Lake Fun

The kids got to play in the lake at my dad's and had a blast. They preferred playing on the bank in the sand!

New "School"

The kids are three days into their new school. Not counting drop-off I think it is going well. Drop-off is miserable! It got worse today - with Katie starting to poke her lip out and give me the sad look just when we turned into the parking lot. We usually make it into the front door before they both start wailing, refusing to move, and kicking and screaming when I try to pick them both up, open the other two doors and carry them into the room. I am hoping they will get over this soon but everyone keeps telling me that it is developmentally appropriate and that it is completely normal. That doesn't make it any easier to deal with, but at least I know that my two aren't the only ones that make us all a spectacle. Each day they give us "report cards" for the kids that tells us how their day went and I have the benefit of working in the building where they are so I and co-workers get to peak in on them. Throughout each day when I have seen them (they didn't see me thank goodness) they are playing and content, and when others have commented to me they say they seem happy and like they are completely comfortable. That is reassuring!

The teacher has noted Tyler's disposition as happy and content every day and she told me on Tuesday that she was just smitten with him because he has the best personality and is completely sweet and charming (I agree, of course). Katie was reported to be irritable and fussy the first two days, but today got a checkmark on happy and content too! Katie did not nap at all the first two days but reportedly laid quietly, and today took a nap after coaxing. Tyler, shockingly, apparently went to nap independently and took a nap today and Monday and on Tuesday needed help to calm down but did take a nap. In small group they both listened and obeyed all three days - I think the teachers may be fudging on that one a bit. They aren't eating great but that might be an adjustment to eating more like big kids - they drink out of milk cartons, sit at a table with all the other kids, have plates and are encouraged to use utensils. Big change from daycare where they sat in highchairs and were fed and given sippy cups! Today Katie, well actually they call her Mary (since that is the name on her enrollment, social security card, birth certificate, etc) and I can't get them to stop, got a report of having a great day and was loving playing with play dough. I got three little art projects already too - on Tuesday the letter of the day was "a" and they colored an apple and an airplane. Today Tyler got to use glue to make a Boat (for "B") out of construction paper. So cute, of course Tyler wanted to carry it in and promptly "boke it," which wasn't surprising since he was trying to disassemble it immediately. So, all in all I think their experience has been great. I have got to find a way to get them calmer at drop-off - I think part of it too is that they are used to Lance dropping them off but that doesn't make sense since it is so far away and where I work, and I really need to convince them to call Katie by the only name she knows!

Catching Up

Well, it has been a while - sorry! We went to Florida and the kids got to visit with some family so they get to see the kids instead of just hear about them. On the way down we stopped at my Aunt's house and my mom was there so they got to see their Great Aunt and Uncle and Grandma. That visit was too short and we were on the road to my dad's house. They had a blast there and my dad took some cute pictures of the kids in the lake, but I don't have them yet. When I do - I'll post them for sure. Katie was unsure of the water and Tyler was content to play in the sand, but they had a ball. They have done great around everyone and haven't shown too much anxiety - let's hope that was just a quick stage since they start their new school on Monday (I started this Monday and it has gone well). We are learning, though, that mom and dad are expendable. Yesterday was our 9th wedding anniversary and So-So and Ray-Ray watched the kids while we went to dinner. This morning we went to get Tyler out of his bed and he sat down, refused to be picked up from us, and started asking for So-So and Ray-Ray to get him out and said it repeatedly all morning. They put him to bed and I guess that he expected them to be there when he got up! When in the car the past few days the kids have been saying hi to B-Bob and Grandma and telling me what they think they are up to - swimming, on the boat, being funny. When I say well, is dada funny, or is mama funny or ask them to say hi to dad, Tyler gives me a sly little grin and says nooooooo, while shaking his head. Then, Tyler came to me asking for chocolate milk (which my dad let him have) and I told him no so he starts saying where Pa Pa, as if he could get him to give it to him if I wouldn't. Lance and I are just not exciting enough for them anymore, I guess :-)! Uncle Matthew is coming in to town this weekend and in honor of him Lance dressed the kids in their New York shirts. They are so big on them, but in her hat (actually my mom got it for Tyler because Katie was the only one with a bucket hat that Tyler loves, but it was too small and Katie claimed it) and shirt/dress Katie thought she was hot stuff!

Tyler refuses to leave the potty or the step stool in the bathroom (and refuses to use either one properly as well). He was pretty proud of himself to have brought the stool into the kitchen to sit on.

I bet Katie was trying to move him off the stool, not hug him - but they are smiling so maybe it was actually a rare sweet moment! That is her new move, though, - the full hug body slam. They eventually conceded to share the seat!

Black Eye

Well, I have been super busy lately and haven't had time to update the blog but I did get some cute pictures yesterday afternoon of the duo in matching t-shirts thinking they were hot stuff. Luckily, I got some pictures of Katie (in "Katie hat" even though it is really Tyler's) before her black eye. Today is their going away party at daycare and poor Bug will look like she got in a fight in those pictures. Last night she was in the tub and was singing and talking and playing and suddenly stood up and came toward me to give me a "big hug." She slipped and fell and managed to avoid the spout (which has a cover) and instead hit the uncovered faucet handle. She gashed her eyelid and today it is black and blue and swollen almost shut. Poor thing. I haven't had a chance to download pictures, etc. but I'll get them up soon with hopefully some pictures of their last day party (even though it really isn't for another week) too!