Last Days of "Summer"

Technically it is fall, but try telling that to the hundreds of folks still hanging out at the beach on a lazy Saturday in September, us included. It won't be our last time at the beach but I am thinking it will be my last time in a bathing suit (thank goodness). 

Speaking of "last days" I fear our napping days are numbered. Which is okay, because we almost made it to five years. He will still sleep occasionally and when he does, I could stare at that sweet little face all day long. 

Happy Birthday to Lily

Lily turned 11 years young today. I love this dog very much. It hit me that she is officially getting old when the vet started referring to her as a "senior" instead of a "mature adult." It seems like just yesterday we were making our first of many road trips together from St. Simons Island, GA, with her riding shotgun in a laundry basket in the front seat of my Honda Accord. We have had many good years together and I know we will have many more!

This is also the year that Lily's world will get rocked (stay tuned)

Feeling Patriotic

Now this is the way you say your Pledge of Allegiance . . . in your undies, with feeling, conviction and a song!

City Slickers Come to Town

Our friends Geof and Lin and their little girl Jacqueline came all the way from NYC to visit. Mark and Lin are friends from their Wharton Business School days. I never got a group photo from this trip so this one will have to do--taken way back when we were footloose and fancy free. No jobs and no kids! Lin and Mark went to Antarctica together and have remained good friends ever since. We were so happy they chose to spend some of their vacation days with us. 

Geof, Lin, me and Mark at a tango club in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Lin and Mark in Antarctica

We tried to give them a good taste of life in the south: porch-sitting, sweet tea, greasy food, sunshine, friendly faces, sandy beaches and mosquitos. The mosquitos gave us all a run for our money but I think despite them, everyone had a good time. I hadn't seen Jacqueline since she was a baby so it was such a treat to see what a precious, smart and WELL MANNERED little girl she has become. We decided that we were going to send Finn to "Aunt Lin's Boot Camp" one week next summer to see if she can get the same results from him :) I didn't take many pictures, but here are a few from our morning at the farmer's market. Finn was thrilled to have a playmate . . . one who enjoys (or tolerates) legos as much as he does (thanks Geof!).

Two peas in a pod

It was a great weekend spent with great friends. Until next time . . .

First Day of 4K

Am I the only idiot who doesn't know the difference between pre-k and preschool? It seems as though they are both pre-kindergarten. Maybe I should know which one Finn is actually in? 

Anyway, Finn started preschool in the 4 year old class at Holy Cross Island (HIS) School today. He's actually at the same school that he went to last year (The Garden School), but they merged with another school to offer classes for one and two year-olds. He has wonderful teachers, Ms. Barbara and Ms. Sandra, who he also had for summer camp earlier this summer, so this day was a little anti-climatic for him. I was excited for him to be with his friends again--8 boys and 3 girls in his class this year, but just a wee little bit sad to say goodbye to my buddy. We really had a great summer and I enjoyed spending so much time with my sidekick. It was VERY quiet in the house with Finn gone, but at the same time, it was nice to have a little time to myself. 

He posed for the obligatory 1st day photos before bounding up the steps to his class. I gave him a hug and told him that I loved him and he said, "mom if you miss me, there is a picture of me in the kitchen you can just look at anytime you want to." Very true, but it doesn't compare to the real thing!

This is what I call his "Chandler" face

(I know some of you remember that Friends episode where Chandler doesn't know how to smile for his engagement pictures)

It's been awhile since I've made him pose for pictures so we had to work the kinks out

Big four year old

My favorite! 

His "enough is enough" face

 Sigh . . . seeing his beloved night-night discarded in a heap made me a little sad. He's growing up.

Warning: Comparison Photos Ahead

Two year old preschool

Three year old preschool (and over taking pictures)

Four year old preschool