Koen's First Day of Kindergarten!

Today Koen went to Kindergarten!  How have 5 years gone by so fast?  How has my little baby grown into this bright, silly, fun and sweet 5 year old heading off to school?  I thought it would be fun to show a picture from each of his 5+ years all from late August/early September so that you can see the progress he's made in stature at least.

September-ish 2007 (my photo organizing wasn't so great back in 2007, pre-blog!), Koen's about 4 or 5 months here:

September 2, 2008 at almost a year and a half old:

August 2009 at 2 years and 4 months old:

August 30, 2010 at 3+ years:

August 31, 2011 at 4+ years:

TODAY: August 30, 2012 at 5+ years old and headed to Kindergarten!

Doug took Koen to school so that I could keep the little ones home and to keep emotional mommy from making too big of a deal of the first day. =)  Doug did a great job cataloging the drop-off though.  Here's Koen glazed in the sunshine as he walked towards school.  He was so happy and excited.  A great start! 

Doug got Koen to do a funny pose too.  Classic Melder boy.  Hope his teachers are ready for this vivacious, hilarious little man! 

Almost there...

Koen was lovey and huggy with Doug, but was also happy to get started and sat down to make his name tag.

Can't you just see him evaluating his surroundings and situation in this photo?  Or perhaps he's just trying to think of what he wants to write on his name tag. =)

I guess he thought of something...

One final big smile for Daddy!

Doug picked up Koen at half-day dismissal.  We are doing 1/2 days this semester (good thing since Koen has been napping in the afternoons most days again lately).  Koen was super happy (actually so excited about Kindergarten that he asked why he didn't get to ride the bus and why he doesn't get to stay all day...already learning things from friends I guess!).  When he got home he was so excited about delivering his backpack with his folder packed with papers from his teacher and he can't wait for tomorrow.  It's show and tell day and he wants to bring Teddy of course.  I guess I have to be happy with those details, most of the other parts he explained were confusing.  Something about a scavenger hunt for their snack and that it was 3 types of crackers all in different shapes?  All around a great start to this exciting year for Koen.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers today!

Last Day of Summer Vacation

Koen heads to Kindergarten tomorrow!  Can you believe it? Look for a post tomorrow about how it goes, but as for today, we are wrapping up summer with a quintessential Melder day around the neighborhood enjoying the outdoors.

This morning Doug was home between 9 and 10am, so I was able to get the two big boys outside for a walk much earlier than we usually get out with Penn (and Penn enjoyed a peaceful rest).  Koen was on his scooter and Tavin was pulling (and also riding) in the wagon. Classic summer 2012 pastime.

We bumped into friends along the way which made our walk even more fun (and pretty standard too - we love our street, full of young kids!).  We got home in time for Penn to eat at 10am and then after that was done, we headed back outside to Osceola of course to meet our friends Miss Adrianne, Owen, Claire and Carson.  Again, another one of our favorite Summer 2012 activities!  Here's a few shots.  I wish I had gotten one of Tavin and Claire.  He just follows her around the whole playground, it's adorable.  He's enamored that he has his own little friend.  Really precious.  But here's Tavin on the big boy swing.  He loves it!

He loves swinging next to big brother of course.

Here's Koen and Owen eating lunch (and Carson hovering).

Penn is such a sweetie.  He was awake much of the playdate, but fell asleep on my shoulder and stayed asleep a few minutes in the stroller before stirring his way awake again.

And Adrianne got a picture of me cuddled up with Penn in his super sweet hat.  I don't know what you think, but I see a familial resemblance.  =)

We got home in time for Penn's next feeding (the 1pm - our life is quite scheduled these days thanks to Penn's great appetite and how he loves his routine!).  The big boys played pretty well until naptime and then all 3 boys are sleeping hard this afternoon.  With that great blessing I decided to make spaghetti sauce from scratch from our explosive tomato garden.  The house smells awesome.  Can't wait for spaghetti and meatballs later with all 4 of my Melder boys.  

