These Cool Things Called Hands

Sunday

Littlest Sis came with me to my alterations (on a bridesmaid dress) appointment today. It took a good little while, and when I looked over at her I saw that she was having a grand ol' time playing with the her take-a-long friends.

She has reached for things before, but this is the first time I have seen her really intentionally grabbing and batting at a toy!

Apparently the pink snail is the most intriguing of the take-a-long trio.

Phew...that was exhausting! Back to the very best past time of all!

Beauty from Ash

Saturday

The sky was absolutely beautiful Saturday evening!

I learned via my dad (meteorologist/encyclopedia of all things celestial) that volcanic activity in Alaska has thrown ash into the atmosphere that has, in turn, caused our recent sunsets to have a particularily brilliant red glow. Stunning!

She thinks he's so cool!!!

Scenes from Buggy's Big Day

Friday

It's official. My baby boy is now a great big Preschooler! I can't believe the time has come already! Here are some scenes from the big day...

Out front before school...Daddy took these first two pics but I had to include them. Younger Brother is seriously a miniature version of his dad, right down to the sideways smile! :)

Daddy isn't handling this milestone very well. Can you tell?

Here he is in the lobby at school.

He and Big Sis kept a watchful eye on the hallway waiting for his teacher to appear.

They were happy to show off their dual backpacks.

Daddy was trying to convince Younger Brother to stay at home with him forever.

There was much excitement when his teacher arrived in the lobby to retrieve the newest class of Preschoolers. He made sure to show her his backpack too.

She was a good sport of course.

As they lined up, it was sweet to see him look around for Daddy and wave goodbye.

There they go! This is the part where only one or two kids even look back, and where almost every mom is standing in the lobby with wadded up tissues blotting away tears.

Well, we both made it through the 2hrs and 45mins of the first day. And apparently he had a blast! When I showed up to get him, he came bounding out of the door, hugged my leg, and began telling me all about his day. Then he took me outside to see the playground.

I probably should have reversed these last two pictures, huh? Oh well.

The preschoolers all get a stamp at the end of the day. On the drive home he randomly blurted out, "And mommy, I love my stamp!"

I think it's safe to say he had a pretty good first day!

Preschool Already?!

I can't believe my baby boy is starting school tomorrow! Today we went for visit day to meet his teacher and see his classroom. So far so good!

He immediately zoned in on the computer. Hmmm...looks like a video game!

I remember these things from when I was a kid. Very cool. They were a hit with Buggy too!

He's totally testing out the coat hook for "climb-a-bility!"

I tried to break him away long enough to get a picture with his new teacher. She cooperated anyway. :)

They passed out these little gift boxes containing a tissue and a Hershey kiss to all of the moms at orientation. I picked up a manly looking one for Daddy. I think he has shed more tears over this than when Theoden died in Lord of the Rings!

Tomatertots and Mosquitols

Tonight, Younger Brother requested that we have tomatertots and mosquitols with our chicken and green beans...

See! Tomatertots...and...Mosquitols.

It's a good thing I knew what he meant. Or dinner might have been a much different affair! :)

1st Day of 1st Grade!

Today officially began Biggest Brother's school-age career! He has literally been counting down the days! He is thrilled about everything from riding the bus, to being at school all day long, and even uniforms. He is ultra proud to be a big first grader!

Here's a quick shot of him out front before we ran to the bus stop...literally. I had to keep catching him and Younger Brother by their backpacks to keep them from leaving me in the dust.
First sight of the school bus.

I have to admire his confidence! He has never ridden the bus before. We found out as he was boarding that he takes this bus to one location, and then catches a different bus that takes him on to school. That information was somewhat sprung on us! I told him the number of the other bus and questioned him as to whether or not he felt okay with that. His response, "Yep! Bye Mom!"


Poor Buggy...he wants to be a big kid so bad! He does get to go to preschool this year, but does not get to ride the bus. I explained that to him ahead of time, but he still wanted to put on his backpack and accompany Biggest Brother to the bus stop. He looked so pitiful waiting there on the sidewalk while I was getting brother squared away.

That's it. Off he goes! sniff sniff

Okay, I had originally planned to follow the bus to school...or "stalk the bus" as my husband called it. I didn't go that far. But I did hurry on ahead of him to be sure he arrived okay. Daddy said it's a good thing that he's only in first grade lest I have sabotaged his whole social existence by waiting there with my camera for him to get off the bus.

He made it! Apparently the bus transfer was no big deal.

(btw the Target bag is additional school supplies)

He had to show off the cool new lunch box from Grandma K!

Last minute photo op outside of school.

All of the kids met in the chapel for the start of the first day.

He was excited to see old friends again. They all look so stinkin' cute in their uniforms!

Here's me saying, "Aw com'on, you know you want to take one last picture with me!" And him saying (verbatim), "Mommm, I gotta go!!!"

Aww, that was nice! Someday he's going to be too cool for this.

All lined up and ready to go - Thus begins first grade!

Back at home, I pulled out the surprise I had been hiding in my closet for Big Sis for this day. She was super excited, and happy to show off her Tinkerbell "packpack"!

She was spinning around here to model it. Too bad the camera doesn't show motion.

I'm pretty sure she had this on until about 6pm!

Biggest Brother had early dismissal today, so I picked him up rather than having him ride the bus home. I did not take a camera with me this time. But apparently, he had a fantastic day! When I showed up, he informed me that he wasn't ready to go home and would like to stay for two more hours!

Closin' Down the Summer

Alas, the end of summer is upon us. Man that was fast! Daddy had to work today, so the kids and I decided to make the best of our last summer Sunday before the start of school.

Littlest Sis is still too young to soak up the rays, but that didn't stop her from looking super cute in her bathing suit.

"The baby on my shoulder made me do it!"

It was a nice hot day, so we pulled out all the water stops.

Littlest Sis promptly drifted off to dreamy land under the backyard tree.

Younger Brother loves to dish it out with the squirt guns...but (shhh) he isn't very good about paybacks.

I told Biggest Brother to give Younger Brother a break so he decided to try his hand at writing his name in water.

She's still my bubbles and love.

Biggest Brother was not totally comprehending the object of limbo.

Younger Brother discovered that this was a pretty good vantage point.

I think this is the first time Big Sis has actually participated in sprinkler fun.

What's a final summer hoorah without fairy bread?!

Watching Big Sis eat fairy bread is an impressively grotesque experience. It reminds me a bit of that Asian man that wins all of those hot dog eating contests. I cut her sandwich into four pieces and she shovels the entire sailboat shaped piece down in one bite!

The boys decided to stay out back for a while longer while the girls came in and enjoyed some cuddle time together in the chair. Well, until a minor altercation occured between them. But it was awfully sweet while it lasted!