The Zoo

After a fun and busy week of school, work, running, reading, errands, and selling on eBay, we started our Labor Day weekend with a trip to the zoo.

Three day weekends are great, but for Aurora, well, she's been waiting SO long for first grade to start and she loves it SO much that a long weekend would be pure torture if we didn't find interesting ways to fill the time! Clark was just getting used to the new routine and the weekend's throwing him off a bit, but I'd say feeding the animals and taking a ride on the zoo train was good for both of them. Now, what to do for the next two days...

First Day of First Grade

Today the boys came along to send Aurora off on her first bus ride of first grade. We got there a few minutes early and it was great seeing some familiar faces. Clark got so excited when he saw the bus, he waved and said: "Bye bye Wawa, I yuv you!"

Today's also her first day doing EASY care after school at Valley View - no more CCOA! Of course, she'll be back every day as we go pick up Clark on our way home. Yes, I'll have two separate pick-ups after work now, but I'm ready. Here's hoping my brain doesn't just go on auto-pilot and forget...

Back to School

It's been such a busy week that I haven't had a chance to blog. First (and most importantly), Aurora and Clark are moving on up in school! Earlier in the week we had a Curriculum Night at CCOA and got to see Clark's new classroom. He's moving out of the infant center and into a toddler room. Starting Monday he'll be in the Starfish class with a new teacher, new toys, and a sink he can wash his own hands in. Wow!

Today CCOA was closed and Valley View was OPEN for Meet the Teacher Day. Aurora starts 1st Grade on Monday and her new teacher is Ms. Zaroba. Ms. Zaroba got her undergrad at UT then went to New York for her Master's Degree. She's been teaching both Kindergarten and 1st Grade for 5 years. Her favorite color is black and her favorite book is Harry Potter! She just moved back to Austin last week to start her job at Valley View, and I'd say she's just as sweet as Mrs. Parolini. I know Aurora will love being in her class.

Speaking of UT, I spent some time there myself this week as the LIVESTRONG Foundation announced a partnership with the Dell Medical School in order to create a new model of patient-centered cancer care. It was an exciting day!

The next day I presented at our team meeting, and yesterday was fall intern orientation. It has been a VERY busy week, but in the best possible way. Having a forced day off with the kids before they go back to school on Monday has been a welcome break...

Good Night!

Today I was telling a friend how sweet and silly Clark gets right at bedtime, and she said I had to take a video. So I did! This has been happening for awhile now, and afterwards (like right now as I type this), I can hear him singing songs in his crib...

 

My sweet little guy. I'll miss this when he's a big boy! 

Airplanes

We had a fun weekend celebrating Clark's 2nd Birthday. Yesterday we went to the movies and saw Planes: Fire & Rescue, and today we threw him an airplane themed party.

It was super fun. Well, except for when Aurora fell down and was sure she'd broken her arm. Oh, and that time when Chuck opened the fridge on Clark's head... OTHERWISE, it was a fun party and I think everybody had a good time and enjoyed the pizza and cake!

Clark got some great gifts and clearly loved having everybody sing Happy Birthday (seriously, the death glare he gave when we sang was hilarious). It was a great weekend. We sure love you, sweet little buddy! Enjoy being 2-years old.

Toothless

After weeks of anticipation, Aurora's second front tooth is finally OUT! I never thought I'd be so relieved to have her smile look like this. Saturday I offered to match the Tooth Fairy's payout if she could pull it out before the photo session, but no luck. Last night she really didn't want anybody to touch or pull her tooth, but it was so loose and it got bonked so it was bleeding and she was so upset until finally, it happened. Phew!

As nerve-wracking as it was for her to finally loose that tooth, it was equally stressful for the tooth fairly! Aurora asked for a book (again) and when the tooth fairy did come (with $2 and a note saying she hopes Aurora can buy a wonderful book with her money), she went to get the tooth and Aurora ALMOST woke up. I wonder how different Clark will be when it comes to losing teeth? Ah well. If you run into Aurora in the near future, do not attempt to sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." She is not amused...

Birthday Boys

Chuck's birthday was Friday and Clarkie's is coming up in a few days, so we've been finding lots of ways to celebrate. I brought home cake and wine for Chuck on Friday, we had a nice family dinner with my parents last night, then the two of us went out for a margarita and movie date night! I figured we could focus this whole weekend on Chuck, but it made sense to get Clark's two year pictures taken before his big party weekend. So, step aside Chuck because Clark is dominating the blog. Sorry!

Clark wasn't quite as cooperative as Aurora has always been with the photo sittings, but I'd say we got a few sweet pictures here. I cannot believe our silly little boy is turning 2...

Oh, and Happy Birthday Chuck!!!