Second Day of JK

On Smudge's first morning of JK, we could hardly get a smile out of her while she waited for the bus, but on this second day she was having a grand old guffaw with Buppa.
Then it was time for a few quiet words...
before posing for a picture with the sign Mommy made for her.
Daddy had to go to work early on Smudge's first day of school, but he was able to see her off on her second day. They stopped for a picture by the front door before heading down to the bus stop. Too bad I didn't pick a location for the picture that didn't put the sunshine right in Smudge's eyes.
She met a little friend at the bus stop...
...and went to meet her little friend's great-grandmother, who was standing on her porch watching all the antics at the bus stop.
She soon re-joined Daddy on the sidewalk...
and waited patiently for the bus to arrive.
Again, she was the first one in line for the exciting trip to school.
After the meltdown JJ had the day before when he saw all the other kids getting on and off the bus, Amma decided to keep him at home, and sit on the porch for a while, out of eye sight of the bus stop. Yes, that worked much better.
We enjoyed a nice quiet, tear-free, visit while Daddy and Buppa took Smudge to the bus stop.

First day of JK

We arrived bright and early one day last week to see Smudge off to her first day of JK. We asked her to pose by the window for a photo, and she did. As you can see, she is quite creative when asked to pose for a picture. What a ham! For some reason, she seemed very subdued, and wouldn't smile for any of these pre-school pics.
Next it was time for a hug from Mommy...
then one with JJ in the picture.
We tried for another picture with Mommy, hoping for a smile this time, but no luck.
Next it was time for a cuddle with Amma. Again no smile, but it looked like one was on its way.
Mommy and JJ joined us on the couch for a group shot.....
and then we got Buppa in on the act too. JJ was sure having fun.
Time to pick up the back-pack and head out the front door...
get safely strapped into the car seat...
and head off to school. Smudge waved bye to Amma and JJ through the car window while Mommy and Buppa drove her to school.

Once at school, she got some last minute instructions from Mommy...
finally flashed Buppa a smile...
and headed off to find her classroom. Mommy and Buppa shed a few tears, but Smudge was all smiles and happy to be going to school.
At the end of the day we all gathered at the bus stop to await the student's return home.
Once again she was all smiles and bubbling with excitement.
She jumped off the bus and ran to give Amma a big hug.
then she had a little dance with Buppa...
and a twirl or two with her best friend Evan.

Everyone was rejoicing with the kids about their first day of school....everyone except JJ that is.
He was broken hearted that he couldn't get on the bus when all the kids got off of it.
Oh dear, he was not a happy camper.

Dancing Bride

The other day Smudge asked if she could be a dancing bride. I hunted around and found the veil I made for Auntie Alycia's wedding party and it was just the ticket for a dancing bride.

Ice cream

Buppa thought it would be fun to take the munchkins out for ice cream the other day, so we bundled them into the car and set off on a little drive in search of an ice cream kiosk near the water. This was a typical picture of our walk... Smudge running on ahead and JJ lagging behind at his own speed. Buppa tried to keep pace with Smudge while I lallygagged behind with JJ. From time to time JJ would ask me if he could run to catch up with the others, so Buppa and Smudge would wait for him...
look at the water together...
then continue on the walk while JJ took his time studying the water from all angles.
We all finally reached the end of the boardwalk, only to discover the ice cream kiosk was closed for the day. Oh well, it was a fun walk along the water...
and we found another ice cream parlor in town. Smudge had chocolate ice cream and didn't get a drop on her princess dress.
JJ had orange sherbert and he managed to escape without needing a change of clothes too. What an amazing feat.
MMMM, Amma enjoyed her ice cream too...
and a snuggle with the munchkins before it was time to head home.
They both wanted to ride this cow standing outside the ice cream parlor, but finally agreed to just pose in front of it for a picture.

Tires one out

Most mornings when I ask Smudge what she wants to wear for the day she usually asks for a Princess dress. I don't mind finding the most sparkly one in the closet for her, and she twirls and spins through the day as only a four year old princess can.
All the twirling and spinning does tire a princess out though and she has to rest from time to time...
until her Prince brother comes along and sings her a song to revive her.

We won't be hot Amma!

It was hot as blazes one day last week, and I was struggling to keep cool whilst doing almost nothing. The kids, on the other hand found, these elephant costumes from last year tucked in the closet, and insisted on putting them on so they could march around the house to the music from Jungle book. It made me hot just to look at them in these furry duds, but they were quite happy to spin and dance, and march and spin, while Colonel Hathi called out the beat...hup two three four, give it up two three four...

Smudge has almost outgrown her costume, but JJ still has some room to grow in his. He was quite taken with his tusks...
floppy ears...

trunk...
and tail.
OK, are you ready now? March...

Hup two three four
Keep it up two three four
Hup two three four
Keep it up two three four
Company sound off!

Ho, the aim of our patrol
Is a question rather droll
For to march and drill
Over field and hill
Is a military goal!
Is a military goal!

Hup two three four
Dress it up two three four
Hup two three four
Dress it up two three four

By the ranks or single file
Over every jungle mile
Oh we stamp and crush
Through the underbrush
In a military style!
In a military style!

Hup two three four
Keep it up two three four

Musical Morning

When Smudge got up the other morning she wanted to wear her costume from her dance recital and she twirled and spun around in her room until she got distracted by the cat. Abby rolled around on the floor and Smudge danced around her.
Smudge thought Abbey the cat needed a foot massage at the end of their dance session.
Meanwhile JJ was making music of his own out on the side deck. He is the Rock Star in the family.
Yes, it was a very musical morning and I enjoyed every heart lifting note.

We don't need toys...

Let's find new and exciting way to climb the front steps
and then practice our alphabet and numbers while trying to keep our balance on the stones in the front garden.
Nope, we don't need toys, we have lots of other neat things to play with.