Just pics

A bunch of pictures and thoughts

Benjamin sleeping. Is there anything sweeter? No matter what mischief he has gotten into during the day, when I check in on him sleeping, I kinda forget about all that stuff. For a little while at least. The kid is full on. I'll need to do a full update soon.

Two Sundays ago we walked down into the village for Brekky and then watched the nippers at Avalon beach. Ben played hard, then passed out.  Take note of Jamie's hat. I think he may now own 200 Giants hats. This is the 2012 World Series Championship hat. Oh and he bought this one in SF! Did I mentioned he went back to SF for six nights to see the Giants win the series - in a bar. I'm still sorting out my feelings about this little bender of a trip. Let's just say I will have my turn one day.

Things are just connecting in his brain like crazy.

Not sure if you can make out this picture, but Annmarie kissed this toad at preschool last week. Apparently she was the only kid that did it. She has become very Bold recently. Part of me likes it, she can be painfully shy at times. On the other hand, it's also driving me a bit insane.

Annmarie and I headed to the beach the other day just the two of us. Jamie and Ben met up with us later. Annmarie and I pretended we where mermaids, then we pretended is was our Birthdays, then we were pirates, then we where friends at school, you get the idea. The girl likes to pretend.  Jamie and Ben showed up a bit later and Jamie wanted to go in the rock pool to help his legs recover from a long run. Annmarie really wanted to go in with Jamie. I told her she would probably only want to get her feet wet because the water is still really cold. But she insisted to go in all the way and swim.  Insert new found boldness, she kept telling me she could do it and I know she only went in in spite of me. She made it in to her chest and agreed it was freezing.

Annmarie had her second transition day to Kindergarten. It was another successful visit. The highlight of the day for Annmarie was meeting some of the older children in Year 5. Some of the older children where down helping in the classrooms. Next year Annmarie will be paired with a Year 6 buddy to help with the transition. All the older children where just darling. They all knelt down to look into Annmarie's eyes when they talked to her and where just so kind. Annmarie was also introduced to the Canteen where we picked up a little treat.

The beginning of.......

a new world. I know, a little dramatic. Annmarie will be starting Kindergarten in January. It opens a whole new world for her. She is ready. She'll be going to a great public school right here in our community. It's a gorgeous school located amongst the bush and has views of the sea. The school has a vegetable garden, chickens and the children compost their food scraps from morning tea and lunch. The parents are very involved and overall the school has a really good vibe. She'll be at school all day from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. and wearing a uniform (as all public schools do in NSW). Today we picked up her sun hat and backpack. We had our first orientation/transition day today and she has two more this month. She was a little nervous before we left this morning, but as soon as she saw some of her preschool buddies she was right at ease. She also proclaimed when we got home that she wanted to go back and wore her hat the rest of the day.

It's hard to believe she'll soon be five and off to school. The Principal let us know that on the first day of school there will be champagne and kleenex available down at the neighborhood park, I'm sure I'll take advantage of both.