch up and talk.  I could have stayed all night.
Saturday we went back to the Helm's for anther day of fun.  According to Michael, Amy made the best waffles he's ever had.  We took the kids to an awesome park where they played for a very long time.  After naps we went to a hot air balloon festival.  Though none of the balloons left the ground (rain was coming), it was still fun.  Kincaid's never seen a hot air balloon that close.  After the kids were in bed (the boys in the bunk bed again) the adults stayed up past 1:00 AM talking again!  That's a sign of true friends!

Sunday we packed up the camper and headed home.  Normally I look forward to getting back.  This time I wished we could have spent more time.  It was awesome getting to be just the three of us, but then also spend time with great friends.  It was the perfect balance. 

Now it's the Helm's turn to come north!  Kincaid can show Noah everything he knows about farming.  I look forward to being with them again soon!  (That's a hint for Amy). 

I'll post pics soon. 

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Annual Celebration


Three years ago today my sister Kim lost her battle with colon cancer.  Every year on the first weekend in August Katie and I get together to celebrate her life.  We've done something new each year... something we know Kim would have loved.  On Kim and Courtney's 1st Anniversary we camped as a family.  So, this year we tried camping again. 

Katie, Rob, and Zeke journeyed down to Lake Red Rock.  We had a great, relaxing weekend of wiggle cars, hobo pies, s'mores, walking, wrestling in the tent, and tattoos.  The boys ran and played all weekend.  They even found girlfriends from the neighboring campsite.  Kim would have loved it, loved watching the cousins play, loved eating over the campfire. 

I miss her everyday.  We spent countless hours on the phone during the week and were together most weekends.  No matter how many miles were between us, we'd always find a way to come together.  I have a hole that cannot be filled.  Katie and I do our best to remember and celebrate her. 

She will always be my sister and our trifecta will always be minus one.  Katie and I love you, Kim.