Bus!

First Grader

Raf's first day as a first grader, today. He could not have been more excited. He was up at 5:30am, raring to go. He requested pancakes, packed his new bag (after I ruined his old one by putting it in the dryer with a crayon... argh) and got ready for the bus. Yes, Raf has worn us down and he is now going to get the bus. I called last week and asked if it was possible for the bus to pick him up closer to our house, and much to our surprise they said 'yes'!

Then it was outside to wait for the bus... and take a few photos.

And we waited... and waited. And danced to Katy Perry songs as we did so. Where is the bus?? About 15 minutes after it was expected Rich called the bus depot only to be told that they'd forgotten to pick Raf up! The downside of being a new stop... but the bus kindly turned around and came back for poor old Raf. He was such a trooper and hopped on to the bus like a pro.

Bye!

I emailed his new teacher to see if he'd gotten to school in one piece and she let me know that he was doing wonderfully. Of course when he got home he couldn't remember anything he did. Indeed I asked him if he missed me and he responded, 'I totally forgot about you all'! I'll take that as a good sign.

After work Charlie, Hattie, and I waited for the bus to arrive.

It's coming!

Our neighbor was with us and I was a bit aghast when Raf dove off the bus and ran behind some bushes. I thought something had gone horribly wrong... but he was just absolutely desperate to pee! A really super first day. And he loved getting the bus, sitting next to his friend Lucy on the way home.

Third of a Year!

On Friday, the 28th, Hatts turned 4 months old. I tried to be on the ball to make a 'third' of a cake but I just couldn't find the time. She is growing so fast, and is already rolling from her back to her stomach. She can't rock herself back yet so she's often grumpy when she's had enough of tummy time, but each time I leave her on her mat to have a little kick and play she almost immediately rolls herself over!

She is also trying to sit up... and loves nothing more than bending forward in a good attempt to put her feet in her mouth!

She is still suffering with awful GERD but she's doing well on the medicine. 

And these three together are incredibly lovely.

Photo by Raf... Hatts' favourite place is still the moby... She grins hugely when she sees I'm putting it on (especially when she's tired). 

She's such a smiley, happy girl. She is less happy about taking a bottle (I returned to work last week) but is doing a little better each time. Saying goodbye to the Hatts.

Charlie!

Today Charlie pooped on the toilet. I was changing his nappy and he declared that he needed to do a poop. I asked if he wanted to try the potty and, to my delight, he said 'yes'! Hurrah!

Late Summer Days.

Just some pics of our final weeks of summer...

More trips to The Narrow Gauge Railway with the children.

Lots of playing outside... lots and lots of train tracks EVERYWHERE! Yesterday I couldn't walk on the deck.

A very, very soggy trip to the Children's Museum. Utter nightmare walking from the car park to the museum with torrential rain and wind blowing our umbrellas, a cringe toddler with a soggy sandwich hanging out of this mouth, and a cold, wet baby.. and then we had to queue along with half of Maine and Quebec.

Still, fun when we were in there.

And phew, the sun came out for more beach days...

And lots of boogie boarding.

And an evening ice cream ride on the trolley with some lovely neighbors.

A run with my boy, Charlie.

And a return to the beach...

Crazy golf, a gift from Raf's birthday... so much fun!

One of the best mornings all summer was a meet up with some of Raf's old kindergarten friends. My friend Lindsay has a beautiful beach house nearby and she kindly let us use it for our reunion. It was a really great time. Of course we were the last to leave...! Who could leave this?!

And Hatts was there for all of it!

And the next day? yes, back to the beach.

On this particular day I returned later in the evening with the children. Rich thought I was bonkers to go back down again. but who could miss this?

A fabulous hour down on the beach.

Summer is almost at an end. I didn't take any photos but we also happened upon a baby sand shark, who sadly died. Lots of attempts to put it back in the water after it beached itself a few times, but it was clearly injured. Raf was devastated but now wants to save sharks when he's older.

More adventures to write about but now we're getting ready to send Raf to first grade...