Pumpkin Carving

Last Saturday we went and picked out our pumpkins for this year. Jenny insisted on having 4...one for each of us. Each face had to be different, and some had to be "spooky."

At the pumpkin patch

...as posed by Jenny...

...also posed by Jenny...

Jonathan is insistent upon pushing the wagon

Time to carve! After we got to the 4th pumpkin,

Jonathan finally gave in and stuck his hand in :)

More posing...

Happy Birthday Lucy!

A little less than 10 years ago, Mark and I bought Lucy from a pet store. We were set on getting a Jack Russell Terrier. After looking and looking, we found her. She was 4 months old and the last of her litter to go. Housebreaking a super hyper puppy in an apartment while both of us were working 60+ hours a week was a challenge. Eventually she got it. She has been a great dog. Its hard for us to believe that she is 10 years old...and still as hyper as she is. She is the best dog we could have asked for. We love you Lucy!

Getting a heaping spoonful of peanut butter as her present :)

Off to the Zoo

We took advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend and made family trip to the zoo.

Our first stop (as usual) was to see the elephants get their morning bath. We saw both of the newest editions to the elephant herds. The most recent was only 6 days old and was still stumbling over its own feet. Very cute..."tiny" weighing in at 290's

The giraffe exhibit was closed :( The lion was in his usual spot, basking in the sun. Jenny kept trying to introduce Jonathan to Jonathan the Lion :)

The cutest part of this trip was that Jonathan (the human) insisted on walking and pulling the wagon. While both of our backs were sore, it made is both so proud that he is so determined to try and to just be like other 3 year olds. Since he cannot maintain balance on his own, we gladly helped. :)

Riding the train with Daddy

First Grade Bible Presentation

At the beginning of each school year, our church holds a bible presentation for the 1st graders. They each receive their own new "super hero" bible. She was nervous about having to walk up in front of everyone to get her bible, but was excited in the end.

First Day of School 2010

So...while the first day of school was August 23rd...the pics are just now making it to our blog. I am way behind on my posts.

Jenny started 1st grade this year. So far, it has been an adjustment for her. The focus is definitely on school work and not playtime. (Yay!) Almost everyday in Kinder, she came home complaining about how easy the work was and how she knew everything already. She has weekly spelling tests and has begun to get real grades. This has been an adjustment as well, because in Kinder, there really weren't any consequences for not completing work.

On the way to school on the first day she said, "Mom, I really don't need to go to school anymore. I already learned everything in Kindergarten." :)

Jenny & Jonathan in front of Jenny's elementary

signing "help"

Jonathan started at a new school this year. He attends a Hearing Impaired PPCD class 3x a week. PPCD - Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities. In his class, he is the only student with multiple disabilities (from what I can tell), but since he isn't really delayed cognitively, we chose to put him in the Hearing Impaired specific class, rather than the other PPCD classes in the district that cover all disabilities (ADD/ADHD, Autism, CP, etc). There are 7 kids in his class and the district has provided an aide specifically to help him. The district also provides physical, occupational and speech therapy each week. So...on top of the 9 sessions/wk at home, he is maxing out on therapy :) He is doing great at school. The aide meets me at my car each morning and takes him to his school provided gait trainer, he blows me a kiss, says bye and waves, then walks to class. He leaves his CIs and glasses on the ENTIRE time that he is there.

Camera left unattended...

Jenny...aspiring photographer...