Community College

An open letter to my community college students:

Dear Students,

I am so excited by the possibilities this semester presents to us.  I'm excited to give you the tools necessary to become musicians and pianists, and I know you're eager to learn those skills.  However, there are a few things I'd like to mention before we go any further in the semester so that we're all on the same page.

1.  If you don't remember the contents of the class syllabus, please review it at once.  It will solve a lot of questions, heartache, grief, and curiosity you may have regarding what we will be doing and how I will handle things.
2.  Please read directions on your music and homework.  For example, if it says "line notes only," please don't start using space notes.  It just shows me that you don't pay attention.
3.  Use a pencil in class.  It says so in the syllabus, I've said it numerous times, and it's hard for me to grade in red pen when you did your homework in red pen. 
4.  If you don't ask questions, I don't know what you're struggling to understand.  I can help you better if you ask me about things that aren't clear.  There is a 90% likelihood that if you have a question, someone else in class has that same question.  Speak up!
5.  Relax.  Enjoy yourself.  You are not the worst student in the class as long as you are putting forth an effort to do well and better.  Give yourself some credit - it's a tough thing to pick up a new skill as an adult, and you're doing an awesome job sticking to it. 

Have a great Labor Day weekend, and I'll see you on Tuesday!

Love, Your Instructor

Speaking with E

E is much more of a talker at this age than L was.  At this point in life, L was still just saying a few words and nodding/shaking her head for what she wanted.  I think she still may have had her nodding and shaking backwards too.  E, on the other hand, is verbose.  She can say words for most everything and uses those words often.  Lately, it's been asking for food.  "Apple?  Peeeeeach?  Snack!  Whysh? (rice)  Moo?  (milk)"  I've even heard her say "yohg" (yogurt) and "fuut!" (fruit) as well.  She's a champion at saying NO, but I think she's finally found her own way of saying yes.  E won't say yes, but if I ask her a question and she wants to respond in the affirmative, she responds with cute "uhn!" sound.  She can even put a few two-word sentences together, like "moh please" (more please), "uhn, please!" (yes please), and "no, Daddy!"  It makes me wonder when her speech explosion is going to come - L's was at 2 years 5 months.

Crap Nap (for me!)

There's nothing quite like knowing you have a wonderful 1.5 hours to lay down and nap...and then only napping for about 15-20 minutes.  GAH.  First, the phone rang.  Then, a firetruck went screaming by.  Then, E woke up whining for her pacifier (we're trying to wean her - she fell asleep without it but needed it when she woke to go back down).  Then, I guess I just couldn't turn by brain off.  I suppose the silver lining would be that the girls slept well but I'm bummed that I couldn't get more rest.  Maybe this means I'll sleep better tonight?  We'll see I suppose.

Getting the Dirt, aka Parent Talk

When I went to pick up L from preschool today, the class was running a bit behind.  Because of that, all of us parents were waiting outside the classroom instead of trickling in like we usually do.  So, we all were chatting about the kids and how they like preschool.  ALL of the parents agreed that every. single. one. of their kids talks about L.  Not just mentioning her, but talking on and on about her.  WOW.  One boy told his mom "L's skin is so soft!"  (AHAHAHAHA wth?!?), another said "L is the only one that plays with me" (aww, poor kid, but I guess that's what you get when you hit everyone), and still another said that L "knows how to play with dolls."  Hahaha!  It's so funny for me to see her bubbly, outgoing personality coming through in so many ways in a class situation.  To me, it shows that she's nondiscriminatory when it comes to who she plays with, gives everyone a chance, is holding hands/hugging/probably kissing everyone, and being happy while she does it all.  I'm so proud of my little girl for being such a good friend to everyone in her class!  Honestly, it's probably just how she is, but I like to think that maybe I've done something right for the last 3.5 years to help her get to the point she's at now.  Love L, even if she drives me bonkers with her questions and actions 95% of the time! 

