First Day of Preschool!

Wow.  I just can't believe this little one is old enough for preschool.

 We have been talking about it for weeks and last Wednesday he and I headed over to meet his teachers and see his classroom.  He was super excited this morning when he posed for some pictures - and of course he had to include his special book bag.

 

Since today was the first day I walked him into his classroom.  His teachers seem so nice and he was off exploring right away.  He seemed so at home.  I walked over to give him a kiss and tell him goodbye and the poor little guy just lost it.  He didn't want me to leave.  It was awful!  The teacher had to pry him off of my leg so I could leave.  I really wasn't expecting any tears from him so I was surprise - and I may have shed a tear or two myself. I am happy to say it didn't last long.  About ten minutes after I left his teacher sent me a text with a picture of him riding a scooter and flashing a huge grin.  Not a tear in sight.  Will was all smiles when I picked him up and he can't wait to head back on Thursday!



Happy Labor Day!

What an amazing weekend we have had!  Too bad every weekend doesn't include an extra day.  We headed out of town to visit the cousins now that they are all settled into their new house.  The kids were great on the drive - even if we did have to stop six times in as many hours on the way up.   

On Saturday morning we headed out to the Museum of Science and Industry.  I forgot hte camera in the van so I don't have any pictures of this part of our adventure.  I wish I did because the kids loved it.  There was a portion of the museum that was all hands on creative activites for kids.  There was even a portion set aside for little bitty guys, so Jack was able to get in on the action too.  Other highlights included walking on an airplane suspended from the ceiling, driving a simulated combine, and exploring a train.  We need to go back because we only saw a tiny part of it.

On Sunday we headed to the western part of town for an 1890's fair.  From music machines, to jugglers, to a stilt walker.  This place had it all! 

I think their favorite part was the hayride through the fields.  Doesn't Max look too cute in his sunglasses.  So grown up!
The kids also had fun with all the farm animals on display.  Will got up close and personal with a chicken and Max took this cute little lamb for a walk.


Other than these two outings we just enjoyed time with the cousins.  There were a few playground outings, lots of backyard fun, and several delicious meals.  The weekend couldn't have been any better.

Look Whose Walking!

He has come such a long way in the past few months!  At his birthday he wasn't any where near walking and I think at this point he is walking more than crawling.  So I'm calling him officially a walker. 

 Just in time to hit 16 months later this week.  He really looks too cute toddling around the house. 

He is so funny because he mimics everything we do.  Here is has found my cell phone and he put it up to his ear and said hello.  Jack is very proud of his new found walking abilities and I can't wait to see him improve every day.

Superhero Will

 

Will : "I'm a superhero Mommy!"

Mommy: "What is your super power?"

Will: "I make you stop taking picture mommy!"

Mommy:

Will spinning around and around yelling and pointing at the camera

Mommy stops taking pictures because she is laughing so hard.

Will : "See mommy I make you stop taking pictures"

I just can't get enough of this little guy.  I had parent orientation for his preschool today and tomorrow we get to spend an hour with his teacher and classmates.  It should be fun!  Look out Mrs. Jaycox, here comes superhero Will!

First Day of First Grade!

 Can my little baby really be a first grader already?  It just doesn't seem possible.  I'm a bit behind and his first day was actually last Tuesday.  He has a week under his belt and so far so good.  His teacher is really young - I swear she looks about 12.  I think I'm just getting older :) 



It has been nice to get back into the routine of walking to the bus stop twice a day.  Max is always thoughtful when it comes to Jack and he loves pushing his brother in the stroller.  Will thinks its fun because he has more of my attention while his brothers walk ahead. 

 

We were a little sad that Max has a new bus driver.  We loved Bob, his driver from last year.  This lady had some big shoes to fill.  She started off a bit rough - in fact they were 45 minutes late coming home the first day.  Let me tell you, waiting at the corner with no toys, no snacks, and two little boys for a hour is rough.

 

 



Little by little it has been getting better.  She is pretty much on time now.  Max is excited in the afternoon because he has had some homework.  We will see if that lasts.

Our Last Summer Hurrah

Well tomorrow is the big day.  Back to school for Max.  I had great intentions for the last two weeks - you know every attraction in town, the park daily, the pool several times.  I really wanted to make the most of his last two weeks home.  Well it didn't quite work out that way.  The week after vacation we managed an outing or two. 

 We went to Grant's Farm with Nonna, Nonno, and a friend.  The boys had a great time.  Will totally has the hang of feeding the goats and of course Max is an old pro.  He did inform me that after he retires from his job as a train engineer at the zoo he is going to have a career as the tram driver at Grant's Farm.  What big dreams he has :)

We gave Jack a bottle so he could try to feed the goats, but he couldn't quite get things going.  He did love looking at the goats - and I guess they thought he was pretty cute too.

Last week was pretty awful.  We all had miserable colds and it was pretty rainy.  Luckily we were all healthy and the weather held out this morning for a visit to the zoo.  I let Max pick his last summer activity - I wasn't surprised that he said the zoo.  I love how Will is practicing his wave in  this picture.

 

Little by little Jack is getting closer to walking.  I swear I keep saying any day now.  He had fun wandering around the River's Edge with a little help from our friend Karen and his biggest brother.  I just think this picture is precious.

After watching lots of  hippos and elephants we were off to the stingray exhibit.  But first the boys found this giant bug to climb on.

 

 

Our last stop was this special stingray exhibit.  The kids were able to actually pet them as they swam back and forth in the water.  At first Max wasn't so sure.  He was scared he would get stung.  But after I helped him touch one he couldn't get enough.  I love the look for sheer joy on his face.  Jack and Will had fun splashing in the water a bit - that is until the zoo lady told us they couldn't do that.  Their little arms weren't quite long enough to get to the stingrays.  I think Max pet enough for everyone.

 

It is so hard to believe that tomorrow morning I will be putting my baby on the bus to first grade.  Our summer just seemed to fly by.  We had enough fun and hopefully enough down time.  Max and I headed to school today for meet the teacher and I think he is ready to be back.  He misses his little buddies and he is just plain tired of me and his brothers. 

 

The Track

Nonno Mason loves the horse races.  I think it is all the statistical analysis that appeals to him.  Sometimes when we are at Nonna and Nonno's house Max will sit on the couch and watch the horse races on tv with him.  Well last week the boys got to see the real thing!

Nonna and Nonno packed them up and drove to the racetrack and stayed for three races.  The kids got an up close view of the horses - in fact Max told me all about how each horse has a tattoo on its gums that is used for identification. The boys had a great time and I'm so glad they were able to go on this fun adventure.  If I'm honest it was also pretty nice to just have one kid to take care of while they were out and about.  I almost didn't know what to do with myself.  I guess that is a preview of what it will be like once the school year starts for Max and Will!