Warm summer memories

Riley and Izaak singing a song from the movie "High School Musical 2". Gotta love the dance moves!

Winter is Here!

With the snow here all the kids want to do is play in it. (You know how happy that makes me.) Enjoy some pictures!

Christmas Pageant

Riley and Izaak did a wonderful job during the Christmas Pageant. Riley was a wonderful Shepherd and Izaak did a great job as a Wise Man. After the pageant they then rang bells. Both were very proud.

The Cold Weather is Here

Catching up: Sorry it's been awhile since the last post. Life has been busy and my camera was not working so I wasn't happy about that!

Riley and Izaak continue to do well in school. We talk about the letter of the week and what was on the lunch menu everyday on the way home. They have also begun to tease each other about "boyfriends" and "girlfriends".

Allan is very thankful for his nice warm job right now. He's very happy to not be working in the cold anymore!

Work is fine with me. Very busy with the holidays but things are sure to get back to normal soon.

We are very excited about the weekend when Riley and Izaak will be in the Christmas Story at Church. Riley will be a Shepard and Izaak will be a Wise man. I will post pictures Sunday night!

Halloween Fun!

We all had so much fun this year for Halloween. The kids were very excited about their costumes and were very happy that Papa was dressing up too. I was a witch for school but when I thought about walking in the chilly night air I decided to become a regular Mama again. We went to all our normal Halloween spots but also walked a little on a new street. We have enough candy to last us through next October.

Congratulations to Faith and Charlie. They welcomed baby Rowan into the world on October 27th. She is so beautiful. Hopefully when the kids are feeling a little better we can go see her. Riley is very excited to have a baby girl cousin.

Fire Safety Week

Both of the kids had another good week in school. This week they both learned all about fire safety. You can see a picture of Izaak on the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk school district web site http://www.rcscsd.org/10.23.08/PBC_FireS_afety.htm He's in the top picture, second child from the left. All the students went to the firehouse to see the firetrucks and meet some of the firemen. Both Riley and Izaak felt very special because they knew some of the fire people from Diana's house.
We also went on a Sunday School field trip to Hull-O Farms yesterday. It was a lot of fun but Riley got a little nervous when we were in the corn maze (it was very big and long). I have also started to teach Sunday School. Riley and Izaak are very excited that I'm their teacher and are happy that we're all a part of the church. Allan is hoping to come to service soon. They're also doing a wonderful job playing bells for church. Both play one bell. Riley is becoming very good at keeping her place in the music. We're all very excited to see them play in church soon!

Riley is student of the week

Riley went on her first field trip. She had so much fun at Stanton Farm pumpkin picking. Her favorite part was the hay slide!

On Friday Riley was awarded with student of the week this week. This award goes to a student in each class who does a great job with his/her work and listening. She was so excited. Then laster that day she lost a tooth. She was on cloud nine for the rest of the day.

October Fun

Spending the day at Olana

Apple and pumpkin picking

Halloween Pictures: Dorothy and Indiana Jones

Bringing in October

Riley and Izaak ready for school



Izaak and Papa on their field trip picking apples

Riley and Izaak's Halloween cookie house

The King Family has been busy as always. The kids have settled into school. Both Riley and Izaak have made many new friends and love going to school each day. Riley loves art class and painting. She's so excited when she gets to wear her "pug smock". She didn't like going on the school bus at first, but now she likes it because she gets to sit with her friend Earl. She's also doing a great job with soccer. We're all very sad that her last game is soon but we will be sure to sign up again in the spring. Riley is also already interested in signing up for T-ball.

Izaak really enjoys playing with his friends Zachery and Nickolas in school. He talks about them all the time. He also gets very excited when he gets to bring a new book home from the library. Izaak went on his first field trip Friday. The class went apple picking. Papa also went on the field trip to help out. Everyone had a lot of fun even though it rained on them.

We have rejoined the Reformed Church. The kids have been going to Sunday school every Sunday and seem to like it (Izaak is still a little shy). It helps that one of Riley's helpers from dance also attends Sunday school there. They also started ringing bells for church. We have a long way to go but it's great that they are beginning to read music. Riley is excited every Sunday to play, although Izaak complains about standing and would rather sit and watch.

Allan has started his new shift. Everyone is still getting use to it. Riley has said a few times that she does not feel comfortable with only one adult home at night and she misses him terribly. Allan is also missing the kids and has been getting up every morning to spend a few minutes with them before we have to go. I also miss having him home. . .but we all know this is something we have to do for the next few years. Everyone just has to get use to the new schedule.

We have another busy month ahead of us. Soccer games, dance practice, field trips, birthday parties, and Halloween. . . and that's not saying what's going to come up out of the blue. I'll keep everyone posted.

