The End.

And it's a wrap.
Summer is coming to a close, we're putting a cover on the pool, packing our backpacks, and prepping for the football season. Wow. In the last six weeks, we have experienced so much fun together, and I can't be more thankful to have had the chance to transition with the kids.

As we enter into the final week of my time away from a full-time career, I have to smile when I see these pictures. It's been an awesome summer!

The kids have really become strong swimmers. They started with life jackets, afraid of being splashed, and now I witness them swim across the pool -- under water! -- with goggles and no life jacket! It's sure made me jump out of my chair more than a couple times!!

We made it out to one Kernels game, since we we've been back. It was a hot one, but the kids got a picture with Shucks, so it made it all worth it!

Miss Ella Bella (our little cousin) came to play with us one afternoon ... we rode bikes, went on wagon rides, washed the car (and every bike we could find in the garage!), took turns swinging, swam in the pool, and ate lots of yummy snacks together!

Then we were lucky enough to have our friends from Davenport come visit! They just relocated to the CR area too, and we are so excited to spend more time with Chase and Ella!

One of my most memorable moments from the last few weeks as been the musical talent shows that the kiddos have been performing. It's hysterical to watch Cade get so ingrained in the guitar. I'm sure it won't be long until the little dude will be wanting lessons! And Little Lou Lou... if she isn't the center of attention! Although she knows plenty of songs, she seems to sing nonsense each time. Check it out!

She might need to work a little on her footwork, though!

 

And to think that these pictures lead us to today. To the first week of school. Cade is in kindergarten now, and he's already asking if he can ride his bike to school. So much for the tough transition. He's been a champ. Mom on the other hand... it's tough. I think back to him being only 5 lbs, laying in the palm of my hand, crying with hope that he'd be okay. Now, look at him. Ready for all the amazing adventures ahead of him. He'll be amazing in this new chapter.

Teaching Moments

I typically consider myself to have pretty concrete parenting skills. But the fact is, I'm looking for advice with this post. So, for all you moms and dads with kids older than mine... help!

Issue #1... Cleaning up the Potty Mouth
We've hit the milestone with the kids, where they are repeating ev-er-y-thing we say. Seriously. Some of the cute things are when Cade exclaims with excitement, "oh man!!," "oh yeah!," "for real?," or "really?" But then he adopted some of (his father's) road rage as he was driving on the interstate with Nana, yelling, "damn semi!" Yep, he said it. And Nana did not know what to say! So, she kept driving, thinking that if she ignored it, he wouldn't catch on.

I thought, okay, not bad. He's five. And truthfully, there are a million other four-letter words that he could have said. And to be honest, on the side, Rhonda and I even giggled about it. But then there was Alayna reading books with Grandma one night this week. It was a Max and Ruby hide-and-seek book where she was to flip the flaps in search of one of the characters. As I was chatting it up with Papa in the next room, I hear her shouting, "frickin girl! where is that frickin girl!?!?!" Now, this time my ears perked. She's three and full of naughtiness, but I was not expecting that!

Issue #2... Explaining Appropriate Personal Touching
It doesn't matter where we are, what we're doing, or who we're with... the boy is touching, feeling, and playing with his thing-a-ma-jig ALL THE TIME!!! It's awful, as a mom. I've asked him quietly, ignored it (then it just happens for a longer period of time), slapped his hand away, given him the look, and frankly asked 'what's wrong?'.

And, there is a part of me telling him that it's okay to touch in private, but not when others can see him. Really!?! What am I saying?!?! He's five!! Dad has tried the conversations, and redirected him; Papa has noticed and abruptly tells him to stop. But it's like habit now! Some times I think it's just nerves. Ugh.
I guess it's not so bad that Alayna just bites her finger nails, after all.

We Did 7 in '11

Okay, so most of us did 7 in '11... and then others (don't worry Jar, I won't mention any names) totally bailed! It was my third year running the BIX, and must say, I was happy with the run time. Last year, I killed it in 68 minutes, but the cool air and light rain made a difference for sure. This year I came in 3 minutes behind, but at 71 minutes in 100 degree weather, I'll take it!

We started Friday night with a slumber party at the empty house before the big move. It included painting nails, girl talk, and even a couple beers.

 The best part, is that this run was with my two cousins, aunt, and sis... talk about a little Skala-butt-kickin!

And it was the first big run for my sis and I together. When we hit the midpoint, we joined hands and turned the corner together. A pretty neat sensation to tackle this accomplishment hand in hand. It's not just seven miles... it's seven horrendous miles of hills.

This was me, running at mile 5, about ready to die. Maybe I was excited about the guy running behind me?

After the race, we enjoyed a little chilled brewski. (Thanks ma!) And, for fun, check out the redneck koozie I had...

When we returned to the house, we met up with the RAGBRAI riders! Congrats to those boys too, riding over 100 miles in the heat. Talk about a stoked crew!

And a super loud shout-out goes to the pops. Just three months ago he received a new hip, learned to not only walk again, but ride. Pretty impressive. We were extremely proud of him.