Teeth Counting

I asked him, "Which was more fun, going to the dentist or going to school today?"

He responded, "The Dentist!"



Jack loved his first trip to the dentist. He got to move the chair up and down, play with a drinking fountain and they gave him a new toy school bus when he was all done. I can see why he loved his time at the dentist.

Preschool Day 1

Jack started Preschool today.

Jack loves his back pack. It is HUGE. He picked it out himself.

Getting ready to go.

All of his favorites are on the step with him. (excavator, backhoe and Barney)

This is Jack with his teacher, Lisa. She is explaining the choice board to him. He is trying to decide between playdough and house keeping. (Housekeeping is basically playing house)

He chose playdough and was thrilled to roll it out and play. He could not be bothered to say good bye because he was having so much fun so we waved and said we would be back and left him to the good care of his teachers.

Addy and I both cried for different reasons when we left. Addy was sad that she did not get to stay and play. I was a bit emotional over the idea of leaving Jack with virtual strangers and hoping that they love the boy I love too. He is such a joy to watch as he curiously and enthusiastically embraces life and I wish I could be a fly on the wall as he enjoys his first day of school and I can't wait to hear his report of the day.

* Jack is now home having some quiet time. He is worn out but had a great day. When I asked him what his favorite part of the day was, he responded, "I played." Sounds like a successful day at preschool.

"Did you ever think we would have this much fun?"

That was the question that Ryan asked as we enjoyed a family dinner with our children.



He was referring of course to the adventure we started 7 years ago this week.

To document the fun we are having, we did this.

Swimming Lessons

In an attempt to pretend that summer is not ending, I will post some fun in the pool.

Jack and friends on their last day of swimming lessons.

Generous friends shared their pool(s) with us this summer and we enjoyed every minute of it.

Here's Jack trying to distract his teacher, Libby, by pointing out an airplane flying overhead. He was less than thrilled to be floating on his back. Holding still and relaxing is just not as fun as doing the monkey crawl, blowing bubbles, jumping in or doing "blastoffs".

After lessons, Addy would get in and drive around in her boat. She LOVES the pool too.

She loves to jump in to the pool, stick her face under water, kick and splash.
(Mom, don't freak out, I am just outside of this picture within arms
reach to catch her if she goes under.)

As you can see, Jack mastered the jumping in to the pool too.

We're lucky to have such fun friends and fun places to spend our time.


I miss summer already.

Saturday at Stony Brook

Ryan had the WHOLE day off on Saturday so we headed down to Stony Brook.

We walked in the water.
(or should I say, Jack pulled me down the stream. He was so excited to walk in the water and through rocks)
We were reminded that Addy has no fear and will try anything.
She loved walking through the fast moving water the best.
Maybe she will become a river guide.

Jack got to TOUCH a waterfall.

I know this picture is blurry but it shows Jack's pure excitement while telling me he touched a waterfall. He loves waterfalls. Thanks R1 for braving the cold water.

We played at the really cool playground.
Addy's knew favorite playground fun.

Cooling off after a perfect day.

To the Rescue*

We were having a rough week with Ryan working nights and then Annabel came and saved the week.

We are HUGE fans of Annabel at our house. She comes at least once a week when she is not in school and entertains [keeps them from eating play dough, running in the street, poking their eyes out etc.] my kids while I get things done around the house (or just sit down and do nothing for a little while:). She is full of energy and excitement and she knows what Jack and Addy like to do. When I came downstairs to find this happy scene, they were singing a silly song about a moose. Delightful.

Thank you Annabel!



*(oh and Anna you will appreciate that I sang the entire theme song to
Super Why when I typed the title for this post.)

Corbett's Glen

Last Saturday, we enjoyed some brief time between Ryan's sleeping/naps while he works nights to play in the water at Corbett's Glen.

It's more fun to play with friends so we asked some new friends in our neighborhood to join us.
Here they are chasing a Monarch Butterfly in the field. Poor butterfly looked terrified.

Jack loves to make a splash. He would have stayed here all day.

I was busy keeping Addy from sucking on the rocks. We do not need another case of Giardia (or as my Dad likes to say, "The prettiest protozoan.") at our house. Uncle Mikey would agree, I think.