Florida

 We were SO BLESSED to spend last week in Florida with some of our dear friends. We had a great week! I was ecstatic to get away from a winter week in St. Louis- trading in my Patagonia coat for my bikini! Check out that cute group of kids! They all got along so well. We would eat breakfast, then hit the backyard pool every morning. We'd pack lunch and head to the beach for the afternoon. We'd come back, swim some more/shower, then cook at the house or go out to eat. The kids would crash from a full day, and we adults would relax and play cards and visit. It was a perfect week! 

 Rush and Jude and their monster trucks and floaties. What a duo!

 Winnie and Eric learning some ballet positions

 This little girl is a BEACH BUM. She and I would gladly pack up and move far south. In a heartbeat.

 This guy's obsession of the week was seashells. Luckily, the beach was teeming with shells, so they were an easy find. He only kept a snack-size Ziploc bag full of his favorites. He can't wait to take them in and show his teacher.

 Rush's hair was amazing all week- that beach air took it to new levels.

 Getting buried in the sand

 Rush and I having some frozen yogurt at the outlet mall

 We played a lot of Sequence during the week. 

 Sigh. I want to be back there. 

 My sweet little boy. 

 My spunky little swimmer.

 Winnie and her favorite gal, Lauren.

 We managed to cram in about 10 minutes of family photos one night before supper at a beach restaurant. Rush's eyes were everywhere in all of the photos.

 When you ask a stranger to take a group photo, you often get an un-centered photo, but it's the only proof we have that we were all together.

 Our family!

 On the last day, the temperatures dropped down to 63 degrees, but we went to the beach anyways in our clothes. I wanted one last chance to work on my tan, and the kids had fun building.

Rush at the airport heading home. See ya later, beach vacation!

A Big School Post

School is back in full swing for both Winnie and Rush! Rush started 3K this year, and is a pro, as he's in the same class/has the same teachers as Winnie did last year. Winnie is in JK and loving it! I say this every time I post about our school, but WE LOVE OUR SCHOOL. The kids have really flourished there; it's such a special place for our family. It's been a great year for me, too, because I've been volunteering more. And when I say "volunteering more," I mean totally overcommitting, but I don't mind at all. Here my little cuties are on Picture Day. We practiced smiles beforehand, and I sent them off terrified of what I was paying $40 for. (School pictures- not cheap these days.) I did not opt for the airbrushing, special lasers, blemish correcting, or patriotic backgrounds. That saved some money. 

Both of the preschool grades do special days that highlight each of the kids. 3K has Star Days, while JK calls them All About Me Days. Moms or Dads are welcome to spend the morning on those days, so you'd better believe I'm there every time. Winnie's All About Me Day was on picture day. She brought home the AAM box the week before, and got to bring back 5 things from home that represent "who she is." We had so much fun choosing the 5 things. She chose our copy of Charlotte's Web (she loved that book- we read a chapter every night before bed), a Max Beckmann-inspired drawing she had done (pictured below), a baby picture of herself, her little baby doll that she sleeps with named Tiniest Baby, and a map of Arkansas that we marked with special spots- Papaw & Googie's house, ZAZA's Pizza, Tracy's apartment, the Buffalo River, the Arkansas Razorbacks, etc. She was proud to show off her things to her class. 

They also get to spell out their name into a megaphone "Give me a W!" style. What a hoot!

Her favorite part of the day was getting out the letters that spell out her name and choosing friends to wear each one. Mrs. Burzinski mixes the kids all up, and she has to put them back in the correct order. Cute little story: the boy with the red shoelaces is one of Winnie's favorite boys in her class. They were in 3K together, as well. When she was choosing friends for her name, he whispered to himself, "she's never going to pick me." It broke my heart, and I wanted to holler out to her to pick him. When she did, pure joy came over his face, he raised his hands up in the air, pulled both of his elbows to his side and exclaimed, "YES!" I love these kids. It really is the little things. 

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Rush also recently had his first Star Day. I was so excited to spend the morning in his class. I had no idea how he was going to "be" at school. He's so fun! He's outgoing and not shy at all, which really surprised me. He LOVES his teachers and has a few friends at school that I think he is just crazy about.  The day before, we bought a snack to bring in to share with the class. He chose grapes and cheese sticks. He worked so hard the night before, counting out 10 grapes for each bag and adding in a cheese stick. He said everyone's name to make sure we had one for everyone, and then reminded me we needed one for Mrs. Heinemann and Miss Baker. What a thoughtful guy! Here he is giving clues for what item he brought in the Mystery Bag. His three clues were: 1) It has horns, 2) It is gray, and 3) It has 3 toes on each foot and no knees. 

After a few really bad guesses, he revealed his little Schleich rhinoceros. He's really into rhinos. 

They get to walk around and show everyone. So proud!

I had the best time with this little guy. He is such a cutie. It was great to see him in his world, with friendships that are all his own. I love that both kids have such a special place to grow. 

Lately

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. This is how I always feel, so I'm sure you understand. I'm working on some updates, though! Don't forget about us.

Summer List 2012

Remember THIS? We made one for this summer. It's a little shorter than last year's list, because we joined a pool this summer and will probably be in Arkansas/Branson for the equivalent of a calendar month. But it is still filled with fun little adventures. I hope you all have a great summer!

Winnie's Last Day of 3K

We have been beyond blessed with Winnie's sweet 3K class this year. Her teachers were amazing and she and I both made some great friendships at the school. I'm SO SAD for her to be leaving 3K, but am also excited about JK. And, Rush gets to start 3K in the fall! 

 He got a little practice on the last day of school. A lot of the 3K kids sat with their parents at Friday morning chapel, so Rush and I snagged a couple carpet squares and joined the class. He looked so big sitting there! 

 Winnie, not interested in sitting with us, chose a spot next to her beloved Mrs. Heinemann. 

 Winnie posing with her teacher's helper, Miss Baker

 Winnie and Eden. This is Winnie's new camera face.

 Fun with her friends singing the squiggly fish song, which was a class favorite. 

 Such Fun!

 I included this photo to show how "on her game" Winnie is during music time. No one else is doing the proper actions, except for her and Mrs. Heinemann, who are perfectly on-cue together.

 Winnie and Mrs. Heinemann

 After school let out, Missy and Lauren and I took the kids to the Loop for milkshakes at Fitz's as a way to kick-off the summer. We sat at the bar and drank way too much delicious dairy.

Goofballs

Winnie and Albert. These guys crack each other up.

 Looking like teenagers in love

On the other hand, Hope and Rush couldn't be more disinterested in the other.

Dentist Trip

Winifred went to the dentist for the first time yesterday. I was so relieved that it was such a nice experience. No fear or crying or pain. It helps that our dentist is a best friend of Andy's. She was so excited to go "see Patrick." 

 The before shot

 Getting her teeth cleaned by our hygienist, Susan

 I don't even like the scraper, but she took it like a champ

Posing with Patrick after the appointment- no cavities!