4 years + 11 months...and 1 year + 10 months

one more month until we have two 5 year-olds!  we feel like we've been spending every free moment over the last 6 weeks dealing with kindergarten tours, applications, etc.  if we're not rushing to work at 11am after a morning tour, then we're spending evenings writing essays about how amazing our kids are.  because the public school system in sf relies on a lottery to determine school assignments, many people also apply to independent (private) schools as well.  after our tours, applications, parent interviews, and kid interviews are completed in january, we'll wait until kindergarten news is delivered in march.

jacks and livi definitely seem more grown up lately.  they've entered a phase where they are bickering more with each other but overall are still silly and fun kids. we took them to a kindergarten open house last weekend and couldn't believe we'd be sending them off to K in less than a year.

lyla went through a good month or two where she would throw herself on the ground crying, scream until she was held, and refuse any food at mealtime.  let's just say i was not a fan of this phase (but thankfully had remembered it from when the twins were younger).  over the past two weeks, though, she's been so much better - eating more, laughing more, and being more independent.

one more month!

the trio

two little monkeys

getting in the fall spirit by making houses for their pumpkins

wilbur

this cute one is still a little hesitant with strangers

the sweetest spider i've ever seen

of course this little piggy is snacking

meet templeton, wilbur and charlotte at their
school's halloween fair

a trip to the pumpkin patch with sheila

such cuties

not sure what's going on here

time for trick-or-treating!

these two were soooo excited!

we were not as thrilled, especially when it began to rain

lyla passed out for most of trick-or-treating

counting their loot was the highlight, as expected

a few days after halloween, john did a 24 hour relay
from sf to napa with some friends

me and the kids stayed at a friend's house in napa
while her husband ran as well

lyla quickly made herself at home

enjoying some quiet away from the big kids!

we played... 

and played 

so many pictures of lyla since jacks and livi
were off with all their buddies

pretending she's ready for bed

hanging on the front porch

we could get used to this!

lyla went to her first swim lesson

she had a blast!!

she's getting more skilled at her scooter, but we still end
up carrying her and her scooter for most of the outing

off to pick up some pictures for jacks' school project

we made a quick stop at the park

working on his "roots" project

an opportunity to share about his family with the class

he was a bit shy in front of the crowd,
but john and jacks did a great job presenting

after your roots, you take home stinky the skunk
and journal about his adventures!

stinky had a wonderful time at our house

john had an even better time chronicling
stinky's adventures

stinky did A LOT of errands with our family

got to watch the presidential election with us

got out and about in the city

and even got in some good exercise

still hitting up the birthday party circuit

gearing up for their own birthday!

we finally got her a real pillow
after using this makeshift one

these goofballs love playing together...

and making each other laugh

livi made shoes while lyla adorned her face with stickers

they were both very proud of their creations

a king bed never felt so small

jacks was so tired (and not feeling well) that he passed out
before fulfilling his lights out duties

john was thrilled coming to bed at midnight to find this

winding down for bed!

our happy toddler

shaking it at storytime class

quiet time at home

a rainy day obstacle course

post-nap snuggles

amazing straw glasses from auntie keet and uncle mike

who knew drinking milk could be this fun!