Milestone: Lincoln is riding a bike!!!

Lincoln learned how to ride his bike with no training wheels today!!!

Carter learned how to swing himself 

Quốc went to confession 

It's a good Friday!

Friday morning reader

I signed up to read and Lincoln picked out Guess How Much I Love You.  We checked out the DVD several weeks ago so o guess it's fresh on his mind.  He told the class that he chose the book because, "I love my mommy."  I shared with the class that the book is tattered because we've had it since Lincoln was inside my belly and we enjoy reading it to both kids.

Lincoln's first time wearing his new Morrocan nights Poe Auction t shirt (wearable on Fridays).

100th day of school!

Lincoln's 6th birthday

Parent teacher conference 

Lincoln is reading at level 16.  Doing well overall.  Will advance to first grade.

Lunch with mommy and daddy for the first time!

Lincoln and sweet Campbell, a classmate and friend.

With Mrs. Walker at dismissal on the wooden platform.

We had a class play date after school at chick-fil-a.  We also invited Our carpool friends:  the Doneker and Meridia families.

Lincoln has been eyeing chocolate cookie "cakes".  He's always liked green but blue is starting to be his preferred color.

Rory always gives the nicest hugs.  Lincoln cutting his "cake".

Thank you friends for coming!

Viet Ngu promotion

Last weekend was our first time back at Viet Ngu since the Christmas break and we haven't been as diligent with completing the homework/practicing at home.  Co Trang said gave a review sheet for his test- to determine next year's placement.  We completed about a 4-5 words/day and I realized that he wasn't spelling words as fluently as he did last year, talk about out of practice.  (Plus, his birthday dinner was last night and we stayed up playing poker until 2!)  So I didn't know how he was going to do, but at pick up, Caitlyn told me that he missed only 1!  Amazing.  Good job Lincoln!  He earned a marble  :)



The other day Carter said, b-i-sach-bi'.  It was so cute.  He was listening when Lincoln practiced and can now repeat it on his own. 

First family (of 4) camping trip

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park

Black Friday shopping?  Or a family getaway camping trip?!  Lincoln has been X-ing out his calendar, counting down the the days to our camping trip.  

Lincoln found a frog yesterday at ba Noi's house after thanksgiving lunch.  He and Maylin were playing outside and came in with Froggy.  Daddy let him keep it to release in the wilderness today.  Here he is checking it out while daddy pitched the tent.

After set up, we walked to the pier w the Scarlatella children and broke in their fishing poles.

Me & my god-daughter!

These two are insperable 

Lincoln plays with Frederick the frog so comfortably.  We are allowed to touch it but no one is allowed to hold it because Lincoln didn't want anyone to lose it.  Lincoln was always able to scoop it up if he jumped away. :)

Campfire for hot dogs and s'mores.  Daddy likes the lighter fluid effect.

The fall landscape was beautiful, the leaves were green, brown, orange and yellow.  When a hard wind blew, it would rain leaves, which was so wonderful!  And it was fun to hear the crunch of the leaves beneath or feet.

We brought s'mores and made them at the Scalatella camp site, #100.  We were #98.

The next morning we had eggs and bacon wott them and then went canoeing.  This would be Lincoln's favorite camping activity.

Then the boys rolled around in the leaves, "raking" them with oars.

Happy 8 year anniversary weekend to us!

We took pictures with the Scarlatellas, had korean spare rib lunch, took all the kids on nature trail (where Lincoln found "the spot" that was just right to release Froggy.  "I sacrificed and let something go that I loved." Why? "Because I wanted him to live.  he was probably starving.")

came back for more s'mores and stayed to watch the sunset. We always found these two together which was so precious.

It was a good camping trip.  Great weather, a beautiful spot during this time of year, and good friends who were so hospitable and welcoming. Looks like we'll be taking a camping trip again next Black Friday!  But first, we'll go camping somewhere during spring break- and as promised to Lincoln, we will get kids' sleeping bags and as promised to Carter, camping chairs.  

First day of kindergarten!

Lincoln woke up groggy

I helped him get dressed

He had leftover cake from Carter's bd party yesterday and milk 

He was excited to carry his lunch satchel & pull his rolling backpack.

Daddy dropped us off and parked 

When we got to the classroom, there were a few people in front of us.  When it was our turn, Lincoln gave Mrs. Walker a chocolate pretzel.   I asked for a hug but he was focused on the classroom.  So I gave him a hug and left.

Carter:  I don't want Lincoln to go in there!  (Tearing up). He misses Lincoln already.

Daddy showed up and peeked in the classroom.  They were saying the pledge.  L didn't even see us.  

A lot of parents were hovering outside the door in the hall.  I'm a hug & go person at drop off.  Lots of parents got teary but I just felt guilty for not being able to take our time getting ready on the morning of his first day of kindergarten. It's a huge milestone.