School Days, School Days...

Up in the morning and out to school...

Sweet boys, the school year has begun! I can hardly believe we are in the swing of our new routine and I am sending a 2nd grader and Kindergartner off to school each morning.

To Miles: This picture was taken on the first day of school and as you can see, you were all smiles. The next 3 days of the school week, I had to put you on the bus in tears (at times, you weren't the only one crying!). It was a big week of change for you, and you just wanted to be home with your Mama. Who could blame you, really?

To Adam: As in previous years, you had a wonderfully positive attitude regarding the start of a new school year. A bit apprehensive about the lack of Best Friends in your new classroom, nevertheless you were ready to get back to the playground and the routine of a new year. Mrs. Roberts is lucky to have you in her class.

And me? I'm getting used to the silence. When I am struck by how quiet it is in the house, I quote a line to myself from the book "Duck in the Truck," where it says: "This is the quiet as they think what to do...". And it is quiet in here. Especially in the afternoons when Julian is sleeping. Like right now. No rustling of Legos in the bin. No slamming of the garage doors. No requests for popsicles, sprinklers, Wii playing, or snacks. Like the both of you, I am getting used to something new as well.

Onward, as we all wait (impatiently) until 4:05pm.

Julian: 18 Months

I'm late in posting about Julian's 18 month stats, but it's been a busy summer. Forgive me.

At 18 months, Julian tipped the scales at 28 pounds, and measured 35 inches long. I found it incredible that he gained 5 pounds in 3 months (refer to previous "cookie" post). Brother likes to eat. And eat. And eat. He wears his thighs well, mind you.

His language continues to improve. He says "shoes" now, as well as "hi," "bye" and "car-car." What he doesn't say, he manages to communicate with a series of points, grunts, and other body language.

His top and bottom incisors poked through without much fanfare, as did his molars. A slight slow down in eating and a few crabby days, but other than that, he wasn't much worse for wear.

This summer he's experienced having his first ice cream cone all to himself, swimming in pools (and jumping in them, which toward the end of the summer he much preferred doing as who wants to float when they can jump in?), playing in the sand, swings, and his favorite thing of all, pushing his toy lawn mower all over the front yard.

It's good to be 18 months old. So good.