Academic Team

Alex was asked by his Accelerated Studies teacher to be a part of the Academic Triathalon Team at school. This is a great opportunity for him to excel and learn more at school. They practice 2 days a week after school for 1 1/2 hours. Then, he will participate in 4 meets at other schools. I don't know a lot about it as this is new to us, but it sounds like there are several rounds to a meet. They have to answer questions, write essays and do what is called PARTY's. Don't ask me what it stands for as I can't remember, but it is a lot like putting in a short play.

This is very exciting as it is something new that Alex is getting in to. Hopefully he continues to have fun.

Update on Skating

Jordyn has now finished her 4 weeks of Intro to Hockey. Tomorrow she starts the "real" hockey season. Here we go!!!! At the last Intro to Hockey on Tuesday, Alex went out on the ice with Jordyn and Zach. They really liked having him there. Then Jenny, Alex's coach from last year, came to skate with Jordyn. Jordyn just loves to have Jenny around and was thrilled to skate with her. I think the only time Jordyn came off the ice was to change her helmet. After her ice time was done, it was time for Alex to go on for practice. Jordyn was so upset because she wanted to be on the ice more. She tried to sneak on the ice with all of Alex's teammates. Wouldn't that have been a shock for her!!!! Here is a picture that Jenny took of Jordyn that night. Thanks for the picture Jenny!!

And the Next One Starts

Well, we all knew it was going to happen sometime. Last night was Jordyn's first day of "hockey". There is a 4 week Intro to Hockey program that DCYH puts on. We decided to go ahead and put her on the ice and see if she liked it or not. She liked that we got to go early and watch Zach on the ice before her. They did the boys first and then the girls. They both looked so cute in their hockey gear. When it came time to go on the ice, one of the HS girls took her out and then she hung out with Joe (a friend's son who plays hockey). He was so patient with her and so good. She hung in there for about 30 of the 45 minutes and says she wants to go again next week! I wasn't sure how she would do. Normally, the kids are 4 when they start going on the ice. But we figured it was worth a shot seeing as she will be 4 in January. Like the bad mom, I totally forgot to take the camera. I will try to remember to take it next week and then post some pics.

Hayride

Yesterday one of the families from Alex's Cub Scout den invited all the scouts and their families to their family farm. We were taken on a wagon ride through the fields, had a fire with hotdogs and smores and played games. While on the wagon ride, we stopped by the stream and the kids walked through the water. Jordyn wanted to know why the cows weren't talking back to her when she said "hi" to them. It was nice to just get away and not worry about the basement for a few hours and spend family time together.

Chicago

Here are some pics from when Alex went to Chicago. He got to ride the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier with Brian.

They also went to the Lincoln Zoo.

Jordyn's First Day of School

Here is a picture of Jordyn and her first day of school. Other picture is of Jordyn and her cousin, Zach. I had a pretty little outfit picked out for her, but she was very adamant that she was going to wear her Twins shirt. So much for being a little girl:)

Time for school

Alex started school on Tuesday. It was a milestone for him as he changed schools this year. He is now at the Intermediate School in Mantorville. It is hard to believe that he is already in 5th grade!! He seems to like it and is adjusting to taking different buses to and from school and such. Now he has to really make sure he doesn't miss the bus as he isn't close enough to walk to school anymore.

Now that Alex isn't at the Elementary School anymore, Jordyn is. She is starting Preschool on Monday. She thinks it is pretty cool that she is going to "Brother's School". Last night we took her to meet her teacher, Mrs. Sara. She has a teachers helper, Mrs. Lisa. Jordyn wasn't too sure about school when we first got there, but she quickly found all the fun toys to play with. Now, we will just see how the first day goes.