¡Mis niños hablan español!

Translation?  My children speak Spanish!  Or rather...they are going to learn.  :)  Tomorrow is the big day...the boys begin Spanish immersion school.  They'll be attending Spanish pre-school twice a week for three hours.  It's full immersion, so no English is spoken, but the place is so warm and loving you feel embraced the moment you walk in the door.  During our visit to see if the boys liked it, the teachers were amazing with the kids and both boys immediately felt comfortable.  Tommy even participated in an activity!  And as we were leaving, he turned and said to the teachers, "adios!"

I'll be sure to take lots of pictures, but in the meantime...we've got to hustle.  Off to regular pre-school in an hour!

Let the games begin!!

So it's finally starting to happen...  Grant is on the move.  And his mission?  Cole and Tommy's toys.  This. is. not. good.  Here you can see how happy Cole is over Grant wanting to play matchbox cars with HIS cars.

After Cole saying "NO GRANT!" And putting Grant back under his play gym several times...Grant kept on coming back for more.  Cole had to abort and start moving his cars.  But not before Grant returned...

...pulled himself upright....and captured an unclaimed car.  "Ew!  It has baby drool on it!"  Cole cried.  Well done Grant.  This kid has spunk.  Look at the determined look in his eye....

ROUND ONE:  Grant = 1 | Cole and Tommy = 0

First Day of Pre-School!!

My guys are seriously the BEST and BRIGHTEST!  I couldn't be more proud.  This morning went off without a hitch.  Cole had a few moments of anxiety, but watching him handle it all made my heart sing.  It was a GREAT day.  Here were are...dressed and ready for school.  The boys picked out their own outfits which was cute.

At pick-up, they were so cute.  Tommy came out first...looking quite pleased!

He then waited with his face pressed against the glass for Cole.  A few times, I had to remind him to step away from the door.  He was oblivious to everyone else.  He even told a little girl to get out of his line of vision because he "couldn't see his brother".  Then...(insert angels playing harps)...Cole arrived. Everyone marvels watching them together.  They are like two halves of a whole.

Upon entering the car, the boys found $1.25 each waiting for them on their seats.  .25 for the gum ball machines and $1 for something at the dollar store.  Our local dollar store is AMAZING and has the coolest stuff.  Off we went to find the perfect "first day of school" prize.

First stop?  The gum ball machines!

Then?  Our big prize for the day?  Army guns.  *sigh*  I know, I know...guns?  Little boys?  But they are playing army men around the house using guns made from rulers and laundry clips.  Its becoming hard to ignore...and hard to avoid.  Boys will be boys!  It's like denying a girl a kitchen set to play with.  It's kind of weird how much feels programmed into our DNA.

The whole ride home they shared stories about their day at school.  It was GREAT.  It was a moment I've always dreamed of...they made me laugh, they made me proud and I took so many mental snapshots that I hope will never grow dim in my mind.  My beautiful boys are in school and loving it.

Visit from Grandma!

Hurricane Irene was good for one thing -- a visit from Grandma!!  The boys were SO excited that Grandma lost her power and was coming to stay with us.  We had the best visit.  We took the ferry into Boston and walked around Faneuil Hall with the kids, spent leisurely days poolside, enjoyed some great meals and spent a nice day by the beach at my parents.  So hard to say goodbye.  Come back SOON Grandma!!!  To say we love you is an understatement!  xo  

Pre-school Orientation!!!

Today was orientation for the boys pre-school where they got to meet their new teachers and check out their classrooms.  This year, the boys are going the same days...but they have different teachers.  This makes life so much easier for everyone.  The boys love knowing that their soul mate is only a classroom away, drop-offs will be FAR less traumatic and I'll actually get some time to spend some alone time with Grant.  Win, win, win!

We left the house around 8AM in order to pick up some "school supplies" first at Target.  (Thank you to Staples for all your awesome commercials that convinced my children they need: folders, notebooks, pencils, pencil sharpeners, rulers, markers, scissors and tape.  Really?  They are in pre-school! But anything to make them excited about school and learning.)   Donned in their Batman raincoats, off we went.

Picking out the supplies was so funny.  I loved how - like an old married couple - they talked over their folder and notebook selection.  Settling on Marvel Comics Superheroes of course!  And they agreed to share a large pack of pencils as they were "cool" tye-died ones.  After loading up on enough essentials for a child entering 8th grade, we jumped in the car and headed to school.

Our plan was to hit Cole's room first - say hello - then run to Tommy's room.  (Different when you have to divide your time.)  Surprisingly, Cole seemed pretty excited about the whole thing up until we got to the door to his room.  Then he got a little nervous and had to be coaxed into the room by Tommy.  Once he warmed up though...he seemed to enjoy himself!  His teacher is wonderful and really warm and loving with the kids.  I loved this little sign that was below each cubby.  Think this would work in our house?  :)

Take off backpack - place snack on shelf - hang up jacket - hang up backpack - go sit down.

At the end of our visit, he walked up to his teacher and said a sweet muffled goodbye.  This is HUGE for Cole.  Clearly, age and experience makes all the difference!!

Tommy was the complete opposite.  He ran into his room...found his cubby immediately...

He searched out his teacher and gave her a present (a package of googlie eyes!) and then scouted out the whole room.  He immediately noticed what toys Cole had in his class that were missing in his and vice versa.  (Of course!) And found all the little signs on the walls that bore his name.  He said hello to all of his teachers aides and then turned to me and said,  "Okay mom, let's go."

Next stop?  I promised them donuts.  Incentive enough to get a move on!  Tomorrow is the big day!!  Wish us luck!!!