Where we are today

Well, that whole posting thing on a regular basis didn't seem to stick now... Anyway, here I am again.

As I picked up the children from school yesterday, Ryan was so excited to tell me about what happened at the end of the day. Apparently, he looked at the clock and started to countdown from 10 to 1 and just when he got to the end, he pointed to the clock and the bell rang! I'm pretty sure there's a second hand on that clock in his classroom, so really, it's no big surprise that he did this but that little boy was absolutely proud of his feat of timing.

If only we all could see such incredibleness in our accomplishments...

A photo from the first day of school... a new school for us, too.

And Ashleigh... she's home today with a bad cough and just feeling run down. Not sure if it's the new petri dish of germs we have been exposed to at the new school or late summer allergies or particulates in the air from the fire on Mt. Diablo that are bothering all of us. Either way, she's here with me and I am so thankful to be able to stay home with her even if she loves watching those Full House episodes over and over and over and over again... have mercy.

Dare Devil

How to get a free cherry Popsicle:

Jump off your friend's two sizes too big bicycle and face plant into your sister's bicycle's handlebars which then results in a gash to your lip requiring stitches at the emergency room where they give away Popsicles to brave little boys.



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Long Monday

Today was a field trip to the Lawrence Hall of Science.  It was a great adventure up in the foggy Berkeley Hills.

Later, after getting home at about 2pm and then doing carpool at 2:45 and then pick up again at 3:45 for Ashleigh after her Art class, I was exhausted.

At 6pm, it was back to school for Girl Scouts.

Finally home at 7:30 and then showers for everyone.

At about 8:15, after reading 3 short books, I tucked the girl and the boy in by myself as Dave was attending an 'After Busy Season' dinner.  I closed Ryan's door and said (I thought to myself) "Whew, what a day."  I heard Ryan say softly, "Yeah, Mama, let's see what tomorrow brings!"  Okay, sweet boy... just give me a short breather tonight.

Bowling with Preschoolers

The other week, Ryan's class went bowling as a field trip.  Fun, fun, fun!  Actually, it was the best time I've ever had there and it was a lot of fun.

I set my phone down..

... and Ryan picked it up and played with the camera.  These were taken one after the other...

I made this cake.

And it didn't tip over but it nearly did.  

We celebrated Ryan's birthday with his preschool chums at a place called Pump It Up.  A big building with a ton of bounce houses inside.  Lots of jumping, more jumping, jump, jump, jump and jump again.

I made the cake because, well, I just don't really make that many birthday cakes and, well, my mom usually makes the cakes for the children.  Chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, cocoa puffs, chocolate glazed doughnut holes, oh, and I almost forgot, chocolate sugar wafers.  You get the picture, right, and the toothache just by reading?

Here's the birthday boy in the pumped up chair.

Ryan.

His favorite toys are Legos and Transformers.

His favorite TV show is Cars.

His best friend is Lucas.

His favorite color is blue.

He still loves chocolate.

Today, he is five.  A whole handful.  We went to the zoo and had pizza with olives and pineapple for dinner followed by chocolate cake.  Perfect day for a perfect 5 year old.

Happy Birthday, baby boy.

Today.

Today she started Kindergarten... she was so excited and handled everything like a pro. It was good to find out what exactly would happen so she could anticipate the morning routine. She stood in line gave us the thumbs up, waved goodbye and then walked right into the classroom. Such confidence in that girl... really how did that happen? Not where did the time go because well I've been here everyday... but really how did she get this brave and fearless and well dang it all I want to still help her put on her shoes and open up her straw for her. I know I can still do that but still... geesh.

Oh and just for the record I didn't imbibe in any sort of liquid courage to get myself through the morning.

The boy was there too... he wasn't sad to see his sister go. In fact, after we dropped Dave off at the BART station, Ryan told me, "Just you and me, Mama." Yup, baby, just you and me... Thank goodness I still have you for a couple more years...

Good things.

Nothing ever happens neatly and succinctly except for Martha Stewart and well she's divorced and has done time in the slammer... hmmm...





He told me he was a tiger. God bless Crayola.

Little boy in the bath.

When he's done he always tells us how he misses the water and wants it to come back.

The Graduates

She is now no longer in preschool... sigh... with a stitch of excitement, too.


The boy, too, graduated from the 3's class to, well, the 3's class. He has another 2 years there before they let him out. Clearly, from the photo, he is not ready... :)

Hi.

It's been a while and well I have no real idea why. Since my last post I fought a battle with allergies. Literally right after I posted about not getting sick. Karma.

I'll post some photos of the last few weeks (Easter, the front yard remodel, preschool and everyday goodness) soon but here's one from this morning. Ryan and I are at home while Ashleigh is at preschool and Dave is at work. Back to the routine... whatever that is.



Isn't it cute when kids drink milk from mugs? I think so... especially with a big ole mustache, too.

January photos, Part 3

at the end of his 3rd birthday.  after a bath with his puppy towel on his head, cuddled up on his daddy's lap listening to books right before bedtime... sometimes you just want to drift off to dreamland with them.

January photos, Part 2

the boy and I.

big smile with his gift from sister.

checking out the gift from sister.  duck from the show, word world.

a boy and his bike, our present to him.  he's off!

singing happy birthday.  he smiled at me the whole time.  such a sweetie.

Ryan had a good run at 2.

He learned how to ride a tricycle.  He started preschool.  He nearly knocked out his two front teeth.  And he refined his love of chocolate.  Tomorrow he turns three.  

He is a little ball of dare devil energy swirled around a sweet and gentle baby boy.  

Whew, the so called "terrible twos" are over for us.  You know, I say this as I cross my fingers and toes and knock on wood as I smile down the barrel of three.

Preschool Holiday Recital, Part 1

Today Ryan's class held its holiday sing a long potluck recital dealie.  Ryan marched in with the others jingling all the way.  It was somewhere around the 2nd song that he decided it wasn't for him.  Eh, it's okay.  We enjoyed ourselves nonetheless.  Tomorrow we do it all again for Ashleigh's class.

This is basically where Ryan sat the majority of the time... next to me.  

Meeting Santa

We travelled up to my mom's this weekend and went to the same place we went to last year to visit Santa.  No waiting, great big Santa, photos and a candy cane... it's great.  Plus, there's a great little restaurant right up the street if you can get a reservation.  

Ashleigh knew just what to do.  

This is as close as Ryan would get to the jolly old elf and in his words was "a wittwle scared" this time.  

the boy and the advent calendar

So Grammie and Papa gave Ashleigh & Ryan advent calendars at Thanksgiving.   Well, the 5 year old girl understands.  Each day until Christmas you open up a little door revealing a picture and a small piece of chocolate.  The nearly 3 year old boy does not understand.  You just don't open each little door at once and eat all the chocolate right now?  Huh?  Patience?  Bah, patience!  It was a serious challenge to get the boy to comprehend it all... we're on day 4 and only one extra door has been opened... not too bad.  

Her name is what Ryan?

"Rrrroorry," he says.  Rory is a friend from preschool.  Another mom and I have both of our children enrolled there and in a pinch we can call on each other for help.  My son is a bit smitten by Rory.  It really is fun to watch them play together or have a conversation or snuggle up while watching a show.

Our reluctant fireman

So for some strange reason the boy was willing to get into costume this morning.  He even wore safety glasses.  I'm not sure even the bribery of candy will get him to wear it again as he tore it all off when we arrived at preschool.  It's such a cute costume... and he is such a cutie.