First Day of School

Sorry it's been so long. What a fun day and way to start blogging again...the first day of school =)

McKenna started Kindergarten today, and I just can't believe this day has arrived. She has been so excited to start school and it couldn't have been much better! I thought I would be so sad, but she was so happy and excited to be going, I couldn't help but be happy and excited for her.

Caleb had been dreading going back to school all summer. We don't know what happened, because he's always loved school. Somehow his attitude toward it changed in the months off. But, at "meet the teacher" day last Thursday, he noticed that he would get to have science this year, and that made all the difference in the world. Ever since that day, he's been so excited (and I've never been so thankful for a science book! =)).

Both kids had great first days. They started it out walking in together, which was so cute. Caleb dropped McKenna off at her classroom (wish I could have been there for that) =).

McKenna says that they did the Pledge of Allegiance outside at the flagpole, went to an assembly, got to sit wherever they wanted in class, and had library. That's pretty much all I could get out of her on the first day. But she said it was "GREAT!".

Caleb loved it as well. Not too much to report. He's sitting by 2 of his friends, he could understand his teacher just fine (which I was a little concerned about b/c she's speaking Spanish and I've heard she's a "fast talker" =)), and he also got to have library (his favorite special). Here are some of the pictures of their first day:

missing you daddy...

Today's post is more for me than for anyone else, so, I'm just warning you ahead of time, it may be too sad/depressing to read and please don't feel that you need to. Today, my daddy would have been 59 years old. He battled cancer for about a year before the Lord decided it was time to end his pain and suffering and take him Home. I had the best relationship with my dad during this past year than I had probably my whole life. It is never fun to watch someone you love go through what he endured his last year, but I believe a lot of good came out of his sickness. The greatest outcome of his illness was that I know he was sure (and now I am too) of where he was (and now is) spending eternity. Another blessing is just how much closer to two of us became during that time. My dad and I never lived together, which is something that was both good and bad (I won't go into all that here). But, the best part of that, was that we only really ever saw each other at our best. Throughout this past year (well, 2008), we saw each other more than we ever really had, spent more quality time together, he came to visit me twice at our home, and once with my wonderful little (BIG =)) brother, John, and just had some really special moments that I will never forget. I am just REALLY thankful that the Lord blessed us with a year to say goodbye. I am well aware that there are so many families that don't get that opportunity, and I have no idea why HE chose to bless us this way, but I will be forever thankful.
I really just needed a way to express how much I loved (and still love) my Daddy, and wanted to remember him on his birthday. I love you so much, Daddy and I miss you!! But, I am filled with joy in knowing that I will see you again someday, and that we'll be together in eternity!

McKenna's Birthday

McKenna's birthday (May 12) is right around Mother's Day every year. So, this year, we combined the two and celebrated together...just us girls! There is a store near us called Sweet and Sassy, it's like every little girls fantasy store! =) I made us an appointment to get mini-manis and mini-pedis together.
On our big day, I decided not to tell McKenna where we were going...I wanted it to be a suprise, plus she'd never been there before, so she wouldn't have known what to expect anyways =) Once we got in, she was so excited...it's like pink world (which is her favorite color...at least it was that day). First, they wrapped her up in a luxuriously soft and pink robe. Then, they let her pick out some nail polish for her toes, they put her feet in the spa tub full of bubbly warm water, propped her up with several big, puffy pillows, massaged her legs and feet with sparkly lotion, gave her a magazine to "read". After her mini-pedi, she got the same royal treatment for her mini-mani too...what an experience! Mind you, I got all of this too, but it was just sooo fun for me to watch her just loving every minute of it! I hope the pictures, even slightly, capture what a fun day we had!! =) Happy Birthday baby girl! =)

If You Give a Caleb a Chip...

...he is going to want a jar of salsa to go with it. Seeing the cactus on the salsa will remind him of where he was born. So, you will have to take him to Montana. When you take him to Montana, it will remind him of his family. Being reminded of his family, he will want to visit his old house. When you take him to his old house, he will want to visit the refrigerator. When you take him to the refrigerator, he will ask you for some salsa. And chances are, if you give him some salsa, he's gonna want some chips to go with it! :)

This is a story Caleb came up with this afternoon. He really likes to make up his own stories (sometimes, he even illustrates them too). Today, he had some chips and salsa with his lunch (he really takes after daddy in a LOT of ways)! =) All of a sudden, he says, "we should write a story about if you give a Caleb a chip..." He and McKenna both really enjoy the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (as well as, If You Give a Pig a Pancake, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, If You Take a Mouse to School, pretty much all of the other books in this series--thanks Annie =) ). Anyway, this story is what he came up with. I thought it was too cute...just had to share =)

