Jumping in Without Floaties

Beckett and Theo are getting more and more comfortable in the water.  Last weekend, they starting jumping into the water both off of a diving board at the swim club, and off the dock at the cottage.  Of course, a grown up is always waiting to catch them, but they have gotten good at popping back up out of the water all by themselves.

Pre-K!

Tuesday was orientation day for the big boys' pre-kindergarten, which is held at the K-8 school around the corner from us. The boys are in different classes and all the teachers (two teachers plus two aides) seem energetic, experienced, and kind.

Walking into school before orientation:

And leaving for the first day of school on Wednesday:

Special thanks to Grandma Kathy who has been here for the last two days to help with getting to school etc. because Jeff was out of town Tuesday and Wednesday. Drop off Wednesday morning went well. As soon as Beck saw the breakfast spread out on the table, he was ready for me to go. When Theo saw all the other kids coloring with crayons at a table, he was all set too. By all accounts they had a fantastic first day!

It's nice to have a little extra time in the morning to get the kiddos to school (their school starts at 9), though the late start does complicate things once I go back to work. But for now it's wonderful to have a relaxed morning to eat breakfast, read books, play, and get dressed for school. I'm going to start volunteering in their classrooms, to read books and to take walks with the class. I hope baby Reed doesn't mind.

They have each reported having a friend in class, and Beckett especially lights up when he sees his friend Walter in the morning. Breakfast and lunch are served in the classroom for free, which makes our lives in the mornings so much easier, not to have to pack lunch. And apparently the gobble up breakfast too, even though they've already eaten bowls and bowls of cereal first.

Last weekend at the lake

We spent three nights at the lake this weekend to celebrate a cousin's wedding and see lots of family in town for the event. We had hot hot HOT weather and lots of opportunities to get in the water, both at the swim club and at the lake. The boys made huge strides in feeling comfortable in the water without any flotation devices, and jumping off the diving board and the dock. It's sad the season is (almost?) over and we won't have many chances over the winter to keep practicing our swimming.

The scene of the crime--the monkey bars where Beckett broke his leg last month.

Reed had lots of quality Grandpa Stu time at the wedding.

Daddy Lovebo is posting some video of jumping into the water soon....

Last Thursday afternoon we made a spontaneous trip to Green Lakes for our last chance to swim before the end of the lifeguard season. (I'm making no guarantees that I will not bring them back there after the "NO SWIMMING" signs are posted at the end of the day Labor Day.) They both wanted to swim, and I was so happy to be able to go back to a sandy beach after the month of avoiding them to avoid sand in the cast.

The boys did a little bit of swimming last weekend in Ithaca with Grandma Joanie without their puddlejumpers, and they loved it. But Green Lakes was even more well-suited for them because they could wade in and then suspend themselves in the water for as long as they were comfortable, and then simply put their feet down to stand up. They had a BLAST! Beckett is still a little timid with physical challenges because of his leg (he's still limping and treating it tenderly) and he's generally less bold when it comes to the water. But both guys jumped in again and again, dunking their heads under water repeatedly and laughing raucously. And Theo especially had a great time jumping up, falling in the water, holding his breath and then pulling and kicking his legs for 5-10 seconds before putting his feet down and coming up for air. After a while of swimming, Theo enjoyed chasing seagulls on the beach while Beck made sand angels everywhere. Then they dug in the sand and rolled around before playing with the digger and on the playground. Meanwhile, Reed had a lovely walk with Grandma Kathy around the swim area. It was a great last summer day at Green Lakes!

Last visit with Anne

Wednesday night dear friend Anne came to visit us for a night on her way out of Ithaca for the last time. We had dinner at the taco truck around the corner and then the boys asked if "mama's friend" could read them stories. We stayed up too late talking and we kept her here too late in the morning again, but we are so grateful to have had this time with her! Bon voyage and felicitations, dear Anne!

Reed at four months

17 pounds (86th percentile) and 25 inches long (52%) today at his four month visit. Got all his shots and is cleared to go to daycare.

Breaking out the Baby Vegas!

One of the coolest things about having a singleton baby for me now is that I can get out of the house with him, and just him! I could never have attempted to go to a grownup party or event or meeting with TWO four month old babies. But I have attended two lady lawyer dinners (dinner with other Syracuse women attorneys, loosely organized but always elegantly hosted) with Reed, plus countless board meetings and other grown-up sorts of functions. Below is good friend Sally hanging out with Reed at last Thursday's lady lawyer dinner. The amazing thing is that with ONE baby, people (mostly women) absolutely clamor to take him and hold him. So I end up baby-less and socializing! It's amazing. And Reed is such a great sport and is so happy to see different faces and hear different voices. I know it all could change tomorrow but for now it's wonderful and miraculous.

This isn't a great picture, but it's to show that in the last month or two I've started to notice that Reed has a birthmark on his left forearm near his wrist. Here's a shot of it. I do not believe it was there when he was born but the pediatrician says that "birthmarks" can arise later.

NYS Fair

Monday we made our annual trip to the Great New York State Fair with Grandpa Stu. We were also lucky enough to be joined by Daddy, who only had one hearing scheduled at 9am so took the rest of the day off to be with us. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the midway rides this year, taking advantage of a lackadaisical ride operator to get one ride free (the large helicopter, with Daddy, shown below) and then riding four other preschooler-appropriate rides. Beckett slept through the chocolate milk at the Rainbow milk bar as well as soft ice cream cones (don't worry, Theo ate his share).

The end of the day, in the dairy barn and, on the way out, Theo sticking his head out of the sheep head.

Checking out the baby chicks hatching at the 4H building. Due to avian flu we were not allowed to hold any chickens.

Daddy playing with the Lego Robotics robots.

On the bus to the Fair.

Waiting in line for rides

Riding the fire truck at the fire station.