Bringin' Home the Bacon

the finished product!

Leo entertained himself with drumming and motorcycles

snuggle time!

putting her first coins in!

Isabelle, Luca, and now Sophia are all 3!!! Jodie decided it might be nice to mix up our regular play sessions with some craft time, and I never miss a chance to do something crafty, teacher-y or theme-y! ;) Actually I really like her idea because it gets the kids ready for preschool with a structured activity, but it's more low-key since it's run by us and I would not be as apt to do it for just my child (which is probably terrible, but it's true!) So every Wednesday we're going to take turns doing a "preschool" type activity/craft.

Julie was first and the kids decorated these adorable piggy banks! Love it! Sophia was pumped and had a great time painting and bejeweling her pig! Leo has a couple piggy banks and I think she's been a bit jealous! I didn't post the pics of them painting b/c we took the girls' shirts off to avoid permanent paint stains, and I just didn't think topless toddlers was appropriate, but they did enjoy themselves! I'm really excited about my first one...of course I have a theme complete with a book, activity and snack! Yay!

Rainy Day

the perfect day to break in new frog rain boots...
...with my swimsuit!

But I want you to be done taking pictures so I can get in the pool!

swimming!

playing!

splashing!

all cleaned up and ready for a nap!

Tuesday was such a rainy day that couldn't go to waste, so we packed up and headed to the indoor pool. Isabelle and Jodie joined us and we all had a gay ol' time! Both Sophia and Leo just love the pool. We'd like to keep Sophia going all winter long so she can continue to hone those swimming skills. She's getting really close to actually propelling herself through the water...I'm ready for it!

Tennis Twins

dutifully following baby brother

I just couldn't resist the chance to take a picture of both Shelby and Sophia in their tennis skirts! Sophia and Bama cheered Shelby on at her latest match while Leo and I tried to get there, but sadly were too late! We went to Chinese and ice cream afterwards though!

Beginnings...

Sophia went to her first day of Parents Day Out this week. She goes on Mondays from 9:30 - 2:30 and absolutely loves it! She is so excited to go and is never in a mood for me to pick her up (she went for a few weeks last year too). We considered putting her in 2 days/week but decided to forgo that cost this year since both her and Leo will be going next year. In the meantime...Jodie, Julie and I have designed our "one day a week preschool time"...more on that to come! ;)

I'm ready for my day!
I'm going to miss my brother

All packed and ready

with one of my teachers, Miss Shannon

perfectly content to be left behind without mom!

This video is before school...I was really hoping it wasn't a sign of what was to come in terms of her behavior! ;)

Sophia did her routine a few times but I picked this video b/c Leo cracks me up...just hanging out with Belinda! ;)

Playtime With Grandma Sue

Grandma helping Sophia put on her "make-up"
Leo excited by his new ball

hello, princess!

story time

on the way to the park with their babies

Leo and Belinda doubled up since there was only 1 baby swing

wheeeeeeeee!

notice the baby feet hanging out of swing #2 :)

waiting for our burgers

okay, I get it...she loves me

Mooooooom!?! I said I get it...get her off me!

We had a lovely visit with Sue this weekend. It's been a while since we've gotten some quality time together and we spent the afternoon playing! Like a good grandma ;) ha ha, she brought presents for the little ones...Leo got a new ball and Sophia got a princess bag filled with "make-up" and sunglasses. The make-up was fabulous actually because it looks so real, but only plastic! It even came with a little eye shadow brush and lipstick...I thought it was going to be a mess but it's just perfect! Sue is always up for a walk and we headed to the park while Charlie finished up doing his yard work project. All that activity made us hungry so we headed to my favorite restaurant, Blanc, to get some yummy dinner! It was a bit hectic and I don't think Sue got a true feel for the place's charm and delciousness, so I guess we may just have to go back! ;)

Endings...

Sadly, Sophia finished her last Parents as Teachers home visit last week. The really sad part was that I was totally blindsided because I thought the program went until she was 4!?! I'm not exactly sure why I thought this, I mean at one point I knew the real deadline was 3, but I guess I was just extra hopeful and decided to have selective memory!

As a "graduation" present, our gal brought Sophia the super cute book pictured above. I would like to add however that next year she has already suggested they buy and give away a book that Sophia and I recommended to her called The Pout Pout Fish. I felt rather impressed with myself for possibly choosing the latest and greatest PAT graduation book for 3 year olds all over Shawnee Mission! ;)

Even though I cried when I realized that this was her last visit (I'm not kidding, tears literally...and a lot of 'em...not to mention that I hadn't even baked her cookies or anything...the horror!) I am so thankful that we were able to participate in this seriously phenomenal program. I learned a lot, as early childhood is certainly not my expertise, and Sophia adored Miss Kathy and each visit they had together. The other big downside is that even though Leo is only 1, he doesn't get to continue with the home visits any longer either because of the demand for the consultants' time and resources. Although I was thrilled to have her here with Sophia, Leo is really the one that needs it. At each evaluation Kathy would sail through it checking off all the things that Sophia could do and then some...with Leo...not so much. In the end though, she did allay some of my fears about him.

We both agreed that he is really much too focused on his gross motor skills right now to deal with the small stuff...like waving, putting things in other things, and giving and releasing his toys! He is a very happy and active child and she sees no reason to worry that he won't eventually catch on to those fine motor skills, even though it probably won't happen until after he starts walking and starts climbing...about another 6 months or less.

We had a great three years and we'll miss Kathy dearly!

Furry Birthday

Happy 6th Birthday, Walter!

Walter celebrated his golden birthday this year and sadly we didn't do anything very special for him. :( Things have been hectic around here and with all 3 of our 'kids' having birthdays this month, somebody has to take a hit...and this year it was Walt. He did get a trip to the dog park and new toy, but that was about it.

I've had my ups and downs with him lately as he seems to add more stress to my life some days and I just never thought I'd really have to deal with the acting-out of a dog on top of the acting-out of my almost 3 year old! It's really trying some days! ;)

In the end, though, he's a good, sweet dog and I love him. He makes me feel safe when Charlie is gone and is always eager to lay by my side or give me licks. The kids adore him and Leo lights up every time he comes near. He is very tolerant and loving and although usually gives too many kisses, I know he would protect the kids if he had to too. Happy birthday, Walt...we love you!