A Week of Firsts

This has been a big week for the Pender girls. Isla had her first dentist appointment on Monday and she did so well. It does help to know the dentist, thanks Dr. Ryan. Anyhow, I was wondering how she would do and she did great. We got there a little early so she could watch Mason having his teeth cleaned and see what it was all about and when it was her turn she jumped up into the chair and sat really still while Dr. Ryan checked her teeth. Looks like she's doing a good job brushing and now we can also start having her floss her teeth. We'll use the floss picks instead of trying to have her wrap floss around her fingers. Can you just imagine how insane that would be?? Of course I forgot my camera so I don't have any pictures of this event. Why do I always forget that thing?? I should just start putting it in my purse and carrying it with me wherever we go. Another first for Isla is she can now buckle herself into her car seat. How GREAT is that?? It's wonderful. She can get into the car all by herself, and get buckled while I get Greta into her seat. Thankfully, she can't get out yet. She isn't quite strong enough to push the release button on the straps. And speaking of car seats, it was a first for Greta this week too. She graduated from her carrier into a "big girl seat" as Isla likes to call it. Yep, we've moved into the convertible car seat for Greta. She still has to face backwards because she isn't a year yet, but her new seat gives her a lot more room. It will be really nice when she's 1 and can face forward, but for now, she doesn't seem to mind facing backwards. Maybe I'll get a picture of Greta in her new seat and post that so I've got something to show everyone. And lastly, the biggest first for Greta is that she is now crawling. She will be into everything soon. I will be kept plenty busy watching her. I don't remember Isla being as fast or as inquisitive, but Greta certainly is all about it! Summer is flying by, I'm really enjoying my time home with the girls and an looking forward to the rest of what summer has in store for us.

Soccer

Isla had her first night of soccer tonight. It went exactly how I expected it to go. She wanted to do a lot of watching and not a whole lot of playing. By the end she was running up and down the field, but not very excited about getting in the mix to kick the ball. She did say she had fun and wants to go back so I'd say it was a positive experience. The picture is of Chase Zimney, Isla, and Nick Buboltz. They are all within 2 months of each other and all play on the same soccer team, which is so nice. Good thing we have a soccer net at home so we can practice. Hopefully there will be more action photos as the month goes and Isla gets a little more brave. Stay tuned!!!

Great Start to Summer

We have a great field in Detroit Lakes that is filled with white daisies every year in the late spring/early summer. We were able to get a few pictures the other night of the girls. And thanks to Afton for being around so she could take a picture of all of us. Only a few more days of work left for me and then it will be summer vacation for me and the girls.....looking forward to it!!!

Busy Spring

It's been a busy spring here and the girls are just loving being able to be outside. Greta is 8 months now and Isla is almost 3 1/2. Isla loves being the "big sister" and I can honestly say she does help in her own way. Greta is very entertained by her and always has a big smile for her big sister. I'm hoping to get more pictures this summer and be able to post more pictures. Right now, I've got about 2.5 weeks left with students and then I work one more week and then it's summer vacation! This year has went so fast and I am really looking forward to being home with the girls this summer.

Graduation

Isla graduated from "Little Laker Play School" today! They had a ceremony with singing and a video of all the activities they had done over the past 9 weeks. It was so cute to see all of the kids in their little cap and gowns. I don't know if you can see it in the pictures, but the tassels on their caps were color crayons....too cute! Isla had such a great time at preschool this year; we will certainly be doing it again next year. I can't wait to see how she changes from this year to next.

Splish-Splash!

We took Greta and Isla to the pool this afternoon for some Sunday entertainment. Everyone else must have thought that was a good idea too because it was packed. I believe Mason used the term "organized chaos", but the girls had fun none the less. This was Greta's first time in the pool and she did so well. She loves to splash and kick her legs and she's just entertained by everything that's going on. Needless to say I couldn't get her to look at the camera, too many other distractions, but Isla was all about the photo, as you can see. It's also nice for us because Greta fell asleep in the car and Isla went right to her room for a nap when we got home. As I'm typing this I'm enjoying the silence of our quiet home. I'm pretty sure Mason is laying on the couch downstairs. It will be so great when the weather starts to get warmer and we can venture outside again for activities. Isla asked me today when summer was coming so she could wear shorts again. I guess we're all a little anxious for some nice weather. Enjoy the photos!

Chiropractor

Well, we finally figured out what the deal was with Noah the last couple days. Seriously, when are we going to learn? We finally realized we hadn't been to the chiropractor in about a month! ...and it took Noah shrugging his shoulders with a pained look on his face to tells us. So off we went the other day and since then, Noah has been the happiest kid ever. He just was feeling out of whack! Every time we go and see the difference I am again amazed at the wonder they can do for him with such little effort (but such great knowledge). What a great chiropractor we have and I can't imagine how people live with kids like Noah was last week. Augh. And then to know it's so easy to change that by just getting the kid to feel good. Amazing!