Fun at the Park

We took the kids to a new park where we had so much fun. Who knew this was all just an hour away??






The kids had a blast at the spray grounds and play ground. Right over the fence from the spray grounds, was a beach and lake area!





I could have spent all day just taking photos of the scenery... such a beautiful place.

Reading Contest at the Library

Shane and Lindsey entered the reading contest at our library. It started on May 26 and ended on June 26. For their age group, we read to them. This morning, we went in for the results. Lindsey had 156 books read to her coming in first place. Shane had 125 books read to him (he read 25 of them himself), coming in 2nd place. They came home with some big prizes! They are both book worms and we read so many books a day. Shane is reading a lot himself now which is so nice. Gives my voice a break. We read a few books of the morning, then around 10-20 at naptime, and then another 10-20 at bedtime. They always ask for more too! I hope their love of reading follows them forever.

Story Time

I'm glad to see that Lindsey's interest in books has really picked up. I think Shane's interest is more than what most kids like, so I try to never compare them. But she has started enjoying more than a couple of books at a time. She used to barely make it through one short book, while Shane wanted book after book after book. But, in the last few months, Lindsey has taken to enjoying books more and wants several now too. It's nice that Shane is reading quite a few of them... saves on my voice. Ha! Both kids are involved in the Library's reading contest going on right now.

The Latest Happenings

Shane will be going to Kindergarten in the fall. He's so far ahead of that academically, but there is so much more to school and life than academics. There is more than just knowing your letters and counting. We want to make sure that he is ready in all aspects to meet the challenges that he will face... whether in the classroom or outside. Another year of maturity will only be a good thing on all levels. We feel good about that. He will always have 2 caring parents that will be there for him, help him, and guide him. No need to push him off into school so early. And, besides, having my sister by my side with all of her advice and knowledge (she is a kindergarten teacher and guidance councilor), she has been talking to me about all this since Shane was born. It has nothing to do with Shane's lack of anything... as that's not a problem. We just feel good about not pushing him or rushing him into school.

Shane is having a good time at summer school. He's coming home with such wonderful works that he has done throughout the day. I can tell his excitement and focus is so much better. His social development is coming along and has progressed by leaps and bounds from just a year ago. He's able to focus and contribute with distractions going on around him.

His teacher continues to be impressed with his abilities and how helfpul he is. He's ornery and can sometimes have too much fun... Ha! But he's doing so good. I'm very proud of him!

Kindergarten Catch Up

We've had a lot going on and a lot to think about these past few months. We've been in quite the dilemma it seems. Parenting is never easy and the decisions we make aren't always clear cut. There are things we want to do, maybe things we should do, but in the end, the decision can be a tough one that doesn't always go as we hope or plan.

To make a long story short, Shane went in for his evaluation. It was a kindergarten screening that covers quite a bit. It helps teachers and parents get an idea of where the kids are academically as well as pick up on any obvious behavioral problems that may be there. This screening is done with a teacher and takes about an hour.

We picked Shane up and the teacher just went on and on about him. He focused well, was very interactive, communicated well, followed directions, and was a joy to have. She went on to say that academically he was also amazing! She had the screening books in her hand and flipped through them telling me he only missed one in the entire screening process. It covers math, letter sounds, vocabulary, etc. He scored way above average.

He's taking a summer program and doing really well. He's progressed a lot over the past year and has overcome a lot. He does much better with a good teacher we are finding out. His teacher has commented many times that she is amazed by what he does. She has such great things to say about him. It's so nice to hear the good. She's bringing out the best in him, keeping him challenged, and making this a great learning experience for him.

Omaha Zoo

We made the 4 hour drive to the zoo and had such a great time. We made the day of it and drove back home that evening. What a fantastic zoo!

New Playground

The kids had fun playing at a new playground during our vacation. Shane had been here once before on a field trip and was excited to show Lindsey around. :-)