A Very Happy First Day

A week after the big day, and I'm finally finding a few minutes to share our first day of school...our first day of BOTH kids going to school!

The morning couldn't have gone better.  The kids woke up happy and excited and so eager to get to school.  After an oatmeal breakfast and some final primping we were ready!  I gave us plenty of time to snap a few pictures on our way out the door...

Sorry Bridget and Ross, but I will force you to recreate this picture year after year!

And we're off!

We decided to drop Ross off first.  It was a 3 minute-no tears-see ya later kind of drop off.  He had big hugs for his teacher and then he was off to explore.  We didn't want to linger and make him change his mind about how happy he was, so we snuck away, but not without some window peeks...

Bridget couldn't wait one more second to get to her room.  She skipped down the hall, but got a little frozen waking in.  She was one of the last arrive (since we had a little brother to drop off first!) and felt a little overwhelmed by a room full of kids and parents.  I walked her in, got her settled and she was just fine.  After lots of "one more kiss and hug", we waved goodbye and watched our big girl do her thing!

As if I don't already have enough wonderful things to say about our preschool, both of the kids teachers took their time last week to send me a picture they took of the kids in school.  So thoughtful, so sweet and so very appreciated!

Bridget was chosen as the class "leader" on the first day since she has the first birthday is the class!

Apparently Ross thought is was very funny to have his foot painted for an art project!

Soaking it Up

Just as I am always so eager for summer to begin, I'm equally eager to bid it farewell come August.  That time has come and we are just hours away from the 1st day of school for both kids.  Bridget is in Pre-K 4 for 5 mornings a week and Ross will be starting Pre-K 2 for 3 mornings a week.

It's a bittersweet and funny feeling.  The kids are ready for this and so I am, but there will still be so much to miss about our summer.  Sleeping in (which means 7:30 on a good day for us!), wearing pajamas til lunchtime, random calls for last minute play dates with neighbors and friends, poolside lunches, and staying up past bedtime. 

On the bright side, I do love the consistency of a schedule and I think the kids need that as well.  I've probably mentioned a time or two before that I do love the oncoming of Fall...football, cooler weather, Halloween costumes and a very special birthday are all things right around the corner.  Not to mention that with both kids in school means a little alone time for me.  EVERYONE asks, "So what are you going to all by yourself with all that time?!?"  Let me break it down, there are 168 hours in a week and I will be alone for 12 of them.  I'm thrilled for a little "me" time, but it's not like I'm checking out on the kids and going to be living the resort lifestyle all week.  Hardly.  Most of the time will be spent cleaning the house in peace and quiet and working in my Etsy store-which is quite busy these days!  

So, in short, we've soaking up all the good summer things this week, but are ready to move on to this next exciting phase for our family!

We have a lot of rain in the summer, so we need indoor activities too.  I just love our new big kitchen table and so do the kids.  Plenty of room sprawl out and get creative!

A fun day at the Splash Park with our neighborhood besties!

The kids couldn't wait to get their back to school haircuts this week.  This kids salon lets you pick a video to watch while they cut your hair!

A fresh haircut on a little boy is one my very favorite things about being a mama to a boy!

Meet the Teacher night!  We visited school to see our new classroom and new teachers.  A big success for both of them and I can only hope Monday morning goes as well.

I surprised Bridget with a back to school pedicure and she was sooooo excited!  She couldn't stop giggling during the foot massage and it was so cute to see her chit chatting just like a grown up!  She convinced me halfway through to let her do her fingernails too.  I couldn't say no.  My sweet girl deserves it!

We ended our week with an evening swim after dinner on Saturday.  Bridget loved it and it was amazing to think back to just a few months ago when we started using the pool again.  Back in April, she was still a timid swimmer who didn't even like to get her head wet.  Look at her now...

Flipping

(Attempted) Diving

"Throw me again, Daddy!"

Water gymnastics

Happy happy girl

Next spring we'll say goodbye to the swimmies and get Ross swimming just like his big sister

Not happy with Daddy after going under water!

Happy New School Year!

Chicago!

Hello, Chicago!

Two weekends ago, right after my birthday, I went to Chicago for a girls weekend with my mom, sisters, and Aunt Dodie.  My first EVER girls trip since I had Bridget almost 5 years ago.  2 1/2 days of eating, cocktail-ing and shopping!  

I had been to Chicago one other time before, but we did a lot new things on this trip.  Like checking out  "The Bean" and the Chicago Art Institute.

Mom and Caroline in front of The Bean

Lunch on the river on the most beautiful sunny Saturday.  We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather.

Aunt Dodie and her nieces.  I am sure her boys missed her that weekend, but we were so glad she could join us!

Mom and I at the John Hancock Center

So nice for us all to be together!  Only Drew is missing from this happy family pic:)

The kids and Todd had a great weekend at home...or so they told me!