Our Baby is Joining the Fun

Annalise's first day- check! Bennett's first day- check! Now it's Colin's turn. Colin is taking part in his first activity outside the home, where he will get a chance to socialize with kids his own age. I wonder what he'll think of that, maybe he'll be wondering where the 6 year olds are? Mike and Colin are in an ECFE class on Thursday mornings. I had Mike take his picture on his first day, and he is wearing the same plaid backpack that Annalise wore on her first day of (2 year old) 'play pals'! In fact, it still has a patch on it that says Annalise (poor 3rd child). The reason we didn't sign him up for the same ECFE class that both A and B were in was because kids had to be 2 by September 1st, and since he won't be 2 until November, I didn't want him to be in a baby class for another year. Mike is the token dad in class, and I'm sure will have some fun anecdotes to share regarding his male perspective on child rearing.

Tiny Dancer

Annalise is going to be an "ice dancing teacher" when she grows up. She has been pushing to get started with dance classes, and in order to fulfill the prerequisites that are necessary to be a successful ice dancing teacher, we signed her up for a ballet class. I have no experience with this culture, as I only remember attending a little community education dance class, and no exposure to any of the fancy (expensive) costumes and mandatory dance recitals that go hand in hand with formal dance instruction.

We all went the first night to check out what ballet class was all about, but as it was right after supper, it was not the best experience for the younger observers (and therefore for their mother) since bedtime is when it is for a reason. Last week, Mike and Bennett took her to class, and Colin and I had a wonderful time one on one, with a walk and some playground time. I'm excited to see how she's progressed, when I take her to class next week. She is loving it so far, and we are glad that she's found something she likes so much.

p.s. This was a wonderful post, until I had to change around some pictures, and my text was erased. So after getting really frustrated trying to recapture my Mrs. Dad-like prose, I just slapped the gist of it up there, and I'm done with it. Arhghghghghh.

Bennett's First Day of Pre-K

On the day after Labor Day, Bennett started his second year at Little Flowers. I guess the reason I'm just getting around to blogging about it now (aside from a delay on uploading photos, getting used to the new laptop, and general day to day distractions from blogging) is that his return to school was completely uneventful. In a good way! He started off right where he left off last year. He didn't talk much about school over the summer, or in the days leading up to his first day back. We attended the Ice Cream Social (which was really a Popsicle Social), said hello again to Christine and Kristi, and Bennett (and Little Flowers' graduate Annalise) chased old classmates around the courtyard.

Bennett is still attending half days, which is different than Annalise's second year of preschool, when she went to school all day, every day from the start of the year. As all of you who know both B and A, they are very different people, and half days was still the right choice for Bennett. He is learning a lot of the materials reserved for the older children, and is on the edge of reading. It is going to be a very exciting year for Bennett. Maybe if he ever stops napping (please, may that be never), we would consider sending him all day, but right now I think the boys are enjoying their schedule.

Blah, blah, blah, ...., blah, blah, blah

That is what my voice must sound like to children under the age of 6. Total Charlie Brown teacher voice. You think B is sucking his thumb in this picture? Wrong. It is actually him giving me the 4 1/2 year old finger. Take that Mr. Mom. In your face Mr. Mom. I'll verbally spar with C all day if I want to Mr. Mom. I scoff at being sent to my room Mr. Mom. I'm the alpha male of this house Mr. Mom. Then just when you are done, he gives you the face, and you daddy melt and all is o.k. again. This kid is awesome and I love him to death. I just don't like him all the time.

Sorry. Just had to get that off my overly hairy chest. Hey blogoshpere. Mr. Mom is back after a long layoff due to intensive psychotherapy.

Summer was bonkers, but school is now in session for all 3 FroderFive children. A is the big 1st grader, B is in Year 2 at LFM, and C started ECFE today at 9:30 a.m. Only instead of Mrs. Dad shepherding the way through cushy Edina ECFE, it is now Mr. Mom driving the bus through the murky uncharted waters of lowly Eden Prairie ECFE. Look out Eden Prairie moms. There's a new sheriff in town. Only dad in the class of 15 wonderful 19-24 month olds. Burping, farting, and scratching instruction takes place next Thursday. After that, it is on to football play diagramming, muskie lure selection, scotch tasting, cigar sniffing, and other various topics as the year progresses.

Thanks to all who have made the summer of 2010 a huge success. Mrs. Dad - Top notch wifery. Fastpitch softball - once again great work. Valparaiso, IN - very well done. MN state fair - terrific. I could go on and on. And I will. Stay tuned .......