Ethan's Pumpkin Song

Ethan learned a new song at school today. I love hearing him sing and love that he is having fun at school. Here is a snippet of my little performer and his hyperactive sister (you'll see).

Ethan's Third Birthday Party

Here are a few pics from Ethan's Birthday Party. It was at the police station and Dwayne gave everyone a tour of the station and then walked us over the the fire station. The fire men were on a call but they let the kids play on the truck and everyone had fun. We ended the party with a visit from MaGruff, the crime fighting dog (Dwayne in costume). The kids were divided on this; some loved him and ran up to give him hugs, and some were scared and burst into tears, including Carly who ran out of the room screaming. One little girl (Amanda) asked her mom, "Mommy, did that dog come here to scare us?" We later told Carly that Magruff was really Daddy in a costume, and she laughed but still did not want to go near him! Just goes to show that even with your best intentions, you can't please all kids all the time!

Ethan's New Bed

Well, Ethan made it through his first night in his new bed. He only got up once after we put him in the bed and tucked him in. He said he wanted to look out the window and see if it was light ouside and time to wake up. Then he went back to bed and slept the whole night. Let's see how tonight goes! It helps that he has new Car sheets and a matching blanket. He told me they are very cozy! Thanks G&G and Grandmama & Grandpap!! Here is a picture and a video to show you.

Progress?

Yesterday when Dwayne picked up Ethan from pre-school, his teacher told Dwayne that Ethan was making some progress with potty training. When Dwayne asked if Ethan had used the potty at school (which he has never done before), the teacher said no. Confused, Dwayne asked what then had Ethan done? The teacher explained that they have a timer that they set to go off every 1/2 hour. When the timer goes off, all the kids are instructed to go to the bathroom and try to use the potty. Ethan hears the timer go off, runs to the bathroom and stands there and watches the other kids go! That's my boy!

The Yom Kippur Train

Tonight Mom's friend Gail and her daughter Rachel came over for a Break the Fast Dinner. After dinner, the kids lined up the chairs on the deck and made a train. Here's what it looked like:

Be Fruitful and Multiply..

Dwayne and I took the kids apple picking this afternoon. Have you ever seen so many apples on one tree branch? The kids had a great time for about 20 minutes and then they decided they had had enough. Carly said, "Daddy, can we just drive by and pick the apples out the window?" ha! We drove an hour to hear that?

Next on the agenda is apple sauce making!!

Dandelion Wishes

Today was the beginning of Carly's 2nd week of Kindergarten. When we were walking home from the bus stop she found a dandelion and picked it and blew on it and made a wish. She said, "I wish I could go to school on Saturday and Sunday!"

She also brought home her 1st book from the school library. She brought home "There Is a Bird on Your Head," by Mo Willems, which she already has at home. I guess she was so excited to see a book she recognized that she just had to choose that one!

Tummy cake anyone?

Today we went to Annalisa and David's house for lunch. After spending time on their great neighborhood playground, we came inside for desert. Annalisa served warm cherry pie, with Redi whip topping and Ethan loved it. He kept asking for more and eating it up until finally I said, "No more Ethan, you are going to get a tummy ache!" Ethan thought about it for a minute and then he said, "But mommy, I want a tummy cake, I like tummy cakes!"

And what Ethan had to say about dessert...

Tonight after dinner I enticed the kids to come home from the neighbors' house by offering them ice cream for dessert. The ice cream was actually frozen yogurt (the new tart kind that is popular), and Ethan took one bite and screwed up his face with surprise at the tartness. I didn't quite catch that moment but the video is still cute.

From 5 to 13 already?

Today was Carly's 3rd day of school and already she has a "new" best friend. On days 1 and 2, her "best" friend was Olivia. Today when I asked her the same question, she said that it's a boy in her class named Chris, and that they love each other and gave each other a hug today during P.E. class. She told me that on Monday they are going to spend the day together. Oh, boy! That was a surprise! She never talked about having a "boyfriend" at pre-school!

She was also excited to tell me about a pep rally they had at school today and told me all about the "Cheetah girls" who jumped around in the gym. Dwayne thinks she meant "cheerleaders" instead of "Cheetah Girls", but we don't know for sure!

Carly also came home with a homework assignment. She will be bringing home a calendar at the beginning of the month that has a different "activity" to do each day. For example, today she had to name two words that rhyme with tree (her response was bee and me), and yesterday's date said to name two things you do every day at school (her response was lunch and snack, I'm sure her teacher would love to hear that!).

Carly's 1st day of school

Here is Carly at her bus stop (at 7:45AM!) on her first day. It was rainy and cool but as a friend said, the weather did not dampen the smiles. Carly rode the bus in one of the Kindergartners' seats up front (marked with an animal) and someone from the school met the bus and walked her to her room. She bought her lunch, made a new friend (Olivia) and came home singing new songs about the alphabet. Today was her 2nd day and already she seems like a pro at this. Confident, full of energy, and enthusiastic. It's wonderful to see her glow.

When I asked Ethan today where Carly was he said, "She on the school bus". Apparently he thinks she rides the bus all day and then comes home! He really enjoyed his one-on-one time with me when I picked him up from pre-school today and I have to admit I really enjoyed three less hours of sibling rivalry!

I asked Carly if she wanted to buy her lunch or bring it and she told me that she wants to do a "pattern"; buy one day, bring the next, and so on. I guess that's her way of figuring out what she likes best!