Preschool Picture Day

Little Guy got all slicked up for his first ever school photos.  I can't wait to see what they captured- they do candids all day and send us home with a whole boat load of proofs.  Little Guy was looking pretty handsome today so I imagine it will be pretty tough to pick a favorite!

Barre Class and Playdates

Today I took my first barre class and it was AMAZING!!  I am trying to find some activity, be it in the gym or outside, to do each day and I love that this class just opened up Sunday mornings.  Of course Daddy was at the Niners' game all day so Auntie Erin stepped in to watch the boys so I could try out the first class.  I had a blast, I am not so sure Auntie Erin felt the same way!  After barre class, Alyssa and her kiddos joined us all for a morning play date!  The mommies had a great time just hanging out and the kiddos played well for the most part- our boys are a little bit much for Lizzy, but she holds her own when she needs to.  I love doing motherhood surrounded by such strong and supportive women, it really is a joy watching our kids grow up together!

Jack Jack and Little Guy

We're watching Jackson the next two Fridays since his grandparents are on a cross country road trip and let me just say, I don't think it gets much better for these boys than to see each other first thing in the morning...I will say I can't hang with these Friday playdates if Auntie Heather continues to send fresh doughnuts over with her littlest love!  Here's a shot of the two best buddies, catching up over doughnuts and chocolate milk...living the life boys!

Happy Birthday Grandma Patty

We celebrated Grandma Patty's birthday today since they are headed to Scotland the day after her real birthday and we wanted to make sure she was able to get to bed nice and early before her big trip.  Little Guy and Mr. Wyatt Bear LOVE when they have family over and they love it even more when they bring their swimsuits!  Uncle Luke did a little swimming before everyone arrived and then we celebrated with delicious dinner, super yummy dessert, and fun family time for all.  Happy (two day early!)Birthday Patty, we hope your day was the best!

Baby Boy DeTar is on his way

Today we celebrated Kim, and the littlest DeTar Baby who is scheduled to meet us all next month, with a wonderful ladies luncheon complete with the BEST cake I have ever tasted in my life!  It was a fun afternoon to visit with women I don't see too often and even better that Daddy held down the fort and both boys took a decent nap!  I made a whole day of it and hit up Michael's and Target, scoring two more frames for the gallery wall and two awesome chairs for my new living room!  Babies and shopping, two of my most favorite things!

Family Picnic, Insomnia, and Nebraska

Daddy left us for Nebraska and we are missing him!!!!  Auntie and Peyton came to visit and slumber party before our preschool family picnic...well, our best laid plans got the best of us when Miss P decided there was no need for a nap or nighttime sleep...at all!  She didn't love the cozy sleeping arrangement in my master closet and after an hour of rocking her, she was still wide awake- at 11 PM.  Her mama took the next shift and decided to try feeding her around 12:30- yes midnight 30.  Around 2:00 AM she was playing with the grocery cart and at 4 AM we decided to call it quits and Auntie went home.  Sweet Miss P stayed awake all the way home...until she fell asleep in the driveway.  It was a long night for the Mirch ladies and we missed them the next day!!!  The family picnic was fun, a nice way to see other families.  It had rained the night before and morning of, but our dedicated teachers were out there early drying off slides and setting up coolers.  We can't wait for Daddy to come home and for the day that Pey Pey will sleep at our sleepovers!!!

No tears

Guess who didn't cry ONCE at preschool today....this dude!!

His teachers sent me this photo to assure me the day was a success!!!! The happy rock, "I love school" book on repeat, family photo tucked away in the cubby, pet photos on the wall, and amazingly reassuring teachers must have finally done the trick. He told me this morning he's not sad, he's just happy at school and that's what he was!!! Way to go Little Guy, we are so proud of you!

Reading rainbow

Mr. Wyatt Bear hasn't taken to reading like Little Guy did.  We're not sure if he's just not into it or if the fact we've been skimping on his night time reading has played into his lack of interest...none the less, Mr. Wyatt Bear is doing his best to diminish our fear of sub par parenting and has taken to reading!  Every night he brings books to Daddy and sits patiently through two, sometimes three pages, before searching for another one.  This scene melts my heart every night!

Teddy bear Day

Today was take you teddy bear to school day.  Little Guy was so excited, he even wore his teddy bear shirt!  He looked ADORABLE all slicked up and ready for his first themed day at PEP.  The red Heart to Heart bear is mine from my childhood, love.  The teachers did nose painting, made ears, teddy themed snack, and teddy bear art projects.  I was SO excited when I picked up Little Guy and there were NO TEARS!!!  I thought for sure the teachers would tell me he had the most awesome day...turns out it was an up and down day and he wasn't the only one...taking the teddy bear to school was a little bit too much for some kiddos (the teachers said next year they won't do it so early in the year).  None the less, I am taking it a small victory to be tear free at drop off and pick up.  Side note- preschool may be the death of my wallet...Mr. Wyatt Bear is a VERY patient shopper and when given a cracker he will tolerate walking up and down EVERY.SINGLE.AISLE...hello new recliner!