Happy 4th Birthday Izaak

Our Chunk-a-Munk is growing everyday. It only seems like yesterday that you were born. The time is just moving too fast!

Oreo

Meet the newest addition to our family!

Riley's first goal!

Riley made her first goal in soccer today. There was about a minute left in the game and one of her friends passed her the ball. With one kick Riley sent the ball right into the goal. Everyone was very excited including her coach who gave her a high five. Riley couldn't stop smiling. Of course the smile was also because Allan promised her that if she made a goal she could get a guinea pig. Right after the game we took a trip to Petsmart where Riley fell in love with a little black and white female guinea pig. She named her Oreo because "she looks like an Oreo" with her black and white stripes.

First Day of School

Riley and Izaak had their first day of school. They were both very excited!

Riley went right to her classroom. Her teacher said she seemed very comfortable. She raised her hand to answer questions and followed all the rules. I saw her at lunch and she was doing a great job. She also really liked the note I packed in her lunch bag. When asked what her favorite thing about school was she said she liked gym class and climbing up the wall. (Keep your feet on the floor and then walk up the wall with your feet).

Izaak wasn't ready to have me leave him in the morning. He wasn't happy but he wasn't crying either. His teacher said he did a good job. . . he talked to her and seemed happy. I saw him when it was time to leave. He seemed happy and went right with Diana. He acted as though he's been doing this forever. When I asked him what his favorite thing was at school today of course he said "I can't remember". After asking a few times though he finally said he liked playing in dress up and with the kitchen. He told me he and his friend Maddie (who he also knows from Diana's) "played in the kitchen for one minute".

So we are now the happy parents of two school aged children. Time really flies!

Busy Weekend

Riley had her first game on Saturday. She still seems a little nervous to go after the ball. When she did get to kick the ball she was smiling from ear to ear. Very proud of herself! She loves playing and had a lot of fun. That's all that matters.

Both Riley and Izaak tried out for the Nutcracker this weekend. I'm happy to say they both "won" the part of reindeer. They are both very excited (although Riley is a little more excited than Izaak)! The show will probably be at the EGG in Albany around early December. I'll let everyone know the details once I find them out.

Riley throwing the ball back into the game

First Day of School

Riley and Izaak had their orientations today for school. They both seem to really like their teachers and both got to meet a few new friends who will be in their rooms. After their orientations we had lunch (chicken patties) which was a hit. Of course Izaak liked the fact that he could help himself to everything he wanted. We then went to see a Radio Disney assembly. The kids loved it! To finish our day we went on the school parade. Riley and Izaak helped carry the Kindergarten banner. Riley held it the whole way and wanted to to it again but Izaak made it half way and then needed to be carried by me. I am exhausted of course after a full, crazy day of work (and from carrying a 60+ pound boy for about a half mile)!

Riley lost her 3rd tooth!

Riley lost her 3rd tooth this morning. I washed her face and it fell right out. She was very excited and surprised to have it fall out by itself. She says she's going to stay up all night tonight to see the tooth fairy. With the help of soccer practice I don't see that happening though.

Izaak is getting excited for Pre K. He can't wait to play with the toys in the classroom. We were there yesterday to set up my classroom and he was looking around.

Allan has been busy with his "homework" for fantasy football. He loves this time of year!

I'm trying to get a great start for a new year. I plan on spending some time in the classroom this week and lots of time making plans out at home. I'm excited to say that I made my 35 pound (36.2 to be exact) weight loss today! It becomes very addicting.

Soccer 2008

Riley started soccer practice last night. She loves it! She did well for her first time. Allan is ready to get outside and practice with her. Izaak says he wants to show her some moves too. Coach Matt is very nice and seems to have a lot of patience.

The summer went fast!

Izaak went to the doctor for his post operation appointment today. He's all healed and ready to go. The doctor said he only has a 3% chance to get strep now if he's exposed. We also talked about the side affects Izaak had with the anesthesia. The doctor said it's very rare but it does happen. Something to be aware of if he ever needs surgery again. Luckily he's back to his old self. He is still a little clingy to Mama but he's always been a mama's boy.

Riley is excited to start soccer practice tonight. She can't wait to play. She's also excited that she has three loose teeth and knows the tooth fairy will be visiting her soon. She has a list of things she wants to buy.

Allan just finished a week of welding school the railroad sent him to. Although he learned a lot he's happy to be finished with it and back to work. He thinks that he will have to go on afternoons starting in the middle of September. Although no one is happy about it we know it will be worth it for his future.

I am slowly getting my classroom ready for the beginning of school. Two more weeks. The summer seems to have been washed away.