Happy Halloween

Sophia dressed to match her doll Julie as a Colonial girl. She was really excited and carried her in her arms the whole time. Ben went for the Star Wars theme as Anakin Skywalker. They had an aweome time and brought home an absolute haul!

Fall Festival

This series of Sophia swinging really captures her right now. We went to Bend State Park for their annual Fall Festival. They got to pet a corn snake & chickens, they helped make a apple cider, painted pumpkins and bowled with them too. The autumn is going fast and I am trying to enjoy every minute!

Watkins Ranch & More

I signed the kids up for horse lessons two weeks ago and they are loving it so far...I think mainly because of the BARN KITTENS they discovered the first time. They had to do chores before the ride this time, so I helped them through mucking two horse stalls. They were not real crazy about this part, but I agree with the owner that it an essential part of riding horses. Took me back to my summer at horse camp! (I asked Ben to show me his "Picture Day smile" and this is what he showed me...this should be another great one! ;)

First Day of 1st!

This was a monumental week for the Olmo family. Luis flew out to Cuba on Monday while I was atarting my first official day back to teaching (I have had three days of training beforehand). Ben began first grade on Thursday and Sophia began her year of preschool as a Voyager. We made it through the week but are all recovering from allergies/colds? this weekend. Please keep us in your prayers! ...I threw in some pictures from our last weekend together- a short road trip to Lawrence and Topeka.

Happy Fourth!

Our darling girl turns four today...and boy is she ready to tell the world. We are planning a movie party to see Brave to celebrate. When I look back, she seems to have grown up so much and yet that smile remains the same. :)

Epic Road Trip

Ten states + 4,000 miles + 27 days = Olmo Family Fun :) Although Legoland was a dream come true, I think it was being together and with family that was the highlight of this trip. We are happy to be home again, but a little sad that it's ended.

Our Graduate

Ben's Kindergarten graduation was Thursday- almost one hundred 6 year olds assembled to sing Home on the Range, Dr. Suess I Love You, and What a Wonderful World. :) Ben was pretty excited about it, even with his reservations about first grade. Each one got a little diploma and there was a reception with cookies afterwards.

Magic Tree House

With the gaurentee of another year here in Kansas, it was time to invest in one. I have fond memories of playing in our family play house back in Minnesota. Despite much ongoing drama with the delivery, set-up, and (unfortunetly) the wrong/missing parts...it was funtional this weekend...and the kids love it! They packed up their backpacks with treasures and set up camp up there.

Frou Frou

As a final class activity, I taught my ESL students how to decorate flip flops the way my mom taught me. In this picture, we have Macedonia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Malaysia, Turkey, and Germany represented. I will surelty miss this amazing group of women.

Orange Tiger #10

Ben chose t-ball this Spring (instead of soccer, which I reminded him several times was an option, too!) and has been loving his practices the past two weeks. He had his first "game" on Thursday and got a chance to put on his full uniform. They made it through two full innings in the hour and Ben got to run all bases. His outfield focus can definately be sharpened (he spent the whole time dancing, sitting, etc...though in his defense, not one hit came to the right field!;) but he is really into it so far.

Photo Shoot

I heard Ben & Sophie giggling in her room this weekend...went to discover that Ben had gotten ahold of the camera and was taking pictures of her. These are the result.:)

This sweater...

was hand-made by Ms. Stephanie, ...and with the cool days we've had this week, much needed!

Luis' Easter Photo Shoot

I sent Luis out to take some pics of the kids while I quickly got ready this morning and these were the results- when we opened them, we could not stop laughing...these are, frankly, the kinds of pics I am tenmpted to delete- but Luis had a good point: It's just so them! So, I hope you'll see what he means. Plus, there's Luis' new moped...no comment.;)