October 2011 So Far...

 Anna Kate's 1st Indian Adventure Princesses Campout with Daddy...we made her vest very "bling." 

Sadly, Jon's been sick all week so he had to go to bed early and couldn't bond with the dads as much as he could have, but it was a really special time they both enjoyed very much.

And trust me, I was really glad to not have to go on a campout, but I do get heebie-jeebies when Jon is gone overnight...thankfully this little guy was left behind to "protect me," he sleeps with snakes...

 and we went shopping (the one thing he wanted to do!) and got this winter garb he picked out and he has not taken it off for the 3 days since we got it except for during church :)

 Jon is reading a lot lately about education philosophies and theories...seems like something we should have done before Anna Kate started kindergarten, but not knowing a lot about what's going on all day while she's gone at school raised some questions we've never had before about what goes in schools these days.  We know we are in the BEST public school and we are so thankful for that...but Jon and I just haven't ever known anything before besides public schools, so now he's reading what other schooling options are like just so we have a better understanding.  Anyway, Jon says that our house is "very Montessori."  I thought that comment was typified by all three kids spontaneously deciding to do an experiment using different sized bowls, water, soap and straws during Anna Kate's day off from school...I couldn't get a pic of every one's creations b/c they were doing this in their underwear :)  I can totally see Anna Kate being a teacher some day...ever since she started school she's given us all numbers at our kitchen table so we sit in the same spots and she's been teaching J.R. when she's at home and she "changes his color" and makes him sit still and "clap twice if you can hear my voice" :)

 We had a fun play date with our good friend Oliver on his 6th birthday!!!!  He is SOOO sweet to Anna Kate. 

Anna Kate at Zac's 7th birthday party...

 

Anna Kate received the Principal's Award at the Pride Rally at school at the end of the 6 weeks for excellent behavior.  We were SOOOO proud of her!!!

And lest you get confused into thinking we've raised an absolutely *perfect* angel, she changed her color for the first time later that day :)  But she has done so well at school :) Her teacher said she is already a peer tutor because she is ahead of her class so she helps out the other kids in her class at their centers.  Her teacher also said that Anna Kate is so helpful in that not only does she behave herself, but she keeps every one else around her in line as well...like a policewoman - ha!  Once a big sister, always a big sister :)