Spiders

My husband hates spiders (and scorpions, and snakes, etc.) with a passion.  Much more so than me.  He's been wandering around the house tonight with a broom handle, a wipe rubber-banded to the top of it, and a flashlight to kill as many spiders as he can find on the ceilings.  It's the funniest thing ever to watch, especially since he talks to himself while he does it.  "Squish!  Squish!  Squish!"  I can't help snorting every time I hear him go by muttering that.  Hopefully the spiders get the memo to move out, or else the husband will be squishing them mercilessly!

Draining talks

At bedtime tonight, L wanted to talk endlessly about Japan.  She asked me about everyone there, what I did there when I was a kid, about visiting again, and even about what she'd do with my young cousin T when she sees him again.  While I'm thrilled that she remembers going there and meeting people, and that she wants to return someday, I wish that it didn't feel so painful for me to talk about.  She kept asking about my grandfather, who's been gone for a year now, and his passing just kept sticking daggers in my heart.  L was asking what her Great Obaasan was doing right now, and that just makes me infinitely sad because I know I probably won't see her again before she passes (she's 91).  I walked out of her bedroom pretty much in tears because I feel so helpless and sad at all that happens over there while I live out my life here.  Why can't it be easier to go there and see family?  Why can't we live closer together?  Why do I miss it more than where I grew up?  I know I told myself when I left there in March that I probably wouldn't be back again, and while I was sad at the time, I don't think it's really hit me until this summer how monumental that is.  I just wish there was a way to make L happy about visiting and me not so sad about missing family (if only there was infinite money, time, and a private jet, lol!).

Quote of the Day (and pics)

I think my favorite part of today was when we were at the pool.  It was the four of us plus my in-laws, and we had just gotten done swimming.  Everyone got out of the pool except my husband via the pool steps.  He hoisted himself out in the shallow end on the opposite side of the pool.  L saw him do that and exclaimed, "Wow, [husband's name], that was AWESOME!"  We all cracked up while my husband was thoroughly embarrassed that his daughter had just referred to him by his first name.  Gotta love what kids say!

E with Grandpa

E adores being in the water!

Everyone in the pool!

L swimming toward Grandpa

"Okay, throw the ring as far out as you can, then we'll go get it."

L getting the ring underwater

"I got it!  Bring me up!"

More pizza action

The last time we went to Peter Piper Pizza as a family was in January.  The girls have grown so much since then!  Since L and E have been fairly good all week, and the husband is leaving on Sunday for a business trip, we decided to treat them to a "special lunch" out.  Amazingly enough, they both ate their fair share of food, behaved pretty well in the booth in which we sat, and then were great in the games area.  E rode lots of little kid rides, L played her fair share of easy games, and I hit the jackpot on one of the games to earn 164 tickets!  The girls were very pleased with their bracelets and rubber duckies that they got with the tickets.  Then, we all crashed for a long nap.  Yay!

L and E ride the dragon.

E gets another ride on the dragon by herself.

L was apparently deadly with her skeeball game - she got a ball up into the lane two to her right!

JACKPOT!

Camera ham

E was a total ham this morning for the camera, so I thought I'd post the pictures. 

Mama and E.

E, with Daddy in the background.

Big cheesy smile!

She has such round eyes and big forehead, kinda like Mama.

"Yo."

Mama, I want the camera now!

SAHM

Every now and then, I need a reminder that staying at home with my children is wonderful.  Today, it came in the form of a woman who drove by me while we were out for a jog.  She slowed down and said to me "you have my dream job!"  By the way she was dressed, I could see she was going to some professional environment for the day, and I could see a car seat in the back of her SUV.  She reminded me that yes, while the girls may drive me crazy and I might complain a lot about how they are, I am in a position that many people envy.  I get to stay home and watch my girls grow, help shape their every day lives, and be there for them whenever they need me.  Many parents are envious because they can't do that, whether for financial or other reasons, and I can understand their jealousy.  So, for today, I'm happy to be able to stay home with my girls.  Tomorrow, I may want to throw myself off the roof. 

