Saturday, December 28, 2013

First days of Charlie's new preschool

 Charlie started a new therapeutic preschool in the end of August. It's going to be a great environment for him- small class sizes, lots of teacher/volunteer support, and a program designed for his unique needs. We were and are so thrilled with it. It's Monday through Friday from 12-3 and it's downtown. The driving to and from has been quite an adjustment for me (and the kids, especially George- it's about 20 minutes one way, for a grand total of 80 minutes of drive time daily for me and Georgie) but it's worth it. And it reminds me of my mom driving me and my siblings for so many years across town to Lowell Elementary for ELP. The things we parents will do for our kids!

New lunchbox and a traditional first day note!

Charlie is my best poser by far


Yelling at me when I asked him for a smiling one...

A few days later I got a more traditional first picture- here his is showing off his new backpack he got from school





His transition was a little rough- after the first week or so he was having severe separation anxiety and crying for almost an hour after I left him. (It got particularly rough after I went to a doTERRA retreat and left him with Dad and babysitters- too much for my little guy all at once). So for a week, I got a sitter for George and went with Charlie to school. It was such a privilege to be there with him and his little classmates and learn first hand some of the ways they talk to the kids and help them through difficult moments. I really bonded with Charlie and all the kids and the teachers. 

I was allowed to take these pictures to show Charlie that he DOES indeed have fun at preschool. :) Here he is with his beloved teacher Caity (who sadly switched to a different class in December). 

George is 2! September 2013

We hosted a family birthday party for George's 2nd birthday. It was hot but we hung outside anyway and let the kids run wild in our slightly wild backyard. :)

This birthday boy needed a bath before the party. I love that he's still small enough to squeeze in the kitchen sink for a bath. :)

Mantel display in honor of Georgie




Letting go of elaborate birthday cakes is part of my simplifying life these days. Feeling good about it!






Cousins!

Sweet little birthday boy and his mom

Great work in progress shot of our backyard during the party...

Love this little serious face

Check out Daddy and Charlie "helping" with those candles




Intent on that ice cream!

The Jeep- popular as always

Jude loved that little beat up shopping cart toy

This was how Charlie wanted to pose for me. I kind of loved it. 


Thursday, December 26, 2013

August 2013

We mostly helped Grandma and Grandpa pack and move and played in the yard in August. It was very hot!
It was a hot summer! Charlie's the best poser ever. 





Baby Mark saying goodbye to Grandma as Cat's family headed home





teaching Charlie to sleep in a big boy bed has been tiring for all of us. Here he is sacked out in the car on the way home. 

Visiting the fun splash park

My best helper watering the flowers

Squeezing into the train at Shivers





Loving the backyard weather- why not have naked time eating Creamies?

One last picture going up 1300 South

Lily in the empty garage after a long night of moving stuff

Saying goodbye to my parents' home on 1300 South

Grandma Sue's gorgeous back porch flowers