Counters & Sink

Our new sink and counters, which we have had for a while. Just finally able to share them with you. Little details are all that needs to be completed, trim and base! Soooo beautiful and functional. I do not mind spending all day in this kitchen. And some days feel like I never leave the kitchen!

Past Events

Here is evidence for one of Simon's summer accomplishments. It may not seem huge, but it was remarkable for him. He finally enjoyed going under the "mushroom" this summer. He had been terrified of it in the past!

Simon insisted on wearing my long forgotten swim goggles we discovered just before Uncle Gordon's pool party the weekend of labor day! He napped on the way and this was too precious to not capture.

Then Simon thought Norah needed to wear his goggles!

Aunt Christina gave Simon an entertaining book called the "Runaway Dinner", which has become a favorite in our house. This book has been read numerous times. I was making our weekly meal plan and grocery list and could not think of any meals. I asked Simon if we should have a runaway dinner and the answer was an enthusiastic "yes". I even drew a picture for him to color and we read the book before our dinner. It is a fantastic story and we're working on making the dinner more delicious! How about that for bridging literacy into our daily activities? Oh, by the way, we ate sausage (named Melvin), peas (all boys -Percival, Peter and Paul), carrots (all girls - Caroline, Clara, and Christabel), and fries (too many to name, but with French names like Francois and Fifi). Even little Norah joined in with her mashed carrots! We skipped the plum pie, yes, the plum pie for dessert!

Our Lil' Preschooler

Here we are, three years later and in preschool! It is amazing how newborn, infant, baby and toddler seem so far away from preschool. But now our daily conversations are about new teachers (Ms. Pat and Ms. Erin), new friends, projects, stories, songs, snack, and play! Simon knows which direction down Ardmore is his preschool and that it is across the street from the library. He asks to see the door he goes into each time we drive by the church.

Ten minutes before we left the house for his first day, he cried "I want blankie" and "I need Dad-dy". He was so unsure about what was to happen. We have talked about it like crazy, but that doesn't mean he knows exactly what preschool without Mommy or Daddy will be like. We walked in with him and hung up his backpack, found his name tag, and got him settled playing with the toys. Then we told him that we were leaving. He walked towards us but left some distance, threw his arm up in the air and shouted "bye". He had a great first day. Not that we heard a lot of details despite our numerous question prompts. According to him he made a project (magnet), Ms. Pat sang Twinkle Star, he played boat with boys, had a snack, and did not go to the bathroom!

Visitation day; Ms. Erin helps Simon find his cubby and empty the school supplies out of his backpack. School supplies consisted of a box of tissues, juice, disposable camera, and an extra set of clothes.

Tuesday September 9, 2008 on our way to preschool. The front porch picture.

The school sign picture.

This is the door that Simon goes into for preschool. The basement window to his right/our left looks into his classroom.

On his way!

Simon's cubby!

Playing with toys and a new friend the first day, just before Mommy's and Daddy's good-bye! His preschool is a magical place just for him to explore, enjoy, and grow. He is going to love it!

5 Months Old

Norah was 5 months on August 17th. I know we are approaching 6 months, but the last month has been crazy with me getting ready to go back to work and Simon starting preschool. It didn't help that my job placement changed the second week of school. So much for trying to start ahead. I at least remember to take the picture to mark her monthly birthdays.

At the Zoo with Cousins

We went to the Brookfield Zoo with cousins and had a great time. Here are the highlights from the fun we had with all the little people!

Here is how we kept the four walkers all together when walking from animal to animal.

The three babies (Norah, Michela, & Christina) stretching out during our lunch break.

Our picnic lunch from left to right - Regina, Nathaniel, Jessica, and Simon.

Simon and cousin Christina

Jessica and Norah

The kiddos enjoyed running from Maureen to me and gave a big running hug!

The boys ran one way while the girls ran the other way!

This and That

Finally some new pictures! Quite behind and not quite enough time ever to catch up! Enjoy

Dish Tub Bath - we bought three of these to use as temporary sinks while we waited for our counters and sink. One bin to hold dirty dishes, another to wash and a third for rinsing. This size also worked great to wash little Norah!

Goodbye old yellow counter top! A junk truck gladly took it away for free!!!

Sand Blast! A load of sand was dumped at a middle school and opened to kids for sand play. Sprinklers were set up as well. We enjoyed a fun afternoon playing in the sand, covering our toes, holding the sand and then prevening Norah from eating the sand.

Play time with Daddy!!!

Norah has discovered her toes, and now she cannot grab them enough. She even thinks they area tasty treat.

Simon does not nap every day; but he does rest/take break every day. He lays on his bed and looks at books. Most days he will fall asleep. And this is how I found him one day.