School Days

We love our preschool, even if they take FOREVER to start. The kids had their orientation last Wednesday and officially started this past Monday. Miles was clinging to my hand as we went into his and said, "Mama, you go too?"

He seemed to enjoy things in the room. He did ask for "Num-ee-nums" (snacks) during circle. We were only in the room for 45 minutes. Thankfully, he didn't starve.

He stuck pretty close to me the whole time, but was happy and comfortable and we had a good time.

Matt took him and Paige to a park while they waited for Brooke and I to finish her orientation.

Successful orientation!

Here they are on the first day.

I was so proud that they were dressed, fed, we had time to take pictures AND we were one of the first cars in line to drop Brooke. That will probably never happen again this year. For the record, Brooke gets dropped at 9, then I pull into the parking lot and walk Miles in at 9:15. Then I walk back in to pick Miles up at 11:15, get back in the car and pull around to get Brooke at 11:30. Should be fun come winter. It's probably a good thing we love our school so much.

How is this her last year of preschool? I am going to LOSE. IT. when she goes to kindergarten next year. Here she is last year and the year before.

(Thanks again for the cute bag, Aunt Krissi!)

It's so bittersweet that this guy is in preschool. Technically, he's about a month too young for the class, but was grandfathered in as a sibling. We feel that the structure and socialization will be great for him - and it's only a total of 4 hours a week. He's cried when I dropped him both days, but he also often still cries when I leave him in his class at church and he's been going there his whole life. If I'm honest, I kind of love that he's a Mama's Boy.

Because his first day was only an hour, he, Paige and I ran to Target before picking Brooke up. A birthday cake pop makes everything better! (There he goes again with the tongue...)

Out and About

We've been trying to soak up every last minute of summer that we can, so naturally we made several more trips to the pool leading up to Labor Day. When Matt goes with us, I drop him and the kids off by the golf carts and he takes them for a ride. Apparently the clock is a mandatory stop on these rides because these pictures were on Matt's phone. And every time we drive past the clock and Matt isn't with us, Miles makes sure to say, "Clock! Me, Brooke, Daddy!"

A couple of weeks ago we made another visit to Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora with Michelle and her boys. Getting a good picture of the two of them is starting to get really hard. I guess it would help if I didn't make them smile into the sun?

They had fun running around the sunken garden. I had Paige sleeping in the stroller, so I couldn't go down with them, which I think made the adventure more fun. I had visions of a wipeout, but thankfully they both came back up smiling and unscathed.

Playing with Kellen at the splash pad.

Miles was having a blast until he wiped out.

We also got in a playdate with the Jefferson gang. Brooke was in awe of Miss Joy's "beautiful dresses" (sweet 80's/90's formal wear) that she let the girls dress up in.

The kids and I took a trip to Dragonfly Landing in Lisle. There was also a splash pad there, but I didn't get any pictures because Miles wiped out at that one, too. Those things seem like a good idea, but I'm starting to realize they aren't the safest...or that my kids are accident-prone. Never mind.

On one super-hot day, we went to get haircuts. It was only Brooke's second professional cut and it was really just to trim the dead ends off. Her curls are looking much more healthy now. Anyway, while we were there waiting, one of the kids took this picture of Paige. Not bad!

The Tigers' first game of the year was on a Saturday, so the kids and I went to Two Toots in Glen Ellyn. I'm not a fan of selfies - I hate them, actually - but it's nice to have proof every now and then that I was around doing fun stuff with them.

What a sweetheart.

Riding "Champion", the mechanical horse at Two Toots. I was so excited that it only cost a quarter to ride. Everybody rides twice!

We made one last trip out to the pool on Labor Day morning and were greeted with a thunderstorm (that was totally predicted, we were just hoping they were wrong), so we killed a little time in the car waiting for it to pass.

Then we enjoyed the pool to ourselves for about an hour before the sun came out. I'm sure the lifeguards loved us.

We also went to the Kohl's Children's Museum in Glenview again last week. I really wish this was closer. The kids have had a blast both times we've gone and I've had to pretty much drag them away.

