Tuesday, August 31, 2010

New Skillz

Robbie is full of new skills these days. First, he's constantly standing himself up, though very rarely taking any steps. He will stand up from a squat like this......then fall forward on his hands like this. This is his method for putting oneself closer to the floor does not seem like the wisest maneuver, but we have yet to convince him to try something safer. He also have a new love of climbing on stools (and steps, but that is not pictured.) Whenever the girls and I are baking, he is desperate to be in the mix...literally. As soon as a stool is vacant, he climbs his little toosh up there...
...and shows off his dancing skills.The last one I have on video for you. Robbie has discovered the slide at the park. While he refuses to climb up the steps himself (but I know as soon as he is walking, this will be a thing of the past), he is adamant that you put him on the slide and let him go down by himself. Fortunately, he weighs so little that he stops before flying off the bottom onto the hard ground.

Monday, August 30, 2010

First and Second Days of School

While today was Padyn's actual second day of school (number 4 in the school calendar year), it was Kate's first day of school. It was only half her class, and she doesn't get to go tomorrow when the other half comes, but still. She got to go. And she was super excited about it. You can see, she thought very carefully about what she wanted to wear...Fortunately, some of the outfit got changed, as you can see in this picture. I don't remember how I convinced her to get rid of the sweatband in exchange for a real headband, but it was genius on my part. As you will see later, she also substituted her pink boots for pink tennies, and she added a lei.

So, you know what was so hysterical about the sweatband? One of Kate's friends in her class came to school with his hair in a sweatband. I'm sure Kate was very jealous and upset that I made her change. All the kids are doing it. Really? It must be a 4 year old thing.
Ok, here's what actually went to school...
And here is Kate Squared. They are investigating the new bunny in their class, Rascal.
It only took about 47 seconds for her to discover the dress up clothes in this classroom are different from the ones in her old classroom. She was pretty excited about this Ariel wedding dress.And this is where I left her. In the capable hands of my friend, Miss J. What's better than being dressed up, holding a monkey (the class mascot), and having your friend's mommy (and now your teacher) read to you and your pal? Not much.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Victory!

Padyn, being fever free for almost 24 hours, was able to go to school today for the first time of the year. Of course, Mommy forgot her camera, so I'll have to get a photo or two off Daddy's iPhone of her first day. It was a bit anti-climatic being the actual 3rd day of school and all. But she enjoyed it, so that's all the matters.

Those other two kids? They both had fevers all day. For those of you keeping track, that's day 3 for Kate. Robbie had a fever on Wednesday, then was clear on Thursday, then feverish again today. He was a whiny, snotty mess. Kate? You couldn't tell in the slightest that she might possibly be sick. Even her cough was a bit less today. But that fever...hanging out at 99.6, despite Motrin and Tylenol. She better be ok for school on Monday or Mommy is going to start pulling her hair out!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

First Steps

My son just took a couple unassisted steps between his chair and the TV table. We'll see if we can get him to repeat himself and get it on film at some point today.

Still Home

Second day of school, and Padyn still isn't there. Today Padyn and Kate have fevers, but Robbie doesn't. (They all had a fever yesterday. Did I mention that?) So, Padyn isn't at school and Kate does not get to go visit her classroom today. What am I going to do with these children? Never mind that I don't feel 100% and could use a nap...

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

First Day of Second Grade-Postponed

Today is the first day of school for Padyn. Unfortunately, Padyn is currently in the kitchen at home playing with homemade playdoh instead of sitting at her desk doing something slightly more academic. She woke up this morning with a fever, sore throat, and stomach ache. In fact, all three children have a fever today. Robbie's could be caused by teeth coming in and Kate's....well, we all know that Katelyn gets almost every illness that comes within a mile of our house. She had a fever a week and a half ago, then again about 6 days ago, and now again. What is it with this child?

But back to Padyn. After carefully picking out her back to school outfit last night, putting everything in her backpack, and being mentally prepared to start 2nd grade, this morning came as a shocking disappointment to say the least. We did still take her to school (after calling ahead to make sure it was ok). She met her teacher, saw her desk, and carefully said hi to some friends. Then we headed home.

Ironically, Padyn almost missed the last day of school last year due to the stomach flu. She missed the second and third to last days of school, then managed to be upright enough to pull off the final day. Apparently we just don't do transition well.

Maybe tomorrow we'll have some second-first-day-of-second-grade pictures to share. And hopefully some pictures of Kate's first visit to her new classroom. But that's only if the fever monster decides to take up residence elsewhere.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Photos! (but not many....) Update! (but there's not too much to say)

So, Daddy finally returned home after his month long deployment. Everyone was very happy to see him walk off the airplane. Well, Robbie was kind of unsure of who he was, but that only lasted until the next morning. Then he was giddy again every time he saw his daddy.

To welcome him home, the girls made this sign. We also made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and home made mint chip ice cream, per the girls' request. Katelyn, of course, didn't like either of them. Robbie did, though. He freaked out every time you carried him past the cookie Tupperware and continued to have a fit until you gave him some cookie. He loves cookies. This big guy is now 16 months old. He's not walking yet, but why? He's so fast with his tripod butt scoot that he really doesn't need to walk. He is doing the following, though:

Standing without holding onto something
Climbing onto anything he can-the couch, a stool, into the bathtub (he hasn't managed to get all the way in yet)
Sliding down slides by himself
Saying his very mangled version of "hello," "Momma," Dadda," and (I think) "Up."
Eating crayons
Pouring water on his head in the bath

He's very verbal without actually communicating anything. He'll repeat the same nonsensical phrase over and over, but we have no idea what intellectual point he is trying to make. I think he also tries to sing.
Robbie's new favorite activity-reading. He'll fit right into this family.

Padyn starts second grade on Wednesday of this week. I'm ready for her to go back to school. While she can be very sweet and helpful when she feels like it, we've been butting heads quite a bit over the last few weeks. I think she needs someone besides me to give her directions all day long. Nothing really new between the two of these ladies. One day they are best friends and can play beautifully for hours. Then, without warning, they are worst enemies and I become the referee for the remainder of the day.Katelyn technically starts school next Thursday morning, but doesn't really start back on a regular schedule until the 1st of September. I am ready for her to return to school, too. I'm happy to let someone else struggle with getting her to listen to them. She's pretty excited about going into PreK and getting to go to school four days a week.

Lately she's been really into coloring, usually in her coloring books, but she wanted to pull out the paints a couple weeks ago, which is what is happening in this picture. I am amazed at how coordinated her drawing and coloring have become lately. It's hard to tell in this picture, but really, it's impressive. She can draw and cut out hearts, draw very rudimentary people and animals, and color within the lines. Not that she stays within the lines in other parts of her life...While I am happy to be getting back to school and routine, I know Robbie is going to be sad without his sisters around all morning long. But, he'll probably just spend more time doing this....

Happy Saturday!

Sunday, August 08, 2010

Photo Sunday-More For Daddy

Four days until Daddy comes home...here are some more pictures for you, hon.








Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Picture Perfect

My daughter was in the paper today. And they even spelled her name correctly! Since most of you reading this don't get our town's paper, I thought I should share it... This was taken at the swim meet this past weekend. This was her first event, the 50 yard kick. She came in 2nd out of 14. She missed first place by about 2 seconds, but beat 3rd by 6 seconds. She is pretty proud of that medal.

And I love that you can see the whole in her mouth where one of her top teeth should be...