All Day Camp and Round 2 of Swim Lessons

The boys had a rough morning as well as me. Ian and Gavin don't like to move too quickly in the morning and it was challenging to get them motivated to head out the door by 8:30am today! It was Ian's first day of full day camp at the YMCA today. He didn't seem too nervous heading there. He went right in with no problems, so that was good. Gavin, on the other hand, was a complete mess going into the Cricket Club (3-5 year olds). The place is not new to him and he just had a complete tantrum with kicking and screaming. I stayed in the lobby for 45 minutes because we're working on this with Gavin. I really wanted to work out, but I didn't want my hair to be wet for work today. Lame excuse, but true. I tried to get a hold of Cailean because I was fighting tears. I couldn't believe I had just dropped off our 6 year old for a full day camp knowing he was going to the park for a field trip (he always goes with someone we know to the park) and he would be swimming without a family member. I was scared! At the same time I had another kid who was not liking the Cricket Club!!!

When I went to pick up Gavin, he was playing with a little girl in the "kitchen"...so that made me feel much better. He even told my mom tonight that he kicked and screamed because he just didn't want to go to the Cricket Club. Ugh!

So then we were off to the lower pool at the Y for the next session of swim lessons that Gavin would do. We were beyond excited to find out that he was going to have Wes again!!!! There are just three boys and two instructors for this class. Wes was pretty darn excited to see Gavin again, too! He sure did love jumping into the water off the starting block today and he even swam...yes...swam...a few yards to Wes!

We headed over to mom's because Gavin was hanging out with her this afternoon while I was at work. Crazy week with incoming freshmen arriving and I run the transition program for them. Then to find out this morning that Cailean was headed to DCA for work.

Gavin and I picked up Ian from camp and he had fun, but it was a long day! He didn't eat much lunch at all. Not sure if he was nervous (brought back memories of the first few months of kindergarten when he didn't eat his lunch) or what...he claims he didn't have enough time. He earned two beads. I have to look up the colors on the sheet to see how he earned them because he couldn't remember. Positive reinforcement...LOVE IT!!

Tonight we had a family dinner at Mimi's Cafe for my grandparents' 63rd wedding anniversary!

Swim Lessons, Birthday Party and VBS

Ian the fish

Ian diving into the deep end

Wes with the 4 little ones swimming to the shallow end

The smile on Gavin's face when he jumps into the deep end!

The boys at Cara's birthday party (Jumpin' Beans)

Ian's "family" reciting a verse in front of 130 kids!

The Gallius Family at the Kirk's VBS

What a Thursday for the boys. Cailean took the boys to the Y for their last day of swim lessons this session while I was at work. Gavin will start a new session next week, but Ian is in two camps in the next few weeks. After swim lessons they headed to Wake Forest area to attend Cara's 3rd birthday party at Jumpin' Beans. Cara's dad works with Cailean. I met them at home around dinnertime to get a quick bite to eat before Ian and I headed to the Kirk for the final night of VBS. The kids wanted to say the verse in front of EVERYONE, so they had the opportunity to do that and they knew it! Our "family" name was Gallius and we were quite loud all week! :) There was a slideshow at the end and then we had to clean up, so it was a longer night than normal.

We Keep Goin' and Goin'...

This is the last week of swim lessons for this session, so we're at the Y pool in the morning. The kids woke up pretty late this morning and I think they are still recovering from our trip up north. We packed lunches and after their swim lessons we had lunch with some friends and then played in the pools. Ian is working on his kick and just loves to be underwater. Gavin continues to be daring and wants to keep up with Ian. I do have video clips of each of their lessons (Gavin got to swim to the deep end and jump in!!!), but I'm too lazy to download them on the computer and then upload them onto the blog. I'll save that for another blog entry! We came home in the early afternoon and the boys did some "homework" before heading outside to wait for Cailean to get home. We had an early dinner again tonight and then Ian and I were off to VBS.