Drs. Alley and Wendt? They look nice in those white coats...

Last weekend, Matt and I went to the Bears game and Will and Jamie graciously watched all three kids that morning. Of course they had a blast. (The kids...not sure about Will and Jamie.)

And finally, the kids and I went to the Arboretum earlier this week. I was worried about the mosquitoes. Turns out I should have been worried about the bees. Thankfully, no one was stung, but we had to move 4 times when trying to eat our lunch. Oh, and do you like this new "tongue out" pose? No idea where it's coming from. Good times.

Visitors

The Four (or I guess now Five, soon to be Six) Musketeers were together again this past weekend as the dads and uncles competed in Brother of the Year. It took 9 events to decide, but the older brothers were victorious. It was a BEAUTIFUL day, so the kids enjoyed playing at the park during the first round of competitions, and then playing at WWS during the second round. It was pretty cute to watch them climbing up and down the stands, and then all four of the big kids running all the way around the track. I was tired just watching them.

On our way in and out, they found these stones to walk on. It doesn't take much.

We were so happy to see them and look forward to visiting them again next weekend.

And I'm going to add these two pictures for posterity. In the beginning of August, our good friends from college, Plotke and Sandy came into town for a golf weekend with Matt and Blake. They were so great with the kids. Miles still talks about "Hockey" (as he called Plotke) on occasion.

Matt and Sandy were talking about some bank-related (I think) database while Brooke was drawing and when she finished, she asked if they could put her picture on the database. It's always great to see friends and feel like no time's passed. We hope to see them again soon!

Engagement Party

Matt's parents had an engagement party for Will and Jamie on Labor Day weekend and naturally the flower girl and ring bearer had to be there. Brooke always has fun chatting it up with the older girls - although she's getting to the age where she's more easily embarrassed and can tell when people are laughing at her.

The kids were excited to have them open our gift.

And Brooke was excited to use the bows from one of the other gifts to make a headband like Aunt Jane's. It was a fun beginning to what are sure to be many more wedding-related celebrations!

August Randoms

Paige's big brother and big sister continue to be enamored with her and I dare say she's starting to return the sentiment. Granted, she's pretty smiley in general these days, but I genuinely think she's recognizing them. Now that she's able to hold on to things better, they love to bring (often not age-appropriate) toys to her.

This little guy continues to give me a run for my money. One minute he's being pretty feisty toward me, and the next he's incredibly affectionate. I wish I could remember why I took this picture. I'm sure he was pouting about something.

He's taken to carrying around one of Brooke's dolls that he calls "Baby Dup-e-duh" (translation: Bubble Guppy). Speaking of translation, he's talking more and more. Multi-syllabic words are still tricky for him and we both get frustrated at times, but he keeps trying. This picture is of him trying to nurse a doll.

It's always entertaining to see how Brooke will emerge from her afternoon rest time. On this day, she wanted to "do her work" outside (even though it was rainy), so she took her snack and computer out to the patio (which isn't typically as messy as it is in this picture).

I don't remember her story behind this outfit, but it's quite 80's, isn't it?

Pirate-baker-princess?

She worked hard on this sign. It read, "It's July." She made it on July 31 and really wanted to hang it outside.

Wearing her glow-in-the-dark jewelry from Gigi.

Baking helpers. They love their aprons. They continue to either play really well together or bicker incessantly.

Miles took this picture of Paige. Not bad!

Speaking of Paige, she's decided that she doesn't want to make things too easy on us and has taken to waking up once in the middle of the night. We'll see what the doctor says about this, but since she's probably our last baby, I'm happy to get the extra cuddle time in for now. (As my friend Michelle said, "And so begins her role as the youngest child...")

She's getting much more comfortable on her tummy and has come close to rolling over a couple of times. She's consistently getting naps in the morning when we eat breakfast and in the afternoon when Miles naps. When we're out and about in the later morning, she dozes on and off.

That's about it from here right now. We'll try to stay busy having fun and post some more pictures soon.