...and we're off!

This week brought the start of kindergarten for the boys.  It has been fantastic and they ADORE their teacher.  Even better yet, she seems equally fond of the boys.  This first real school experience has been more than I ever could have hoped for and I'm sure I will write more about it at some point, but I still have (believe it, or not) summer photos that simply must get posted before I can fully embrace the idea of blogging about fall!  

I will say that they cracked us all up at the prekindergarten meeting with their teacher when they enthusiastically insisted on showing their teacher that they can count to 1,000.  So, yes, we sat through a very rowdy and energetic duet of numbers that had us sharing quite a laugh.    At this point, I think they would do just about anything their dear teacher asked them to do, as long as they ended each day with an "official kindergarten sticker," of which they presently have two.  LOVE that something as simple as a sticker from an actual kindergarten teacher is enough to send them reeling. :)  

Equally sweet, was my perceptive Shea, who, mirroring her mommy, showed quite a display of sadness after dropping the boys off their first day.  When I, through my own tears, asked her why she was crying, she replied, "It's just hard to see the boys getting so big."  Love that, too.

 My budding artist.  Where the boys have always been interested in how quickly they can complete an art project, Shea is truly engrossed in the process.  I have truly enjoyed watching her discover this joy.

 My silly little fairy, practicing her H's. 

 Brothers

 Some of our great neighbors... fully embracing the joy of costumes. 

 Shea, on her actual birthday, quite busy outside.  She can create this fantastic pretend worlds and keep up the fantasy for hours.  The boys have always done this together, so it is so unique for me to see her creating all of this by herself, sometimes. 

 Shea picked out her own birthday cake. :)

 The boys treated Shea like an actual princess, playing half a dozen games of Pretty Pretty Princess with her.  I adore the way they get pure enjoyment out of sharing in these games.  I'm sure it won't last forever, but for now, it is one of the sweetest things I get to see...

 watermelon picnic in the playset with Sylvie

 The big girls admiring little Cora.