Wordless Wednesday - Pirates!

Stroller Fun

Didn't I write several times about how Ella and Aidan truly despise the stroller (unless it is in the living room parked in front of the tv)?

Well, I have now discovered that perhaps it isn't the concept of the stroller that they dislike so much, but the particular make and model that we own.

Apparently, they are perfectly content to sit their little tushes in a doll stroller !!

Flashback Friday

September 2008 - 16 Months

I just love these pictures of our little ones with their hands up in the air as they were still perfecting the art of walking.

Ella was so cautious and careful about each and every step she took.

Aidan, on the other hand, always took off without even a moments hesitation!

Sock Cleaning

Ella and Aidan have discovered the fun of "cleaning" by using socks on their hands. However, they prefer only to clean the wall part of the mantle surrounding the fireplace.

If only I could direct that energy to something that actually needs to be cleaned!

Wordless Wednesday

Can you tell what is happening in this picture? Stay tuned for a video answer tomorrow!

Flashback Friday

March 2009 - 22 Months Old

The simple entertainment of a 50 cent race car!

Daddy's Boots

Not to be outdone by his sister in her princess shoes, Aidan discovered the fun of wearing his Daddy's firefighting work boots!

Wordy Wednesday - Breakfast Conversation with Ella

Ella: Mommy, I want pony…and baby pig.  You want pig too?  I love animals, lets go see animals.  Daddy home, we go see animals, okay?

Mommy: That sounds like a good plan.  Maybe we will go see animals this weekend.  Ella, you are so silly. 

Ella: No, not silly, I just Ella. I love pink.  My milk, you hold it.  EIEIO – you sing it! 

Mommy: Old MacDonald had a farm.. 

Ella: No, no, you stop singing, I sing now.  Want pancakes? 

Mommy: Are you excited about school tomorrow? 

Ella: No, no school, I go beach, see Opa and buckets, I want pink bucket…..and seashells……. and water……..and shovels……..and Mommy Shushi!  You go beach too!  And Daddy, and Aidan.  Take shoes off. 

Mommy: Are you finished with breakfast yet? 

Ella: No, I want lollipop. 

Mommy: No honey, not for breakfast. 

Ella: Okay, cookie?  Where Aidan go? 

Mommy:  He finished his breakfast and now he’s in the playroom. 

Ella: I go too. All done. 

Mommy: Ok, well help me carry your dishes to the sink. 

Ella: No, I do myself! 

Mommy: Good job, thank you very much for your help! 

Ella: You’re welcome too! See ya later! I go shopping now!

Princess Shoes

The shoe obsession has officially begun!

Ella simply adores her new princess shoes, and wears them around the house constantly these days.  She is so cute - waving goodbye and telling us "I go shopping now!".

Wordless Wednesday

First Day of Preschool

Wow - what a morning!  After a brief photo session in the front yard, we were all packed up and ready to go!

Ella and Aidan proudly wore their little backpacks and marched right into the school and their classroom without even a moment's hesitation.  As Mike and I walked away after dropping them off, I literally felt sick to my stomach and had to resist the urge to turn around and go scoop them both into my arms and forget the whole idea of preschool.

Today was an "ease in" day and they only went from 9:15 - 10:45.  They will be on their normal routine on Thursday (9:15 AM - 1:00 PM).  Mike did a good job of distracting me throughout the hour and a half that they were in school by taking me to the mall and letting me browse in Pottery Barn Kids, Gymboree, etc.  Nothing like a little retail therapy!

I will admit that we both spent the morning constantly checking our watches, eager to go pick them up.  Not surprisingly, we wound up back in the parking lot about 15 minutes early - which turned out to be a good thing.

We managed to catch a glimpse of them returning from the playground, all walking in a line, each holding on to their own little loop of the long "lead line" rope.  We stood back so as not to be noticed by the kids.  It was unbelievably precious, and brought tears to my eyes yet again.

All in all, it was a virtually tear-free morning.  When we arrived back at their classroom, they were beyond thrilled to see us and ran right into our arms - Aidan was a little misty eyed at the sight of his Daddy.

They both were so excited to tell us all about their morning.  Ella told us about the sand, the rope and the play food in the kitchen.  Aidan told us all about the big dumptruck and the sand castle.

Sometimes, life just moves too fast!

The Night Before

Tomorrow is Ella and Aidan’s very first day of preschool. 

For the first time in our two years together (well, more than that if you count the pregnancy!), Ella and Aidan will have a few hours of separate experiences from me - they will come home and talk about things that we haven’t shared together as a team. I will pick them up and they will babble and talk about stories and songs I don’t know. I'll sit and listen to them, and try to capture the threads of their experiences - to weave them into some sort of a pattern I can recognize, all the while shedding an invisible tear at my saddness to not have been with them and sharing in their fun. 

But then I realize that they will be gaining experiences beyond what I can provide for them through playdates and swim class.  They will not only have fun and socialize, but also begin to learn the art of a structured learning environment and the basics of the foundation for their future education. 

In the end, I really just need to remind myself that it's really us parents who suffer the most from this milestone of letting go. Ella and Aidan will be just fine!

Flashback Friday

Just a little look back at one of Ella & Aidan's favorite past times....the swings!

Drama Queen

Ella has a new habit.  She has always been quite dramatic, but has recently taken it to a new level.

When she gets upset, she now clasps her hands over her eyes and makes a big production, followed by lying down on the floor and curling into a little ball.

She is not picky at all about where she performs - anywhere will do.  The driveway, the car, Target, the grocery store, the park....yes, they have all been privileged enough to witness our little angel's sweet performances.

It is so much fun.  I just love having everyone stare at me (Aidan included) and give me that scowled face that either says, "What have you done to your child" or "Geez lady, can't you control your own kid?".

Alas, something tells me that our little drama queen has all kinds of tricks up her sleeves that will be revealed throughout the upcoming years.

Wordless Wednesday

Making funny faces while wearing the wrong bibs!

Firsts

Ella and Aidan's first day of preschool is looming in the near future. I get teary when I contemplate first days, when I imagine kids donning backpacks and heading through the doors of the places that will keep and (hopefully) nurture them for years to come. 

We have parent orientation tonight and have a “meet the teachers” open house on Thursday morning. Next Tuesday, on September 8, 2009, Ella and Aidan turn 28 months old, and will pass through the doors of their school building on their very first day of preschool. It will be a day full of firsts. 

For Ella and Aidan it means the first day of the two’s class, their first backpacks, their first packed lunches, their first day apart from Mommy and/or Daddy.

For Mike and I, it will be our first definitive act of letting go as parents.

When we leave them at preschool for the first time next week, I fully anticipate my knees to shake as I walk out. I anticipate sitting in the mini-van in the parking lot, feeling that heavy, dreadful sense of having lost something, and not being able to remember where I left it.