Back to School

Carter and Ryan are officially back to school.  It's been a great (but very busy) summer.  I think we are all looking forward to getting back into a routine.

This is Carter's 4th year at the Orchard Park Learning Center.  He is in Pre-K class that meets 3 days a week.  Carter is very excited to go back since alot of his friends from last year are in this class.  He was quickly playing with Josh, Charlie, Conlin, Lila and Kendel as if last year never stopped!  He was also pretty excited because this year his class plays on the big playground.  Oh the joys of being the "big kids"!

 These are pictures of Carter's first day.  He is carrying his new Star Wars backpack and lunch box.

Ryan is still in the Mothers Day Out Program.  What a big difference a year makes!  Last year we had to drag Ryan in her class while she cried all morning.  This year she marched in carrying her over sized poka-dot backpack and batman lunch box (that she picked out herself).  She quickly put her things down and got right to work (playing with toys!).

Both kids were happy and very tired at the end of the day.  Ryan showed me the craft she made and told me about how she pee-peed on the potty. Carter told me about who he sat with at lunch, how he wiped out on the playground while spinning Charlie and about the new friend he met who had the same shoes as him.  I think they're going to have a good year!

Here are some pics from the ride too school.  Do you think they're excited?

Love them

I just love my water babies.

Ashely is big enough to enjoy bath time with her big brother and sister.  She gets sandwiched between them, but she doesn't mind!





 Ryan has been a little fish this summer.  She motors around the pool with her swimmies on.  Lately she's been daring enough to try to swim without them....just to the steps and back.  Her recent accomplishment was jumping off the diving board.  She loved it!

 Ashely doesn't care if she's in an ocean, pool, bath or baby pool.  Whenever there's water, she's one happy baby!

Dolly - 9 Months

Dolly is 9 month today.  She is such as a smiley baby.  When people meet her for the first time now, it's hard for them to believe she was a fussy newborn.  She is so pleased to have people around and seems sincerely happy to be with them.  Of course she is a real Mommy's girl.  She's been able to say ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma for a month or so.  Ashley makes it very clear when she wants momma to hold her...which is alot of the time! 

Ashely still adores her older brother and sister.  She started crawling at 7 and a half months so that she could try to keep up with them.  She's also quite smitten with our cats, Bo and Nina.  She laughs and squeals whenever they come close.

 

Ashley is just finally sleeping thought the night (8pm-6am).  This is great news for Mom and Dad, but of course we would be even more excited if she slept in one extra hour.  Dolly still doesn't have any teeth and no sign of any coming in soon.  Food is something Ashely likes alot, but coming up with "soft" foods is a challenge especially since she quit baby food after 4 weeks.  She loves Cheerios and blueberries.  Mac and cheese is also a huge hit.

 

Although Ashely is mobile, parenting 3 little kids has gotten easier as she's gotten older.  She is on a schedule with 2 naps a day and is pretty clear when she wants something (or doesn't want something).  We are anxious for her to be at an age where she can play with Carter and Ryan.  I know that time will come soon.....very soon!

She says

Ryan loves to talk.  There are some sayings I hope I never forget:
1. I ersty (I'm thirsty)
2. It hurts me (I'm hurt)
3. Pop-a-sicle (popsicle)
4. Mom, take care of Dolly! (Dolly's getting too close to me.  Do somethink about it!)
5. My E I Turn (It's my turn)

Time for the Indiana State Fair

It's August in Indiana so that means it's time for the Indiana State Fair!  With wonderful weather (75 degrees) and a small crowd, the Meek family had a great day at the fair!!

 Ryan loved the pony rides

Carter loved the midway rides

Ashley loved being apart of the mix

Everyone loved feeding the goats.....well, Mom loves to watch

Mom and Dad love spending family time with the kiddos!

picture update

how about an update full of summer pictures...

The kids (Carter: 4, Ryan: 2, Ashely: 7 mos.)

Hello Disney World!

Epcot with cousins (Aidan: 5, Grayson: 2)

 Off to the hotel pool.  Like the beach bag?

 Girls & their mouse ears.  Ryan loved them...Ashely, not so much

 Disney Castle.  95 degrees outside and Ryan insists on having her blankie everywhere she went.

 In line for Dumbo

 How do you keep kids happy while waiting for lunch? Give them your phone, of course.

 Arr, we R pirates.  The kids loved the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. 

 Last day at Disney with Aunt Amy, Grayson and Uncle Kevin.  Goodbye Disney!

 Cottage time w/ Aunt Jane & Uncle Terry

 Last night in the hotel before moving into our house.

 When Ryan dresses herself...

 Beach fun

 Dolly!

 4th of July girls.  So very HOT!

 We spent lots of time in Nana & Papa Big's pool this summer.

 Kids spent lots of quality time with Nana.

 Jacobers visit Indy and the kids get to hang with Aunt Robin, Wilder and Montana.

 Carter loves, loves, loves his older cousin Mitchel.

 We're looking forward to fall. Cooler temps and back to school!  Yay!!

Crazy Days of Summer

This summer has been wildly busy.  We just got back from a great family vacation, "Fearrin Fest" in Cape Cod.  Looking back on my photos I have so many things to write about but I'm afraid I won't get to all of it.  So how about a recap on the kiddos instead:
Carter:

This summer Carter has turned into a Star Wars nut.  The boy has 5-6 light sabers, he plays the Star Wars legos game on the Wii, he's seen all 6 episodes and knows all the movie characters.  He loves to pretend he's Aniken Skywalker and is always looking for someone to play light sabers with.  Good thing there were so many boy cousins at Fearrin Fest.  Everyone got into the light saber action!

Swimming has been another major activity for Carter this summer. He has learned to swim on his own and can now jump off the diving board and swim in the deep end of the pool.  He loves to wear goggles and likes to do flips under water.

Ryan:

What can I say about Ryan.  She is a total 2 year old.  She can be stubborn, she can be needy, she can be funny and she can be so sweet.  Ryan still shows no interest in the potty, but loves the idea of wearing big girl underwear.  Ryan is our little helper.  She must say, "I wanna help you", nine hundred times a day.  Ryan also keeps us entertained all the time with her quirky sayings like, "who dat", whenever she hears a loud noise.  Ryan is starting to warm up to the idea of being a big sister.  She always tells us when "dolly's cryin" and she likes to collect as many toys as she can for Ashley.

Ashley:



Ashley is now 8 months old.  Still no teeth but she can now sit up on her own and army crawl.  Poor Ashely got the chicken pox while on our Cape Cod vacation.  Good thing there were so many family members there who loved her, held her and nursed her back to health.  It was a lot for the little girl to go through! 

Ashely loves the water.  She may be a bigger water baby then Carter or Ryan (if that's even possible). She LOVES to swim and is always happy for bath time.  Ashely is a sweet baby who loves attention.  She likes to be the star of the room.