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! 

Colin's 5th birthday party!

Birthday parties are a big thing in Colin's class this year.  Colin started asking if he could have a party with his friends months ago.  The big day finally arrived today!  

Per his request, the theme of the party was "orange" and "monkeys."  

 Colin and his sister were super excited to check out the new MyGym for kids in Lafayette, and they did an amazing job with his party!

The man of the hour with his very, very orange cake. 

When we booked the party we had no idea that we'd be moving two days later.  No stress there.  But it turned out to be a great opportunity for Colin to have one last day of fun with his friends.

Here he is with Ryan; they've known each other since they were about 6 months old.

Even Trey made it up from Indy!

 Best group shot I could get of Teddy, Colin and Ryan (and Sophia and Talin too).

They did a great job of having some structured games and circle time, and also free play (i.e., crazed five year olds climbing the walls.. literally)

Even Charlotte was having fun.  

Girl is a born gymnast.  Is it typical for 21 month olds to be able to do a dead hang, drop from the bar, stick the landing and laugh?  Just wondering.  

They did this cute thing where Colin got to go in the back room and then ride out for his grand entrance.  Here we are getting ready:

His friends were chanting "colin! colin!"awaiting his arrival.  Until one of them got the idea to go looking for him and they all followed.  Chaos ensued.  I have an all new respect for what his teachers deal with!

But he still got to make his grand entrance! 

Then a very special trapeze ride while everyone sang "happy birthday"...

and a zip line ride to finish off the day!

After we left, Colin said to me, "This was way more fun than I thought it would be!"  So glad he had a great time with his little friends :)

Mr. String Bean Esq. the Third

Colin had his five year appointment yesterday, and boy was that an adventure.  I almost longed for the days when he was terrified of the doctor and spent the appointment silently clinging to me.  Because silent he was not.  After interrogating the doctor on why he was wearing a different shirt than his last visit (8 months ago) and cross-examining him on the difference between his whiskers and colin's daddy's whiskers, his age as compared to colin's parents, and other various topics, we were finally able to get down to business.  

If you've noticed that Charlotte is steadily gaining on him....

it's because Colin has officially reached "bean pole status" in the words of Dr. Cates.  He continues to rapidly gain height, but not weight.  He's now 3' 6.5" tall, and weighs 33 pounds.  Here is his lovely growth curve.  He's completely fallen off the charts.   Dr. Cates is not concerned as he clearly eats and is growing well.  He's just a very skinny dude.  Could be worse I guess.  

Since he is so skinny, they had to break out the infant BP cuff for his tiny little arm.. and they couldn't give him his shots in his shoulder!  I had to hold him on my lap like a baby while they pinched his little thigh.  Accordingly, he gave a performance worthy of an infant when the shots were given.  On the way home, he was very quiet... then sadly asked me, "Mommy, do I have holes in my leg now?"  Poor kid.

Colin aced his vision screen with vision of 20/25 (compared with mom's corrected vision of 20/13 the day prior.  ouch).  Hearing test was great as well, not that we had any doubt about that.  Doctor says he is very advanced with his speech and vocabulary.. not that we had any doubt about that either.  And he said that, despite his wild monkey behavior at the appointment, he is doing very well and is a good kid.  What a relief ;) 

It's so hard to believe this little (very little, apparently) monkey is going to be five in a few days!

halloweenfest 2014

One thing we'll definitely miss about our neighborhood is the fun parties in the park.  Today was the annual halloween fest, which is always the most fun.  Here we are on our way to the park.  A storm trooper and a ladybug! 

Colin immediately disappeared into the bounce house as usual, leaving one confused ladybug out in the wilderness.

She perked right up when she spotted the slides.

and the swing...

party girl 

Storm Trooper finally emerged when he heard it was time for the parade...

ready to get down to business.

trick or treating along the route...

two storm troopers...

candy corn bowling!

happy pachacha

this look sums up every feeling the oldest child ever has about the younger ones.  haha.

happy stinker faces!