The past few days.....

Abby has really gotten in to these "Perler Beads" the past few days. Mamaw started her on them and all of a sudden she realized instead of randomly placing beads on the forms, she could follow a pattern on the box, or in an "idea book". It's like she grew up over night! She's been working hard making all sorts of creations! She has a lot of patience, a good hand and eye! Her brother comes over and spills them instantly, and wants "instant gratification"... whereas Abby will work and work and work until she finishes, then ask to do another one! It's interesting to see how different they are, and it's kinda neat to see the younger one excel at something for once! Luke asks Abby to finish his for him! :) this picture got turned sideways on accident... this program randomly does this to me, I don't feel like fighting it today!.. anyways these are some of the projects Abby finished. (I did the Mario one).
These are her beads. I ran out and got a nice container for them to keep them organized.

Wednesday Rich came home for lunch and got to welcome Luke home off the bus. In the garage they found this big fat toad!

I have to say my favorite thing about Kindergarten has been all the new things it has exposed Luke too. Everyday he's experiencing new things! I am left to imagine most of it. I try to think back to my elementary days and ask him questions to see what things they still do. He told me about the big wooden box on the ceiling that the "voice" comes out of. :) He was all excited about the bell ringing the first few days. Now we have gym class! Last week he came home and showed me how to do push ups, jumping jacks, and running in place, this time he was very anxious to teach us all how to play four square. These are the benefits of going to school. Learning things that Mom might not necessarily teach you.. I think it's similar to the college experience vs. living at home. Of course it's not all good... like hearing the report on day 3 about an issue on the bus, that was luckily resolved.
and learning that it's not such a good idea to play chase everyday on the cement... Yesterday his friend fell and got all skinned up and today Luke fell. We're hoping they find something else to do! It broke my heart to see him come home all bandaged up with tears in his eyes as he told me about the event. :( Another new adventure was going to the library to pick out his own book. Now why this was so exciting after Mommy has been hauling the kids to the library to get books for years? is beyond me... but I was proud of him for finding something that interests him and plopping down on the couch with great excitement to read off a few jokes.

With school comes homework. All the assignments have been very easy, sometimes I wonder if I should even bother with doing them since we don't have to turn them in, but I figured it's good practice for him to sit down and get used to just "doing homework" every night. Maybe I'll sneak a few 1st and 2nd grade worksheets in there to keep him challenged!! In Luke's backpack I found this beautiful "Elmer" he made at school.

Abby had a good first FULL day at preschool too. I had a hard time letting her go today. For whatever reason she just felt younger to me than Luke did when he started.. but she's a 1/2 a year older! it's hard to believe!!! Abby doesn't really like other kids in her face. She's a bit shy, so when the other mom's were introducing their kids to me and Abby in line, and she was burying her face in my legs, I felt bad to send her in to a whole room of kids w/ out her hiding place! I knew it was out of her comfort zone.. but at the same time I DO want her to get adjusted to playing w/ other kids. I want her to learn to make friends. I almost called school to see how she was doing, but I managed to resist!

Abby's "Kissing hand" paper she brought home today.

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During the Preschool/Kindergarten hours... I went to my OBGYN appt... which took my first hour! :( then I went to the resale shop, and found a crib sheet and maternity top. Last, I stopped in at What's 4 Dessert and had a quiche Lorraine and decaf! ummmmmmm it would have been more enjoyable if I didn't have this HORRIBLE pounding headache that began last night and never went away till this afternoon. :( Back to school, and the first one in line! I was practicing getting Abby and getting back in time for the bus, while my neighbor stood guard at home in case I didn't make it. When I got there Abby was laying on the floor reading books, then AT 11:30 they started snack... she was happily eating up zucchini bread w/ frosting. :) a good sign! The teacher rushed her out the door w/ crumbs all over her face and we raced home to get Luke.

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Tomorrow I look forward to my one on one time with Abby. We'll do some more art projects and probably find time to do beading as well. I'm holding on to every moment I can before the baby arrives b/c I know how crazy it will get.