I dreamed I lost my pillow pet.

Walter woke me up in the middle of the night a few nights ago to tell me he was very scared. I asked why and he told me he had a very scary dream. I asked what his dream was about and he told me "I dreamed I lost my pillow pet."

If you asked Walter his favorite Christmas present he received, he would either answer his Pokemon set from Santa or his pillow pet, who he named Squirtle, from his uncle Moogs. If you asked Owen what his favorite gift was, it would be his Ninjago Lego set from his uncle Moogs. Jer says its because Moogs never grew up. Anyway you look at it, uncle Moogs scored some major points from the boys this holiday season!

Here are some photos from our time in Dallas with Joanne's family. Its funny even with such a mild winter how lovely it was to walk outside in t-shirts and jeans! Its freeing to walk outside without bundling up first, that's for sure. The boys had a great time playing with their cousins they don't get to see much. The wedding was beautiful and all the food was delicious. Nothing was spared, it was true Texas style if you ask me!

Besides the wedding activities and hanging out with all the family, a big highlight was New Years Eve day at Six Flags. Jer's cousin Dylan joined us and was such a treat to have with. He was entertaining in the lines and offering piggy back rides left and right in between. We all had a ball and Owen proved he is so, so, so much more brave than his mother. Walter pretty much is, too. The first ride of the day was the Titan. Here's a video clip of someone riding it (not Owen & Jer). Walter sat back with me and got into a sword fight with Porky Pig. By the end of the day, Walter was ready to hit the rails, however, and made me go on the Judge Roy Scream with him. You can ask Jer, I was so nervous I wasn't talking.

Look - sleigh marks & reindeer footprints!

We woke up Christmas morning to two very exited boys. Santa had made the special trip to Grandma & Grandpa Harala's and left them all sorts of goodies. Later that day, we went out on the ice to skate, play broom ball, ice fish & sled and Owen called us all over. He had found sleigh marks and reindeer footprints on the ice, as well as some giant footprints that had to be Santa's from getting out and back into his sleigh.

We had such a wonderful holiday season, starting with a winter concert at Sunny Hollow, followed by many family gatherings in MN and the U.P., and ending with a family road trip to Dallas, TX! We are filled with all sorts of joy from the end of 2011 and are so excited to have it spill into 2012!

Here are a few photos from Christmas at Grandma & Grandpa's...there will be more from the other events to follow:

I'm a leader now.

In a Montessori classroom there are children ranging in a 3 year age span. In Walter's classroom, that range is 3 year olds through 6 year olds. The children in their kindergarten year are called 'leaders'. As you know, Walter is 4. He came home last week as proud as can be, saying his teacher told him he is a leader now. I questioned this, saying that a traditional leader is a kindergartener. He said yes, however, he is the oldest of the half day children and is thus a leader. He said he now helps the younger children get ready to go outside and go home, as well as other things in the classroom. He is taking his new role and responsibility to heart...and what a kind, gentle heart he has.

Jer's mom, Joanne, turned 60 this weekend and we all had a great time celebrating. Jeremy's grandmother surprised her with the best gift a mother could ask for, she flew Jer's brother, Jon, home from NJ for the celebration. Joanne's surprised face was priceless and the smile from it lasted all weekend!

On Sunday, Owen decided he wanted to participate in his first wrestling meet of the year. I was concerned that he hasn't had practice wrestling other children his age, but he proved me wrong! He placed 2nd, tech falling his first opponent (this means he won by over 15 points!), losing in a close second match, and pinning his final opponent. Jer was certainly a proud coach!

Can you imagine a year without snow?

With the recent arrival of winter, Owen is over the moon. He can't wait to get out on Lake Nokomis and ice fish and play hockey. He runs out to sled whenever he can (including on the way to school in the morning) and just doesn't seem to ever get cold. We were driving by the lake one day and he asked me this. I told him, yes, I can and would like to...to which he said "WHAT?!"

A very special day has come and past, leaving Jeremy and me with a seven year old. Yes, our sweet Owen is officially seven. We had a wonderful day celebrating this big event. It began with presents and a breakfast of his choice (a fresh sprinkled donut, sausage & OJ), midday included a party with friends climbing at Vertical Endeavors, and ended with a family party with pizza, cake & more presents. He was spoiled and completely deserved it. He is a kind, big hearted, smart boy with a serious competitive streak and makes us so happy and proud.

Gyros!

My mom arrived Wednesday after a month in Kauai with my Grandma. Its always a party when Grandma is in town...we tend to get spoiled and this time was no different. A highlight of it all was dinner out at Christo's (the Greek restaurant that catered our wedding!) followed by the Wizard of Oz at the CTC. So fun! Owen was quite excited to have Gyro's for dinner, he even experienced his first cramp after stuffing his belly to the rim and trying to race Jer to the theatre.

Just say no!

As most parents know, children love to show them their talents and skills. Lately, my boys like to ask me "Do you think I can do X?" followed quickly by "Say no! Just say no!" This is then followed by doing the talent/skill successfully with an enormous smile.

Halloween was a huge success. The boys gathered all sorts of candy and then let me buy a good chunk of it from them for $5 each. They still had plenty of treats, but we saved a few cavities from forming!