Ian is enjoying VBS again this year with his friends and meeting new people. Our "family" is Gallius and once again I have the LOUDEST group ever! It's camp, so we do cheers that are really loud (guess it's the sports thing in me or something) as we go to different areas of VBS. Everyone knows who we are! :) Ian likes the athletics part of VBS, but he has enjoyed the variety of crafts in the Marketplace. I'm looking forward to Thursday night when we can take home all of his projects. I think he has done carpentry, made an abacus, metal something, tie-dyed a VBS shirt and I can't remember everything else he has done. Gavin is not too fond of us leaving him behind, but he gets Daddy time and NEXT year he'll be old enough to go.

Surprise Trip to Vermont and Happy Father's Day!

Prince Neal Thomas with his mom and dad

Gavin, Abby, Ian and Luke (my best friend's twins with the boys)

We had it in the works for awhile, but just wasn't sure if we would be able to make it up for Neal Thomas' first birthday party because of flying standby. We ended up going with our Plan B, so worked frantically trying to rearrange our work schedules and do the last minute packing with the numerous weather changes Vermont had over the week. We flew into Hartford Thursday morning and then had to get a rental car (PT Cruiser! LOL) to drive the 2 1/2 hours to Bennington. We drove over the river and through the woods to get to Bennington because we (or maybe just Cailean) wanted to take the kids for an adventure on dirt roads. It was very quiet in the car because they had no clue why they were in the woods! We stopped in to see Becky and the kids at around 3:30pm and stayed until 5pm. Luke and Abby had just graduated from Kindergarten that day! Then we drove up to the boys' Nana's and Poppi's house up the street. Neal, Megan and Neal Thomas came over for dinner and we surprised them!

Friday we "slept in" and then did some last minute shopping, had lunch with Neal Thomas and then Megan and I scooted out for a little bit to take care of some birthday party shopping. Cailean, the kids and I headed down to Becky's in the late afternoon after school to watch the 4 kids and 2 dads play a little game of t-ball. Gavin was running from 3rd to home and Cailean says, "Gavin, touch the plate!" Gavin runs and then touches it with his finger!!!!!

Then off to see Marc, Randa and Dane. Another mandatory stop we make when we visit in Bennington! We had another family dinner with Cailean's family that night. Gavin was completely exhausted and was a bear. He actually fell asleep on the couch by 8pm. Ian managed to stay up until 10pm to entertain the relatives. YIKES!

Saturday my dad drove down from Northfield and was able to see Becky, Scott and the kids since they came up. I love to see the 4 kids run around and be best buds!!! They had a blast together as usual. Then we were off to the birthday party where we were able to catch up with Megan's family and Cailean's relatives along with friends of the Turners. It was nice to see Cailean's aunt and cousins because we hadn't seen them since Megan and Neal got married. At that time Gavin wasn't walking!

Neal Thomas sure did like his cake and Megan and Neal did a great job hosting! Dad came back to Bennington with us and hung out until we saw the weather and so he left earlier than expected, so he wouldn't get caught in the storm. Dinner was another family night and ended up with pizza. Early to bed for everyone because we had to get up at 1:30am to get on the road to Hartford to make the first flight out!

Lots packed in...and it was a great time! I'm impressed with the number of people we saw in a short amount of time! We were home this morning and trying to catch up with things around the house. Early Father's Day dinner, so we could head out to Ian's t-ball practice at 5pm followed by opening night of VBS at the Kirk at 6-8pm for Ian!

Happy Father's Day Cailean, Dad, Duncan, Pop-pop and all the other dads reading the blog!

Here's the link for the rest of the pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/turnbull1220/Vermont?feat=directlink

First Day of Swim Lessons at the Y

Gavin after his swim lesson...one happy swimmer!
Wes' assistant working on Ian's flutter kick...love how Ian really stretches out in swimming!

Monday, June 15 the boys started a two-week swim lesson program in the morning at the Y. We weren't too sure how Gavin would do because he has taken swim lessons before and it was very tough! But, he did GREAT and he has a wonderful instructor, Wes. Gavin's lesson was first at 10:20am. We got there a little early, so we could watch the other little kids in the pool and he noticed they got to go in the deep end. So, he HAD to tell Daddy, so he called him on my cell phone. But, Gavin's class didn't get to go in the deep end. He didn't mind though! David, a pre-school classmate, is in the same group as him. Gavin was a great listener (phew) and enjoyed his time in his lesson.

