iNovember...

As I was flipping through the pictures on my phone, I realized there a bunch from November that I couldn't not include.  Mostly of my two little buddies - Remi & Dieter - but a few of Mr. Mitch and Miss Finnley too.  Here are a few highlights from November through my iPhone.

My best shopping buddies / Long Island Children's Museum

Finnley's Thanksgiving Dinner / "Wear shorts over your pants" Day ;)

Getting decked for Christmas / Our quiet Thanksgiving in New York

Dieter's First day of Pre-K...

A week after Finnley started school, it was Dieter's turn to start pre-K.  This is his second year and he was very excited for his first day.  He was happy to see his friends, whom he hadn't see all summer, and he thinks his new teachers are great.  

This kid is such a ham.  I tried and tried to get a normal picture of him - standing still and smiling - it didn't happen.  He kept hiding his face with his umbrella, or pulling a some sort of silly face.  This kid is such a sweet boy, and his teachers are lucky to have him in their classroom.  We love our Dieter and are so proud of him for being such a great little student!

Dieter and Miss Christine

Dieter Turns Four...

 

I can't believe it, but my little boy turned FOUR!

 

It had been a couple years since he'd had a party - okay, it had been since his first birthday that he'd had an actual par-tay - so we decided to throw him a water party.  He had been talking and planning out this day ever since Finnley's birthday in February.  I would have been nervous (with such high expectations) except this kid is the most easy going boy you'll ever meet. He was pleased-as-punch with the blow-up pool, slip-n-slide and piñata.  We invited some church and school friends, and they all had a great time. 

 

So...here's a bunch of piñata-punching and slip-sliding pics from the day.  Happy Birthday D-Bop!

 

 

Dieter's favorite color is (and always has been) yellow!  It suits him.

Even Renmers got in on some slip-n-slide and mini-pool action.

 

 

We finished off the night at Sweet Frogs with yogurt - you should see some of the concoctions Dieter comes up with.  Let's just say, he usually gets his own.

 

One Down, Many More to Go...

 

Our Dieter (aka Dietster, D-man, D-bop, Bopper, Bop, D) finished his first year of school!  This little guy has grown up so much over the past year, its crazy-town.  At the beginning of the year, he'd make me hold his hand and walk him into the classroom. I'd wait until he found toy at one of the stations and became distracted, then I'd sneak out.  After a while, I still had to walk him into his classroom, but I'd tell him I'd be in the next room and he'd let me go.  Finally, after months and months, he walked into the hallway with his teacher all on his own. 

 

At home, Dieter is my constant shadow, so I know that it took a lot for him to leave me on his own.  Since then, he has begun to reach out and make some really cute friends.  He talks about school and all his "buddies" and when we run into one of them at the park, he totally lights up.  He's loved bringing home his artwork and putting it up on the fridge.  He LOVES to sing, and will sing his bible songs all day long.  He's maturing and growing and becoming a boy.  I can't even begin to express how much I love this little boy and his sweet kisses and snuggles and "I lub you's" throughout the day.

 

 

Dieter and his best buds - Finn and Wendell

 

His last day of preschool happened to be the summer birthday party.  Since Dieter's birthday is the end of June, he got to be one of the VIP's.  We were in charge of the craft and he picked out foam visors and decorations to put on them.  They turned out really cute.  He got to be sung to and blow out his birthday candle.  Since then, he hasn't stopped talking about his real party and who he is going to invite and what we are going to do.  I guess I need to start planning a party!

Way to go on your first of many, many years of school D-man!  We love you!



A Little Halloween Party...

For all of his life, Dieter has had to tag along to Finnley's parties, Finnley's events, and played what Finnley wants to play.  Now that she is at school all day long he has had the opportunity to play what he wants to play, and his little imagination is flourishing!

I decided it would be fun to have a little Halloween party for him and his friends.  They all came over in costume, although Dieter's didn't arrive in time.  Bummer!  Luckily he had a super Dieter cape he could wear.  They decorated sugar cookies, ate snacks and treats, and just played, played, played.

My favorite part was when we headed outside for a picture and they started having a leaf fight.  What says fall more than a good old fashioned leaf fight?  I've missed fall the past four years and am soaking it all in.  Long Island is so beautiful now that the leaves have changed and the weather has cooled off.  

I'm looking forward to a cool Halloween, with donuts, hot chocolate, and chili for dinner.

Adventures...

I love how my kids can turn anything into an adventure.  During an attempt to get some of their energy out at our favorite walking trail, our mundane walk suddenly turned into an adventure.  There were bike chases involved, hiking mountain-boulders, chasing minnows, hiding from "scary guys", avoiding crab attacks, throwing rocks at killer waves, and even avoiding the killer seagulls.  I love to observe their imaginations at full-throttle.  Finnley usually takes the lead and sets up "the scene", while Dieter mimics, and recites everything she says and does.  Sometimes I get to join in, but usually I'm just "the guard" or something lackadaisical and get to sit with Remmy and observe.

I love these kiddos more than I can show or tell them.  Sometimes I find myself so caught up in doing mom stuff, that I forget to sit down and enjoy them.  When I finally do sit down and put stickers on cards with them, or help them paint a picture, its those times that we are all happiest and make the best memories together.  So, onto more adventures with these two....

It's Preschool for D-Bop...

I don't know how its possible, but yes, Dieter was old enough for preschool this year. I remember when Finnley started preschool and she seemed sooo much older.  But, in actuality, she was only 6 months older.

Anyway, this guy is now a big-time preschooler.  He isn't quite sold on the whole idea of leaving mom yet, and it breaks my heart to see his puppy-dog eyes as I leave him.  Fortunately, he's happy as can be when I pick him up, and loves telling me about all the things they did at school.

I'm not sure what to do with myself for those 2 1/2 hours I have Remmy all to myself.  I'm ashamed to admit that most days I just go to Target and walk the aisles for two hours while Remmy naps in her seat.  I sip on my Diet Coke, browse the clearance racks (something I haven't been able to do in years), and I'm excited to do some semi-solo Christmas shopping this year!  

I do miss my constant shadow (and when I say constant, I mean constant) but I know preschool is the best thing for him and helping him gain a little independence.  Plus, he looks up to his big sister and is proud to be going to school and bringing home art projects just like her.

Well Buddy, here's the start of a loooooong road of school.  Especially if you follow in the steps of your daddy!