Luke Learns to Ride a Bike

Earlier this week Luke achieved a big milestone in every kid's life... riding a bicycle! This was the most painless process for learning to ride a bike. For a few years Luke has had a "run bike" which he used to "scoot" around the neighborhood. In November we got him a new "big boy" bicycle (not training wheels, etc) and we removed the pedals when we bought it so Luke used it as a "run bike" for a few weeks. Luke has felt comfortable and confident on his new bike and asked Dad to attach the pedals. It only took about 5 minutes after the pedals were attached when I recorded the video below, and amazingly he never fell one time! Luke has continued to ride the bike every day since we attached the pedals (5 days in a row at the time of this posting). I'm looking forward to many family bike rides in the coming weeks and months.

Luke's video above is very similar to video in a blog post from Jan. 2011 when his big sister learned to ride a bike. See this link to Maddie's first bike ride.

First Day of School 2016

Here's a late blog post with photos from the first day of school (the school year is already half over). This is a special year as Luke began kindergarten at the same school where Maddie is a 6th grader. Next year Maddie will move on to junior high but this year both kids are together in the same school!

Since the school year is well underway, I can say with certainty that Luke is enjoying his kindergarten experience and Maddie is having a fantastic year in 6th grade. The progress that Luke has made is astounding, especially in the areas of reading and writing. He loves school and always has a lot to discuss each night at the dinner table. Maddie continues to maintain her high standards of academics and behavior.  Both kids are participating in various extracurricular clubs and activities.

We are grateful that they attend an excellent school with dedicated and talented teachers who are passionate about teaching.  We're excited to watch the kids learn and grow this year.

Maddie and Luke pose at school before the day begins

Maddie and her homeroom teacher

Luke and his teacher

Luke poses outside the classroom

2016 Summer Vacation in FL

This summer we did vacation a little different.  Mom and the two kids started their vacation trip one week before Dad (who stayed back for work and a weekend of yard work).  The destination: Florida's gulf coast... more specifically Grandma's house!  As usual, Grandma rolled out the "red carpet" to make sure our every need, wish and desire was fulfilled (thank you Grandma).

Not surprisingly we all had a great time.  Some highlights of the trip included:

• Visiting with relatives whom we don't see often (and some the kids have never met)
• Witnessing the wonders of nature (i.e. hermit crab shell swap) from Grandma's dock
• Watching beautiful Florida sunrises and sunsets over the bay in Grandma's backyard
• Having a private boat tour of the bay from Grandma's neighbor
• Swinging on the new swing in Grandma's back yard
• Eating smallcakes!
• Celebrating Luke's birthday at the beach and birthday party at Grandma's house
• Watching 4th of July fireworks over the bay from Grandma's dock
• Eating lunch at Stinky's Fish Camp (Dad loves this place - kids love this place... not so much)
• Splashing and laughing at Big Kahuna water park
• Having an awesome day riding a wave runner in the bay

Enjoy some of the photos from our trip!

Kids enjoying the crystal clear waters and white sand beaches

Mom and Luke enjoy a boat ride around the bay

Maddie and Luke on the boat ride around the bay

The sun sets on another fun day

I'm not sure if this is a loving embrace or a head lock?

Another fun day at the beach

All smiles

Maddie checks her net

Maddie searches for hermit crabs

Luke enjoys the new swing

Luke, Cousin Rosalyn and Maddie watch the hermit crabs from Grandma's dock

Mom and kids

Maddie enjoys some ice cream

Luke works his way through the ropes course

Maddie rings the bell at the top of the ropes course (Luke did too!)

Luke gives thumbs up for the ropes course

Birthday celebration at the beach!

Playing in the sand at the beach

Birthday boy is ready for cake and ice cream

Opening birthday gifts... what could it be?

Hot wheels!

Luke sits with his impressive birthday haul!

Maddie and Dad prepare for a ride on the wave runner

Grandma and Maddie cool off in the bay

Walking in the bay

Luke and Dad are ready to go!

Fireworks viewed from Grandma's dock

Ka-Boom!

Luke's Preschool Graduation

The new school year has already started (Luke is in kindergarten now - another upcoming blog post for that) but here are some photo highlights and video clips from Luke's preschool graduation in May. This ceremony concluded 3 wonderful years that Luke experienced at his preschool. During those years he grew so much socially and academically. All of the teachers and staff really loved Luke and prepared him well to transition to kindergarten.

Enjoy the photo and video highlights below (note the video is rather long, about 8 minutes mostly singing).

Links to Luke's completion ceremonies from previous years:
2015 Ceremony
2014 Ceremony

Luke looking sharp in his cap and gown

Entering the graduation ceremony

The moment of truth - receiving the prestigious "Promotion Certificate"

Luke with best friend Trinity

Luke with teacher Mrs. Kelli

Can you see the relief on his face?

One last hug from Mrs. Kelli

Mom gets a hug too!

Aunt Lisa was in town!  She gets a hug too!

Proud parents with the preschool graduate

You did it Luke! We're so proud of you.

Maddie Piano Recital Spring 2016

As usual, I'm way behind on my blog posts...

Here's Maddie's piano recital from May.  Enjoy!

Link to piano recitals from past years:
2012 Piano Recital (1st Grade)
2014 Piano Recital (3rd Grade)
2015 Piano Recital (4th Grade)

Soccer

This past winter and spring we played lots of soccer. In previous years Luke had enrolled in several sessions of the city-sponsored skills classes, but in those classes there are no teams and no actual games. Luke was ready to play in a real league with real games. For Maddie, she had played a single season of competitive soccer a couple years ago but at the time she didn't enjoy the experience (or at least she didn't enjoy it enough to keep playing).

So this past winter Luke signed up and played on Team Crew (photos below with yellow uniforms). He really enjoyed playing and learning and he met several new friends. He enjoyed the winter season so much that he signed up for the spring season too and played for Team Union (photos below with gold uniforms). The highlight of Luke's spring season was when he scored two goals in one game!

Maddie was a spectator during the winter season watching all of Luke's games, but she got bit by the soccer bug and enrolled to play spring season. Maddie played in an all-girls league for Team Crew in the spring. Maddie loved playing (more than she thought she would) and made great improvements in her game throughout the season. She also loved the team camaraderie (more than playing, I think).

Both kids are looking forward to playing again in the fall.

Luke with Team Crew

Luke with Team Union

Maddie with Team Crew