Kathryn is 7 Years-Old!

Seven years!  It seems so hard to wrap my mind around that my little girl who I dreamed about for so long has been here for seven years and is now going to be a second grader.

Kathryn continues to do well in school and loved her teacher (Mrs. Highfill) but does not love school.  Every day she says her favorite parts are lunch and recess and she much prefers staying home. In first grade Kathryn flourished with her reading.  Although she does not necessarily comprehend everything she reads, I feel like she can decode almost anything. Math is currently her favorite subject.  Kathryn had a good group of friends this year and I feel like she can play with just about anyone.  I really hope this is a trait that continues.  Kathryn did gymnastics all year, played basketball, and is now playing baseball.  

When at home, Kathryn loves to play with her baby dolls, play outside with Jack, or play on the ninja line.  She is pretty independent with everything she does (or can be anyway).

Kathryn's birthday fell on the last day of school this year.  That meant that she had to go to school BUT she got off at 1:00 and was able to have a few friends over. We also took her out to each and she choose to go to HuHot.  We celebrated with her grandparents and cousins over Memorial Day weekend with a bunch of water balloons. 

Here are her answers to questions that were asked on her birthday:

• Favorite food: Mushrooms
• Favorite color: Hot Pink
• Favorite toy: Probably barbies, that is one of my favorite toys
• Favorite place to go: pool
• Favorite restaurant: Hu Hot
• Best friend: Harper and Olivia
• Favorite snack: Fruit Snacks
• Favorite vacation spot: The beach or the lake 
• Favorite song: I like Guns and Roses, Sweet Child of Mine
• Favorite movie: Beauty and the Beast
• Kathryn is really great at....washing dishes
• Kathryn loves...gymnastics
• Kathryn is thankful for..my family
• Tell us something else interesting about you: I am smart
• What are you really good at at school: Math
• What are three words that describe you: smart, sweet, and happy
• What goal do you have for this year? To go to the beach.

  

  Playing dress up

  
  

  

  Painting nails

  
  

  

  Cake time

  
  

  

  Eating outside

  
  

  

  Spray chalk

  
  

  

  Climbing fun

  

  Cousins

  

  She requested something pretty with butterflies

  

  Using the hose to get grandma

  

  Water balloon fun

  

  Baby Alive

  

  Second cake

  
  

  

  Birthday girl
  
  
  

  

  
  
  

A look back:

Kathryn is 6

Kathryn Grace Turns 5
Kathryn Grace Turns 4
Kathryn Grace Turns 3
Kathryn Grace Turns 2
Kathryn's 1st Birthday

Jack is 5

Although I never really blog anymore, I want to make sure that I continue to keep up with writing a birthday post for each kid. I love looking back and having a reminder of how much they have grown and changed.

At five years-old Jack still has a ton of the same interests and characteristics that I wrote about at age 4. He still can't smile for a picture (at all).  He is still really large for his age.  Jack is incredibly strong when he wants to be and is still the hardest working kid I know.  There is nothing he loves more than to spend the day working on the farm at Grandma and Papa's house.  Fires are still probably Jack's favorite thing and if we ever have any free time, he is begging to build one.  He has been successful in Pre-K although I suspect he will never be a kid that loves school (but he does LOVE Miss Tiffany, Miss Missy, and Miss Emma).  Jack has demonstrated an amazing ability with life skills but for some reason he just can't seem to remember (all of) his letters and numbers ;).

Five years-old is such a fun age.  Although Jack is still really emotional and energetic, he also has an incredibly kind heart and I would consider him generally well behaved.  That does not mean that he is not a challenge....he is ALL boy! He spends sun up to sun down running around outside and being active.  His sleep has gotten so much better and he is finally learning how much better he feels when he sleeps.  Jack is not as fearless as he used to be but he wants to impress people so much that he will do some pretty brave and crazy things.  Jack is super social.  This leads to him doing ridiculously stupid things to try to get a laugh out of people (sound like Ben??).  He also has a bad habit of making up stories and then most of the time saying "teased you, teased you" after I mention that you shouldn't tell lies.  Jack thinks that he is ALWAYS right and will argue about anything.  This year we have had some kids move in on our lane and Jack went and asked them all to play.  For his birthday party, we had three extra kids because of this.

Jack took swim lessons this year and went off the high dive.  He learned how to ride his bike (although needs more practice).  He also played t-ball and soccer.  Jack has been going to gymnastics with Kathryn and he has a good time.  He is excited to start basketball next year during kindergarten.

For his birthday, I asked him some questions to remember his interests at this stage in life.  Below are his answers:

• Favorite food: "I love all food"
• Favorite color: "Blue, Red, Actually, all of the colors in the rainbow"
• Favorite toy: "My 4-wheeler"
• Favorite place to go: "grandma's house"
• Favorite restaurant: "Nakotos"
• Best friend: "Titus and Sam"
• Favorite snack: "Cheese Balls"
• Favorite vacation spot: "Grammy and Gramps"
• Favorite song: "Guns N Roses: Paradise City"
• Favorite movie: "Home Alone"
• Jack is really great at...."building fires."
• Jack loves..."going to the farm."
• Jack is thankful for..."my 4-wheeler."

A look back:

Jack is 4

Jack is 3

Jack is 2

Jack is 1