New Bikes

Yesterday we gave Blake and Claire their birthday presents a week early. They got new bikes along with Anna Kate who got a new bike last Christmas from Santa but we had to take it back because it was too small so we finally got her one too. They were sitting in the driveway when they got home from school. They were so excited, they wore themselves out.

USS Razorback...The Submarine.

Claire's Brownie Troop went to visit the USS Razorback a submarine that fought in WWII and Vietnam last week. It is docked in Little Rock and was very interesting. We started at one end, climbed down into it and toured the entire inside and came out at the other end. It was amazing . Of course 1st and 2nd graders didn't quite get all of it, but thought it was cool, being underwater and all. It was a very interesting experience. And yes, I actually climbed down the ladder and got back out.

Devin, Katie and Claire sitting in one of the control rooms on the submarine.

Alexis and Claire standing on the deck looking into the river.

The Fire Station

The first grade classes at Sidney Deener went to the fire station a couple of weeks ago. The fire stations is only a block from the school so I walked over with them and tried to keep up with both classes to get plenty of pictures. A bit of a challenge. There were 6 different "stations" set up that each classes vistited seperatly. For example at one they got to hold the hose and hit a target, next there was a house the kids got in and then they filled it with smoke and they kids had to practice getting out. It was alot of fun.

Blake spraying the target. As you can tell he was really into it.

Claire and her friend Emma.

Blake crawling out of the first floor of the smoking house.

Blake made the evening news climbing down the fire escape of the smoke filled house.

Claire with fireman's coat and the using the fire hose. It was a fun day.

SISTERS

Sisters... I couldn't pass this up. They were being so sweet waiting on the front porch for the mailman. I always wished I'd had a sister so I can't wait to see how they grow and bond even with their very different personalities. Of course Anna Kate adores Claire, however big sister doesn't always adore little sis. At times I wonder if they even like each other and then the next minute they are full of giggles.