Gymnastics

Stella had her first Gymnastics class last week. So much fun! It is a Mommy and Me type of class, so I get to be with her and get a first hand account of her skills. There was so much to do, that she just kind of stood there for a minute not knowing where to start first! She especially enjoyed the parachute (as seen in the background). We all stood around it and shook it up and down, then we raised it high in the air and all got underneath. The kids went nuts. They loved it!

Our friend Justine is an instructor at the gym and is treating Stella to the remaining classes in December. Thanks Justine!

Eat your heart out, Elaine Benes!

Happy Halloween

The wheels on the bus...

Markana had to meet a couple of friends tonight, so instead of leaving Miss Stella with some friends in the neighborhood, she visited my office and was treated to her first bus ride home with daddy! There have been several occasions where they've taken me to the bus stop in the morning, but this was the first time she's actually gotten to ride.

Like me, she was a bit concerned at first...

...but also like me, she soon relaxed and enjoyed the worry-free view. (Sorry for the blur. Camera phone.)

I started riding the bus for a few reasons - save gas money, reduce congestion, lower carbon footprint - but after a while I learned that it's also a great way to find an extra hour everyday. Passengers do all sorts of activities to pass the time: read a book, catch up on news, listen to music, answer some emails, get ahead of some work tasks, clean toes...

Pumpkinhead Tradition

This started two years ago...

Followed by this...

And today, this...

I love that little face.

My New Favorite Photo

From September, 2010

There are no words

Stella does her "work" at school.

"Spreading the butter on our freshly made cinnamon bread...ready for toasting!" -Miss April

Stella will make you laugh

Potty Training and Popsicles

In Action at School

I know we're not the first parents to wonder what in the world our child does at school, how she behaves, what she learns, etc. This week we got our first report and learned she is independent (surprise), she puts her food on her plate by herself at lunch, she cleans up her dishes when she's done, she plays well with books and puzzles, and she pees and poops in the potty. (uh, #1 Using the potty is news to us, and #2 I now officially have a blog post about pee and poop.)

But best of all, we got some pictures.

From August, 2010

I wish we had some video of the lunchtime routine. Guess who's gonna start doing chores at home.

(Thanks for the notes and pics, Miss April)