Miss Lila's First Day of School

Lila started school today.  She was so excited that she went to sleep wearing her backpack.   Lila didn't get all the glory that she would have typically gotten because her preschool is devastated by the loss of Aidan.  The moms tried to put on our brave faces and leave the tears at home but the attempts were futile.

Lila was a little nervous upon entering her classroom and froze like a statute.  She had no desire to move or put her name in the basket.  Luckily, Lila's good friend Miss Hayden was already there and upon realizing this, Lila promptly picked out her name, deposited it in the the basket, and sat down to play cars.  I asked Lila if I could have a hug and kiss goodbye and she said, "No Mommy.  I just busy playing."  I squeezed on out of her anyway and went on my way.

She looks so old!

Dentist and Special Day Out with the Big Girl

After dropping Adeline at school, both Savannah and Lila had dentist appointments. I was pleased to hear that they are brushing well. I think I can allow Lila to brush without my coming in behind her to ensure the job was well done.

Lila was referred to an Orthodontist. She has a very small palate which is going to need expanding if the upper jaw is to grow along with the lower jaw. I knew it was coming but didn't expect it so soon.  It is common for preemies to have high/small palates from all the tubes that were in their mouths for weeks on end.

Later that evening, I had our babysitter come over to watch the girls (Daddy is gone) so that I could take Savannah on a special night with mommy before her first day of school. She chose a paint your own pottery place. We were both very excited to get away together.

Unfortunately, we received some devastating new on the ride there. One of Savannah's old classmates collapsed suddenly and died on Saturday. I was a sobbing mess upon hearing the news and was forced to tell Savannah. We held each other and cried together. We prayed and cried some more.

I knew I had to push forward with our plans and am glad that I did. Savannah recovered and really enjoyed herself. She understood the tears that were running down my cheeks during our painting session. She went back and forth with her conversations. Questions about sweet Aidan and why he died and then on to her birthday party plans. I guess it was age appropriate under the circumstances. I was happy that she wasn't devastated by my sadness.

Here Savannah is working on her ladybug plate that is meant to hold her ladybug cake for her upcoming ladybug birthday party.

Adeline's First Day of Preschool - school #1

Adeline's developmental classroom started up again this week.  Miss A was so excited to go back to school that she would name off her teachers one by one randomly during the days before.  There are five of them!  She was equally excited to see all five. 

Adeline couldn't fall asleep the night before and was chatting up a storm until 11:00 p.m.  No worries about being cranky in the morning.  Once I extracted her from the bed (not and easy task) she perked up and couldn't wait to wear her backpack. 

Here she is, Miss swollen sleepy eyes!

Adeline was the first to arrive at school.  Yes, that was a first for her as we are always the last.  She got the undivided loves from her teachers.  Once she spotted Miss Lois, she broke free from my hands and ran - really ran - chanting, "Miss Lois, Miss Lois."  I caught the loving embrace! 

Unfortunately, her day ended on a sad note.  Miss Louise, her beloved bus driver, was rerouted and Adeline was assigned to a minivan.  She was beside herself.  The little yellow bus is the best part of her day.  Last year, if I picked her up and didn't let her ride the bus, I had to drag a kicking a screaming Adeline to my car.  This day, I was holding a sobbing and sad Adeline who was chanting, "I want my Louise, I want my Louise."  It really broke my heart.  I suspect I will be her transportation home as a minivan with a who knows where this car seat has been ride is not my idea of safe transportation for my four year old. 

Speaking of Faces. . .

This girl has one for every occasion!  She is adorable one moment and has her tongue and eyes popping out of her head the next.  I think she is the queen of funny faces.

Faces We Love and Miss

Wolf family faces. . .

Shaw family faces. . . not as many photo ops with the Shaw side :(

My Budding Artist

Miss Lila has transitioned from scribbling to drawing and coloring within the lines.  All of this took place during our trip out west.  At the beginning of the trip, Lila was giving her crayons a ride all over her papers.  By the time we left, she was thinking about what she was going to draw and very carefully comping her pictures.

Here is a tree with grass and a flower.  She added a sun and her name too.

Unfortunately, she spilled water while drawing Baby Einstein.

Here is a chalk self portrait - hard to see though because of the sun.

Her favorite picture is what she calls rainbows. Her favorite way to complete them is with Mommy's participation.

Packing

How does one pack. . .

5 suitcases
5 boxes of cr*p that we accumulated during our 4 week stay
5 carry ons
and
2 strollers

with three kids running around??

Put the two that cause the most damage in the shower with a bottle of shaving cream!!  I may have to try this at home.