My beautiful L is so independent now.  There are times that I wonder what I'm there for except to prepare meals for her.  She'll be 4 in a few months!  Time flies.

E is so funny when stories are read to her.  I never know what to expect.

Me:  *points to duck* What's that?
E:  Duck!
Me:  *points to sheep*  What's this?
E:  Baa!
Me:  *points to cow* What's that?
E:  Beef! [I swear that's what she says]
Me:  *points to pig* What's this?
E:  Yummy!

Busy days

After we dropped L off at preschool this morning, it felt like E and I lived in the car for the next 4 hours.  We went to the college so that I could pick up copies of my syllabus, homework assignments for the next few weeks, and other odds and ends, checked the bookstore for copies of my textbook, and played in some oversized chairs in the student lounge area.  Then, off to the Children's Museum to play with the sand table, go to storytime (yay play dough!), and roll balls down the roller coaster thingie someone had built.  Then drive back to our side of town for lunch at McDonald's, which involved very little eating on E's part and lots more playing in the play place.  Then, we got lunch for L, drove to preschool, picked her up, drove home, and sat L and E down to actually eat their food.  Trotted them off for their naps and they barely slept.  Here I am, exhausted, wanting to nap, and neither of them slept for more than 60 minutes.  ARGH.  So, needless to say, I'm ready for bed right now.  With work starting up again on Thursday, I need my rest!

E playing in the little sand box at the Children's Museum.

Jogging Stroller Ughs

Today was the first time since June 18th that I went out running with the girls in the jogging stroller.  The reason I stopped back then was because it was getting so hot outside, and I wanted to try more DVD workouts to focus on problem spots.  While I'm still doing the DVD workouts, I figured it wasn't too bad in the mornings now (ha!) so we could try going out again.

This morning, it was 84F at 7:45am (when we went out), 50% humidity, full sun beating down, and the girls are heavier than they were two months ago.  It may not sound so bad, but all that together equaled a very intense run (even if it was just a short 2 miles).  I was dripping sweat by the time we were done with one mile, and the girls were loving it.  I think they'd forgotten how much fun it can be to get out and see things in the mornings.  L was waving at all the cars and school buses, and E was having fun pointing out people, flowers, and animals (we saw a few cats and dogs).  When we got back to the house, I couldn't stop dripping sweat!  It was gross and awful.  E, on the other hand, got out of the stroller, looked at me, pointed to get back in the stroller, and said "more!"  Um, maybe later child, but not right now. 

We'll try this again Wednesday morning.  It's going to be easier for me to run in the mornings with the girls now (when L doesn't go to school) than to try and do night runs since it's getting darker earlier.  I hate running in the dark, especially when it's getting darker out instead of lighter, like in the mornings.  I'm hoping on Wednesday we can go further than two miles!

Magazines

In my life, I've only had a handful of magazines that I've ever read on a regular basis.  When I was a teenager, it was Seventeen.  I remember having the librarian make sure I was the first one that had it on reserve every month, and she'd call me to let me know when it came in.  Then I'd bike down to the library, get the magazine, go home, and pour over the contents.  Silly, I know, but I was so into it.

When I was in college, the only magazine I got was American Music Teacher, as part of my national membership to a music teachers organization.  I still read that thing cover to cover!  My favorite parts are the book reviews, conference information and summaries, and articles regarding anything historic.  Even though I don't feel like I'm a true music "professional" anymore, this shows me that I do still know a thing or two about the field!

The last two magazines I've found in recent years are so different from anything I would have picked up on my own:  Cooks Illustrated and Smithsonian. 

