Preschool

I have been meaning to write about Ellie and Kate's first day of preschool.  They have now gone four times, so I guess it is time to fill you in on how it has been going.  Their first day was August 30, they go every Tuesday from 9am to 2pm.  I had mixed emotions about sending my babies the first day.  It was hard to imagine spending 5 hours without them, but I knew it would be good for them, and good for Jack and me to spend some one on one time together.  So Monday night was spent packing lunches, labeling blankies, preparing nap mats and backpacks, and laying out 'first day of school' outfits.  Todd went in to work late that day so we could take them together for their first day.  After 4 weeks, and doing as much as I can the night before, it still takes over an hour to get everyone up, fed, dressed, and into the car.  I had great plans to get a bunch of pictures, but these were the only decent ones I had time to get.

 

Once we got to school, we put their belongings in their bin and waved bye-bye.  Here are their little back-pack bins.  (Ellie even found the one with her name!)

 Ellie was a little unsure about things and I think Kate was just eager to play with all the new things.  They both fussed a little when we dropped them off, but I think I was more upset than they were.  I felt like I had tricked them.  I have never dropped them off anywhere and then left.  I really don't think they understood what was going on that first day, but now they sure do.  When I came to pick them up, I was so happy to see them!  I got two big hugs and smiles ear to ear.  Once we were in the car driving home, I asked the girls if they had fun at school.  Ellie just gave me a look like, you better not leave me there again, but Kate exclaimed, "happy school! Happy school!"  So I know someone had a good time :)  Drop off the second week was much harder than the first!  I didn't have Todd with me, so I put Kate and Ellie in the double stroller, hook two back-packs, two lunch boxes, and two nap mats on to the stroller handles and strap Jack into the baby bjorn.  I get all kinds of looks and have to open both of the double doors to get into the building.  All the while Kate is crying for her blankie and Ellie is saying, "No school, no school".  It is very sad.  But on both the first and second day I called the school's director about a half hour after drop off and she checked on them and said they were happily participating.  So I know they are having fun, socializing and learning so much!  Each week they do circle time, arts and crafts, music class, chapel, and romp (in-door play area).  We get newsletters telling us about the curriculum.  They list books and topics and the color, shape, and letter they are currently working on.  Here are some of their art projects:

Can you tell how much they enjoyed the hats?

Ellie actually wore her hat to bed and I had to sneak in and get it after she fell asleep.

They made these fall trees by stamping a balloon in paint.  How fun! 

Glitter names.  These are on the fridge and they love pointing to their 'shiny name' as they call it.

So that is the update on Preschool for now.  Each week they get a little better about not crying when I drop them off.  This last Tuesday, as soon as we pulled into the parking lot, Ellie started saying, "no school, go to Target".  Apparently I take the girls there a little too often :)

Perfect Day for the Park

Well the weather finally cooled down this weekend, and with a forcasted high of 85 today, we couldn't resist heading to the park.  The kids haven't been feeling 100% and they all have a runny nose, but everyone seemed to enjoy getting out of the house and being outdoors.  I cannot wait for fall and more days like this!

I had to post this one mostly because Ellie's hair has finally started growing!

6 Month Stats

Our little precious boy is 6 months old!  I cannot even begin to describe how much we love this little guy.  We have been so lucky to have such an easy going, content baby.  He is happy to just sit back and watch his crazy sisters.  Jack laughs at them and is already very interested in all their things, especially their sippy cups!  I have caught him stealing sips of the girls' watered down apple juice.  Here is a list of some of Jack's current likes, dislikes, and accomplishments:
-He loves rocking himself in his carseat
-He can roll around pretty well and uses this skill to reach things he wants
-Has figured out how to jump in the jumperoo
-He likes chewing on everything ( I keeping thinking he is teething, but nothing so far)
-He loves paper, wrinkling it, the sound it makes, and trying to eat it.  (He had a ball with the paper on the table at the doctor's office!)
-He has great hand-eye coordination and is always reaching for and grabbing things around him.
-He has started sleeping in his crib in his room at night, but still snuggles in bed with mommy for naps
-Sleeps mostly on his side or tummy now
-Nurses about 6 times a day and 1 or 2 times during the night
-Tried cereal and sweet potatoes so far and didn't like either
-Can balance in a sitting position for 10-15 seconds
-He loves watching his sisters and recieving kisses from them
-Will let anyone hold him and is quick to smile when smiled at
-Loves when Daddy makes him 'fly' by holding him up high and zooming around
-He very rarely cries, but 'talks' rather loud at times :)
-He loves kisses and closes his eyes, smiles, and coos eveytime I smooch him!

And now for his official stats:
weight- 16lb 4oz  (30%)
length- 28in  (80%)
Long and lean for now.  The pediatrician said he may bulk up a little once he starts eating more solids.  Here is our sweet pea at the doctor's office right before he got his shots.