2 years + 9 months…and off to preschool!

i can't believe they are officially 2 years 9 months and in preschool - so grown up!

because we had a few days in july for them to visit their new school via summer camp, jacks and livi's transition to school couldn't have been smoother.  their teachers were different than in the summer, but the space and routine were the same.  jacks shows no anxiety when being dropped off (he even gets excited as we countdown the 5 minutes before we leave, but more because he loves a good countdown) and livi continues to be little miss independent and basically ignores us when she gets to school.  on day one, jacksie stood at an art easel with a proud smile as he watched us go, and gave us a look that said "it's ok for you to go guys. i know this is the moment we've been preparing for and i'm ready."  a very sweet moment that we'll never forget.

it has been quite a change for all of us given that they are now out of the house five days a week: 2 days until noon, 2 days until 5:30pm and 1 day until 1pm.  that means we actually have to pack lunches, spare clothes, arrange drop offs and pick-ups, and we have to remind the kids (and ourselves) each day of the schedule since it's never the same.  luckily the kids still get to hang with leanne two days a week after school, but (let's be honest) we all know john misses leanne the most.  no longer does she magically appear at 7:30am - now john is charged with getting breakfast in their bellies, fresh clothes on their backs, teeth brushed, shoes on their feet, and out the door before 9am.  there have only been a few horror stories so far - i think all three are getting the hang of the new morning routine!

other than the craziness of the new schedule, we absolutely love the program and feel lucky to be at parker school.  we've met a lot of the parents, who all seem really nice and down to earth, and the teachers are experienced and loving with the kids. in addition to back to school night, open house, and the family picnic all within a span for 10 days, i also signed john up to head the set-up team for the upcoming halloween fair (he thanked me profusely)!  i mean, he's more creative than me and definitely more physically able, so it makes sense for me to volunteer him for this over myself, right?  i'm trying to get us signed up for things that we don't completely suck at or dread, like soliciting items from businesses in the community for our annual auction (which is our idea of a nightmare given how much we both fear rejection!).

on their way to 3 years old

love those smiles

before school started, we enjoyed the last of
san francisco's beautiful summer…brrrr

we got new pajamas, and now have a mix n' match exercise each night

livi is hoping she'd get twin sisters, instead of just one

i found this parked in the corner of the living room

we even mastered poop in the potty by the end of the summer
(well, there are still occasional requests for diapers)

we continue to get ice cream treats after using the potty for #2

bones even cheers them on so he can clean the cups

we played dress up in john's freshly laundered clothes

we're loving sundays in golden gate park

scooters + dog walking = efficient way to tire the whole family out

gregory taught liv some new skills

lunch at the park

it's hard to capture in words how much these two love each other

night out in the presidio with leanne and gregory

leanne took them out for a special movie night to celebrate the end of summer

the highlight was probably all the movie snacks she got

leanne and the kids continue their ice cream thursday tradition

buddies

they had to get in some quality shelby time since school is five days a week

these three are still crazy together

safety first at the playground

down they go

collecting and viewing spiders…i was the only one not interested!

we're probably the only family where going potty at the dinner table is totally ok

we never get a break!!

getting ready for the preschool open house
(meet and greet before the first day of school)

of course…all about the babies

first day of school happened to be one of the 2 days they're there until 5:30pm
so we had to bring backpacks, lunch and nap mats!

headed down the hill

we love how seemingly random the activities are each day
(so creative and things we would never have at home!)

we left them here for the day
(we almost cried when jacks smiled as we said goodbye…
we were so happy to see him tear-free when left alone)

when i picked them up that afternoon, i couldn't get them to leave!

they had a great time, were covered in paint and markers,
and were wiped out!

the rest of the week was a piece of cake for them…
you could tell they already felt right at home

livi looked so fabulous stamping that her pic was on the class wall the next day

i mean, who doesn't like to make art with tape?!?

leanne picks them up monday and thursday at noon,
and they are beyond thrilled to see her!

they get in some good jumps first thing each morning

i get to drop them off and pick them up from school on fridays, which i love!

stamp heaven

they spotted me at the gate while they were lining up 

i almost cried (again) as they ran up the driveway to give me a huge hug

heading home for naps and the start of the weekend!

bones has also been thrilled with the start of preschool,
since he now has free reign of the house

john was in chicago for his cousin's wedding, so just me and the kids for the weekend

how do we spend our time?

like any pregnant lady and toddler would: fro-yo outing!

healthy dinners at home

visiting the adoption center and dreaming of adding a cat to the family
(if only john weren't so cold-hearted…)

coffee and a yogurt parfait at the ferry building

exploring the bay

trying out a new park

with our new amazing shoes

playdate with a good friend!
(and due 4 days after me)

mama's girl

our brown beauty

the crew!