fancy lady

I know I've previously mentioned Charlotte's love of accessorizing.. but she has taken it to another level lately.  Whatever she can get her hands on - jewelry, shades, and most of all HATS - she wants to wear.

She did this to herself this weekend (I have since hung my jewelry up where she can't get to it).  Couldn't have been prouder.  I think the snow boots and Colin's hat really add to the look. 

But it's not just at home that she likes to be fancy.  Apparently she refuses to take off her hat at school.  So... we get a lot of daily reports from daycare that look like this...

Here's crazy in action on a particularly fancy day... infant racoon hat, necklace, and mittens?

What a nut.  These will come out when she's a famous fashion designer someday, I promise :)

first snow of the year...

Starting early this year, aren't we?  Hopefully this does not foreshadow a winter like last year.

There wasn't really enough to build an igloo (Colin's first suggestion) but just enough to throw some snowballs around. Pardon the bad pictures I took from the warmth of the foyer.  

colin at school

One of my biggest worries about moving was how the kids would adjust to a new school.  We were so lucky to get them in to a great daycare here.  So far, they are doing great!  One of them seems to like the new situation a little better than the other, of course.  I'll let you take a guess on which one that is.

We had a parent teacher conference in Colin's pre-K room last night and it was wonderful to hear how well Colin is doing.  His teachers said he's had no problem adjusting, is listening and following directions, getting along well with his new friends, and has had no problem catching up to where they are in the curriculum.  In fact, they said he is one of the top students in the class academically!  So great to hear.

This school sends us pictures and updates throughout the day, so I get to see what the kids are up to, which is so nice.  Here's Colin working on a project this morning.

This school also devotes every Friday to their chess program.  The kids learn through stories the different characters and how they move across the board.  I can't believe Colin is playing chess!  

I'm just so glad the transition hasn't been too tough on them, and it makes me feel good that they're learning so much here!

everything is chill in the 'ville

Our first post-move post!   Happy to say we are alive and well.  So much has happened in the past few weeks.  I survived the great migration across the border back to the Homeland....

By myself with two kids doing things of this nature in the backseat....

we spent a week with most of the rooms in our house looking like this....

The kids started at their new daycare and are doing SO great.  I'm so proud of their transition, and it makes it all so much easier to hear that they are happy and loving their new school and new house.  

They've had lots of fun exploring all the exciting features of our new home..

and enjoying all the standard e'ville activities..

bundling up at the halloween parade...

cheering on the tigers in the postseason....

exploring a whole world of new parks....

and most importantly, spending lots of time with family....

Work is going well and we are all slowly adjusting to new routines and a new life.  It's a good one so far!