First Pro Baseball Game!!!

Can you tell Rhys is VERY excited about the experience? And so is his father. Claudia can't wait until it is her turn.

This is how we roll

Just a regular weekend around the lane.

Look who is getting SO big!

Farewell Evenflo Car Seat that has served us so well - and hello new booster seat.

Third time is the charm

This is our family's third year in the Redbud Room! Rhys had two years and Claudia is starting her first (and maybe last as we don't know our plans for next year yet). However, much to my surprise,  Rhys' teachers have moved on to new classrooms so it is a new set-up for Claudia.

That's probably a good thing but has meant some changes.

Claudia isn't having the easiest time during this time of change. Last night she said she wanted to go back to the Green Room and she didn't like Rhys' classroom. That's a bit funny as Rhys now says he wants to go back to preschool.

The children are learning about loss and nostalgia -- and I can relate as sometimes I would like to go back to Bloomington or Oak Park, but, we must keep on forging ahead and learning resiliency.

I say that, but I teared up yesterday as I said good-bye to a sad Claudia and called to find out if I could switch her to another class that has more of her friends from last year in it. Alas, it was full.

I was cheered up, however, to see these photos from her teacher to reassure me that all is well.   All will be well.

New Adventures

It was Claudia's turn for the dentist. And she did wonderfully! Rhys showed her how it was done, and it was easy as pie.

First Day of Kindergarten

After years of asking when it was his turn to take the bus, it finally was!

And he did it. 

Wearing his special shirt he picked out and saved for two weeks and with his big kid backpack and lunchbox packed.

Yes, I cried. And he cried on the bus he said...but had a great first, second and third day.

 

 

 

Happy at School!

Mom and Rhys Brave the Heights

Rhys and I rode the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel together while Dom and Claudia watched from down below. He had to hold MY hand.

Selfie

The Tooth Fairy and Royal Baby arrive on the same day!

As luck would have it, Rhys lost his first tooth on the day the royal baby was born (see my earlier post).

He came down, proud as punch, as excited as I have ever seen him - showing Dom and me his tooth! We popped it in an envelope and wrote The Tooth Fairy's name on it.

And guess what, she did come even with all the excitement about the new Prince and left Rhys a certificate and $5.

What happiness!

Quick stats: Rhys is in the 90th percentile for height, 50th for weight and now wears a 1.5 shoe. 

Swim lessons part deux

Just in the nick of time for this summer, Claudia and Rhys had a week of lessons with Swim Well With Michelle.

This swim teacher extraordinaire, along with her assistants, was instrumental in getting Rhys swimming last summer and since both children have a love for water, we sent them for some tune-ups.

Claudia can now jump in and swim to the side and Rhys can do a freestyle stroke across the width of the pool and back. He is now working on his dives.

And I am dreaming of water polo lessons (I hear they burn lots of energy!)

Tourist

During our time in Chicago, we embraced our tourist status and bused around to the aquarium and took taxis to Navy Pier and Union Station.

We didn't make it on to an actual train this trip... next time.

It looks like we are the only ones there - until you see the LONG line to the right of the photo. 

Waiting for the bus

And a special treat - we saw Nanny and Papa for 45 minutes during their stop-over at Union Station. Rhys and I cabbed down for a quick hello and snack.

Isn't it magnificent?!