Well, it's been a great summer...special time with Koen and Tavin, the arrival of Penn, a visit from my parents and a month-long stay for my mom, visits from Nana, PopPop and Aunt Abbie, a family vacation at my parents' in NH and lots of hanging out around our "hood" getting used to our new routine and rhythm as a family of 5.  We are so blessed and so thankful for a great few summer months.  Now we look forward to figuring out this new season with Koen heading to Kindergarten.

Penn Photo Shoot

My sweet sister-in-law, "Aunt Leah," sent Penn some monogrammed clothing items right after he was born.  I've been dying to use the 0-3 month onesie she sent up for a low key photo shoot.  Today I went for it.  Penn's also laying on the blanket made for him by my friend, Linda.  Penn was in a happy mood.  It was tough to catch smiles, but I think I got some cute shots.

Soon after our little photo shoot, Penn got his cute onesie all wet with spit-up, so I changed him again and then he looked so cute and was still happy that I got a quick pick with my littlest man.  I'm so in love.

Penn Rye's Dedication

This morning we had the privilege of dedication Penn Rye to the Lord in front of our friends and family at North Way Oakland.  Doug's mom (Nana) and his aunt were able to make the trip to attend which was so special to have family represented.  Then the boys' godparents, Nate and Megan Troxell were also there.  We were also blessed to look around and see many close friends in room and all of the supportive congregation as well.  What a wonderful place to raise our boys!  Penn did very well during the dedication and he didn't cry and didn't need to use the ugly pacifier.  He did manage to spit up in front of everyone, but it was a nice laughable moment amidst the seriousness. =)  That's a Melder for you!  Here are the pictures Uncle Nate was able to get.

I'm smiling at Koen at this point.  He wanted to attend the dedication and he was such a big boy sitting next to Nana.  Never said a word, but did flash me some sweet smiles. 

And this was the spit-up moment.  Even Penn looks like he thought it was funny.

At our church, the parents read a letter to the baby being dedicated.  That's why you see Doug looking down at a paper in the pictures.  Here's the letter we wrote to Penn...

Penn, you are yet another blessing from the Lord.  We are overwhelmed by joy as we regard the gift the Lord has bestowed on us in you and your brothers, Koen and Tavin.  We promise to strive to raise you in godly discipline according to the Scriptures.  We are praying for your salvation, your spiritual maturity and your influence in the kingdom even now.  Penn, your name means Commander and we pray that you would not only embrace our Heavenly Commander, the Lord Jesus Christ, but that you would also rise to follow His example as a strong, but humble servant leader confident in His command over the physical and spiritual worlds and your role in His strategy to accomplish His plan in you.  We love you and are eager to see what the Lord has in store for you while also enjoying all the precious moments along the way.

It was a great morning.  So excited to see what the Lord does with Penn, Tavin and Koen.  We are so thankful for these little lives we have been given charge over, what a responsibility, privilege and blessing!

Here are a few pictures from after church.  The big boys...

Some great shots of Penn getting to know Nana and Aunt Joan...

And then Koen really brought on Penn's smiles with his little head-scratching trick.  Nana was impressed!

Thanks again for making the drive, Nana.  The boys love you so much.  And it meant so much to us to have you at Penn's dedication.   

Brother Bonding Moment

Yesterday after Koen's nap and Penn was fed, Koen and I took Penn out on the front porch.  Penn was enjoying agooing at the porch ceiling when Koen came down to his level and started talking to him.  Penn immediately started conversing with Koen and Koen does this cute thing where he gently scratches Penn's head and it makes Penn smile and coo.  Really precious moments!

Then I had to grab a few sweet pictures of Penn just making adorable faces at me.  Koen was busy chatting with our neighbors (man, that kid can talk!).

