Friendship Tree

Super proud parenting moment this week...Harrison teacher had mention to me that Harrison started the idea of the "Friendship Tree" that is on the wall in their school. I didn't really realize what she meant until we saw the sign up at school. Unfortunately I can't get the image to come through without being blurry but is says:

Stepping Stones Friendship Tree

The tree, was started by Harrison (Fitz) a 5 year old boy in our Stepping Stones Program. The tree started out as an individual project and eventually sparked students to work together to make fall leaves for the tree. The group of kind and bright friends decided to create a leaf for all the children in Stepping Stones Classroom. From there the teachers decided to add leaves to the tree every time the boys and girls were caught being kind, caring and helpful members of our classroom community.

The tress is a class symbol of how we are working and growing as a commmunity. We are all here to support and learn from one another this school year.

Latest adventures...

My posts are a bit infrequent so picture mix is random. A little glimpse into the last couple weeks.

The kids and I enjoy a fun evening down by Lake Harriet with some friends while Matt was at a golf tournament. Harrison was excited to take Quinn of her first trolley ride. Unfortunately, I accidentally spilled a glass of lemonade on her had right before the ride.  She actually enjoy the ride but doesn't quite look like in the picture!

 We had a neighborhood "Good Luck on New Adventures" party over Labor Day.  Our good friends and neighbors, the McCambridges are moving to Atlanta this week. Harrison is VERY sad to be saying good-bye to his good buddy Jack.  :(  With some other kids starting new schools, we decide it was all a good reason to rent a bounce house!  Here are some of the bigger kids!

 The kids also decorated bikes for a bike parade! I didn't quite get a picture of all of them but you get the idea!

 H started back of Stepping Stones after Labor Day!

 Here is Q...it is tough to be a princess!

 Q's doll apparently did something to warrant a timeout. Not sure what but I heard Q saying "no, no, no" and putting the doll on the stairs.  Well...at least Q can sympathize with the doll since she might have a bit of experience in the timeout spot.

Finally....Harrison had his first hockey practice. Can't believe we are embarking on the hockey journey.  I told Matt we aren't going to force him to do it. I shouldn't be surprised when he came home and said it was "Awesome! Can I go tomorrow too?"  Yikes!

Summer Photo Shoot

For some reason, my kids are IMPOSSIBLE when we do professional pictures. I can never get one of them together. Oh well...at least our photographer is a good friend of ours and has vowed to figure out the key to getting a good pic of them together. For now, just a few of them separately.

Summer slipping away...

Wow! I can't believe it is the end of August.  I wish I would have been a better blogger because we had so much fun this summer!  

Harrison took golf lessons and loved them!

Harrison's buddy Noah from school was in class with him! (Jack was too!)

Family trip to the como zoo! Harrison always likes going and it was Q's first trip!

There were a few trips to cabins. Harrison went up to Grandma and Grandpa Olmem's cabin for 3 nights without mom and dad! Fishing, canoeing, hiking, swimming, and so much fun!  The whole family went to the Hanson's cabin. (Unfortunately, no pics from either) 

Daddy, Q, and H also went to the Lichty's cabin.  The highlight for H was seeing some bald eagles!

 Q liked driving the boat!

 Harrison participated in a fishing contest...and got second place!

Summer Catch Up!

I have been a bad blogger but it doesn't mean the Lichty's have been just sitting around!  A few catch up pictures.  It has been a great summer with LOTS of fun adventures and playing outside. We just haven't been as good about taking pictures and posting them!

The summer officially started when Harrison graduated from Stepping Stones! (He is actually going back there next year so really is was Graduation Version 1!)  He has loved having gal pal Nora in his class!  And Ms. Coreen could not be a better teacher!

 LOTS of swimming this summer! Edina Pool, Williston Center, St. Louis Park Pool, cabins...you name it, they love it!

 There has even been some backyard swimming with Nora and Jack.

 Biggest news of the summer...No training wheels!

 Of course, the summer also brings Harrison's 5th birthday!  He could pick whatever he wanted for breakfast...Yo!Yo!Donuts!

Birthday Dinner at Bennihana!

One sad note, we had to say good bye to our beloved Grandma Grace. She was 96 and we were so blessed to have her in our lives.  The weekend of her memorial was just how she would have wanted it...family gathered and enjoying each other with kids running around.

 Both Uncles (and an Aunt) made it back for the Memorial. Harrison LOVES having everyone visit!

 Grandma Grace with Quinlan Grace

Fitz's 5th Birthday!

We are long overdue for a blog posting.  I will post a big "Summer 2013" spot soon!  In the meantime, we are in the midst of birthday celebrations for Harrison!

We had our first "friend" party this year. In the past we have just done a BBQ with our friends and their kids. This year we had 9 boys and 1 gal pal (and two little sisters) for a fun shark themed party at the Williston Center!

First up...the TreeHouse Play Structure!

 The little sisters kept up with the boys!

 The big slide! Lots of races down the slide!

 The worked up an appetite playing.  Time for pizza!

 Harrison was kind enough to let his sister go first for the pinata!

 Harrison gave the shark his best effort!

 Ethan was serious about getting that candy!

 Don't sell Harrison's best gal pal Nora short. She was in the mix!

 Finally!!!!  Candy for everyone!

Camden was very excited about his loot!

Cake time!  Shark cake and sea creature cupcakes!

 

 After gift time....the Splash Pad was open for business!

 Slides and daddy's to climb on!

Such a great group of kids!