Back to the Real World

Where did summer go? It zoomed by and we were back to business this week.

We started the whirlwind week with a trip to Canton, OH to the NFL Football Hall of Fame. We dropped the kids off with the West VA grandparents, and left the next AM with John and another Redskins fan. There are lots of funny moments due to John's new Garman, but we did make it there finally! The reason we were there: Art Monk and Darrel Green- Bobby's 2 favorite Skins- were being inducted. We also got to go into the HOF and see the memorabilia and busts of all the past inductees. Then, back to WV to pick up the kids and hurry home to get ready for school the next morning.

So, Monday the kids started back to school. Summer enrichment, camp sort of, but for all the kids know it is back to school. Andrew proudly told the world he was going to the Elementary- Montessori 1st grade- and he did wonderful! Alex started Extended Day- Montessori Pre K and K- basically no naps. I know she is ready for no naps because on napping days she is up until 9, but she quickly turns terror at 5pm without a nap. I met her teacher as I walked in and she politely informed me that she had to send Alex upstairs to nap because she wasn't listening after lunch. She thought that they were just all so excited to see each other that they were talkative, but she needed to start the ground rules from day one. AMEN SISTER! Alex didn't have to miss Extended Day anymore the rest of the week.

On Monday we also added 5 additional members to our family- Painted Lady Butterflies. We bought the net and order the caterpillars and then forgot all about them! Too much going on for sure. Sope, I nursed several crippled butterflies back to health this week and then we sent them on their short life journey this evening (they only live 2-4 weeks).

With all the madness, we were all, however, looking forward to "stay home day" as the kids call the weekends. It started with the Olympics opening ceremony Friday night. The kids got early baths and brought their pillows downstairs to watch the "parade." Only problem was that the parade they were waiting for was hours away! Andrew loved the drums- as did I. We looked down on the floor and he was playing them too! About 30 minutes into the ceremony Andrew was sound asleep on the floor. Alex just loved cheering for anything that everyone else cheered for! After she finally realized that there were no costumes like the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, she fell asleep as well. We woke them both up to show them the USA parade in with the flag- they peeked up and then went back to sleep, so we carried them up to their beds.

The weekend has been fun and restful- playing outside, trip to the pool, playing at the park and bike rides along with snuggly mornings and introducing different sports and countries to the kids (other than soccer, football, baseball and basketball). Alex fell in love with synchronized diving tonight while Andrew got to cheer on USA basketball today with dad. Laundry is done, the house is clean, and lunches are packed- back to the real world again!