Sorry about the pink towel, Penn.  Next time I'll choose blue. =)  

Goodbye Fresca

You may not know, but years ago, Doug and I had a dog.  A vivacious, very bright and very demanding Siberian Husky named Fresca.  When we made the decision to move into the city (and when Koen was 15 months and Fres and Koen were starting to have some tension), we asked our dear friends Nate and Megan if they wanted to have Fresca.  They agreed and have been doing an amazing job caring for her ever since (they were probably better parents for her than we ever were).  Since taking her in though, they too have had children and Fresca continues to be a little temperamental around young kids, so they've been very carefully looking for a new home for her.  Well, they found one!  Fres will have a 10 year old brother Siberian Husky (she's also ten) and they have another small dog too.  It's a 90 acre farm and during her test weekend she had a blast and the family really liked her.  What a blessing!  Before having Fresca leave their home, Nate and Megan were kind enough to bring her by for a farewell visit.  Here she is hanging out in the backyard with all our little boys.  

The boys enjoyed Fresca's visit, but they also enjoyed the bounce house Uncle Nate and Aunt Megan brought over for them to play in with Alex.  

It was a lovely morning with friends and a little bittersweet to have to say goodbye to Fresca.  We are so happy for her though that she will have a husky buddy and so much land to be free and run.  Thanks, Nate and Megan, for taking such good care of her and for letting us give her a few last hugs and kisses.  Bye Fres.  We'll always love you!

Summer Vacation - NH, Part VIII

Thursday
Doug and Koen woke up in PA and Tavin, Penn & I woke up in NH.  Strange to be away from each other after our nice, long family vaca, but we all had a great day in our respective locations.  Koen and Doug had a great morning with Nana & PopPop.  I haven't gotten the full run-down, but here are some pictures I received when they were out on their fishing excursion.

Doug and Koen left Nana & PopPop's around 1pm and made it home in great time (with a stop at an awesome bent & broken store where we stock up on all sorts of dry goods).  Here's a pretty tired looking Koen out to dinner later that night.  (Remember, our fridge is broken, so the poor guys don't really have anything fresh to eat, just lots of pantry goods...Doug never minds a good excuse to go out though!).

Doug said the house looks good and our garden is out of control.  Here's the tomatoes he picked.  Filled a 9x13 pan!

Now, back to our yesterday here in NH.  It was really nice to have the peace and quiet of Koen not being here.  Tavin can be loud, but he can also be pretty chill.  Most of yesterday he seemed to enjoy having Gramma & Grampa's attention more to himself (a little saved for Penn of course) and I really enjoyed my special moments with him.  In the morning he played outside and got to play in Grampa's Jeep.

At midday, Tavin and I played in the backyard at the baby pool and enjoyed our lunch outside again.  Tavin loves Gramma's watering can.  It's a little tough to manage, but he did a great job watering just about everything. =)

After naptime we played outside again.  I love just letting the kids run around up here and not being so worried about traffic, crazy people taking them, etc.  Tavin and I pushed Penn around in the stroller while he agoo'd at the sky.  Pretty pleasant!  The rest of the night was pretty standard except for the special treat of lobster again!  Mom and I loved it!  Then I got Tav to bed, fed Penn and then got him to bed.  I'm on a mission to get him to bed earlier so that his fussy time isn't so long and frustrating.  It seems to be going quite well.  So far I'm up to getting him to sleep around 8:30pm.  Then I wake him up at 10pm to eat and then he goes back down pretty quickly until the morning.  Hopefully our big travels tomorrow don't set us back!

Friday
Our last day in NH!  I'm getting excited about getting home and into a norm, especially as Koen heads to Kindergarten next Thursday.  Tavin seems a little lost without his brother today and keeps asking when he will be going on the airplane.  Penn doesn't really have a clue, so his day looks pretty much the same as always.  We did have one fun thing planned this morning.  I met up at a playground with two high school friends (they're sisters) and all their kids.  It was so neat to meet up as moms and catch up for about an hour and a half.  Tavin didn't socialize much as he was very into what the playground had to offer.  I was obviously really into chatting with my friends as I took no pictures!  Thanks to Rebecca and Laura for coordinating though.  It was so great to see you and your beautiful kids!  After our fun hangout, Tavin and I came home, had lunch, fed Penn and now the little boys are napping.  I need to head for a little shut-eye as it will be a late night tonight.  Probably won't walk in the house door until midnight after our late-ish flight from MHT to PIT.  Pray for safe travels!