Obligatory 1st day of school photos....

The emotional sending of my baby off to school came and went and we survived.  And in all honesty, it wasn't bad.  Ryan being such an independent little thing really helped - she likes school and was excited about all things related:  school supply shopping, picking out a backpack, new clothes, packing her lunches, etc....  Grant and I were able to walk her in on the first day and she made herself right at home and was happy to see a few of her good buddies from preschool.  She had met her teacher a few times before:  once at our house (such a brilliant idea that I never knew existed - the teachers make home visits over the summer) and once last week when they had an open house at school and we took all of our school supplies up and toured around.  She sent us off without a second glance....
New loot:

Touring the school and dropping off all of her supplies....

 The big day.....started off with a special pancake breakfast out with dad

Then home for pictures...

Hand in hand....just a bit further up the sidewalk is where she basically tells us she's got it from here and 'mom, you can go now'....

Someone else in this house also had their first day of school.....the Reesers started preschool!  While Grant, Emerson and I took Ryan, Reese got a special breakfast out with Grandma and Grandpa.  

 Then later that day, she was all smiles as we headed out to the Frog Room.

 I wasn't sure if she'd hesitate or not, but the girl couldn't have been happier (probably helped that she saw this school every day last year, twice a day, when we took Ryan).

 No surprise to me, but her teachers tell me she is 'hilarious' and 'such a hoot'.
Day 2 was the real test and lucky us, they were still smiling...Ryan requested a photo.  Glasses stayed in the car:)

 So, 3 days completed for Ryan and 2 for Reese and both are loving it.  And hell if I'd be lying if I didn't say it is quite nice to be down one for a decent chunk of the day.  Fighting ceases.  Harmony ensues.  Errands get run.   Now if we can just get Emerson on some sort of napping schedule (puh-lease), it'll be like Club Med around here.  

School Pic

The proofs just came back.....precious.

First day of school

I couldn't love the start of school more....and not for the obvious reasons (a few hours of quiet and back to a formal schedule that benefits everyone) but in my eyes, it's the kick-off to fall (even if it still is 90 degrees outside).  That and pre-season football.   We are baking apple slices on almost a daily basis over in this house, and don't think my fall-scented candles haven't been getting a workout.  Anyway, back to my point - we were lucky enough to get Ryan back in to her old school (after having taken her out when I quit my job, only to have to put her back on a waiting list for a year).  And while I probably wouldn't have elected afternoon pre-K had I been given the choice, I am so thankful it was our only option.   Four days a week Ryan goes to a school she loves and the second we get home from dropping her off, Reese goes down for a nap until I wake her to pick up the little lady again.  Can you say 2.5 hour breather?   It is heavenly and comes just in time as my growing bump is begging for rest and a slowdown.   My mind isn't ready to comprehend the logistics come January....3 kids.  Twice a day.  Four days a week.  Winter weather.   A good problem to have, I know, but a daunting one nonetheless.
Time needs to stand still because the reality of kindergarten is just around the corner and makes me weepy.
Another bonus to fall......finally getting some mums to go in my sad looking flower pots on the front porch.

School pictures

How adorable is the addition of the whicker chair?  Taking the cheese up a notch but with oh-so-adorable results.

School days....

I'm a few weeks behind on the obligatory first-day-of-school photos but with good reason.  We just enrolled Ryan in a little two day a week preschool and her first day was yesterday.  She was really pumped to learn she has to bring a backpack to school each day.  And the fun for me starts Wednesday when it's my first day to help out in her classroom - the school has a nice little program where moms can volunteer about once a month to help the teacher and in return, you get a lovely discount on tuition.

Picture Time!

Ryan's super lovely teachers sent each child home today with a little gift for their families:  a CD of pictures from this past school-year.  A little walk down memory lane......
First day at her new school:  June 30, 2010

 Playdough!

 Visiting the school library - the first few trips our little scholar was found sound asleep in the corner, she soon got the hang of it and now stays awake through story-time

 One of many 'pajama days' --- a favorite of both Ryan and mom --- makes the mornings much easier!  It also appears to be 'throw up your gang symbols' day.

 Too cool for school with her hands in her pockets

 A nap time love affair

 Celebrating her teachers' birthdays

 While all the other kids appear to be holding a toy of some sort, Ryan looks like she is about to hold up the joint:

 Lunch time!

 Slumber party fun

 Picking my nose, of course....

 Gettin' down and dirty

 Hugs, hugs, hugs...

Every child got a lovely photo cover for their DVD,  I saw most of them and they were all precious shots of each kid:  smiling, laughing, reading, etc.....  What was Ms. Ryan's cover shot on her DVD, see below: 

For those of you who know her love affair with headbands, one day during nap time it fell over her eyes and apparently freaked her out when she woke up and couldn't see anything.  Kind of funny, eh?  I love her teachers that much more for having a sense of humor and using this shot as her cover.

Randomness......

I'm being lazy, here we go with a random smattering of photos - enjoy!

Ted Drewes, the back seat of a Chevy and a Friday night - who could ask for more?

Reese is a rolling machine - a long and lean one at that - at her last doctor appointment she was 90% in height, 50% in weight - which equates to 14.5 pounds and god only knows in length - I forgot....

Happy as a clam in my bouncy sporting a random hat that will be retired shortly.

Snack day at school! It was Ryan's day to bring in her 'favorite snack' to share with her buds - you gotta love a girl who loves her cheese!

Our little brainiac....so studious with the specs.

"You"

Apparently Ryan's name is "you" --- if you ask her what her name is or show her a picture of herself and ask who it is, that is the response "you". She knows mom is "mamma", dad is "dada", Reese is "Reese" but we have apparently pointed to one too many photos and told her that the smiling face is "you".

Here's a pic of Ryan testing out the toys at her new school. She had an orientation yesterday morning and LOVED it (she starts next week).....the only apprehension (read - temper tantrum) was when we left. She kind of had a serious boyfriend at her old school but apparently she's over him already as she was pretty psyched at all the new, fresh meat. I hope he takes the break-up okay....

First day of school!

Ok, apparently dad didn't get the memo that we were retiring the pink polka-dot outfit. Sorry Barb, it reappears one more time. That thing will walk on it's own when she finally out grows it. With mom out of town, Ryan apparently wears whatever she wants, even if that includes sporting her pajamas on her first day of 'school'.

Dad dropping our little girl off:

Ryan's new friends:


Playing with all sorts of fun new toys:

Her precious little name tag: