Simon and Ellie

I'm not even sure what's going on here, but Simon loves playing with the neighbor girl, Ellie.

Look mom, no carseat!

Alice finally graduated to just having a booster seat!

Alice meets her 2nd grade teacher

On Friday afternoon, we took Alice to her school for the "Meet the Teachers" event where kids find out which class they've been assigned to and which teacher they'll have the next year.  Alice had been worrying a lot about school, but once she met Ms. Smith and realized she is nice, all her fears subsided and she's looking forward to starting second grade.

Kids at the park with grandparents

My parents are in town for two and half weeks to help take care of the kids before their school starts.  This week, both kids are home with them, and they've been taking the kids to the nearby park a lot, which is always fun!

Twins!

Squished Simon

I came home from work and noticed Simon's sandals squished under the garage door.

It made me think of the famous Wizard of Oz scene:

Simon's pet butterfly

We found this injured butterfly stuck to the deck after the rain. Simon "rescued" it.

Fish scales

Someone caught this beautiful fish!

Neighborhood Party

Our next-door neighbors hosted a block party for all the new families to get together. Interestingly, the only ones who came were us and the three other new families.  It ended up with a thunderstorm and everyone isnide, so it was probably better there wasn't a huge crowd.

The kids went boating and there was a brief campfire before it rained. After that, we moved inside and the grownups tried to visit while the kids ran around and went bonkers (mostly our kids).

Simon's Last day of Daycare/Preschool

August 17, 2018 was Simon's last day of daycare at Country Day Montessori School.  (It was water day, that's why he's wearing his swimsuit to school.)

Zac did the vast majority of pick-up and drop-off for daycare, since it was so close to his work. Apparently tickling Simon became part of the morning routine. Who wouldn't want to start every day with those giggles?

Keep walking. Advice for life. (Not sure why this video is so short.)

Heading down the sidewalk to school.

Checking the butterfly bush for butterflies.

Checking the chickens for bugs.

Zac took Simon around to say goodbye to some of the teachers that were there when Simon was in the younger classes.  This is Miss Lottie, who was in the infant room for both Alice and Simon.

This is Ms. Evelyn, who was in the next room up -- the toddler room.

Then, it was time for the final at-the-classroom-door goodbye.  For a long time in the beginning, these goodbyes were pretty drawn out and and traumatic.  These days they're relatively short.

 

Don't forget to wave at the window!

In the afternoon, when Zac picked Simon up for the last time, Ms. Pauline walked him all the way out to the van to say goodbye. Simon acts really weird in these sorts of situations.

I still don't think the finality of it has sunk in. We loved this school for our kids.  But maybe we're just focusing on the positive: no more daycare payments and having the kids in the same school and on the same schedule again will make life a lot simpler.

Alice at Rest

I don't know why, but I love to see sleeping children. It just seems like all is right with the world.

Alice designs

I always love her creative patterns and pictures!

Durham Bulls Game

One of my coworkers always puts together a group from school to go see a Durham Bulls (minor league professional baseball) game together. I'd been deferring for years, but thought this year the kids might finally be able to handle it.  So off we went.

The Durham Bulls Athletic park and surrounding area are quite nice.  We'd never been in this area before, but we drive by it all the time on our way to the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Once inside the stadium for the game, Alice didn't last long in her seat. Simon did OK.

 

We ate an early supper before coming to the game, but Zac got some cupcakes and beer to help everyone survive the hours of tedium that define baseball games.

Finally, when we couldn't take the squirmy kids anymore, Zac took them over to the kiddie play area where they could go bonkers without disturbing anyone.  I came over after a while because I needed to walk to keep the circulation in my legs going.

Yes, Alice climbed to the top of this and went down the slide!

The end of the game actually ended up being quite exciting, with the Bulls narrowly winning.  The game was followed by fireworks shot from the field.  The kids liked them, but Simon was very worried about them getting us.  This picture was taken before the fireworks even started.

On our way out, we got some free hotdogs. Zac ate his, I think Alice ate half, and Simon saved his and never ate it.

The kids and grownups were all pretty tired when we got home. I'm not sure we'll do the game again -- or maybe every other year.

Little fish in a big pond

Simon has discovered he can catch tiny minnows in the pond with a net. It is his new favorite thing.

So many possibilities

Simon is always very creative in his use of the couch cushions in the basement.

Kids on the couch

Sometimes they sit together on the couch and watch stuff together in the mornings. It's super cute.

(not the best picture here, though)

Simon's last weeks at daycare

Simon only has about two weeks left at daycare.  He'll be leaving his good friends Elizabeth and Donovan behind, as well as his (and our) most beloved teacher: Ms. Pauline.

Simon loves building things with these giant blocks at school. And he's good at demolition, too.

Simon catching a butterfly from the butterfly bushes in front of the school.  It's hard to get through a drop-off or pick-up without some insect being involved.

Simon heading to school at the beginning of the week with his lunchbox, water bottle, and sleeping bag (has sheet and blanket inside for naptime).

Simon with his favorite teacher, Ms. Pauline.

Simon with Ms. Marta. She was great.

Simon with Ms. Sandra, the music teacher.

A goodbye-card from his friend Donovan.