Tonsils

A couple of weeks ago Andrew got his tonsils and adenoids out, and tubes put in his ears. He was so excited for the surgery, you'd think he was meeting Santa at the north pole instead of heading to the hospital.



He's very articulate when it comes to his medical procedures, and can tell you in great detail what the doctors are going to do and what problem will be solved.



Of course, after it's all said and done he's not quite as happy.



But he survived. His recovery was a bit slow, and was complicated by catching some sort of virus a few days after surgery, but thankfully he's back to normal. He missed 2 weeks of school, which was the hardest part for him. His class was great, and they all made get well cards for him, which his teacher delivered to the house.



The best part? No more procedures left for Andrew! (for now)

1st Day of Preschool

Willa is getting so big. I can't believe she's already in preschool!



It seems like just yesterday that we were sending Andrew to his 1st day at the same preschool.



Willa has gotten so sassy. She's always had a strong will, but she's having a lot of fun exerting it these days.



I've come to really appreciate those few hours when she's at preschool.



First Andrew goes to school all day, then Willa heads off to preschool. I have to say I'm enjoying being the mom of school-age kids.



January might be rude awakening. And I'm already dreading the return of summer.

Kindergarten Update

Andrew LOVES kindergarten, which is a good thing because he's in a full-day program. He loves his teacher (and so do I), loves his friends, loves all the activities they do. He's only been in school for about a month, but already his writing is getting so good, and he's decided that he can read. That's right, he's reading! But sometimes I wonder what really happens at school, such as when assignments like these get sent home.



Shortly after school started the teacher asked them to draw a picture of something new they learned at school. Could be anything, such as the library, gym, classroom, or friends. This is what Andrew came up with.



Notice there is nothing about writing his name with lowercase letters or the computers in his classroom. Nope, nothing remotely academic.

In case you missed it, here's the caption on the picture:



What was his reaction when I asked him about this? "Well, Mom, now I know."

Fire Station

Every year our local fire station hosts an open house in the fall, which Andrew just loves. This is the first year Willa has really gotten involved.

Of course climbing in the fire trucks is the big highlight.




Manning the line is another part Andrew always looks forward to.



Willa is scared of the hose.



Willa had to bring a friend with her to the fire house. See that little white thing in her hand?



The one she's clutching like grim death?



She never let go of it the entire time.



It's a little plastic chicken. The fire dog got to meet it.



She never leaves home without a "friend." She rarely eats a meal without a friend. Brushes her teeth without a friend. Goes to preschool without a friend. Her whole life she's been very attached to her friends, whether they are stuffed animals, princesses, or little plastic chickens. They talk to her, keep her company, occasionally answer questions for her, and often I'll find them in time out. She never loses them. They are scattered everywhere in the house, yet she can always find them. She has such an active imagination I've always wondered why she doesn't have any imaginary friends, but then again, why does she need them? She always has dozens of "real" friends.