Back at School!

Ethan had his first day back at preschool last Thursday.  He missed the actual first day of school because he was sick, so he was very excited to get to go on Thursday morning.

He couldn't wait to see his teachers

and all his friends!

He walked right up to the door and was all smiles...

...until we got to Ms. Moree's classroom.  

Ms. Moree was Ethan's teacher last year, but this year he has a new teacher.  This summer Ms. Moree called to tell me she thought it would be best to move Ethan to a different classroom.  She felt it would be good for him to be in a class with other children who were more verbal and thought this would be a good challenge for him.  I told him he was getting a new teacher, but I guess it didn't register until we got to his old classroom and he started to walk in and we said, "no, your classroom is down the hall."  He got very upset - face turned red, planted his feet and would not move, started to get tears in his eyes.  I wasn't expecting this at all.  It lasted a few minutes until his new teacher said she wanted to show him his new classroom and said something that peeked his interested enough to continue walking.  I took this picture after his little fit.  As you can tell, he continued walking, but wasn't too happy.

Once he got into his new classroom, he seemed a lot better.  And his new teacher said that he had a WONDERFUL first day!  The next day he told me his new teacher was pretty.  Being at school last year helped Ethan flourish in ways I could not have expected.  I think he's going to have a good year this year and I'm specifically hopeful for increased social skills and language development.  

We're so proud of Ethan and know that he's up for the challenge!

Awesome August

In an attempt to fit as much fun as possible
into the 3 weeks before school started
here's what we did...


Played with Isaac and Cara at the Nevin Park sprayground

stayed in our pajamas all day

and blew rasberries on the footstool

ran around and around the activity table from Grandma

went to a farmers market with Allison and Oscar

learned to rub our head all over the floor 
so our hair would stand up with static

played with Pop in the baby pool

turned the sandbox into a pool
on a hot day at Nana's house

went to the park to swing

added to Owen's string collection (from Nana's sewing stuff)
and attached one to the van door handle for easy access

had our first minor injury
(fell on his chin at the pool - no stitches, the doctor just glued it together)

went on a trip to Floyd, VA
to see our friends Katie and Mike

skipped rocks in the river with Daddy and Mike

and those of us who were too young to know how to skip rocks
just tried to eat them instead

spent lots of time hanging out on the porch

and relaxing in the hammock

went to Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway

spent more time relaxing and playing in the grass

Did I mention we spent lots of time relaxing?

learned to play cornhole

And since we had so much fun relaxing in the hammock,
when we got home, we decided to hang one in our backyard 
so we could feel like we were on vacation all the time!

And last, but not least, had a fun little playdate
with our sweet friend Jessie!