BIG NEWS!!!!

Last weekend we said goodbye to our cribs and hello to our big kids beds.

Daddy worked hard and Mommy mostly cried. Maybe it was just a lot to ask of Mommy to send her babies to school for the first time and then send the cribs away too . . .

But the big kids beds are fantastic! We are all very excited and bed time has become a little easier.

We are sleeping soundly until about 3 or 4 in the morning when Janie comes in and says, "Hi Mommy, I just look for you."

First Day of School

Today was the kids' first day of pre-school. We couldn't believe it was finally here. We mentally and emotionally prepared for this day for months and today was the day! We started the morning with a trip to the bagel shop for a quick bite before starting our new adventure.

Then we headed off to school which started at 10 but we were way early. We were the first ones there so we stopped for a quick pic at the teddy bear sign. Our school is referred to as the Teddy Bear school just because of this sign.

Before making our way to Classroom 2 which is our classroom, we had to use the potty. But unfortunately, Kylie didn't make it there in time and we had to change clothes right before meeting our new teachers, Ms. Allison and Mrs. Janet. I was a little embarassed because our kids seemed to be the most boisterous of all the many kids that were there. They were running around yelling, "Hi friends!" And all of the other kids seemed pretty quiet, sticking close to their parents. Of course one of the things we did to prepare them for school was tell them about all the new friends they would make. Boy, they really hung on to those words. So, needless to say I was wondering if all the other parents were whispering, "Whose kids are those? They seem a little out of control!" But maybe that's just me being paranoid.

Once the parent orientation meeting started, Daddy snuck off to see how things were going. All was well and he managed to snap a quick picture of the goings on. I'm sure the playdough was the big hit for my kids.

This is me waiting in line to submit the paperwork and pay A LOT of money for this whole new CRAZY experience. After an hour, the meeting was adjourned and class was over. Time to pick up the kids! I wondered what they would say about their first day. I envisioned three terribly excited kids jabbering about their exciting first hour of school. I just knew we were going to hear all about the fun they had. And when we signed for them at the door and they came walking out, not one peep from them. WHAT??!! Seriously, not one word. We kept asking and asking how their first day went. Not a word was uttered. What had they done to my kids? Finally Daddy said, "What happened to you guys? Are you okay?" And they got in the car and asked us, "Could you turn on the TV please?" Oh my God what does this mean? (I thought to myself) Well, we got home and they ate a big lunch and then went to sleep. This was the answer to my prayers, the thing I've been searching for. When they woke up they were back to normal. The only thing they could tell me about their day was about a song they sang where a shark ate a fish, belched, and then said, "Oh No!" All right, good enough for me.

Last Summer Outing Before School Starts

For our last fun outing before school starts, we went to the Long Beach Aquarium. We had a great time . . . the kids loved it!

We got a lot of pictures of the backs of the kids' heads. But I really liked this one because this was one of the kids' favorite exhibits. These are jelly fish and they are extraordinary to look at. They are so graceful in the way they move in the water. Fascinating!

Another back of the head shot but the aquariums are just gorgeous.

The shark exhibit was exceptional. This particular shark is the one that pooped in the water which is the only thing the kids really remembered. All day they kept talking about how that shark should have used the potty chair so he could get a lollypop. K said, "That's isgusting!" Translation: That's disgusting! She was right . . . pretty gross.

Probably the most fascinating part of the day is that Daddy managed to snap a pretty good pic of the kids and me.

This is a good one of Daddy and the gang. Daddy's finally learning how to smile for the camera . . . good job Daddy!

All in all it was a great way to end the summer vacation. After the aquarium we headed over to Chili's for lunch then we went home for quiet time which always the best part of any day! Love to you all.

August and Everything

The last two weeks of August were really busy and that's why it's been a while since the last post. It was a great month, though, with a few milestones along the way. We went to Grammie and PapPap's house and went swimming in the big pool. J and K had a blast and R didn't go in the water at all. Then we had lots of good eats, compliments of Mom and Aunt Juli. Daddy says J looks like a Flamingo in this pic.




For dessert, all the kids had ice cream sandwiches.










Then Me-Mom and Auntie Lauren, or Warren as the kids pronounce it, came to visit and everyone had a great time.









We had a Sponge Bob celebration for Daddy's 40th!!!!

Me-Mom never gives me a good photo op because she hates to have her picture taken but I did the best I could . . . sorry Me-Mom . . .

The kids are really missing everyone. But August came and went and now we're getting ready for pre-school which starts on September 11!!!! The kids are potty-trained (whew!) and they got their back-packs and lunch pales. So all that's left is getting Mom and Dad through the first day of school . . . wish us luck!

p.s. The title of this post is a reference to my very all-time favorite cd by the Counting Crows entitled, "August and Everything." It's worth a listen!