Starting Kindergarten

Riley was so nervous about starting kindergarten that she wouldn't let me take a proper "first day" photo. Instead, I snapped these on the sly in our elevator and on the train ride to school.

But don't worry. By day two, joy displaced the apprehension. Funny how a friend and a bucket of dirt can work wonders like that.

Viva kindergarten!

Hello Again (Summer 2011)

Hello old friend. So much has happened since we last spoke: summer. A darn good one. We hiked, biked, bug collected, berry picked, picnicked, travelled...and wore ourselves completely ragged from fun.*

And since fun was the priority, non-essentials were neglected: our home was a disaster, we didn't eat enough vegetables, and I totally neglected this blog. Which is a shame, since I should have better documented the many memories we created.

But we've said a bittersweet goodbye to summer. Riley is back to school, life has calmed down a bit, and we're settling into a new routine. (Like waking up well before eight!) So maybe you'll see me here more often.

Meanwhile, enjoy our summer highlights:

*I should also mention this summer's milestones: Riley turned five, Wilco mastered mobility, and Matt and I celebrated ten years of marriage!

The Graduate

Today was Riley's last day of preschool.

I'll admit, it had me feeling surprisingly sentimental. It's almost ridiculous how much she's learned and matured this year. Also, it makes me feel kinda old. And jealous that, with the onset of kindergarten, Riley will become totally immersed in the learning phase of life. A phase that, nine years post college, I feel far removed from.

But then I read this quote: "In youth we learn, in age we understand."

I had a little epiphany. I realized that instead of growing old and intellectually stale, I get to enjoy double-benefits: vicarious learning and age-acquired understanding.

So a huge congrats to Riley for graduating preschool. And a tiny congrats to me for passing Acquiring Understanding, Lesson 1.

Pinchable

My friend once observed that most babies have a particular feature that people are drawn to. Her daughter, for example, had big beautiful eyes.

With Riley, it was (and still is) the hair.

And Wilco? It's these delicious cheeks.

Mister Baby

That's what we call this kid. And maybe it's the oxytocin talking, but I just can't get enough of him.

Too Much of a Good Thing

Before Wilco was born, I had no idea how Riley would react to having another kid around. She'd gotten kinda spoiled with attention after four years alone with us.

Now, five months into this sibling thing, it's safe to say she's loving it. Still. To say she adores her brother would be an understatement. Obsessed might be the better word choice.

But it's been amusing to see how fuzzy the line is between affection and torture. (And fortunately, the boy's a good sport.)

She's Crafty

I never do crafty things, but I found an idea online that was good (errrr....easy) enough to steal. So I think it's worth documenting that I actually made Riley's Valentine's Day cards this year.

And here's how she feels about them:

Happy Valentine's Day indeed!