Ian's lesson followed Gavin's at 11am and he was excited, too! The group Ian started in was not a great fit for him and the Coordinator and I talked about the situation and then they ended up moving him to a higher level group. So, I'm happy with the move and it ends up that he now has Wes, too! He is finally focusing on Ian's kick!!!!

Today it's pouring, so not sure if lessons will be on or not. Stop rain! Stop!

A Fun Time with Matt and Alissa

Ian, Gavin, Matt and Alyssa

Here's the link to the rest of the photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/turnbull1220/Atlanta?feat=directlink

Cailean, the boys and I drove down to Atlanta Wednesday night and stayed until Saturday morning. Thursday morning we went to Piedmont Park in downtown Atlanta to play baseball, soccer and all that fun stuff. Then, we went to Matt's work (impressive!!!) and then off to Chuck E Cheese's for lunch. It took forever to go through 100 coins!!!! Matt, Cailean and I even played a bunch of games. At one point, we were competing at the basketball hoops! LOL Then, we went swimming at Matt's place. We watched a movie and then Alissa came home in time for us all to go out to dinner.

Friday they both took off from work (thank you!!!) and we went to Centennial Park to see our bricks. Aunt Sandi bought us bricks (my cousins, brother and grandparents) in 1996 through Delta Airlines. I had seen them once before when I was at the Olympics, but wanted to show the boys. Well, out of all the family bricks...which one had paint on it??? Yes, MINE!!! Argh!!! I was about to go over to the workers and borrow their pressure washer to make my brick look nicer!!! After we went there, then it was time to head into the Georgia Aquarium. Amazing place and I can't wait for 2010 when the dolphins arrive!!! Then we went to Midtown for lunch, drove through Buckhead or Bucktown or someplace with nice houses before returning back to the apartment. Matt made his stir fry for dinner and the kids had pasta. Rice krispie treats and trifle for dessert! Oh, the boys (Matt and Cailean included) hit the pool again while Alissa and I vegged in the living room!

We hit some traffic today on the way home, so it took a little longer than expected. We had such a fun time in Atlanta!!!!!!!!!!! Ian and Gavin had a hard time leaving. We kept hearing, "I don't want to leave Uncle Matt and Wissa. I don't want to leave. I want to stay here for 100 days. Why do we have to leave?" Yes, Gavin tries so hard to say Alissa, but it sounds like Wissa! Too cute!

Back to the grind now...lots going on this week. The last day of Sunday School is tomorrow...I have lots of work to do at NCSU...swim lessons start with the boys this Monday for two weeks...Cailean heads back to the airport...Tball starts for Ian Wednesday night...PTA meeting Wednesday night...and soccer registration! Phew!

Ian's Last Day of Kindergarten...

Ms. Braun and Ian!!!!

Kolby striking a pose with Ian

Luke and Ian

Ian's last day of Kindergarten was on Wednesday. Wow! Time flies for sure. He received the Best Listener Award from his teacher!!! Great job, Ian! She even gave us a certificate for Volunteering and a gift. Too nice! I wasn't able to attend the awards ceremony in his classroom that morning, but she invited us for ice cream sundaes at the end of the day. So, Cailean was home at 3pm and off we went to Kingswood! Oh and Ian also received an award for always bringing in his homework!

End of the School Year and off to Atlanta!

Lots going on in our area!

Yesterday was interesting when Ian came home from school. He was working on writing in cards to give to his teachers. Gavin wanted his attention and Ian was too focused in his card writing. Gavin went over and bit his brother! Yea, tell us about it. ARGH. Gavin sure is testing his limits around this house with us. Not wanting to eat his meals, not wanting to pick up his toys, demanding his drinks...this stage sure is interesting. Ian has asked me for the last few weeks if we could have a Mystery Board. So finally last week we made one up. Basically, it's a bunch of squares and if we notice Ian and/or Gavin making good choices, then we tell one or both to go write his name on the board. So, they pick a square and write the name. When all the squares are full, we need to come up with a mystery bag or some type of reward. I have two more squares before I need to figure it out! LOL Anyway, we've been using it for trying new food, too. They both ate hamburgers. They both tried pickles. Ian ate a turkey sandwich. They both ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (not just a fluffernutter). I guess all the books say not to do this, but I don't really care what the books say! Ian ate pickles for three days in a row and he ate turkey twice in one week! Thanks to Ms. Braun for the Mystery Board idea since they do that in his Kindergarten class!

