First Day of School 2013

The last year of preschool has officially begun! Funny how Elise looks so big and mature on her first day. I would swear she looked like a 1st grader!

Luckily daddy was off so he could help take her to school. Like last year, the school bus comes to pick up the kids in the parking lot across the street. It's a fabulous set up as it allows me to keep the babies in the car during drop off and pick ups and it let's Elise feel like a big kid riding the bus alone. A win-win!

Elise wore a new outfit plus new pretty pink shoes (which did end up giving her blisters and she hasn't worn them since!). Nevermind the ever present pink headband!

We were happy to see Ms Elaine... Elise's assistant teacher.

The biggest surprise of all-- bus 23 was back! Elise was speculating that this year she'd be riding bus 24 as another school year had passed. Smart thinking but no luck.

School has been amazing thus far. We were worried how she would handle the afternoon program as Elise usually spends some quiet/naptime alone in her room. But our big kid is arising to the occasion. Everyone is also super excited with Elise's speech progress. Looks like we might be ditching an IEP before we head off to kindergarten!!!

Labor Day

Elise, Hadley, Cecilia

On the eve of Elise's first day of school, it was Labor Day. We spent a nice day home as a family... one of those summer days that feel fabulous. One of those summer days when you are happy, the weather is perfect and the family has a good day together. It's hard to find time to do 'family stuff', squeezed between baby 3 naps, and countless meals- but Jeff and I were determined to get out and do something together... all 5 of us. Wow, 5 sounds like a big number!

For lunch, we took a family walk up to O-Deer Diner. They have outdoor seating and serve yummy American home cooked food like hotdogs and pulled chicken sandwiches. The babies were content to have an outing too even though the day was a bit cool.

Cecilia 7.5 months

Hadley 7.5 months

Sometimes as a parent you have to ignore that your daughter wanted to wear her fairy wings for a walk and that she's worn the same hard, plastic pink headband across her forehead for 3 months straight. Someday we will laugh about it, I'm sure. Have I mentioned that she sleeps with it too?!

It must have been a sign because underneath our table, written in chalk was 'K + J'... and there was an 'E'. I assume that it was Kristin + Jeff and Elise. They forgot the 'C' and 'H'!

Across the street there was a band playing. At one time both babies were tapping their legs to the beat.

Upon heading home, Elise played 'which baby weighs more'. Frankly both Cecilia and Hadley loved being picked up bear hug style. Elise must be strong because they are almost half her body weight. For Christmas maybe Santa will bring a weight belt.

Below is one of my favorite pictures of the day... peanut eating while watching golf. Jeff has a little girl who is so in love with her Daddy. By the way, she's still wearing those fairy wings and headband!

Cecilia Talks!

Cecilia debuts her first word... 'Dada'. Well, we know who is extra proud and happy about her first words! Cecilia has the sweetest little voice. It might be hard to hear. Maybe Hadley will say something else...

Hadley Crawls!

On August 28th, Hadley joined the ranks of the crawling! She loves her new independence. She's not as quick or experienced as big sister Cecilia, but she manages to get to where she wants to go. Hadley is also showing off her first 2 teeth. We had a few extra crabby days while she got her second tooth and tried her first moves by crawling. Now that both are done, we are happy and smiley once again.