Rowan's preschool graduation.

In June, Rowan graduated pre-K. It was a very exciting day, given the great progress Rowan has made this year. He's far from perfect, but he's learning to control his emotions and with each day, he's growing and making better choices. He's leaps and bounds from where he started, and we are feeling optimistic that Kindergarten is going to be a big success!

Congratulations, sweetheart! We love you and are so proud of you! 

merry christmas eve!

It's almost time!

It's George's last day with us this year  -- tonight he'll be on his way back to the North Pole until 2014!

Santa is probably packing the last toys and goodies into his sleigh right now as he heads out to the homes of kids in the other half of the world!

And around here we are eating the last chocolate in our advent calendars; putting the finishing touches on presents; setting the table for Christmas dinner; and getting very, very excited for Santa to visit our house tonight!

Hope you are enjoying the anticipation of this special day as well!

Before I go finish the merry-making, here are some pictures from Rowan's preschool christmas concert. He told us ahead of time that he was not going to sing. And he meant it.

here he is walking into the auditorium. . . the reality sets in. this is happening.

he turns to face the crowd

and with that, Rowan's performance is over before it began

but he did recover enough to take a super cute picture with santa

even if he was skeptical after what had just happened

but he comforted himself by double-fisting some cookies and candy canes

HO!

HO!

HO!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

first day of preschool. . .

and he already pooped his pants! I'll chalk it up to first day jitters (annnnnnnnnnnnd not being potty trained when he's supposed to be. oops).

When I dropped him off he went into the classroom and just sat staring at me with this stunned expression as Henry and I walked away. He was like a deer in headlights. His tiny little face and those big eyes. I knew it would be okay, but he sort of broke my heart to leave him. So, even though it was a pain to go back only an hour later to change his dirty diaper, it was good to see that he was already having lots of fun. The teacher told me that she called them to circle time, and apparently when she told him to sit down he told her, "I can't! There's poop in my pants!" I can just see his arms straight out in front of him as he emphatically said that.

Such a little peanut! I don't know how he fits all that personality into that tiny little body!

(Update: apparently after I changed him, everything fell apart. He stopped listening, threw a book at the teacher, and refused to line up or come off the playground. The teacher had to come out and "talk to me" at pickup time. All of my worst fears -- the pooping and the misbehaving -- on the first day. No honeymoon period for Rowan. He shows it all. Take me as I am. When we got home, Rowan was being aggressive with Henry so he skipped lunch and went up to his room. He was asleep within five minutes and is still out cold an hour later. I'm not sure what to make of all this. Is it too much for him?)

our newest little preschooler.

Monday was Rowan's first official day of preschool. It was only a 1/2 day, which, is funny, because for him a full day is really only a quarter of a day to start with. So, this was actually more like an 1/8 day. But, I digress.

You're not going to believe this, but Rowan was not super-cooperative when it came to taking his picture for the first day of school! (I do remember Andy going through a similar phase at the same age, so while it's a pain, I know this too shall pass. . .)

Anyway, this is the best I could do. Here he is before school "posing" with his brothers. Yaaaay school!

 . . . and at school:

 Awesome, right?

Good luck this year, Rowan! Though I'm not sure who will need it more -- you, or the teacher! xoxo

summer birthday party.

Andy's class celebrated the birthdays of all the kids in the class that will turn 5 over the summer. Here he is enjoying his special day.

mother's day weekend: friday.

On Friday, Andy invited me to a Mother's Day Tea at his preschool. He made me many special gifts, including a beautiful flower pin, a plant, and an interview that he gave, discussing all of the things he loves about his mommy. Apparently I looooooove to do the dishes!

He also sang a few songs with the rest of his class -- classics like last year's "I love Mommy" (sung to the tune of "where is thumbkin") and some new ones like "You are My Sunshine" and "Skinnamarinky Dinky Doo." Of course, I cried when he pointed to me and sang: "I loooove you, you, boop boop be doo."

 

 Then we snacked on muffins that he and his class made special for our little soiree.

 And last but not least,

Andy spilled juice all over his super-cute outfit. 

C'est la vie!