Fun before school starts

Emmy has been enjoying some last minute fun before school starts after Labor day.  She went to the amusement park with Mason and rode on bumper cards.  She also scaled the rock climbing wall twice.  She went to the ranch with Grandma and caught a grasshopper and frog.  Yesterday she called me over while we were swimming to see "the most amazing creature!"  It was a centipede and when I told her that wasn't a creature I thought all that great she told me that I need to appreciate nature and never kill nature. 

We've been to a couple open houses and have met her new teacher - Mrs. Vollmers.  She is excellent and many people have told me that she is their favorite teacher which makes us feel good.  Emmy is very excited for school to start.  She also said a really sweet prayer last night when she told me that she is most grateful to God for making me her mommy, grateful for all of her family (even Bobby) and her FANTASTIC LIFE.  I don't think there is anything better I could hear.  We are headed out to the ranch and to Almont parade, races then back home to prep for the first day of kindergarten!

Bobby's prayer tonight

Please watch over my mommy, give her lots of hugs and thank you for giving me people to love...my daddy, my sister and myself.

Videos of Emmy's dance camp dances

Emmy completes dance camp and shows us the dances she worked on while there

 We all came to watch Emmy dance to the new numbers she learned in dance camp this week.  She was happy to show us her routines and she also told me she loves to watch the other girls dance who are older than she is.

She directed me in how to put her hair into a braided bun and I added the pink hair for a little extra.  After the dancing we all headed out to get frozen yogurt.  It was a fun day.

summer is ending :(

I took Emmy to get her new kindergarten kicks.  She REALLY wanted Skechers shoes and has been asking for a very long time for these shoes.  They were on sale and she found the perfect pair that light up when you step.  She was very excited about them.

 We had the Lundeen family over for grilling and swimming.  We all had a great time - adults and kids.

 Grandma Launa and Grandpa Kelly helped the kids start their college fund this week as well.  Bobby told everyone he is planning to go to Ninja school and even showed his audience some moves he has been working on.  Emmy wants to be a fairy princess mermaid and animal trainer.  I'm not sure what college has those degrees but at least they will have the college money to pay for it.

We have been swimming in the afternoon, evening and whenever possible!  The kids love it.  Emmy tells Bobby exactly how to play pretend with her.  On this night they were playing that Emmy was a school teacher and Bobby  her student.

Fort Lincoln

Robb, Emmy, Bobby and I went to Fort Lincoln on the trolley.  It was a beautiful day and we saw a mommy dear and two baby deer while we were touring around.  Bobby and Emmy enjoyed the trolley ride and the museum.  Bobby would yell out - "Hey guys, you got to see this...it is AMAZING!" as he would show us museum exhibits.

cuddle time by the pool

Bobby and I were enjoying a little cuddle time by the pool and our Emmy had to get in on the posing action!  The kids and I have enjoyed every second of the summer this year!

zoo trip

I start full time work next week so we are trying to get everywhere one more time.  Yesterday we went to the zoo and this big tiger really took a liking to us.  Bobby got a little nervous when the tiger would turn around and make eye contact with us!  Grandma Launa was there with us and we enjoyed having her company.  We rode on the train, fed the goats and donkeys and just enjoyed seeing all the animals.

Silly string race!

This past weekend we ran a local Silly string race.  I won the women's 10K  race which started first in around 43 minutes.  The family was there to cheer me on...although Bobby mostly sprayed me with silly string as I passed by him.  Then the kids race started and once they were off Bobby and I never saw Emmy again.  She wanted to run fast and being as outgoing as she is she didn't need us slowing her down.  She crossed with her dad who ran around taking pictures.  Bobby didn't try to run fast because again he mostly just wanted to spray me with silly string.  He also would spray back to the volunteers stationed around the race that were spraying us.  He ran out of his silly string and so I gave him mine.  We crossed the finish line together and the kids then had fun in the bounce house that was there.  I won the big door prize - a Scheels 25$ gift card and everyone left really happy!  It was another great Eckert memory that we made together.

More summer fun

The weather wasn't the best earlier this week so we took the opportunity to go to the Heritage Center one more time.  The kids always have fun there and are pretty animated.  Bobby will say, "mom you are never gone believe this, it is really awesome" while he leads me to another exhibit.  Emmy gets a laugh out of listening to the Indian language that comes on when you push a button.

Emmy doesn't just take pictures, she model poses.

 
 

 We had one more trip to the amusement park this week.  We all rode the rides and the kids really had fun. I packed up a picnic to eat outside. The kids requested cold pizza and that was easy enough to accommodate.  This week I also bought Emmy her kindergarten school supplies which she was very excited about.  I cried once this week already thinking about what a big step in her life this is......she is ready but it is just a very big moment for all of us.  Robb took a picture of a special time I've really enjoyed this summer.  The kids always sneak into my bed while Robb is getting ready and before they have to get ready for school.  We spend about 10 minutes cuddling together in bed before I help them get ready.  It is one of my favorite summer memories!

We went on a ladies U Mary faculty kayaking trip down the river this week.  The weather was colder but it was very fun.  The Tribune took a picture of us as we headed down the river.  The trip usually take 4 hours but we managed in under two!

Emmy is prepping for kindergarten

Today Emmy had her kindergarten wellness visit.  She is 44 inches, 43 lbs which puts her around average at 55% height and 60% weight.  She answered all the questions and performed all the physical tests with enthusiasm and took her shots like the brave big girl she is.  No tears and she informed me that those didn't hurt a bit and she "loves shots!"
  She showed all her dance friends where the shots were and had to wear her crown given to her by the nurse.  Meanwhile back at home Bobby and daddy played pirates!

More summertime adventures

 I ordered Bobby another cowboy outfit since he had outgrown his.  He likes to dress up too although most of the time Emmy is making him play "frozen" or be a boy fairy.

 

I took the kids to the Capital street fair this past weekend.  They ate food, shopped around with me, played in the bounce house, popped bubbles that were magically coming out of a machine and Emmy spilt most of her sno cone in the back seat of my car on the way home.  Later that day we went to Gabriel's Bday party and had a great time.  Around 10 at night Bobby threw up all over his blankets, bed and himself.  This happened a few more times before midnight resulting in 5 total baths and me power washing in high temps all of the blankets and pillows we have in the house.  Around that same time my poor boy threw up all over me who was holding and comforting him.  I took bath number 6 with him.  Then he told me "Mommy, I just want to have you" and so he ended up sleeping in my bed which was better for me anyhow since I was running down to check on him continuously.  I got about 3 hours of sleep before he woke up thirsty and we called it morning.  I felt terrible for him and wanted to cry along with him.  This morning it is coming out the other end and I have sanitized non stop in the hopes that Emmy won't get this.  Robb has lucked out and missed it all since he is in Fargo.

This picture of the kids sitting on the brick wall outside of grandma Pearls was taken this week when we delivered a book she wanted and I ordered.  Emmy loves to pose and she thought it would make a great picture.