**Beth, sorry I couldn't underline the titles...it bugs me too =)**

Friendship

I just saw the sweetest thing this morning when we dropped Caleb off at school!! As Caleb, McKenna and I approached his school, I saw some gitty little kids coming toward us down the sidewalk. It was 3 of Caleb's friends from his class...they must have seen us when their bus drove by, and they waited for him so they could all walk in together. They were just so sweet and excited to see him (and McKenna). Maybe it was a "you had to be there" moment, but it really warmed my heart, so I thought I'd share!! =)

New Pictures

Here is a slideshow of some recent pictures of the kiddos. If you just want to see them all, you can go to our Picasa page and view them. The link is: http://picasaweb.google.com/aaronsarahp/May2009?feat=directlink

Little Ballerina

McKenna and I have no set routine to what we do with our time while Caleb is in school. One day last week though, she decided she wanted to wear her ballerina tutu =) Neither she, nor Caleb, are usually ones for playing dress-up, so I decided to have a photo shoot while she was all decked out. Enjoy!!

There are 3 new posts, so keep looking =)

Jump Rope for Heart

Last week, McKenna and I got to go participate with Caleb in his gym class. It was Jump Rope for Heart day and they invited all of the family to come and join in the fun. We had a blast!! All of the kids in Caleb's class love to see McKenna. The girls all become "little mommies" to her...it is soooo cute! She just has so much fun being with Caleb and the other kids, she feels like a one of the big kids.

Caleb has really improved in his jumping and jump roping skills and it was fun to get to watch him. After they jump roped, they did stretching and other exercises, then played "Jump the River." We all had so much fun, it actually made me miss teaching PE =) Here are a few pictures of our fun day:

Young Love

Well, it has happened...my little Caleb has had his heart captivated by a sweet little girl...already! He has been talking about Brianna since the beginning of the year. She has always been a really sweet friend. She stood up for him at the very beginning of the year when some other little girl said she didn't like him (how could you not like Caleb?? She just didn't know him yet, because they're friends now=)). Anyway, when we were sitting down to make out Caleb's valentine's for the big party, he informed me that he wanted to make a "special" Valentine for Brianna. So, he stamped and drew some pictures and wrote, "Brianna, will you be my Valentine?" THEN he asked me what that meant. I felt it was a little early for explaining about "liking someone." So, I asked what he meant when he wrote it. He told me that he just wondered if she'd be his friend forever...sounded perfect to me! =)

Here is a picture of Caleb and McKenna with some of their friends (from left to right Kendall, Brianna, Avery, McKenna, Trey, and Caleb). Sorry the picture is kind of far...they were all watching a movie on the couch =)

Caleb's 6th Birthday

Okay, so I'm embarrassed that it's taken me this long to post about Caleb's Birthday, but better late than never, right? =)

Caleb had a lot of fun on his birthday. We invited a few of his friends from Kindergarten to come over after school. We made pizzas, played, opened a few presents, and decorated cupcakes. It was funny because all of the kids were playing, mostly the boys ended up in Caleb's room and the girls ended up in McKenna's room. She felt like such a big girl that day =) Anyway, when I asked who wanted to help make pizzas, it ended up being only the girls...typical boys, huh...let the girls do it! =) Anyway, we all had a lot of fun. I enjoyed getting to know some of the moms better, McKenna loved being in with all of the "big girls", and Caleb had a wonderful Birthday.

Movie Night

We started a new tradition a few weeks ago. Caleb and McKenna did not want to go Trick-or-Treating for Halloween (Caleb actually wanted to protest with his very own picket sign at school, but that's a whole other story =) )...they get scared by all the costumes and stuff that come out this time of year. I, of course, don't mind...no need to buy costumes, no candy to sort through...no problem! =) So, we set some candy out for the kids that I knew would be knocking on our door, and we started a new tradition (for us anyway). Friday night is now "Movie Night" at the Pifer house. We borrowed several kid movies from the library earlier that day, had pizza for dinner, got our jammies on, brought our pillows and blankets out, popped popcorn, cuddled and watched movies. We had so much fun together. Last Friday, the kids and I actually made the pizza (with a little help from the Pillsbury dough boy =) ). Caleb and McKenna sure can make a mean pizza! I tried not to be uptight about making messes and just let them have fun...and we did =) Here's a picture of them with their masterpiece:

Go Air Force!

