The kids are up in their beds falling asleep for naptime. This is one of the nicest parts of the day as long as all goes well. I left Lucas up in his crib doing somersaults with his stuffed elephant and Elena is in her room talking to the picture of Snoopy on her bandaid. So fun. Now it's time for me to have a moment of peace. Ahhh.
We've been running around like nuts having a blast. Elena loves preschool, and every time we get ready to go she tells me how much her teachers are going to be so happy to see her. It makes me feel good to know that she feels loved by her amazing teachers. We have also been trying to explore the "Wild and Wonderful" state of West Virginia (and So. Pennsylvania) before the weather goes south for the winter.
There is a great park called Chestnut Ridge that has a playground and a swimming area that the kids and I ventured out to with some of our favorite play-pals. Lucas avoided to pool this summer, but give him the combination of dirty lake water and a sandy beach and the kid was in heaven.
Elena also went on her first hay-ride on Friday night while we were at a church activity. She loved it.
I'm not the most consistent at capturing all of our "Kodak moments" but I do have a few pictures from our recent expeditions. We took the kids up to a State Forrest called Coopers Rock. There is a cluster of huge rocks called "Rock City" where the kids have fun climbing around.
There are also pictures from another trip we took yesterday (in lieu of fighting with the kids at Stake Conference). We went up to a state park in Southern PA.
We had a really great time despite Lucas sour mood. Elena alternated between being carried and walking with a bushwhacking stick taking swings at any plants in her way. It was a great way to spend the day together, something we rarely get to do.
Coopers Rock
(Did I mention Lucas is learning the parts of the body?)I was watching this movie the other night:
It's about a blended family of 18 children. My goodness. I thought: How does this mother run this crazy household. Then it occurred to me. I didn't see her sitting around watching movies. Oh well.
Elena started Preschool today. She's all grown up. No, not even close but it still is a little reminder that time is already going to fast.
Brushing up on her shapes.
Her first day went very well. She had no problem being dropped off and was appropriately excited to come home with me. In other words, she wasn't sitting at the window waiting for me to come and she didn't put up a huge fight when I told her it was time to go. When I came and got her she was playing outside on the private playground for preschoolers. As we walked back into the school she was pedaling on a tricycle - something I've never seen her coordinate before. (One day down and she's already learned something) She went into her room grabbed her things from her cubby and said goodbye to her teacher like she's been doing this for awhile. I talked to her teacher and she said Elena was quiet until they sat in a circle, introduced themselves and tried to describe the clothes they were wearing. That is always a favorite topic of Elena's.
Lucas and I enjoyed our first couple of hours just the two of us - something we've never had before. He was more excited to see the playground than Elena when we picked her up, but I can understand - It's a great play area.
Time to go.
Lucas' new favorite hiding spot.
Everything but the kitchen sink.
