Who needs toys...when you can make your own toys with markers and papers? Connor has really shown us his creative ability lately....all he needs is some paper, markers, scissors, and tape or yarn. He has created masterpieces, books, costumes, and toys. It has been really neat seeing his creations, especially the details. She a few samples below.
Ray Gun
Train Track w/Remote Control
Since we didn't go to the Zoo as our back to school outing, I owed the boys a Zoo trip. What better day to take them then when Dora will be making appearance? We took the boys to the Zoo on what we thought was supposed to be a mild day. When we arrived, Dora was going on one of her many breaks (due to the heat). The boys were able to see her in passing and they exchanged waves. We then made our way through the Zoo with a major focus on the indoor exhibits. The Jaguars decided to give the boys a treat by walking closely around the "viewing cage" when the boys were in it. At the end, the boys were able to get another view of Dora. We skipped the visit w/Dora since the line was long and Dora was needing to take very many breaks.
Birthday party during the school week - awesome! The boys were so excited to have a mid-week break at Chuck E Cheese to celebrate a friend's birthday party. Claire, as usual, didn't let the excitement keep her from catching some zzzzs (or from peeing all over mommy). The boys had a really great time and I think the birthday girl had a really nice birthday party on her actual birthday. Happy Birthday Molli!
On a side note, Claire showed me her roll-over trick that evening when I wasn't looking. I was making her bottle and came back to her rolled over on her tummy. She must have been operating on adrenaline from the party!
Connor and Brady returned for a new school year in mid-August after spending the summer in the summer school program and the daycare program. Not a whole lot changes for them since they are at the same school and have the same teacher. However, they are in a classroom of ages 3-6, so each year a group of kindergartners graduate and new kids come on board. This year, Connor is one of those kindergartners. He will be the big kid in the class that is there to show the younger kids what to do. He will also be working on activities that are specifically for the Kindergartners like reading, writing, and math activities. Connor and Brady will each welcome 11 new students to their classroom, so they have some new friends to make this year. I look forward to hearing about their days and their new friends.
Doesn't Connor looked thrilled for the first day of school - he sure was pulling out the drama for my pictures?!?
For the boys' 2nd day of vacation, they were to spend the day with mommy. We were originally to spend the day at the Zoo with some friends from school. However, Claire wasn't ready to go back to school after the high fever the day before. So, instead, we opted for a low-key, indoor activity. We met up with a couple friends and their moms for lunch and then pottery painting at Fired Up. Claire slept pretty much the whole time - other than when she woke to cold paint on her foot (see below).
After convincing the boys they needed to start with a plate for less risk of breakage and so they had a clean slate to work with, they had a plan of what they were going to draw. Connor is very artistic when it comes to taking something in his mind or that he saw on TV and transferring it to a drawing, so I had no concerns that he would produce a "masterpiece". He opted for a Wall-E scene. Brady had good intentions and I know that it is Handy Manny - can you see it?
It was a good experience for the boys and they had fun with their friends and I got my keepsake of Claire's foot.
The boys' school ends the daycare program and closes for two days before the new school year to allow the teachers to prepare the rooms (and for the kids to take a break). The first day was to be spent with daddy and they had plans to do something fun for the day (even had me leave all the "activity" coupons for them). Boy did those plans change...
The night before, Claire spiked a fever in the night. Luckily, the morning was supposed to start out with a visit to the pediatrician. Brady was to get a chicken pox shot as a result of the new immunization rules and Claire had her 4 month check-up. When the doctor arrived, Claire's fever had taken a major spike to 105 degrees. A very concerned daddy and two very protective boys spent the rest of the afternoon running Claire around for lab tests. It turned out Claire had an infection (UTI that was also in the kidneys) for which they gave her an antibiotic shot and Rx. Unfortunately, the boys did not get to have any fun outings, but I don't think they wanted to part with their sister either. On a good note, Claire had gained a decent amount of weight to 17 lbs 8 ounces. She is officially off the charts at that weight.
Claire has joined the family at the dinner table! She may not be eating with us, but she has started enjoying dinner time with us. She likes to play with her toys, salivate at our food, and visit with us. The boys especially love it (and are great at playing the pick-up-my-toy game)!
Our precious Claire is 4 months old this week and what an adventurous week it has been for her. She started at her new daycare on Monday, where she has done great as expected. It is so nice to have her taken care of by the same caregivers that took care of her brothers. They have reported that she is smiles and giggles all day, except when she is hungry! She also started on rice cereal at daycare - this is where I love daycare because they get her in a routine and adjusted to spoon feeding.
At 4 months old, Claire has become our little diva with her high pitched screams. Sometimes they sound like "pay attention to me" and others are "leave me alone" (directed at her brothers). Aside from the screams, she is actually a very laid back baby. She goes to bed at the same time as her brothers and sleeps great. She has slept several nights through the night already. She has located her thumb and has decided it works just as great as the paci in a pinch! She has found her feet and holds on tight, which makes it very difficult to get her dressed and changed.
Looking forward to the doctor appt. next week to see how much Claire has grown in the last couple months. As if we can't visually see it - she is outgrowing all of her clothes and she has advanced to size 3 diapers already. She is getting to be so much fun these days!
For the final week of daycare at Montessori, before the official school year starts up next week, the school has some fun days planned. Today was crazy day....and the boys actually participated this time. In the past, they haven't quite understood why you would want to dress crazy. Today, they took it to the max!
They went to school crazy looking and returned as crazy Jaquar and Spiderman.
Our nightly check-up of Claire after sounds were still being produced from her bedroom resulted in a "photo moment". She was in her bed like this with each leg propped against the sides. I guess she was practicing her flexibility!
Tonight, while the boys were getting their baths, Claire decided to take a siesta. I love the foot hold! She has found that foot and must be afraid she might lose it!
Every Thursday during summer school the boys head to the YMCA for swim lessons. They take the school bus with their classmates to the YMCA for the swim lesson and some splash time. The boys have done very well, seemed to really look forward to and enjoy Thursdays, and I have enjoyed seeing the pictures from their teachers.
In mid-July, we decided to sign them up for Saturday swim lessons to continue the lessons (even though there was some overlap). Our goal is to allow them to advance through all the levels offered and if they have an interest, possibly join the swim team for competitions. Chris and Papa Tommy both did this as kids and loved it, so I would love to see our boys do that. Today, the boys were tested for endurance and accomplishments on specific areas and we received the report that they are ready for the next level. They have a couple more weeks of "Eel" lessons and then in mid-September they will be "Rays".
You will notice in the pictures that they have been taking their goggles, since that is what all the other kids do. Funny story about the black goggles. Those goggles were Chris's and Brady asked if he could borrow them. Chris figured the worse that could happen was a broken strap, but unlikely since it was pretty strong. Brady came home - "Sorry daddy, your goggles are broken and I didn't do it". The Speedo goggles were completely destroyed...the part around the eye area completely disintegrated I guess from the chlorine in the pool.
