Beach trip 2011

This is one of many posts of our beach trip at the end of August, over labor day weekend.

They look like they are up to no good. And they probably were.

"Hey Grandpa- Check out this boogie board!"

"I think maybe you should pull me on it."
"Faster, Faster!"

"WEEEEEEEE!"

Eli eating yet more sand.

Eli had a way of knowing JUST when someone was clean and comfy. And that was the exact moment he would choose to climb on you in all his sandy gloriousness.
My stinkers. I actually call them my stinks quite a bit.
Unbelievable skies.
Beachin' it with Grandma and Grandpa.
Mommy's happy place
A very relaxed Daddy

Lovin' pretzels on the beach

Playing in holes

Grandpa and Aidan digging a hole. Eli helped a little by throwing some sand around.
Jumping into holes:-)
More jumping:-)

My little love
This picture is unedited. They sky really was that blue. It was spectacular! And the temps were perfect in the high 80's.
Our au pair Yoli
Eli & Grandpa

Drake and Eli's new "pool"

Our neighbors are more than friends, they are truly like family. A few weeks ago, Eric drained the hot tub to clean it, and then started refilling it. Drake and our neighbor Aidan got in to play as it was filling. Drake now calls it his "pool". And his Daddy has obliged, keeping the temp down. I find the whole thing funny. Drake goes from no pools to TWO pools in his life, in a matter of weeks. No wonder he's turning into a little fish, between that and swim lessons. Eli saw how much fun Drake seemed to have, and now he constantly is wanting in the hot tub!!! It's honestly so cute! Here are some pics from the first time Drake and Aidan were in.

He loved to ride on her back.
She should have never shown Drake how to use the hose as a weapon.

She should've seen this coming.
Drowning Aidan
Good times!

Preschool 2011!

WOO HOO, YIPPEE YAY!!! PRESCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION!!!

Okay, now that I've gotten that out, I can quit yelling. I really am thrilled that preschool has started again. And for the record, our church doesn't even call it preschool, but rather playschool. They have a structured curriculum, with monthly and daily schedules, but still the focus is on PLAY. A Montessori approach if you will. With some Christian components obviously.

Eli has Stephanie, who was Drake's teacher last year. Her assistant is Missy. We specially requested Stephanie, and are SO happy Eli is in her class. They have 8 kids, 14-17 months old. Those are some cute little stinkers!

Drake has Mrs. Sheri and Mrs. Emily, and they are both so unbelievably sweet! We found out on day 2 that Mrs. Sheri and her family are adopting a little girl from China. They are about 6 months behind us in the process, and it is so nice to have her to chat with. Drake took a picture of Tessa with him on Tuesday to show her, and he was so proud! He loves to kiss Tessa's picture. I am blessed with the two most loving little boys on the planet.
Two bags, two lunchboxes.
Can someone please tell me how my BABY is possibly this big?

One proud boy! (This is a fake smile. He threw a fit about going to school. But then had a blast, as always.)
I can eat him up!
This is the "Seriously Mom, put the camera away now" look.
Going...
Gone!
First day of preschool for my Eli-bo-beli. My little love now has a whopping 7 hours a week away from Mommy, and with his teachers.

My craigslist sit and stand stroller. LOVE IT!

I didn't get a whole lot of pics after this, b/c my hands were FULL!
Eli's cubby.
Moments after handing Eli to Stephanie. Poor punkin. I went back in five minutes to check on him, and he was happily playing. YAY!
Now, off to Drake's drop off. We went in and met his teachers and checked out his room. Here is his schedule:
I didn't even try to get any more pictures of Drake, b/c I knew he'd lose it. He is in a major Mommy phase right now. But, he was also happy five minutes later- sitting in Mrs. Emily's lap reading a book on the reading rug.

This is him when I picked him up: Happily playing with playdoh. He LOVED school. He says everyday, "I had fun Mommy!".
There are still some tears from each of them at drop off, but they are doing well overall. I am working every Mon-Wed-Fri, and some weekend in order to have every Tuesday and Thursday off. We enjoy our morning together, since we don't leave for school til 9:15. We also get to enjoy our afternoons and evenings together after nap time. I love Tuesdays and Thursdays! They get to go have fun in a loving and safe environment, and I get 3 hours to work on my never ending to-do list!