We celebrated our 9 year anniversary last month. Jer & I spent the morning together, then brought the boys out for dinner and a walk around the site of our reception. It was a beautiful day, much like the day of our wedding.

Friday was conferences at school and we left beaming. Both boys' teachers mentioned what a joy each boy was to have in their classroom. Owen is thriving in his new elementary classroom and seems to be particularly fond of researching and writing reports. His most recent report was on endangered species. He also is enjoying math worksheets and Chinese. Walter is loving being an older child this year and helping out the new children. He is working on his cursive letters and sounds and will be starting golden bead math work soon. He is also working hard on tying a bow and has a goal of being a master by Thanksgiving. My pride continues to grow.

Nature Journaling

One of Owen's teachers sent me some photos of him today. When I showed him, he said it was from his day trip to Hidden Falls. He was writing and drawing in his nature journal. Isn't he so precious.

Humungo Jumbo

Awe, Indian Summer, please stay as long as you want!

You can call me Ninja Master.

The Hipps family has split up for the weekend. Jeremy and Owen left this morning for a fishing trip up on Leech Lake while Walter and I stayed back for a special weekend together. Owen has been waiting for this day for quite a while, he bought the special fishing trip food in July (salted nut rolls) in anticipation of this day. He also declared he planned on eating pizza for breakfast on the fishing trip. Regardless, I'm sure he will have a blast and be spoiled rotten by his daddy!

Meanwhile, I'm doing my best to spoil Walter. We rented a movie at the library yesterday and as soon as Jer & Owen left, he asked if we could watch it. I obliged, of course. Then we went to a park and I endured two hours of ninja training. Jeremy often puts the boys through ninja courses around the neighborhood and Walter realized I have never done one. So he put me through 10 levels of ninja training today. At one point as we were crawling under the playground equipment, he told me "You can call me Ninja Master." As we left the park, the Ninja Master told me he has more ninja training on tap for tomorrow. Here's to a good night sleep!

And I'm already on chapter 2!

I was greeted by Owen today without a hi or hello, but instead "Guess what Mom? I started reading my own chapter book in school and I'm already on chapter 2!" Pretty awesome, right?!

School officially started on Tuesday and it is going wonderfully. Both boys are happy to be going to school and happy when I pick them up. I've been particularly anxious to hear about Owen's days as this is a whole new world for us. He has been happily sharing so much with us it is great. He has talked about doing fractions, playing capture the flag and identifying different species of bugs. Today he received one of the 'great lessons' about our universe, during which he got to see a volcano explode in class when his teacher lit it...with REAL fire! He talked about the speed of light over and over with me this evening. Its going to be such an exciting year. Here are a few photos from the start to it all.

When your six, you'll just be a little scared.

Walter asked me to come downstairs with him yesterday. When I asked why, he told me he was scared. We talked through how our house is safe, etc., and Owen chimed in to tell him this. I started thinking about it, and I was always afraid of my basement as a child, too. I wonder what it is.

We've been doing our best to enjoy the last few days of summer. Last weekend we went away to a friends cabin. While yesterday, we joined some friends at the Mall of America for some rides. Tonight the boys are sleeping over at Grandma Joanne's, before we get serious about settling in to a schedule. Fall is in the air, but we're not quite letting go of summer yet.

Work Journal, Decanomial & Nature Journaling

Owen has had orientation the past three days for his big move up to elementary. Three years ago, I never would have thought we would be staying at Sunny Hollow for elementary. I thought for sure we would be entering the public schools now. I know I often rave about the boys' school, but it is honestly so amazing I can't stop. I feel like with all this concern and buzz about the failure of public schools, the documentaries Waiting for Superman and Road to Nowhere, the answer is so obvious to me...Montessori. It is truly a beautiful education.

I will step off my high horse now and tell you these are the works Owen has talked about doing in his shortened days of orientation. He has been bolting into his classroom with barely a good bye and has been pure smiles when I pick him up. He is so happy and engaged when I pick him up, it makes me so excited to see what the school year brings.

Here is the pure smile...and one from his first day back in 2008!

I have big news.

I came home at 9:30 last night from my first Sunny Hollow board meeting. (I feel so fancy.) I had items that we had discussed going through my head, so didn't even ask how Jer & the boys' night went. I suddenly looked up to see Jer looking at me, rather proudly. He smiled and said "I have big news. Your little boy can ride a two wheel bike now!"

Walter woke up this morning and quickly showed me his new skill! I am one proud mama, but I think Jeremy tops me in pride on this one! He told me it felt so great to be able to teach both his boys how to ride a bike.

Come on, what are you waiting for?!

The boys attending YMCA camp at Camp Streefland last week and had such a great time. Owen's counselors were Mark & Lindsay, while Walter had Chris and another helper that he could never remember the name of. They started and ended their days with bus rides, which may have been nearly as exciting as camp, as they don't get to ride them to school. Owen loved all the games he learned, particularly Ga-Ga-Ga. Walter loved canoeing to French Fry Island. They came home filthy and exhausted every night.

Thursday was family night at camp, so the boys toured me around the grounds and I was able to see their forts, archery, the lake, where they did arts & crafts and all of the secret passage ways around camp. At one point as we were going from one place to another, Owen said to me "Come on, what are you waiting for?! We run EVERYWHERE at camp!" They are still talking about it and teaching me songs they learned.