it's a NIECE!!!!

I haven't even posted pictures (YET... maybe some day??) of Darla and Brad's wedding (nearly two years ago now...) (NOR my brother's wedding, for that matter, over a year ago)...  Well, what can I say?  When something's a really big deal, I rarely manage to scale it into a bite-sized blog post.

BUT suffice it to say, my sister got married!  HOORAY!

And now they're expecting!  HOORAY HOORAY!

A niece!  I'm wildly excited.  She announced it on Mother's Day and is due on Thanksgiving.  

Here are some pics from her baby shower at my parents' house.  Her friends descended with supplies galore, decorated and did a lovely job.  Such a creative shower!

The Masterminds!

Clement broke the "No Boys" rule.  And he relished doing so.

Mom made these favors, in keeping with a Princess and the Pea theme
(and other children's books, relating to food).

misc August

Note the hose coming from the rain barrel, filling up the wagon while she sloshed it all out.
You can't teach this sort of thing.
It's called "being a kid, left to your own devices" and it's pretty funny.

Meanwhile, back at the table... the joint coloring book project.

recap

With a high of 104 F today, it was a hot walk home.  So she's a bit red-cheeked here, but otherwise she was as calm as could be, from the minute she walked out of the school! Not in the slightest bit strung out or emotionally spent-- I was so happily surprised! 

She declined an interview with the KVUE guy stationed on the sidewalk but enjoyed filling us in on all the details. 

Other than her class size of 13 being "too big" and being disgruntled with having to eat her lunch in the cafeteria (she still polished it off), everything she reported was very pleasant. Hooray!!! 

(In fact, she didn't even nap, and it is currently Clement in the bedroom begging HER for "Sleep!! Sleep!") 

My heart is so full. She's not just a big kid for going to kindergarten, but for handling it so well!   I'm so proud of her!

the Congratulations card from Grandma and Pa and Aunt Janell.
It was delivered just before she got home!

Kindergarten

It was more exciting than Christmas around here this morning.  It was still five-something when I started hearing little feet pitter-pattering out to check the big clock. 

Seriously.

Alarm went off at 6:30, and then she was formally permitted to wake up...

The morning went smoothly, she was in her classroom by 7:30.

How's anyone look that cute so early in the morning??

Adorable dress courtesy of Gam.
Her fashion sense is being stifled by rules like "no jewelry" and "sneakers only", but we're adapting...

Getting her name tag from Ms.  Johnson.

Of course, she owned it.  Not a wink of separation anxiety,
though I think Sean and I were both swallowing pretty hard at times...

So far, Clement's LOVING this.  He says school like "zoo" it turns out.  Took me a minute to figure out why he was saying "Jos" was at the zoo.  (Probably not entirely inaccurate...)

But yes, he's relishing the independence, puttering around with ZERO dictatorial feedback.  He's a busy little guy, with much that he has been needing to do, it turns out.

Of course, it's only been an hour and half.  It'll take some adjustment for all of us, I'm sure.  We'll have to figure out what life looks like now.  But regardless, I'm happy for Josephine.  I think she will absolutely love school.

Watch out world-- here she comes.  :)

She's only been waiting for this for, oh, FIVE YEARS.

turning two thrice: Teague edition

stylin'

phone open and ready.  911 on speed dial.  crazy driver...

a little R&R after all that truck/car inspection and testing...

After all that partying, I'd say Clement's fully initiated into the world of two year olds!

As one would expect, he is owning his opinions more and more every day... It's remarkable how he can turn on and off his little tantrum expressions over whatever he decides merits it.  Still, he's a very chill kid.  Rolls with bumps and bonks like nothing happened, adores Josephine, and loves repeating words.  He's still very observant and good with fine motor skills.  As for gross motor skills, he can kick into "speed walking" now (usually inspired by chasing his sister).

His check up with Dr. Owens (a new pediatrician-- who we just found out is also leaving the practice) went well.  He weighed in at 25 lbs (up from 5%ile to about 15%ile, so that is great!) and measured 33 1/8" (holding at about 20-25%ile).  Head circumference is still 95%ile.   He took his MMR shot like a champ.

So, health-wise we're doing pretty well!  Still watching very closely what he eats and trying to keep his system calm; so long as nothing rocks the boat in his diet, he seems strong and happy.  It's an adorable age; I'm delighted that he's being healthy enough to have fun with it!