School Time!

September has been a month of changes for our family!  I started preschool in early September.  I attend a Lutheran preschool two mornings a week and I LOVE it!  I went to the same preschool last year, but only went one morning a week for two hours.  This year, because I am 3 years old, I get to go two mornings, for 3 1/2 hours per session.  Here I am on my first day of school.

 At preschool, I am most excited about the "loft" where kids get to role play.  I love that the preschool has TWO vacuum cleaners.  The first day of preschool was a little preview.  Daddy came with because Mommy was teaching.  The classroom is huge, colorful and happy.  I am so blessed to be able to attend such a nice school.

 I loved these noodle type art things you wet and stick onto mats.  Who knew such a simple thing caught my sustained attention!  Mommy plans to find these for indoor days.  We eat a snack at preschool which stresses Mommy out as she now needs to remember to send a snack to school with me twice a week.  She finds it ironic to be on the "other side" (parent) instead of a teacher. 

 Daddy was given one job by Mommy that day... take pictures!!!  He did a great job with the camera, capturing my first day of preschool.  Cooper wanted to come to preschool too, but he was dropped off at Jenny's house so that Daddy could focus on just me.  To make Cooper feel better, we included him in the "getting ready for school" photos.

 Mommy started her twelfth year of teaching. She has always taught Kindergarten and is continuing the madness this year.  She is job-sharing again with Heather, but is working full-time for the first six weeks of school.  Things are going well, but she appreciates job-sharing even more with her busy full-time schedule.  She looks forward to Heather's return mid-October.  Per Dad's crazy request each year, Mommy holds up her fingers to display how many years she has been teaching.  Since Daddy was in Canada on her first day of school, he took this picture the following week on day 3.  We'll let it slide this year.

Daddy celebrated his 36th birthday on September 3rd.  His gift this year was his Canada trip.  Daddy was gone on his birthday, so we celebrated with him when he returned home. Daddy is now one step closer to 40, yikes!  Have a great year being 36 Dad!

 Another "school" that I started is Sunday School.  Mommy is teaching JAM (Jesus & Me) with the toddlers again this year.  She started this program last year for 2 and 3 year olds and it has been a success ever since.  Parents get the much needed break during church and the toddlers (us) get to listen to a story, do a little project, pray, and sing songs.  It is a win-win situation!

While Daddy was in Canada, Mommy played the single parent role.  It was NOT easy, so note to Daddy... next time we need some reinforcement around here (hint to Grandma's too).  We went to the park on Labor Day for the last train ride for the season.  We went on both of the trains (open air and enclosed coal/steam train).  We met up with Laurie Jo, Lily and Lucy because their Daddy, Ben, is the one who planned the Canada trip and invited Daddy.  It was great to see them and the Moms were happy to "vent" about their

 L-O-N-G five days of single parenting!

When we got to the train station, we saw Heather, Patrick, Finley and Hadley and Melissa (a teacher Mommy knows) and her little girl Elle.  Finley's Grandma was nice enough to take a picture of our entire group!  We look like a traveling circus squished into the caboose. 

With our long weekend came many silly moments as we kept each other busy.  I had fun playing photographer with Mommy's camera.  Not too bad considering Mommy is protective of her "new" camera.

After bath one evening, Cooper was fully dressed in PJ's and getting ready for bed.  Mommy was closing his curtains when she turned and noticed he was gone.  It was very quiet, which is never good in our house.  When she came to the bathroom, this is what she saw.... Cooper who must have hurdled himself into the tub (no splash?) and me putting my kid shaving cream all over him.  Despite having to get him dried off and dressed again, the silly situation sure made her laugh.

Daddy missed the family reunion on Grammy's side.  We went to the small town's park where the reunion is held every year.  It was a chilly day, but we lasted two hours and had time to eat some yummy food and play with cousins at the park.

We were happy for Daddy's return after his 5 day trip.  He had a great time with the group of guys he went with.  He brought home Lake Trout, Walleye and Northern for us to eat.  We missed Daddy but are glad that he had a great birthday get-away in the great outdoors.  Here are a few photos from his trip.  Have a great week everyone!