School starts this week…Zoe going into first grade and Nathaniel going into the 11th Grade…wow does time fly.

School starts this week…Zoe going into first grade and Nathaniel going into the 11^th Grade…wow does time fly.

What an end to the summer.  The family went down to Branson, Missouri for our annual week long stay. While we were in Branson, Zoe had the opportunity to go to Silver Dollar City amusement park on several different days! The pictures below are her riding the rides.  She absolutely loves the frog ride and is becoming more of a daredevil riding a few of the “grown-up” rides with her brother and/or parents. We also had several opportunities to shop at the outlets malls; Zoe was on the hunt for her backpack for school.  She found it at Marshall’s so we are good for another year.    

Zoe's favorite cartoon characters (Dora and Diego)

Zoe has been very active in her tumbling classes.  She is now able to do a full cartwheel and some sort of bend over back bend thing. She has made a ton of progress in her tumbling classes.  Truly, I cannot remember exactly what they call it, but both Zoe and her Mom assure me that it is hard to do! Now that school is back in session she will again be participating in gymnastics and dance (hip hop and basics).  

Hey Dad...look at me!!!

Zoe was so excited to start school. She has a ton of clothes and got her hair cut, so she is ready. She rode the bus for the first time and likes her first grade teacher. She has a few of her friends she made in kindergarten in her class.  So for now all is good.

While we were in Branson, Nathaniel attended a week long baseball exposure camp. He has gone to the same camp for the past 6 years but this time we invited one of his best friends Isaiah to come along. Both of them had a great time. They too went to Silver Dollar City but we did not see them until either they were hungry or they were ready to leave.

Nathaniel and his friend Isaiah at Baseball camp

Nathaniel starts school as a junior this year.  He is signed up to take his ACT in the next month or so. He is also playing football so he has been lifting and now is doing two-a-days leading up to the first day of school.  This summer has been good for Nathaniel. He has been very active hanging with his friends.  His Grandfather Teitler passed down his Jeep Cherokee to Nathaniel. If you knew his grandfather, although it was a 1997 model it was kept in immaculate condition and with reasonably low mile. Having the car has given Nathaniel the freedom to see his friends.  When he is not there his friends are in our backyard enjoying the pool.  Sometimes I will look outside and there will be 10-15 kids swimming.

Zoe's favorite ride

So both Zoe and Nathaniel are going to be very busy with their school work, extracurricular activities and spending time with their friends. It’s been a great summer, so sorry to see it go so quickly. I know both of them enjoyed having their Mom at home.  

Shooting the water cannon

 

Zoe and Nathaniel are in full swing! To be a kid again!!!!

You can tell its July as my grass is turning from emerald green to a straw brown color.  Temperatures here in Nebraska are from the mid 80’s to the upper 90’s.  The heat in Nebraska doesn’t seem to bother Zoe or Nathaniel. 

Zoe just finished her second year of Tee Ball.  She was hitting the ball off the Tee well and actually ran for the ball when playing the field.  At her year-end party the coach indicated she was the most improved player.  Way to Go Zoe. Zoe is standing with her coach and her year end trophy she received this past Sunday!  Zoe is also taking doing gymnastics and taking tumbling.  She was just moved up to a more senior class based on her progress.  She is doing walk-overs, almost has her cart wheel down and a few other moves. She is doing great. We are very proud of her.  She also has had one of her friends come over to swim and play.  They have become fast friends.

I have to share a little funny that happened earlier this week. While eating a salad, she told me she really loved the berries in her salad.  I looked in her salad bowl and the berries turned out to be olives.  I give her some credit…they kind of look like a berry.

Zoe continues to make progress with school activities.  She practices reading and is doing a good job sounding our words.  This is a little girl that two years ago was speaking Mandarin who is now speaking and reading English.  Just amazing.

I have also noticed both her and Nathaniel are increasingly more comfortable around each other.  They have learned to pair up and work their parents.  However, both of them are quick to sell the other one out in a moment’s notice.

Nathaniel has had a busy summer.  He has probably played close to 60 games of baseball.  He goes to wrestling practice twice a week and has lifting for football Monday-Thursday.  His JV team went to districts but lost both games so I thought he was done for the season.  However, he was invited to suit up with the varsity for their districts with the chance of going to state. I do not anticipate him seeing any playing time but it was recognition for the summer he had on the JV team.  Only he and two other boys were selected to move up. Some more good news,   Nathaniel was just notified that as a junior he would be a co-captain of the wrestling team.  We are really proud of him for being selected as captain.  So he will be captain of the band and wrestling…he is having a really good year.