Henry's Starts Preschool

Henry was all fired up and ready to head down the block to our new neighborhood preschool with his lunch bag and Thomas backpack.  He's going full days, three days per week.  So far, he LOVES it.  He runs in the door when we arrive and I have to beg him to come back and give me a kiss goodbye.  He is also downright mad when its time to leave.  I was worried that he wasn't ready for full days as he's only ever been home with Momma and gone to a couple hours of ECFE per week.  At the same time, he is so active and smart that I was unable to provide him with the activity and stimulation he needs.  Well, no worries here.  Hank is doing just fine.

Big Changes

We took it slow and let it happen naturally.  Despite Siri's stubbornness, she is finally weaned.  This makes me wistful.  A bit melancholy, a bit reflective.  Sad and happy at the same time.  On the one hand, I get to have my body to myself after four years of pregnancy and nursing.  On the other hand, I'm not going to have any more babies! 

Siri is very much a toddler now and Henry is a willful soon-to-be preschooler.  He started potty training in earnest on August 14th and has done great.  He rarely has accidents, but is still working on mastering the finer points. 

How did they go from this...

to this, so fast?!

The Kitchen Refresh Project

It's not like we aren't busy.  We are.  But when we found a bit of rotten wood in the kitchen earlier in the summer, that snowballed into a much bigger project.  We aren't able to remodel right now, so I am doing what I can to give our kitchen a much needed face lift with just some stripper, poly and paint.  All of the cabinets and doors were painted with a single layer of cheap white paint that, over the last decade, had started to chip and flake off.  I stripped one door and we found what we had long suspected: the solid oak cabinets are beautiful and the previous owner had just slapped white paint on them prior to selling the house.  The good news is that the paint is coming off easily.  The bad news is that that means I'm stripping, sanding and refinishing 43 doors and drawers!  The effort already looks to be paying off as we're starting to paint he cabinets a retro 50s blue to match the exisiting 50s flooring.  Next, I have to figure out how to remove wallpaper from plaster.  This project is what I call "clandestine home improvement" as I have to work on it a little at a time during the children's naptime and after they go to bed at night.  At this rate, it may not be done for several months.  Wish me luck.  Or, come over and help.  Or both!

Children's Museum

Siri listening to the wolves in the Habitot

Henry's a kitty!  Meow!

Lunchtime Nursery Concert Series

The best thing about Daddy working a mile from home?  He can come home for lunch!

Madeline Island

We had a great time on our summer vacation to Madeline Island.  The kids got to play at the beach and in Lake Superior.  Momma, who had been "drying out" spiritually, got a much needed rejuvenating swim in Mother Superior, which always puts her chi back in line.  We hiked and saw many friends and danced to the music of our friends band at Tom's Burned Down Cafe, our home base on the island.  Daddy got up and played a couple of numbers and, while the band was distracted, Henry helped himself to their tip jar and almost pocketed a ten-spot.  Siri danced and danced and charmed the local bar riff-raff with her dazzling smile.

On the Road

Siri is experiencing a major cognitive leap right now that is great fun to watch. She is starting to talk and us trying to repeat words. She could walk if she wanted to, but hasn't yet taken off without holding on to something or someone. She has also popped four new teeth through this week and, subsequently, developed another ear infection. Despite this, everyone slept well last night and we are on the road this morning headed to Madeline Island on vacation. We are armed with antibiotics and bunny crackers and are hoping for the best!