The Cooks Illustrated I started getting a few years ago as a birthday present from my husband's grandmother.  She spent many Sundays cooking with my husband, me, and his cousins, so I think this was her way of imparting more cooking knowledge since we didn't live near her anymore.  At first, I let them pile up and just looked at the pictures.  After awhile, I discovered a section in them that reviewed different types of kitchen gadgets.  Fascinating!  And then, another section of questions from readers.  Oooo!  Finally, I started reading the actual articles and recipes, and I've learned so much about how to put things together from them.  I haven't made that many of the recipes out of the magazines, but the ones I have have been incredibly amazing and taught me so much. 

The Smithsonian we started getting as something my husband could use his frequent flier miles on (lol!).  The first issue we got, I read it cover to cover and was amazed at the breadth and depth of all the topics inside.  There were things in there that I would never dream about reading on my own, and yet I found myself completely spellbound by the articles.  One recent article I remember was about Mitt Romney's Mexican roots.  Another was about Antarctic explorers that failed in their expedition and died along the way back.  Yet another was about Abraham Lincoln's youth in Illinois with a focus on the area he grew up in.  Love it!  My husband let our subscription lapse this spring, and after much puppy-dog-eyes from me, he said we could renew.  Hurrah!  Can't wait for the next magazine.

Lazy picture post

I'm too lazy for words today so I'm just gonna post a few pictures from this morning.

The husband got really excited that the cactus fruit had bees in it, so he took a few pictures.  Silly man.

Giggly little E with her Ng-Ng in the pool.

Concerned Grandpa helping L into the pool.

Grandpa's goggles are fun!

Someone got tired of swimming and just wanted to cuddle with Mama.  <3

The dog

After Belle's near-escape (and thankful return) earlier this week, I've been thinking that I haven't gotten many pictures/videos of her with the girls.  She's been around longer than the girls have, and I know she'll be gone in another handful of years, so it'd be nice to have some memories for their posterity.  The girls adore her, and she seems to put up with them fairly well, so it's a great relationship all around.  :)

Belle running away from E's hugging.

E moving in for another hug.

Belle's defense mechanism - licking!

Meetings

Had our meetings today for the start of the semester at the community college.  More of the same thing again, but couldn't concentrate because I had to PEE omg.  Having babies = shrunk bladder.  I'm excited to get into the semester again, but we'll see how it goes - one class for sure, but the second one will probably be cancelled.  Eee!

Dentist

The girls had a dentist appointment this morning.  It's just their usual six-month check-ups, and it was just as nice as it always is.  The dentist is hot said they didn't have any cavities, everything we're doing is on track, and E should try to get rid of her pacifier sooner rather than later.  L didn't like the bright overhead light, but she did like getting a clean bill of health and the bath toy at the end.  If you live in Tucson and need a pediatric dentist, let me know - I highly recommend this location and both dentists!

L in the dentist chair.

Old pictures

My husband has been scanning old pictures of himself and his family for a project we're putting together.  The girls adore looking at the pictures and trying to guess who's who, especially of people they know.  L didn't believe us the other day when we showed her a picture of her grandmother at about age 4.  "That not Ng-Ng!  That ME!"  Well, yes dear, you look very much like your grandmother did at that age, but it's not you!!!!  This one is my favorite.  It's my husband on his grandmother's lap drinking apple juice.  Even in this picture, it's obvious that he adores her and she adores him.  Is it any wonder that he named his first daughter after her?  :)

My husband and his Ho-Ho, circa 1981.

A step in the right direction

I stopped letting L have her own kid shopping cart at the grocery store because she had way too many meltdowns when I tried to remove items from her cart.  Today, I told her we'd try it again and see how it went.  If she had a meltdown, we'd never get a kid cart again.  If not, then we could keep trying it.  She was wonderful with it, aside from ramming her sister now and then.  When we got up to line (where she usually has her meltdown), she immediately put her items on the conveyor belt, announced to the cashier that she was buying all this, and then rammed her sister repeatedly (E didn't care, lol).  I was impressed that she could hold it together.  She was sad when she put her cart back, but I told her since she had been so good we could use it again.  Cue happy face.  This is definitely a step in the right direction!