A few weeks ago, we went up to West Point to watch Air Force play Army...well, to watch Air Force BEAT Army (Army actually played better, but Air Force came up with the win...Go FALCONS!) =) We were sitting right by the cheerleaders, so McKenna was entertained the whole time by that (okay, McKenna and I ) =). It was SUCH a gorgeous day for a football game...60 degrees and sunny, and the leaves that surrounded us were at their peak. Perfect.
After the game, we drove around a little. We had seen pictures, of course, but nothing can really prepare you for the castle-like buildings and the serene views (although I'm sure there's nothing serene about it for the cadets) =). It was all pretty amazing. We would like to go back sometime for an actual tour, but on a day when we hadn't already sat through an entire football game with the kids =).
The only bad part about the day was that our oldest (as in known the longest, not age =) ) Air Force friends (Chris and Mary Jenny) were supposed to meet us there, but couldn't make it. We sure missed being able to spend time catching up with them, but overall, it was a wonderful day to spend together as a family.

Thought you'd like to see a few pics:


on our drive up more scenery

the game "The Bird"


more beautiful color their incredible chapel one of their amazing buildings

Yankee Doodle McKenna

As I was getting ready this morning, McKenna started singing "Yankee Doodle Dandy". I didn't even know she knew the words to this song!! =) She is always surprising me with what she remembers and picks up on, without us trying to teach her. I guess it's a good reminder that little eyes and ears are always watching and listening (at least when they want to =) ). Anyway, I thought I would share a video of McKenna singing her song...she cracks me up!! =)




***Also, there is another new post after this one, be sure to scroll down to see it =) ***

Pumpkin Patch

We, like many of our friends, visited a pumpkin patch recently (I'm ashamed to admit that it was over a week ago, and I'm just now posting about it) =) We had a play date at a local farm called "Strawberry Acres" (apparently they do more than pumpkins =) ) with our new friends (thanks to Annie), Jacklyn, Aidan, and Jana =). It was a pretty chilly day, but we had lots of fun visiting, pumpkin picking, Turbo Tube riding, and animal petting =) We're looking forward to going again sometime, maybe daddy will get to be in on the fun next time =) Enjoy the pics...

Like father, like son...

Okay, we're sitting at the dinner table tonight, and Caleb says, "How about a little Revolutionary War Trivia". He was actually talking about something he wanted for his birthday, but I thought he wanted to play some Revoluationary War trivia as our discussion over dinner =) So, I start trying to think of anything I could possibly remember (Aaron wasn't home for dinner tonight or we would've been all covered on the subject)!!
Well, Caleb decides to go first..."Here's one for ya" (exact quote), "who commanded the British forces during the Revolutionary War?" Whoa, wait a second, how old are you?? Am I talking to Aaron or Caleb??? So, I stop and think for a second, and gave my correct answer (do you know?? General Cornwallis). I then asked my question, which he got right. Caleb's turn: "Here's one for ya..." (again) "...Who hung the lanterns at the Old North Church?" Now, I really had to stop and think about this one. I guessed Dawes (a name I remembered from reading The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere). He told me that he thought it was Robert Newman (read: "your wrong mom!!") So, I came in to our handy dandy computer encyclopedia and looked it up =). He was right, of course. But there was another man as well, for all of you who just have to know this little piece of trivia. According to Wikipedia, it was Robert Newman who carried one lantern and Captain John Pulling carried the other to signal "two if by sea."
We continued our little trivia game and eventually moved on to the Civil War (I shouldn't have to think this hard over dinner =) ). The best part of all this is not that Caleb is a little Revolutionary War buff like his daddy, or that he even cares about this at his young age, but that he actually stumped daddy on his last question!!! I was relaying all of this to Aaron over the phone tonight, and when I asked him that question about who hung the lanterns, he wasn't sure either! There isn't much that can stump this man, especially when it comes to history, but Caleb did, and we were both proud of him for it! =) We love you Caleb and are very proud of your inquisitive little mind. Always keep learning!!

New Bikes

We recently took Caleb and McKenna to the playground to help Caleb learn to ride his bike without training wheels. It was then that we realized how big he has become and that his bike was too small for him =) So, we passed that one on to McKenna (poor little girl, riding a blue and green Hot Wheels bike =) ), and got Caleb a new big boy bike (so, they both have "new" bikes, right? =) ). They got to practice in our driveway the other day...it was soooo gorgeous out. I love FALL!! =)