The Week in Pictures

 We've been taking R to the semi-ghetto indoor mall because it's got A/C, a Hello Kitty store, Sees candies AND quarter rides. It's like three-year-old heaven. 

 R has been helping me bathe MC. We all end up wet and it's great fun.

 Splashpad at Santee Lake is a hit.

 My pressie from N!!! We found it at the semi-ghetto mall! Totally unbelievable!

 Found her footies.

 Ha this kinda looks like R is sniffing her diaper BUT I promise he was kissing her footies.

 Hanging out on the big stump left by the 70' pine tree my parents had chopped down at the Ranch.

 Naked baby in a beret. 

Our burrito.

Rutherford and MC

MC is in the throes of some big changes. She's laughing a bit now, discovered her feet and tongue, can hold stuff in her hands - and she even held her bottle pretty successfully last night! The smart baby people say this time represents a big developmental progression for her and I can totally see it happening.

She is definitely more aware of what's happening around her and I can see her become more and more interested in R every day. She turns her head to watch him talk and play and run around and she's very curious about him when he's around. I've also read that babies recognize other babies/kids and are more interested in them than adults. So cute!

R is starting to find some things she does funny. When I change her clothes I often leave her shirt on her head like a little hat and it cracks him up. I make a little voice for her and ask him questions as MC, like "Oh big brother, what did you do at the Ranch today?" And he'll answer her like, "Well Mary-Charlotte, I went on my swingset." I love it and it's the most adorable thing ever.

R and I played hide n seek this weekend and had a blast. I love how he always looks first in the last place he found me. I love that I can be crouched behind a chair and he'll totally miss me. I love that when he hides, he can't contain himself and just comes running out, yelling "Here I am!!!!" I am such a lucky mama.

Rutherford's First Day of School

Today was Rutherford's first day of preschool! I am very excited for him to be going to school - making new friends, different learning and play activities, fun field trips (we get to go to the pumpkin patch next month!) but I know it will be a little hard for him to adjust.

He did pretty good today. He seemed curious about everything in the classroom (and he had met the teachers a few days before so he gave Miss Aly a big hug when he saw her) but a little intimidated by some of the other kids. I feel like that's a big reason I want him in school - to build up his confidence around his peers.

He cried a little when we left but we stayed at the school in the office while the director, Kathie, did a few checks on him. She said he was a little upset but was playing well and doing art with the other kiddos. Miss Aly said Rutherford would play a little bit and then find her, give her a little hug and then run back to play some more. He's just such a little sensitive soul. I love that about him but I also know it's important for him to do this to come out of his shell a little with other kids.

We love his little school so much and they have so much for him to explore. I hope he blossoms over the next few months and gets excited about all the fun he's going to have!