 

Guess Who Said "Mama"???

Mr. Wyatt Bear has mastered "Dada" and " Papa" and I swear I can make out something that sounds like "Thank You", but so far no "Mama"....don't these kids know who butters their bread???  Well, tonight while I was nursing him, my sweet little guy unlatched, said "Mama", then smiled and closed his eyes.  I was shocked and asked him to do it again, but that was all I got...and I am taking it!

Happy First Anniversary

Today my sister and brother in law celebrated one year of wedded bliss!  We couldn't be happier for them and wish them 100 more years of smiles, laughs, and love!  Congrats on year one Katie and Mark, we love you!

Sleep...is for suckers

Mr. Wyatt Bear likes to keep us on our toes...just as he gets into a great sleep pattern, he decides to have all night parties in his crib, complete with mandatory attendance of at least one parent...last night's "party" eventually wore him out he fell asleep sitting up in his crib...at 3:45 in the morning...and in case you're wondering, no, you don't fall into a deep LONG sleep sitting up, it only works for a cat nap- just enough to get your energy back....

Second Time Around

Little Guy had a better day at preschool!  He still is tear free at drop off (and I thought for sure we would have tears today!), although today he did tell me he didn't want me to go, he was happily distracted when Miss Renee told him she'd take the race track down.  He asked me earlier if I could go to school and I told him I wasn't a teacher so he informed me he'd like me to be his teacher...sweet little guy, wouldn't that be fun!!!!  I was so proud of him for still being excited about school even after the rough first day.  Today he painted with his hands (not just his fingers) and played with a few more children than he did yesterday.  He showed me the self portrait he had created on day one and was so excited to see our family photo up when we arrived.  We made a happy rock (thanks Auntie Cari for the idea!) and he seemed very comforted by this little treasure in his pocket.  I think the real kicker was knowing he could call "Big Jack" after school and facetime not only him (and Auntie Cari and Madison) but also ZIPPY...it's the little things!  The teachers said there were still a few tears throughout the day, but everytime he cried he told them his mommy was running errands and would be back at the end of the day- thanks to the "I love School" book we read 15 times a day, he is VERY familiar with the whole school day process, including when the mommy comes to pick up the little boy!  Little Guy, you are growing up so fast and doing it in such fun joyous style, thank you for making this new chapter in our lives so much fun!

First Day Blues

Today was the day, and let me just say, Little Guy was all ready for it!  He looked darling all slicked up and ready to go.  We took front porch pictures and headed out to meet the teachers.  PEP takes pictures of your family as well (this confused Little Guy since he had already taken so many at home) and then we headed in to find his cubbie and get settled.  He proudly showed the teacher his family picture and pointed out who everyone was.  He loved that he had his Thomas shirt on in his cubbie picture, and then walked right over to the block area.  I helped him go potty, and then he was ready for us to go.  I explained we were leaving and he looked at me and said, "you go to the store, then you pick me up"...so we left...and I was a nervous wreck.  We did breakfast with Alyssa and Heather and then headed back to school to wait.  We peeked in the one-way window, so hoping to see him playing with a huge smile on his face, and instead saw a very sad little boy crying for his mom.  It broke my heart.  The director came out and told me he had been crying on and off all day, every time he thought about it, he cried and they redirected him.  When he saw us for pick up, he started bawling and running to us.  It made us (Mommy and Daddy) both tear up.  He really missed us, he refused snack and was just sad.  We talked about preschool throughout the day, and from what I can gather, I think he just realized he was alone for the first time somewhere where he knew no one.  I can't imagine that feels good and know it's scary to not know anyone, so I am hoping that every day he gets to know more people, the better he'll do.  He had requested at the beginning of the day to go to the tiny classroom so Mr. Wyatt Bear could stay with him...now my broken heart wishes that were the case!  We've got a day to catch our breaths and gear up for day 2, but in the meantime, here are some cute photos of our big preschooler!

'Twas the night before preschool

Ahhhhhhhhh.....it's here.......tomorrow Little Guy starts preschool! He's excited, although I don't think he's fully grasping thr concept. He informed me tonight that he doesn't want his teacher to read any stories because he just wants to play the whole time :) he's got his first day of school outfit all ready and the growth chart is waiting for picture time.  Wish us all luck, I know I'm going to need it!

Last day of "summer"

Happy Labor Day and in this house, the last official day of summer since Little Guy is starting preschool tomorrow!!!  More on that later...in the meantime, we decided to mark this day with a trip to Six Flags, along with everyone else in Solano County, and enjoy a day of rides, water, and animals.  Papa, Gigi, and Miss P joined us for the fun and it was everything we had wanted- sharks, splash pads, butterflies, and high flying fun.  Little Guy gets so excited everytime we pull up and EVERYTIME he asks if he's big enough for the roller coaster...I can't wait until we can do those together, although the minute or less wait time in the kiddie area is hard to beat!