Play Day Take 2

Back to the preschool for another play day.  We really only needed to attend one but students were encouraged to come as often as they liked. Since we drove carpool again today, and Daddy agreed to stay with Simeon, Cana and I went back to the preschool. First we had to take a few pictures in front of the school.  And, of course, we had our backpack.

The favorite dollhouse.

The doll family takes a trip to the duplo blocks. They are having an animated conversation.

August Fun

I love Cana's expression in this one.  

She is impressed with my yahztee dice rolling. 

Its the little things.

 Our little man sporting his little brother shirt.

Spending time on the floor to practice rolling over?

Simeon

We took Simeon in to the doctor this morning as a follow-up from last week.  Last Tuesday we were told there was some slight wheezing in his chest that may be allergy related and he's been on breathing treatments ever since.  This morning, our regular doctor told us this may have started with a cold and that it is definitely starting an ear infection.  So now poor Simeon has breathing treatments twice a day, a decongestant, an antibiotic and a nose spray. The medicine is bad enough but listening to his breathing is the worst.  The good news is that we caught the ear infection early and that his lungs were clear and the congestion was mostly in his head. So now we wait...

Preschool Play Day

Tuesday, August 28

Cana and I attended the preschool play day.  The students were invited to come to the classroom to meet the teacher, locate their cubby and play with some of the toys to get familiar with coming to preschool.  Cana, who was already very knowledgeable about all of the toys in this room jumped right in.  She also remembered the computer and even asked her teacher (shyly) about using the computer.

We were the first ones there and the last ones to leave.  I guess you could say we had a good time.  Simeon stayed with us in his stroller and was happy enough to watch all the kids.  We finished up all of our paperwork and turned in all our supplies and helped Jared get a lunch ready for the preschool teachers.  It was a productive morning.

Working with Miss Chris on the shape sorter.

Coffee Shelf

Jared's reading chair in his office is comfortable with a good lamp, but there was no place to set a cup of coffee.  Until now.

Enter the latest wood project...

...perfect for a cup of coffee.

Father & Son

Sunday, August 26

Relaxing after church

White Sox vs. Mariners

We were invited to a White Sox game with friends from church.  The invite was particularly generous because it included tickets, tailgate party, ride to the park and BONUS - two babysitters for the kids!

We had a great time at the ballpark, relaxing and spending time together while the kids were well cared for.   

US Cellular Field at night.

The fireworks after the win.

Picking up Adley

Its the second day of school and picking up Adley is already becoming routine. Today it was particularly hot so I let Cana roam around in the van while we kept the AC running.  The freedom of sitting in the front seat was luxuriating!

Waiting for the kids to come out at 3:30. 

This is looking south at the school building to the preschool and kindergarten classrooms.

1st Day of Kindergarten

August 22, 2012

The first day of Kindergarten. We arrived at school early enough to take a few pictures out front. Then we took Adley in to hang up her backpack in her cubby, get her nametag and sit on the rug with the rest of the class.  It was a quick turnaround and we said goodbye quickly.  Adley was all ready and joined her class. 

The rest of us went to the "Tissues and Treats" in the multi-purpose room for coffee and treats for an hour until chapel time.  We went to chapel with the parents, faculty and schoolchildren grades 1st though 8th. Then there was nothing for us to do but leave.  So strange to be buckling in only two children...

  "Today is My First Day of Kindergarten and I want to be a Princess and A Teacher when I grow up."

 New backpack and lunch pail (hanging) from Grammy & Paka.

 All ready to go with backpack hung in the cubby and her nametag on.

Simeon took this all in stride - as he always does. 

Allergies are the pits

We visited the pediatrician today for a cough and he recommended the nebulizer for Simeon.  

He is not a fan and his expression says it all.  We can't call it allergies because he is too young but the doc said this "irritation" was likely to get worse before it got better so its a good thing we can start the treatments now.  Simeon is a good sport. 

My Crib

This Monday we spent getting the crib out of the attic and rearranging furniture to make more room for Simeon.  He LOVES it and sleeps just as great as he did before.  Happy Boy!

Sunday - 8/19/2012

Photo by Cana

Garden Update - 8/17/2012

Green beans for supper.  Picked today.  

And one beet.  Awesome.

Exersaucer

My living room makes me smile.

Simeon got an exersaucer.  He outgrew the swing and the papasan chair at the same time.  That is sad because I really enjoyed hearing Adley tell Cana to stay out of Simeon's "Papa John's chair."  Really, we don't eat that much pizza.  Really.

We've had the exersaucer about a week and already he has strengthened his upper body muscles to stay upright.  His leg muscles are strong enough that he can pivot around to all the different toys and he can make two of the swivel toys move to make noise.  

The noisiest toy - his favorite.  There's also a mirror underneath so this is where he spends most of his time.  Of course, the girls also come by every 3.4 seconds and spin all the toys for him so he is NEVER bored.  Frustrated, sometimes, but never bored.

Potty Training

We are officially potty training as of the first of this month.
Cana is remarkable.  In two weeks she has figured it out.  She would get a sticker if she "tried" and a piece of chocolate if she "went."  Also, the deal I made included a piece of chocolate for Adley if Cana was "successful."  Consequently, Adley has turned into a helpful and enthusiastic cheerleader.

So far so good.

How do you measure success?

Wakkos

 At our house we eat wakkos for breakfast.  

Some people eat waffles but Cana always wants wakkos, so that's what we have. 

Loving our wakkos (and a mild case of bandaid-itis). 

First Foods - Rice Cereal

The first bite of rice cereal...  

...was met with mixed results...

...with a video to come.

Stay tuned.

Simeon - 4 months

Sycamore Steam Show

August 10 we drove up to Sycamore, IL for a Steam Show for family day.  We had a lot of fun riding the tractor driven tram up to the entry gate.  We were looking forward to a good day since the weather was perfect and there wasn't too much of a crowd since it was still early on Friday.

Next we watched the 120 year old steam driven saw mill.  The girls are sitting on the logs ready for the mill.  It was loud and slightly dangerous for our crew so we moved on after just a few cuts.  Very cool and unique. 

After the sawmill we walked through the petting zoo area, the exhibit hall where we found some friends from church and then through the flee market on our way to lunch.  We had an excellent lunch of BBQ chicken and pork loin and we all ate well.  

Another steam engine making its rounds of the showgrounds.

After lunch we walked through more of the flea market and booths on our way to the barrel train.  Pulled by another tractor, this little train of 10 cars was a lot of fun.  No suspension though...

The driver went all over the showgrounds and made several u-turns just to make it more fun for the kids.  I rode in the car behind Adley with Cana on my lap. Jared and Simeon chose to walk around instead. 

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The barrel train circled around the tractor parking area where people could walk through the hundreds of tractors brought to the show.  Old and new and several of the owners were on hand to talk tractor. 

Then it was time for a treat.  Ice cream for the girls and a rest in the shade for Simeon.  Daddy found a few old tools at the flea market and the girls and I waited for a ride in a trolley pulled by a team of horses.  Then it was time to head home.  

All in all, a great day.  We play to make the trip next year!