Good Morning Little Schoolgirl

Lots of happenings the past week with Lily and Jack! As Lily had finished school, she was home all week hanging around the house, a week off before the big K day. She spent some time with friend Madeleine several days, and enjoyed just playing with her toys/dolls. She had a second private swim lesson, and is putting together freestyle and breathing - she will probably take group lessons in the coming months. On Wednesday, she had her two bottom teeth pulled because they were not coming out on their own and the permanent ones had already started thru - it was not the most pleasant experience but after the anesthesia wore off she got excited about the tooth fairy, who came through with 4 gold dollar coins and left her teeth (per Lily's request). Thanks Grandma Gail for coming with Mom and Lily to the dentist, and then providing her some TLC in the afternoon!

On Friday, Lily went to her new elementary school and met her teacher and saw her classroom, we think it eased any anxiety about not knowing where her classroom was and she became very excited for school. On Saturday, we had a kindergarten picnic where she saw lots of friends and met a few new kids. The weekend was otherwise pretty low key, the kids got new rugs for their bedrooms which will allow them lots of room to play and Lily and Mom did some back-to-school shopping. Jack had a play date with friend Bea on Sunday, and had a great time.

Today was the big day, Lily (and Jack) woke up excited for the first day of kindergarten. An hour before the bus was to pick-up, Lily was asking to walk down to the bustop, but we managed to hold out until about 10 minutes until the bus actually came. She was very excited to wear her new backpack and bring her lunch to school. Once the bus arrived, she hopped right on and did not even look back. She sat with Madeleine to and from school. Per another parent's report that saw her at school that morning, she was all smiles and was so happy that she had THREE friends on the bus. She said she had a great day at school, and ate all of her lunch, and is all about following the rules. She is very excited to go back tomorrow, overall it was a huge success! Jack was very excited for Lily but was bummed when he did not get to ride the bus, and he told his teacher that he was going to kindergarten tomorrow, we think a "normal" day will get him back in his groove, he loves being a Magic Bear!

Enjoy the pics!


The dentist's handy work.


Checking out her cubby at school.


Jack downing some frozen yogurt.


Jack taking a snooze on the couch.


Ready to go to school with her cool new haircut.


Lily and Maddie waiting for the bus.


All set and ready to go.


Hopping on the bus.


Jack was not happy to see Lily go to school.

The Further I Slide

So Lily finished up her last week of preschool on Thursday and jetted off with sidekick Jack for a weekend of fun at Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's house.

The weekend started off with some fun at a local water park with Marcy and Grandma Gail and then continued with more pool time and overall spoilage all weekend long. The kiddies returned home Sunday in time for a birthday party for one of Lily's (former) classmates and then for a dinner out.

Monday rolled around and Jack was off to school by himself for the first time. He seems no worse for wear and Lily is getting ready for kindergarten!

On to the pictures ...


Getting the lay of the slides with Grandma Gail.


Playing in the water.


Relaxing in a tube.


With Marcy.


Taking in the sites.


Pool basketball with Grandpa Tom.

Games Without Frontiers

A busy week in the books and Lily's last week of pre-school has begun. Lot's of changes going on here!

The week in review ... On Wednesday, Grandma Gail came to visit during the day and picked Jack and Lily up from school and took them to the pool. The day was finished up with dinner with Grandma and Grandpa and the new local Chik-fil-A.

Thursday morning started with a bang - a giant thunderstorm that knocked out power all over the area. Work was closed for me again (two days this time) and Lily and Jack's school was closed. Let's just say that on a cloudy, humid day, there is not much to do at home. So the three of us headed over to Grandpa Maurice's office for a visit and lunch. A good time was had by all and the air conditioning in Grandpa's office was much appreciated. We returned home and Jack took a nap while Lily and I relaxed and read books. Jack woke up and Marcy came home so we went off for dinner just before another huge storm came through. Fortunately, around 10 pm, the power came back on and things started to cool off again.

On Friday, the kids were able to go back to school and that night Lily got to go to her first Redskin's game. She had a great time a was a good sport the whole night. By the end of the evening she was ready for bed and as we headed out she go to meet one of the cheerleaders. She was super shy and super excited.

Saturday we visited the local farmer's market, Jack and I got haircuts and finished up the day with friends over for dinner. It was a busy day. On Sunday, Lily was supposed to go to see Mary Poppins - the show - with Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Maurice. Unfortunately, Grandma Phyllis was a bit under the weather so Marcy filled in and Lily's friend Hayley came along too. The girls had a great time and really enjoyed the show. Neighbors and friends Julie, Paul, Bea and Charlotte came to visit in the afternoon and stayed on for dinner. The kids had a great time playing together.

Anyway, on to the picks and video.


Ready to go to the game.


So we got to the game a bit early and they play lots of music. Lily danced the whole time - it was very cute.


Meeting a Redskins ambassador.


Jack watching the video of Lily from above and then chatting.


At Mary Poppins with Hayley.


Lily, Bea and Jack.

Gypsy Biker

Not much to report this week - no power failures or any weather related excitement. Summer is winding down and we spent lots of time at the pool and had Lily's last tee ball game.

Lily's classmates are starting to leave her school for kindergarten and summer vacations so on Friday we had a goodbye party/reunion for all her classmates at one of her friend's pools. Lily and Jack had a good time and Lily had fun hanging out with all the kids. Saturday was a birthday party for one of her classmates and Sunday included two trips to the pool - one with friends Bea and Charlotte and one with Grandma Gail who came over for dinner.

We also spent some time this weekend working with Lily getting her training wheels off. We are down to one side of training wheels so hopefully in a few weeks we will be riding on two wheels.

That is all for now, on to the pictures and video.


Fearless.


Again.


Hitting the Rainbow Bear pinata.


Tee-ball.


Jack.


Sharing the slide.


Working without the training wheels.

We Are The Dinosaurs

The week after last week's storm was interesting to say the least. After a day at school with generator power, Lily and Jack were home from school on Tuesday and Wednesday as the power stayed off for most of the neighborhood until Thursday. We were lucky and kept power all week!

On Tuesday, Lily and Jack spent some quality time at the pool and on Wednesday, Marcy took the kids to the Natural History Museum. They saw lots of dinosaur bones - Jack is still talking about the dinos. They also visited the butterfly pavilion and then rode on the carousel. It was a great day!

On Thursday, the power returned and the kids went back to school. Friday was a half day at school and more time at the pool. Saturday was the second to last tee ball game and a trip to the local orchard for some peach and flower picking. The kids had a great time. On Sunday we had a day around the house and then we were off to dinner to celebrate Grandma Phyllis' birthday. Everyone had a great time and Jack was very excited about the birthday cake.

On to the pictures and video. See you next week.


Taking in the sites.


Checking out the butterflies.


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The dynamic duo.


Riding the carousel in her shades.


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Enjoying the train ride home.


Picking the peaches.


Picking the flowers.


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Happy Birthday ...


Enjoying the cake.