As I start to type this, Caroline is telling me that, "dancers are doing dancer things and artists are doing artist things and I am a dancer and Jack-y is an artist."
Yesterday is the first time i have every seen Jack do anything recognizable with his painting: he painted a stick person, complete with eyes. Today he was painting again, a lion, and I was so impressed that I took a picture to share with all of you. It has a mane, eyes, and a mouth, and all in the appropriate place. This is especially amazing because it comes from my son who has been able to throw a ball right to you since before he was a year old (he has great gross motor skills, and always has!), but who has very little fine motor skills ability. He knows his letters, but he has a lot of trouble writing them. It was so fun to see his progress in the last two days, and his pride as I took a picture of his lion to show everyone. Well done Jackson!
I simply cannot believe it. It is not possible that my son is old enough to go to school. He's just a baby. Well, maybe he's a toddler, walking before he's a year old, trying to get into everything. Or maybe he's the kind two year old who notices that his sister spit up and runs to get a towel before I've even noticed. The three year old boy getting faster and faster, and loving all things outdoors, sun or rain, summer or winter? The four year old going to preschool, and the only boy who could pay attention and sit still all class? This first born of mine, who reminds me of myself but with a lot more physical agility, is five years old, and he started school today. The pictures are for you Mom, in memory of every first day of school we ever had, which always started with a picture. It was hard to get a good shot in the rush of getting two kids out the door, but here are my three favorites. The top photo is on our front porch, and the other two are at school: outside the classroom and at his seat.
I love this five year old, and I think that he will like school. The first day was fun! 
This birthday boy loves balloons, and he chose this outfit himself, because they were good party clothes, as he said. We had a wonderful party for Jack's birthday. Beforehand we had asked him what he wanted to do: have some kids over, or go out to dinner, but he said he wanted to invite everyone and have a BIG party. So we did! It was a lot of people, and a lot going on, but Jackson was a gentleman to the end. Happy Birthday to my favorite five year old. I love your caring and responsible nature that you mix with boyish fun. Here is a catalogue of the party in pictures: mostly it's about good food, good friends, and good fun! 
Three girls, each seven months apart, playing on the swingset. From the left, Elizabeth, Marilyn, and Caroline. 
Two cute mamas: Lindsey and Betsy. 
Will enjoying the nice weather (finally!) on the back porch. 
The Beltran's came! 
Trace was given a smoker the day before, by a friend who was frustrated with it, so he made us two kinds of ribs, barbequed and smoked, along with whole chickens, and New York steaks. It was all accompanied by corn on the cob, coleslaw, beans, and smoked nuts. Yum! 
Andrew and Taylor were there, and Andrew brought Jack his own pair of Wrangler's as a gift. He can be a real cowboy now! 
We opened gifts with those who had little kids first, and spread the rest of the gifts over the course of the evening. Here Jackson and Marilyn, good friends, are opening her gift. 
Jack and Phil reading his copy of the book Phil made. 
Grandpa Chuck and Grandma Caroline gave Jack a sleeping bag, with a map to going camping in the backyard. He's slept in it most nights since, but in his bedroom. Here his cousin Natalie helps him try it out. 
Chuck's brother Ben and his wife Roz happened to be in town on their way to a grandson's graduation, so they made it to Jack's party too. It was good to see them! 
This is a bunch of Fike boys: Ted, Andrew, Tim, and Jack. Do they look related? 
Dave reads Jack his pirate birthday card. 
The birthday boy at the end of the evening in his new Giant's hat. Happy Birthday Jack!
And they really liked the deer, despite how common they are.
The kids and I cleaned off the back porch on Saturday and put out the summer cushions and pillows. Best of all (for us anyway) was that Trace came home early from his golf tournament, so we got to sit outside and have dinner together. Fresh strawberries and cherries from the farmer's market, and hamburgers that Trace made. Yum!
Of course it rained on Monday, and because I had seen the weather report calling for merely "showers" (the cushions would be okay with a few drops of rain, right?), I didn't bring them back in, and they'll probably take the rest of the week to dry off. But they were sure nice on Saturday!
The next weekend, three days ago, Trace spent ten minutes, or less, working with Jack on how to get started with pedals, and that was that. Jack can now ride a two-wheeler! He's very excited, and he was going on daily rides with Trace, at least until the rain/snow started again yesterday. So maybe that was only two days of riding, but he loved it!
She is quite excited that she finally got her own, purple, bike helmet, as you can see in these pictures. She's been wearing it a lot, and tells everyone how safe she is. The most impressive to me, however, was how Trace got her back to the house when she was tired from all the bike riding:
I'm quite sure that I can't ride a bike while holding a kid with one arm, but Trace made it look easy! I'll finish with a video of the new bike rider coming toward me up the street. He's an expert now!
It is an amazing story, well told in the card that accompanied the chair. In case it's hard to read small, I'm going to reprint it here. The card in the last two pictures says: 
Then we move to the party pictures. Here she's looking quite excited about this big gift from Grandma Caroline and Grandpa Chuck. 
She was also excited when her friends Elizabeth and Marilyn arrived, and she opened her gift from Elizabeth (neither of them could wait:)): food for her new kitchen. 
Trace spent the afternoon and evening preparing a sumptuous feast for everyone: yum! 
We had delicious tacos, with a choice of mild chicken, spicy chicken, or medium beef. Something for every taste! 
The most amazing Aunt Becky made Caroline a bunny for her birthday, and they had a special time opening it together. 
Caroline was Becky's shadow when everyone first arrived: all the people were a little overwhelming for a few minutes. 
Lindsey and her son Graham, so sweet. 
Caroline wearing the Clement's special birthday crown. Aunt Katie loaned it to us via Grandma Jo for Caroline's birthday. Thanks for sharing! 
Sitting in her new chair from Grandma Caroline. I'll do an entire blog post on that later. It was very special. 
Opening Dave's gift with him. 
Lindsey and Betsy with their two boys visiting. 
Trystan, Marilyn, and Caroline playing with Caroline's pretend cookie set--perfect for her new toy kitchen. 
The Beltrans, who kindly brought a gift for Jackson too. 
Singing happy birthday: time for cake!
Sitting on Dave's lap putting on her purple goggles from Tracie. 
The three roomies. 
Beautiful Betsy and her son Andrew. 
Aunt Heide and Caroline. 
Finishing the night dancing for Mike and Ellen. 
We're glad you're three Caroline. You are a treasured part of our family. You keep us all laughing, and melt our hearts with your smiles and cuddle times. I'm excited to see you grow in the years to come. I love you!
