Spirit Week at Olds

This past week at Clara's school was spirit week with the big PTA fundraiser, the Wolf Walk-a-thon, on Thursday. Monday was dress up as your favorite book character for which Clara chose Caroline Abbott, the newest American girl doll. I wish we'd thought to take a picture because she visualized and executed the costume herself, and it looked surprisingly like Caroline's on the cover of Meet Caroline.

Tuesday was crazy hair day for which I tried my best to accomodate the vision of two large lumps on top with two little pig-tails on each side. Here is finished product outside of her classroom.

Wednesday was pajama day and of course Jack's preschool pictures, so he was in costume as well.

Thursday brought the Wolf walk-a-thon! Last year was the first year of this event and was the major fundraiser for the PTA of the year. Rather than have the children sell various things, the idea was to promote exercise and have the kids walk around the school track for pledges. It ended up being a really neat event. We turned out at the kindergarteners allotted time to cheer Clara and her fellow classmates on. It was also crazy hat & sock day which you can see evidence of on the video and in the pictures.

Clara's teacher Ms. Shaw in the sombero rocking the sweet pink, fuzzy socks.

Clara showing off her "white badge". Parent representatives for each class tracked how many laps each class covered by these colored badges.

The Fred Olds Kindergarteners and teachers!

Clara lining up to head back to the classroom post-walk.

Jack's Preschool Pictures

Arts Together does things a little differently for their school pictures. Picture day is always near Halloween, and the students are encouraged to adorn their costumes. All along Jack has said he wanted to be Elmo this year but at the sight of the costume changed his mind. He decided to go for the old reliable Jack o' Lantern which I just realized he's been for 3 out of his 4 Halloween's! 

What a big boy he's become! I'm leaning towards #3 and #5, but I like the first one a lot too.

The Suns class!

The little punky pumpkin looking everywhere but at the camera.

Labor Day Weekend (Sept.1 - Sept. 3)

Well I didn't quite make my goal of catching up the blog before Meghan's birthday. Now I'll shoot to be up-to-date by Christmas. Surely that's doable, nothing to do between now and then. ;) Back to summer, or at least the unofficial ending of it... Labor day weekend!

We started off Saturday morning with a repeat trip to the Durham Farmer's Market. I was seduced by the memory of the deliciousness of the breakfast pizza. The day was equally as gorgeous and it was nice to be outside enjoying the weather and the tasty food.

Back home everyone wants a piece of Mommy's post-lunch couch collapse.

For some time now Clara has impressed us with the really elaborate scenarios she develops with her toys, and this weekend was no different. Her latest creation we wanted to document because we thought it was cute and creative all in one. She came up with roller skates for her American girl dolls using hair rubber bands and cargo cars from the Thomas the tank engine trains.

We headed out again in the afternoon for our daily sojourn. Labor day weekend marked the real "end of an era" for me. For almost a year now, my daily walks have been with three kids and a dog. It's become so routine for people to comment, "wow, you've got your hands full" that Clara has started asking why people say that to us so much. Someone even went so far as to offer me her triple stroller when she saw me walking with my crew. With full day kindergarten starting for Clara after this weekend and with everyone continuing to grow, these walks with three kids and a dog by myself will likely become a thing of the past. But I asked Brec to document how I exercised for nearly a year with three kids and a dog. So here we are!

Checking out the stream on the greenway.

Big girl walking the dog all by herself.

Someone enjoyed a Sunday morning breakfast of cinnamon toast.

Then a trip with Daddy to Marbles followed by milkshakes at Chuck's

One Year Stats Are In!

Today I took Meghan to the pediatrician for her one year check-up. Poor thing had to sit through a finger prick for what seemed like an eternity. We survived though, in addition to four shots. 

Once we got home, I couldn't wait to compare her numbers with those of the other children. Meghan is the tallest at one year! She measures 31.25 inches compared to Jack who was 31 inches and Clara, a mere 30.5 inches. As for weight, Meghan is in the middle at 21 lbs, 10.5 oz. Jack was a "beefy" 22 lbs, 5 oz, and Clara was only 21 lbs, 8 oz.

Sitting

Standing 

 In Nay-nay's high chair ready for birthday cake:

Icing anyone?

Happy First Birthday, Meghan!

How did this happen? Where has the time gone? When people ask me about my life with three kids, I can answer truthfully that this year has been the fastest of my life. I can't believe my baby is turning one!

It's hard to believe that one year ago today I woke up like it was any other day (well not quite any other day, as I was 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant, but that is not the point), and by the end of the day, I had a baby girl in my arms.


Meghan, a year ago...


And now... Good morning to the birthday girl!


With both Jack & Clara at school this morning, we had a quiet morning to ourselves and took the time to partake in some of our favorite activities around the house. She started off the day climbing on the dining room chairs.




After that she moved up on to the table to finish up some leftover toast of Clara's.


Then we moved back into her room to play with the ride-on toy. This is one of her favorites.


Next she moved into Jack and Clara's room.


Beads anyone?




With a brief pause in the fun to pick up Jack from preschool and eat lunch, then she recharged with a nap. It seems she fell asleep sitting up.


After picking up Clara from school, we headed over to the church park for what has become a favorite after school ritual. I had particularly wanted to make it over there today because we had gone there last year on this date while I was in early labor. It was fun to be there watching Meghan move around the park knowing I'd done similar pacing myself a year ago.


Home from the park, Clara is decidedly more excited than the birthday girl about the cake and presents.


We went to one of our favorites spots, Beaseley's Chicken & Honey, for a celebratory dinner.

Back home again I captured Meghan in her favorite activity of late.


Cake time!


Take two!


I think she likes it.


Meghan is fortunate enough to have so much help opening her presents. Can you believe we had actually survived thus far without a corn popper? I'm sure I don't know how. We can all breathe a sigh of relief that we no longer have to endure life without one. And it's pink!




Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!


And because we all know I'm a sucker for comparisons...
Clara's first birthday




Jack's first birthday