Swimming with family

Today, when my in-laws came over, we all went over to the community pool for a swim.  The day topped out at 111F (44C), so I'm glad we went early.  It was great fun - my father-in-law attempted to get L to do a back float (you'll see the results below), and E was having the best time kicking, dunking her face, and jumping into the water (also see below).  I think we were only in the pool for about 20-30 minutes, but it was such a great time.

L walking with Grandpa to the pool.

Me helping E in the water.

E lounging on the steps while Ng-Ng plays with her.

Me helping L swim (I was pushing her belly up to keep her flat).

L swimming with Grandpa.

Grandpa was attempting to get L to float on her back.  You can see here what she kept doing.

The video is of my daring little E, who has absolutely no fear of anything (even when I think she should a little bit!).  After she's done wiping her face, I ask her "E, was that fun?" and her response is to make the sign for "more" and says "MORE!"  Crazy child.  :)

My Saturday

My husband jokes with me that people relax on the weekend, while I tend to put it in high gear.  Well, since he's home, I know I can get more done with someone else to help out with the girls.  Knowing that, I'll definitely take advantage of the time!  Today's schedule became this:

1.  Get up at 5am, run 5.4 miles.
2.  Shower.
3.  Breakfast and watching Olympics with the girls.
4.  Prep and paint part of the master bedroom.
5.  Nap.
6.  Wake up, play with girls, eat something to hold over until dinner.
7.  Eat dinner (thanks hubby!)
8.  Clean downstairs for in-laws coming tomorrow.
9.  Bathe girls
10.  Put girls to bed.
11.  Clean up master bedroom.
12.  Watch Olympics while reading on the Internet.
13.  Shower.
14.  BED omg.

Tomorrow's plan includes a Skype date, swimming, laundry, and probably more cleaning/rearranging of the master bedroom (painting to be finished next weekend, maybe).  Yay weekend!

Costco

Costco is just one of those places that I always walk out with more than I need.  It's ridiculous, too, because everything is gigantic at Costco and how could I possibly need 80 granola bars (for example)?  It just happens.  I walk in with a list of 3-4 items with the girls, and walk out with 10 items and the girls having snacked on almost all the samples they have to offer.  Lunch?  Pfft, no thanks, we had samples!  I have GOT to get a better rein in on that store.  At least I know to bypass the produce area!

Spending time with E

Now that L is in preschool, it gives me 3.5 hours of uninterrupted one-on-one time with E that we've never had before.  It didn't dawn on me until Tuesday that the longest E and I have ever had one-on-one was probably the week that L went to spend with her grandparents in June 2011.  We don't get time together, just me and her, and so I'm glad we're getting it now.

E loves it.  I'm sure that once she gets over missing L for the first hour, she'll love it even more.  We play with the things she wants to play with, sing her favorite songs, look at photo albums of her, don't have to share with L, and get lots of time to just talk to each other.  She's so happy!  Even when she does throw a fit because I can't do something at the moment, or won't let her do something because she could hurt herself, she still bounces out of it faster than if L was around.  I was even able to get a little bit of college work done this morning while she putzed around the play kitchen.  Great!  If only I could get her not to pitch a gigantic fit in the car on the way home after picking up L.  I think she's just tired at that point (nap is always next on the list of things to do), but it's highly annoying to drive the 6 minutes home listening to someone crying, screaming, and yelling "DOLL!  DOLL!" at the top of her lungs because she happened to fling them at her big sister during her tantrum. 

I can't wait to get in the groove of spending one-on-one time with her and do errands, go to fun places, and even get her doing some of her own activities (i.e. swimming with Grandpa, library time, etc.).  Yay for younger siblings!

Silly E, your sunglasses are on upside down!

Olympics

My favorite Olympic sports, in no particular order:

1.  Track & field anything!
2.  Diving
3.  Cycling
4.  Rowing
5.  Swimming
6.  Soccer

L's First Day of Preschool

Today was L's first day of preschool.  I was so nervous for today because I just wasn't sure how she was going to react.  Luckily, it went well.

