Randy and I finally decided to join the rest of the Apple hipster crowd and get on board with some new iphone's. The best part of these new phones: access to Instagram. 

The Kindergarten Roller-coaster

School continues to be a bit of a roller-coaster ride for Soren. Last week he went from wanting me to home school him to ending the week shouting with joy how much he loves school. The best part for us is seeing how proud he is of his work that he is doing. So far he say's that he loves math, reading and art. He did tell me that he and two of his friends had to sit in the "Take a Break" chair during art class last week! This week they start their bi-weekly music class with MacPhail, so hopefully that will help continue his enthusiasm for school for this week

Soren under his name writing in the hallway

A close up of his full name. I think this is the first time he has ever even seen his last name spelled out. The teacher had the kids cut up their name and put it back together like a puzzle. You can see that he got the second "W" mixed up and upside down at the end. Soren figured out that he has the longest last name in his whole class.

Kindergarten Check In

Reality of life as a Kindergartner has sunk in fast in Soren's world, and it is not what he expected. The bliss of it all wore off after three days, and it has turned into a negative part of his life right now. We try to check in with a daily "What was the best/worst part of your day" question. Yesterday his response was "My worst part of the day was going to school and the best part was coming home".  Having to follow classroom rules, routines and expectations for over 6 hours I know is a challenge and in his world is NOT fun. Hang in there Soren, the fun will come.

I took this picture of Soren with a paper negative pinhole camera over the weekend. I thought his expression represented well his feelings about his new Kindergarten life.

The Best Way to Celebrate the End of Summer

I asked Sevi today if he missed Soren now that he is at school. "Nope" was his answer. Why would he when he gets to run around naked with this cutie on a hot 90 degree day as today.

Siri and Sevi

They Grow So Fast!

It used to feel like it would be ages before Soren would be going to Kindergarten, yet today that day did finally arrive. It seems like he is excited, he was up at 5:45am due to that, and nerves too I suppose. He is very happy to have his friend Alma from Dodge Nature Preschool in his classroom. We love that the class is only 18 students and his teacher, Mr. Jeremy, is wonderful. I have to admit that I am sad about loosing the freedom of adventure we had, running around town and doing fun things. I feel a sense of loss that the 5 day a week schedule for the next 13 years now brings. At the same time I know we are off to a good start and that Soren is well prepared and I feel blessed for the time we had these last 5.5 years.

Sevi also has his first introduction to preschool today. He will be attending St. Kate's Early Childhood Center. It also is a great school, right across campus from where I teach in the Art Department. He walked right in and got right down to business playing. I think the adjustment for him will be a easy one and I am excited for him to have his own new peer group.

Soren outside his school on his first day of Kindergarten.

Soren and Alma last week at the Kindergarten Round-up.

Soren giving a final wave as he enters the school.

Sevi outside the Early Childhood Center.

Getting to work at the painting easel.

Moving On

It has been a sad summer for us in the fact that two of our dear neighborhood friends have and are moving further then a stones throw away from us. Max and Amanda, who we have known for almost 5 years and whose house we could see from our front window, have fortunately stayed within our same zip code and still reside on the same side of the Mississippi River as us. We miss not being able to run over as soon as we saw them drive into their garage. It makes our view of that corner of our world rather lonely I have to admit without them there. Luckily we can still visit within a 8 min bike ride. The other move of Kai and Ruby June, who we met in our baby ECFE class when the big boys were 3 months old and whom live only 3 blocks away, is a more challenging move, even if it is just one state south to Iowa. With Kai and Soren only being 3 days apart, we have shared many a story about the challenges of parenthood and rejoiced in the joys of milestones achieved. I know the kids will miss each other, but it is the adulthood friendship that I will miss dearly on the daily basis I am used to. We wish then both great blessings in their new homes and look forward to continuing to be a part of this new chapter of their home lives.

Max, Soren, Sevi & Amanda at Fort Snelling Beach

Soren & Max at DQ

Soren & Kai, Sevi and Ruby June

Soren & Kai

The Eye of the Tiger

Face Painting courtesy of the talented Alejandra at her son Max's birthday party yesterday.

The Many Faces.......

Camping on the North Shore, MN

Upper Falls at Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Sevi at Agate Beach, Lake Superior.

Randy and Soren

Soren at the Upper Falls of Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Randy and Sevi navigating the rocky landscape at Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Soren at Gooseberry Falls campground.

Sevi and Soren at Pebble Beach, Gooseberry Falls campground.

Water Nymphs at Pebble Beach.

Sevi at Iona Beach, Lake Superior.

Soren with Miss Rainbow, Two Harbors, MN.

Sevi's morning ritual, Gooseberry Falls campground. Our home for five nights.

The Lewandowski Boys

The dishes caused the greatest conflict between the boys - who would wash and who would dry....

Randy was named Jiffy Papa for his nightly Jiffy Popcorn cooking routine

The boys patiently waiting while we pack up the campsite to head to Caribou Lodge in Lutsen for two nights.

Soren canoeing on the Poplar River.

Sevi lounging in the canoe on our Poplar River excursion.

Soren, Sevi and Andrea riding the the gondola up to Moose Mountain.

The Murrill/Lewandowski's atop Moose Mountain.

Catching Up On July Adventure's

Cass County Fair in Pine River.

Randy and Sevi Canoeing.

Soren playing T-ball in Nisswa.

Sevi and Gramma watching T-ball.

Playing with their remote controlled cars.

Soren napping - a rare sight these days.

Soren at Safety Town Camp in Nisswa.

Sevi behind bars in Officer Tim's patrol car at the Pequot Lakes Truck Touch.

Sevi at the wheel of an excavator at the Truck Touch event.

Watching Randy race at the Southside Sprints. The blur of blue in the front is Randy.

Go Papa!!!!! 

Sliding at the Como Park Regional Pool.

End of an Era

Now that we are potty trained, it is time to get rid of the 5 1/2 year old changing pad that has long been all torn and tattered. Good riddance!