Tomorrow is Ian's LAST day of Kindergarten. Hard to believe and it has been a great year. Seems like just yesterday he was crying every single day because he didn't want to go to school. Now he tells us he'll tell the Kindergarteners next year that school is fun! We're looking forward to the summer months with the boys though. Ian and I put together a reading log tonight. For every 30 minutes he reads he earns a star. He is all about positive reinforcement and I like it, too! After the 30 minutes then he writes down the date, book(s), author(s) and then I star it. Tonight he read a Rainbow Fish book that his Aunt Sandi bought him. He knew most of the words, but for some he did a great job sounding them out. In the beginning he sorta skipped over the word and I made him go back to sound it out!

Right after Ian finishes tomorrow we're off to Atlanta to see my brother and his girlfriend. They have lots planned for the boys! I have yet to see where my brother lives, so this is a trip that is LONG overdue. We're headed to a park to play sports, Centennial Park to see our bricks, Aquarium, the pool, Chuck E Cheese's and I forgot the other things. Just looking forward to seeing my brother and Alyssa for a few days!

Because of this trip, I've been busy at home putting together some projects for work. I've got some deadlines that are rapidly approaching and I don't deal well under pressure!

We'll be back Saturday night, so I'll post pictures of our trip on Sunday!!! :)

Happy Birthday to...

Cailean!!!!!!!!!

Poor guy had to work today. Well, he didn't HAVE to...he could have taken the day off, but he chose to go to work. The boys and I went to the Kirk and then to Wendy's for a quick bite to eat before heading to the Y for a camp meeting, then off to get them haircuts, to mom's to water the flowers and get the paper and finally home!

Cailean didn't want a cake this year. He asked for a trifle! Try explaining that one to a 3 year old and 6 year old!!!!!!!!! They expected this big, huge chocolate cake with sprinkles and all that good stuff!

Funny Things They Say...

Ian says he wants to work at Food Lion when he gets older and Gavin says he wants to be a bowling pin! LOL LOL

It's Hot, Field Day, It's Hot, Last Soccer Game, Most Coachable, It's Hot...

The Most Coachable Award goes to...IAN TURNER!!!!!!
Gavin enjoying his soccer ball cupcake after the game

Go Ian Go!

Gavin with Ms. Aponte at the horseshoe game

Ian and Luke...they ended up as "buddies" during Field Day. They got to stick together!

Yes, it's HOT here! Yesterday was Field Day in the morning at Kingswood. K-2 was outside 9:30-11:30am and there were 22 games for them to do. I didn't go to all the stations with Ian (probably a good thing for him!!!) because I helped out at the horseshoes. Gavin was with me and he did very well. In fact, I think he got the closest to the pit! LOL Did I say that it was HOT? We had a shady spot near our game, so luckily we were able to stand in the shade. Ms. Braun even had some ice and chased Gavin with it...he thought that was so funny! He wanted her to chase her more, but she had to get back to her station.

When I got home from work in the afternoon, Gavin and his sitter met me in the driveway and Gavin had the big super soaker!!!! He was laughing hysterically when he got my car and ME a few times.

Ian had his last soccer game as a Shark. I cannot believe the season ended because it just went way too fast and I feel like we need a few more games!! He played really hard and had a few shots on goal. Afterwards, we had our awards ceremony and for the 4th season in a row...Ian was honored with the Most Coachable Award! It's given to the soccer player who is the best listener and will do what the Coach says! I like this award and I'm proud of Ian for receiving that award!

Afterwards, I had to run over to Kingswood for the last PTA meeting and then a few of us went out for drinks to celebrate Becky's year as President!

Monday, Monday

Gavin and I were invited to a playgroup this morning at his classmate's house. They have a big bouncy house and they were kind enough to invite Gavin's pre-school class. About five of Gavin's friends were able to make it and he had a great time, of course! On the way home, we stopped by Ritter Park to surprise my grandparents. They were there for a picnic with a group from the church and we definitely shocked them! After Ian finished school, we went swimming over at mom's place and had dinner. Gavin was asleep in his bed by 7:30pm and Ian followed shortly after!