Toothless

Joshua lost his first tooth last week (He's had one pulled by the dentist, but that doesn't really count).  The tooth was hanging by a thread (literally) for 3 days before I could convince him to let me pull it out.  Finally , the thought of striking it rich with a visit from the tooth fairy won him over.  He found a $2 bill under his pillow the next morning, and is currently making a list of all the Star Wars toys he's going to buy with his two dollars . . . remember when two dollars seemed like a fortune?  Ignorance is bliss. =)

Preschool!

 Olivia is now officially a preschooler!  She is BEYOND excited, and has been counting down the days all summer.  On her first day, she said, "Mom, I don't want you to stay with me.  I want you to go home, and then come back later to get me, ok?"  I felt so loved . . .  Seriously though, I've never met a little girl so comfortable with her social skills.  She is a natural leader, and we know she's going to be a FABULOUS preschooler!

Motherhood

A six-year-old's perspective on motherhood . . .

Joshua: "Mom, it's kind of like you're our servant."

Tell me about it.

First Grade!

Joshua started first grade today.  He was excited to be back in school, but a little nervous too.  In the car on the way to school, he said, "I think I'm really going to miss Ethan and Livi and you."  All this was forgotten when he arrived at his new classroom and saw his best friend from kindergarten was sitting right next to him.  When he heard first graders get THREE recesses, he decided he wasn't so nervous after all.  I gave him a hug, told him I love him, and then left the classroom to cry in my car . . . and so another school year begins.

Farewell to Summer!

The kids and I had an end-of-summer party yesterday.  Both Joshua and Livi start school in the next few days, and we wanted to do some of our favorite summer things to celebrate.

First we went to the movie theatre and saw Kung Fu Panda 2 . . .

Then we had a picnic at the splash park . . .

We had fun spending the day together, and we're a little sad to say goodbye to the freedom of our summer days.  Ethan and I are going to miss the kids so much . . . but I can't really talk about that or I'll start crying.  Goodbye Summer!  We'll miss you!

33!

        Jason and I had this little obsession with the TV series, "24."  It entailed putting the kids to bed early so we could get as many episodes in as possible, then dreaming of saving the world from terrorists at night, and discussing our predictions over the phone the next morning.   Fortunately for our children, we've finished all 8 seasons now.  But since then, Jason has had this desire to become some sort of secret government agent.
        Last week Jason turned 33, and I surprised him by taking him to an indoor shooting range where he could live out his Jack Bauer fantasy (in a safe, non-terrorist environment).  He got to shoot 8 or 9 different guns- He could tell you all their names, but I don't have a clue what they were.  And I even shot a few myself.  I know . . . me.  with a gun.  scary.  We had a great time together.  It seriously did feel like we were in a movie or something.

Jason had great aim.  He even got Osama bin Laden right between the eyes.  I was just trying to keep my eyes open when I shot.

After the shooting range, we went to dinner and had a little party with the kids.  We also ate a lot of cake over the next few days as we celebrated with family.

Happy Birthday Babe!  I'll love ya forever!!