Jog-a-thon

Today, was the jog-a-thon fundraiser for Carissa's elementary school. Family is welcome and encouraged to come so Gabe and I both stayed at the school when we dropped Carissa off, and we ran in the jog-a-thon with the kindergarten classes. Gabe got a tummy ache from running, (I think because he had just barely finished lunch) so we didn't run the whole length of the race. They had the kids make a loop in the neighborhood and then head back over for the rest of the race, so we cut out the loop part of the race and caught Carissa on her way by us. Then we all finished together. Carissa did a wonderful job and she ran most of the way, when she met up with us she slowed down for a little bit. But, she must have felt better pretty quickly, because she wanted to start running again. After the race was over the school had popsicles for all the kids, and Carissa enjoyed hers in the shade with some of the other kindergartners. Then Gabe and I got some pizza from the concessions there and headed to my parents' house to rest and cool off. I was so hot. And, yes Gabe ate a full lunch, did the run, ate a popsicle, pizza, and a fruit by the foot before he was told that he had enough for lunch. And, the doctors still mention how small he is too me and make sure that he is eating well.

Soccer

Carissa and Gabe are both doing soccer for their first time now. Carissa had a practice on Friday evening and then they both had their first games today. Gabe's coach decided that since they are all preschool age kids that they could just get together and practice for about 15 minutes before the game starts on their game days. So his first practice was right before the game. Carissa is on a kindergarten team and her game was scheduled before Gabe's. She did a great job, and we are very proud of her. She didn't get to the ball very often, but she did a great job keeping up with everything. And it was also pretty obvious that some of the kids on her team had played soccer before. Gabe's game didn't start until noon, and then due to some miscommunication the game didn't really start until almost 12:30. Take a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds who are tired, hungry, and hot (it was about 90 degrees) and who really aren't quite sure what they are supposed to be doing and that describes a lot of how that game went. However, I have to say that it was really cute watching them when the game first started. Two kids went off after the ball kicking it while the rest of both teams stood around in two groups facing each other and looking completely confused. Then the coaches got them all going. Also you had kids wondering off the field during the game to go see their moms only to have their moms send them back. Gabe also did a really great job for his first game, especially considering the circumstances. He really went after the ball a few times and I got one picture of him and another kid going after the ball that I think was a really neat picture.

First day of school

Today was Carissa's first day of kindergarten and Gabe's first day of pre-K. They are both going to the same elementary school which is close to my parent's house, since my mom watches them when Ben and I are at school or work. I like both of their teachers this year, and I think that it should be a good year. Also, I think this class will be a much better match for Gabe than the one he was in last year for a few months. This year we got the kids their first school backpacks, and they were both very excited about the backpacks. Then this evening we went to the orientation for Carissa's and Gabe's first time playing soccer. We got their schedules for games/practices and uniforms. All the uniforms are so big on the kids, especially the pre-school age kids. But, they are very cute.

Camping and the Surprise

We decided to go camping with my dad, Josh, Alyssa. And, Josh and Alyssa each brought a friend with them too. We went up on Thursday, and we found a nice big camp site for all of us and got settled. Carissa and Gabe were both very excited to be going camping even though this was their second time. And their first time was two years ago and only for one night. While we were getting the camp set up Alyssa said that my dad had a surprise for the kids/us but she couldn't tell us what it was. Then when we finished getting set up my dad brought out two small helmets and gloves for the kids to wear. The kids were excited about that and we thought that was a very nice surprise. Then my dad opened up the trailer which was carrying the motorcycles and ATVs, and there were two little ATVs for Carissa and Gabe. They each got there very own matching ATV, helmet, and gloves. And, they love them. They rode the camp site in circles as much as they could, and we took them on some short rides on the dirt road. Carissa has a little easier time driving than Gabe, because she is bigger but they both did really well. They even learned to start their ATVs on their own. We went camping until Saturday morning, and they both got a lot of time riding in while we were there. Pretty much all Carissa did or wanted to do was eat or ride. On Friday right before lunch time I was out with the kids on a short ride with the ATVs, and I told Gabe that he needed to slow down because our turn was coming up. But, he went right passed me and turned where he was supposed to. He was going pretty fast, turning and going down a bump. He rolled the ATV right over, and I stopped and went to check on him. He cried and said that it smashed his leg, but he was fine after a couple of minutes and his leg was a little red but it didn't even bruise. As soon as he stopped crying he asked, "Why did it do that?" So I told him that was why he was supposed to slow down before he turned. And, he got back on the ATV and rode it into camp. By the way, he was well covered when he rolled-he had on pants, socks, tennis shoes, t-shirt, jacket, gloves and helmet. Carissa and Gabe both did wonderfully and really enjoyed camping. A favorite moment of mine from our trip was Gabe and I looking at the stars together. He was amazed by how many stars he could see and they were all around us. He told me that he could see shooting stars, and that the stars that were still were just resting. We had a really nice time together.
I tried to load 2 videos of the kids, but this is all that loaded right now.

Dentist and More Construction

This morning the kids had their dentist check-up and they both did excellent. No cavities, and they both just did a wonderful job. Also, they were both chatting up a storm with the hygienist.


Their appointment was first thing in the morning, so when we left the construction workers were just getting started. When we got home we could barely get in our drive way. They have dug a big hole on the other side of the street right in front of our driveway. And at this point it is really good that we don't have any plans to go anywhere, because I don't think that we could leave right now. I told both pictures standing right outside my front door. And one of the pictures shows the end of my driveway, where the big mounds of dirt are.

4 years old

Gabriel is 4 years old now. I can't believe how fast he is growing up, although he is still a little guy. He has always been on the small side, but he is growing. At his checkup today he was 31.8 lbs. and 38 inches tall. And that puts him at the 9th percentile for height and 14th for weight, but I think that he should be getting taller soon since he his height has stayed about the same for the last few months. Gabe will be starting preschool again soon at the same school that Carissa will be going to for kindergarten. Hopefully, this time things will work out better than they did last year. Gabe has grown up and changed a lot over this last year so I think things will go better, plus he really misses going to school. Oh, we went to TGI Fridays for dinner on Gabe's birthday, which was his choice. And, they sang Happy Birthday to him and gave him his sundae which he shared with Carissa. But, every time our waiter told Gabe Happy Birthday, Gabe would tell him Happy Birthday back.

This is what we saw

When we woke up this morning we were greeted with contruction equipment. We had no idea they were coming or why they were here, but it was very exciting for Carissa and Gabe. As soon as they were dressed and feed they were outside watching them work.
By the time they left we had a pile of big pipes outside.