The morning started out with her taking 45 minutes to eat her breakfast of yogurt, 1/2 a bagel, and milk (typical).  OMG.  Luckily, all her stuff was ready to go from yesterday's packing, so we just put on shoes and drove to school. 

I didn't realize it would only take just under 10 minutes to drive there, so we were early.  That gave us a chance to hang out in front of her classroom, meet some other students, and let her get comfortable in the environment.  When the classroom opened, she went right in, plopped herself down in front of a dollhouse, and was on her merry way!  I signed her in, put her backpack in her cubby, put her water bottle on the counter, and then went to say goodbye to her.  I called her over to me and L was so annoyed that I interrupted her dollhouse playing!  I told her where her water bottle was, that E and I were leaving (E was super interested in a toy baby crib in the room), and that I'd be back to get her around lunch time.  She gave me a kiss, said "bye Mama!," and pranced right back over to the dollhouse.  I guess the crying/screaming/horrible goodbye I had dreaded didn't happen, but at the same time, couldn't she be a little sad about having Mommy leave?  Hee hee hee.  (some of the other parents said that there was one boy that did this this morning, but it was apparently after E and I had already left)

E and I went to Target to do some returns and get E a present.  She was quite despondent that L wasn't there and couldn't figure out why.  We also went to the YMCA to sign L up for a sports class and say hi to Grandpa (he was lifeguarding at the pool).  Then, home to spend some quality one-on-one time together.  E loved it.  I guess I hadn't realized how little one-on-one time she and I get until she was just clamoring all over me to read books, play games, blow bubbles, follow her around, etc.  I think she and I are really going to enjoy the time that L is in school together!  We had lunch together and then loaded up to go get L.

When we got there, they were just winding up story time.  L was sitting on the edge of the semicircle listening to the story, and I was able to count 4 boys and 3 girls in her class.  There are girls!  Huzzah!  Last week, it was only 5 kids and she was the only girl.  Then, all the kiddos got there stuff, sat at the table, and waited for their parent(s) to sign them out and go home.  L saw me come in with E in my arms, broke into a huge smile, and said "Mama!" in the most wonderful, heartwarming way.  She had two drawings that she had made and we are going to hang on the wall.  I told her to say thank you to her teacher (Miss D), give her a hug, and then we were on our way home. 

On the way home, she told me about another boy hitting another child.  His punishment was to sit on a stool (I'm just saying it like she told me).  She said "I don't want sit stool."  HA!  I asked her if she should hit other kids in her class?  She said no, that bad.  At least she understands that.  Then, out of the blue, she told me "I love my school!"  Totally made the headache of finding a school, enrolling her, getting her ready, and taking her worth it.  I'm so glad she enjoyed her first day, and I know she can't wait to go back again on Thursday!

L ready for school (the funny look is because she's looking into the sun)

L and E holding hands by the palm tree

L playing with the dollhouse at preschool

L's rainbow she drew today!

Proud of my produce!

At the grocery store today, 80% of what we got was produce.  I've never done that before, and I've never felt quite so proud of myself for being able to do that.  Cooking more has definitely opened up a huge amount of possibilities to me, and it's just more fun sometimes to put it together myself instead of having someone else do it.  I've been craving a BLT all weekend, so I made one for myself today out of the stuff we got at the store.  Mmmmm!  The girls liked it too (aside from L spitting out the tomato and pronouncing it inedible, lol).  Tonight will be chicken wraps with lettuce, parmesan cheese, and ranch dressing - YAY!

