Look at my (now big) girl!

The bottom two photos were just as she turned two.  The top one was the night we watched Obama win the election in 2008.  The little guy is my friend Steph's little Jackson.

Happy 7th birthday to Natalie

 Little Ms. Natalie is seven today.  I was talking today to Ms. Kumari, Natalie's preschool teacher and Matthew's current headmaster at his preschool about where Natalie is now.  My heart is full of pride for my little girl.  I hate to go back over it, because to someone on the outside, what we went through with Natalie really doesn't seem like that much, and in so many ways I agree.  But anyone who sees their baby sit in ICU because they just can't stop a seizure or be told that their not quite two year old might need a walker would understand that she is a wonder.  Her coordination isn't fabulous, but it isn't horrible either, and along with a little less stamina than her peers, that is all we can see from what she went through as a toddler.  She was struggling some with reading and Steph, one of our good friends, did some tutoring with her and she is doing so well now.  She does well with math and can do a  nice job with her math facts.  She loves her new teacher and is having fun with learning new things.  We recently ended our two years of swimming lessons, so we are looking for something new physical for her to do.  We had a swimming and waterproof tattoo party this last Saturday to celebrate.  As you can see, Matthew had a ball too!

 Matthew loving the kiddy pool.

 Natalie with her friend Stacy.

 Her sweet new friends Matilda and Summer.

 Grandma Sandi, Papa Joe and Papa Bob.  We never could have done the party without their help!  Papa Joe was on Matthew duty and Papa Bob, Grandma Lois, and Grandma Sandi were amazing with the food and decorations.

 My kids' bonus grandparents, Alice and Joe.  We love them.  Adore them, actually.

 Our circus popcorn boxes and circus cake.

 Natalie's buddy Myka.

 Having a blast with the pinata. It was his very first time.  He thought it was very cool to be able to hit something with a stick.

My smart little guy

Tucking Matthew into bed each night, or actually for nap for that matter, is always a challenge.  We go potty, read a million books, say goodnight to all of his friends in his school picture ("Goodnight Lunden, Goodnight Ms. Jorli, Goodnight Slade...."), cuddles, you name it.  Natalie read him a book tonight (that was awesome!  She is doing so well in reading) and I was ready to leave.  He said, "No, Mommy, don't leave.  You are my best friend."  Awwwwww.  I couldn't leave.  I read another book.  Or maybe three.
I went out to tell Andy this, all proud of myself, and when I did he informed me that Matthew told him at naptime that HE was Matthew's best friend.
Clever kid, huh?  I so love how quickly he has become very verbal.  It is fun to see.

Two interesting photos.

 Andy woke up when I went to go get the camera; he and Charli were really cuddled up like this.  Charli definitely adores him.  As for this other photo, Natalie selected Matthew's outfit. He is wearing a blue MandM outfit, a pink stocking hat, a hula skirt, Sperry shoes, and of course, carrying what every well dressed MandM is wearing these days, a tamborine.  Wow. Just wow. 

 

One week (almost) done, and who knows how many more to go....

Meagan and Natalie are now offically third and first graders. It was very sad for me because it was the first time that I couldn't take them to their first day of school.  Last year, I didn't start work until September, so I was able to take them.  Thankfully, last year was the big Kindergarten year, so at least I didn't have to miss out on that milestone (not that I would.  Somethings are not to be missed.) Andy took them to their classes and got this cute photo on the way.  Both girls really like their teachers.  They also seem to like their Y group after school much better, which is one less thing for us to worry about.
My school is doing well as well.  It is actually a little bit weird that things have gone so smoothly, but I am taking it and running with it.  This was the easiest start to the year that I have ever had because I know each and every one of my students since I looped up from 6th grade to 7th grade.  Being back in 7th grade makes me miss my old buddies from "the other school." I actually really lucked out at a jobalike last week to get to hang out with several of them.  It was like I never left, just fell back into talking like we still see each other all the time.  Pretty cool.  I like my coworkers now too.  I am on a great team.  I was bummed out to move rooms, but I like my new roommates too.  All is good.  My friend Amber has a calendar with the amount of days left on it.  I think it is like 176 or something. :-)

Kicking it at the bowling alley

Andy's parents came to town and Bob and I love bowling.  Apparently, you don't have to be good at bowling, because Bob and I were terrible.  Matthew (that is a scary photo there with his eyes!) scored better than either of us did.  As you can see, he got some help along the way.  They didn't have any of these things when I was a kid.  We had to just throw it down the lane and hope that you accidently hit a pin or two.  Now they get ramps, gutter blockers, etc.  Of course, baby Jenny got to bowl too.  She is an amazing bowler.  She can get the most difficult splits! We are trying to get ready for school starting on Monday.  I can't believe it is that time already.  We went to back to school night for the girls.  Meagan's teacher's son was in Natalie's class last year, so we know her, which is nice.  Very exciting time of the year!

The imagination of a toddler

 I have always found it funny that children will play for hours with a plain brown box.  Forget all the toys in the room; I have a box!  Today Natalie took a box that a dress arrived in and made it into a "rocket ship."  Matthew insisted on making a cave complete with pillow and blankets.  Not sure what kind of rocketship this is, but he likes it.  Today he came home very proudly showing off the imprint of another child's teeth on his arm.  We had to sign an incident report.  Not sure what the story is yet.  Other people have had to sign incident reports due to our little guy.  Boys are so different than girls, although his friend who bit him (if he is to be believed :) is a girl. 
In other news, tomorrow is my last day of freedom.  Yes, I am returning to work already.  I have throughly enjoyed this summer although I haven't done most things that I had planned on doing.  I feel ready to see everyone, but not ready for the back to school stuff.  I love meeting the kids, it is all of the planning part that is a bummer.  I have a new classroom to set up and a brand new (other than one other former 6th grade teacher who is also moving up) team of teachers to work with.  Scary, but a fun adventure anyway.