Stenger LIFE: No I haven't forgotten about this!

I know, I know, I often blog about feeling guilty for not updating this blog of mine. I am not going to let my self feel that way today. However, I think I have set a record for the longest pause between blogs since inception! I think the trauma of our 4th of July trip did me in for a while. A lot of changes in our routine have happened since then, so I am finally starting to get back on track! Actually, I am hoping to keep this an update of all the awesome things the kids are doing these days, but hopefully also include some small fun projects on the house that I am hoping will happen soon, and sooner if we win the lotto! The house is in total disaster mode right now (well, maybe not TOTAL disaster) because we all have been so busy, we have hardly had time to keep up, but that too, we are working on.
Anyway, so here's a quick update: Karmann started Pre-K at her school/daycare. She actually got moved up earlier this summer and was very happy and excelling quickly. The rest of her crew that she's practically grown up with joined her at the end of August, and now they are getting into a groove! She is learning Spanish every day as well as many other interesting subjects and I think she is going to love it!
Max also moved up a classroom, but not quite into the potty training class. Which, as you know if you've followed my blog, was another traumatic experience with karmann, that I am OKAY with not worrying about that right now. AND, I love the new teachers that he has. They have their own classroom blog and upload photos of all the really cool activities that they do every day. You can really see them learning and growing up so fast! So I love it, and so does he. I know I will miss it when he finally does move up!
Kar has also started a new ballet and tap class, which she LOVES as well. We really lucked out, as she was the 1st on the waiting list for this day and time, and so we went to the first class to "try it out" and she was so focused and sweet, and talented, that the teacher called me after the class and said that they were going to accept her into the class as the 11th student (10 was the limit)! So, we've been going ever since. I am thrilled, as she takes it seriously and really tries hard. The tap thing she isn't into as much as the ballet, but its still dance and she'll get into it as the year goes by. She is very graceful and happy when she is there - it is a joy to watch her enjoy it.
Max's personality is really blossoming lately. He is so focused on any type of ball that he can get his hands on and constantly wants to play "catch". Its actually more like Max throws the ball and mom or dad catch the ball and roll it back to him. He can't actually catch yet. His strengths are throwing baseballs and kicking a soccer ball - both he does with his left hand or foot. We hope he will become a left-handed pitcher in the Majors someday, preferably for the Cardinals. But, he even has to go to bed at night with a ball in his bed, take one with him in the car, and he usually has at least 3 in his hands or arms at all times at home. We have misplaced 2 of his favorites today already, and you would think it was the end of the world. Actually, that is one reason why this place looks like it has been turned upside down!
He's also been talking up a storm. He's pretty much a parrot to anything Kar or we say. And he says things very clearly! I am comparing that to his classmates and from what I remember, and I think he's advanced - especially for a boy. The fact that he tells us he wants to watch baseball on TV makes me also think that. Speaking of which he will actually sit and watch baseball. Its a little weird, but if you know us, it is only expected and fits in naturally in the family!
Oh, and I forgot to mention Max's teeth have been slowly but surely growing in. He's got 2 more on the bottom to pop out (where he sucks his fingers), and that will give him a total of 16 teeth (I think). He's had all 4 of his molars for a long time now and is just filling in the gaps. He's not going to be my little hippopotamus anymore!
I'll stop and share some recent photos: Enjoy!