Home renovations

I have a jar that sits on top of our microwave labeled "Backsplash Fund."  Every time I have a $5 bill in my possession, I put it in the jar.  I started it at the end of February and am hoping that, by the time next February comes around, I'll have enough in there for a decent project.  To me, you need to maintain your home as much as possible through regular maintenance, upkeep, checks, and upgrades in order to keep it livable.  I've seen too many homes in my family go to pot because no one was willing to lift one finger to even clean it.  I was telling my husband about this today and mentioned that I was always afraid to use the bathroom at my grandfather's house growing up because it was beyond gross.  Just...yuck.  Anyway, both of our sinks in the master bathroom need to be replaced.  My husband says he can do it with my father-in-law.  My gut tells me that if they do it, it probably will look like two people that didn't know exactly what they were doing did it.  That's absolutely not what I want.  I said that to my husband and he was beyond hurt.  I'm grateful that he'd be willing to tackle such a big project, but really?  It's not up his alley.  If he took the time to educate himself in what needs to be done, that would be another story, but he won't.  He'll just take his dad's lead and go from there.  What would you do in this situation with your spouse?

So, beyond the sinks, I'm crossing my fingers that I'll eventually get our bedroom finished with painting and get new doors for our bedroom.  Guess I'll have to start another jar for those doors!

Weekend run, how I've missed thee!

FINALLY went for a run this morning on a weekend.  It's been weeks since I've done it, and boy have I missed it.  I ran four miles this morning, so nothing too long or taxing, but I ran the whole thing.  So nice to be out while it's still semi cool, no one is up, listening to my music, and running.  Even though I was slower than slow, I still managed to do it!  Yes!!! I signed up for a 8K in October (~5 miles), so I've really got to get some serious training in.  However, if I can have more mornings like this for running, I'll take them!

Preschool open house

We went to L's preschool open house last night to meet her teacher, see the classroom, and see a few of the other students in her class.  It was so nice to have gone, as it has assuaged many of my nerves about it.  First, I knew that the class was going to have a new teacher this year since the past instructor was moving on to the 4-year-old classroom.  However, they replaced her with L's teacher, Miss D, who took a year off last year after having a baby (sounds like her little one is about E's age).  She has 10+ years experience teaching at that preschool, so I'm very pleased to see someone with so much experience in there with L.  Second, L's class only has five students registered for it right now.  Even if there are people that sign up next week before it starts, that's still only the size of a play group!  She'll have plenty of one-on-one attention, and I'm so pleased for that.  Of those five students right now, it seems that L is the only girl, unless one of the strange names I saw on the list is a girl (hard to tell).  That will be interesting.  Finally, she met two boys that will be in her class, a Levi and a Collin.  Both are younger siblings to other kids in the elementary school (it's a K-8 campus with a preschool and daycare), both have very high maintenance moms (my husband already said I won't fit in with them, LOL [but that's a good thing!]), and both were super happy to meet L.  The classroom is great, Miss D had a wonderful manner with them, and L genuinely looked comfortable and pleased to be there.  She was sad we had to go, but gave Miss D a hug and said "see you Tuesday!"  So cute. 

I'm still nervous for her first day but I think she's excited beyond compare.  She woke up this morning and asked "I go school today?"  Not yet, sweetie, but soon enough!

Children's Museum Visit

We went to the Children's Museum on Tuesday and I took a bunch of pictures.  Enjoy!

Playing outside with a new friend.  I helped them build a giant house out of all these blocks and all the kids flocked over to play in it.  Ha!

New exhibit!  The girls loved this ambulance.

E plays with nobs on the firetruck. 

E picking fruit.

Depositing fruit into shopping cart.

L adds red to make the eye super scary.

L and E playing during storytime.

Instead of staying in storytime, E (in the middle) decided to wander off a few times to the bug area in the room.  It's a huge screen/mat on the floor that you can step on and the things in/on it react.  For instance, if you try to step on a spider, it will scoot away from your foot.  It's really awesome!

Trying to catch the bubbles.

L catching bubbles.

"Stand on your head," says the man leading storytime.  So, naturally, L decides to roll over.

"Pretend to sleep," says the man.  L tries to scoot closer and cuddle with him.

Teddy bear made during the craft time.

E's teddy bear she made during craft time.