The boys first day of school

Now that Carl is in the swing of things in his new job and can help out more with the little things, it dawned on me last week that I could have him take Erik to his first half day of preschool/parent meeting, while I took Elliot to his first 2 year old class at BPEC. If I didn't take Elliot today it was going to be until mid September before we could go for the first time, and I was just a little sad for him.

I am starting to make it a new tradition that the boys take a picture outside the front door on their first day of school. I did it last year and made it happen again this year. We had to include lunch boxes because when we were at Old Navy yesterday I bought these for the boys on a whim and they were obsessed this morning. So lunch boxes and all.

This is the main one for the books.

Erik was so anxious to go to school it was hard to get them to look at the camera today. I had to do the "special word" trick and that's how I got my final shot. I was rushed though so everything is wrong with my settings and background today (the trash). At least I got it in the moment.

Then I can't leave Elliot out so I brought the camera along for his first day of school. The problem with Elliot is that he is very very daddy obsessed at the moment. Honestly he just loves dad's and blond moms. Strange, but it seems to be a universal truth with him. If your a dad or blond he is going to say hi to you and cuddle you. Also on his way to school he asked for a daddy & me class, not a mommy & me class, so you can see the status of our relationship right now.

He did ok his first day. He cried a little when I left him during discussion, like he always does, but cheered up within a minute. He seemed mad and stressed a bit about our new routine and the class, but I know its because we're in a new room, same teacher, but new friends. My friend Trista from last year was there and I hadn't seen her all summer. I wish I would have made an effort to see her, because I forgot how much we got along, so we signed up for all our helper days together. The class is also smaller which I like, and it seems like 90% of the moms have an older kids so we all get each other. A new dynamic, but I really like it.

Elliot is really into putting cars in a row right now, but my favorite moment is when he put himself right into that row. So adorable and he knew exactly what he was doing.

 

 

Meet the Teacher Day

What a difference a year makes. Last year Carl and I were nervous parents sending our first child off to preschool for the very first time. Before that he had just been home with me or a babysitter. We anxiously went to every orientation and meeting together, interested in every step and every process as Erik entered his first year of school. We were nervous, yet excited for him to be starting this adventure.

This year we are like seasoned pros at this preschool game. Our school has a couple of events leading up to the first day of school. One is meet the teacher and then they have a half day where the parents are on campus before school officially starts. This year I went to the meet the teacher day and Carl is going to the half day so I can take Elliot to his mommy & me class that morning. No longer the united front, but both involved none the less.

Knowing that meet the teacher day was one of my only opportunities for pictures, I decided to take a few just in case I needed them for his book. Erik's new preschool teacher is a photofile like me and I have a strong suspicion if I ask her to go into the class to take pictures she will be not only say yes, but be excited about it. So I have it in my head to go back while school is in session.

My first impressions of Erik's teachers is that I am in love. One of his teachers is so creative and comes up with these scientific experiments for the kids that are just genius. I think it will be a great way for him to learn and explore in his last year of preschool and the perfect environment. I am so excited for him to be in this class and see all their fun projects. She also told me they cook all the time which is one of Erik's favorite activities and she teaches them all about healthy food. It just makes me really excited for the school year to start.

 

Erik has been really into dress up lately and this Halloween I am probably going to get a few more outfits when they go on sale, he loves it so much. Today he was pretending to go shopping and put on his nice jackets and a few bags to get the job done. I love the imagination on four year olds!

Of course Elliot joined us for the adventure that day. His reaction to the classroom was fascinating. He got really scared and upset by the idea of it even though he has been to this school a hundred times before, and wouldn't play for the longest time. Eventually Mrs. W got Elliot to play with some of the toys. He clung to this baby doll all day and named it "Baby Zack" and dragged it on his adventures that day. If we had a two year old preschool school I might send him this year he seems ready, but I am going to wait another year so when he is 3.5 he'll go and be more than ready at that point.

 

Erik's "actual" birthday

Its funny, but I am not sure how it started, but we separated Erik's birthday into "party" and "actual" birthday.  So here is what he did on his "actual" birthday day.

When his birthday was coming up I took Erik to Toys R Us one afternoon because I was looking for a new baby gate and decided to have him tell me specifically what he wanted for his birthday. I was surprised when he pointed out a parking garage and that he wanted one of those so I got him one, not the one he saw but a bigger and better one. So the night before his birthday I spent 3 hours putting this thing together.

I guess Erik went downstairs before he crawled into our bed that morning and said to me, "Mommy Santa was here and brought me the parking garage I saw at Toys R Us." I had let it sit in the living room so he could get surprised the next morning. I explained it was from mommy and daddy and we were giving it to him for his birthday, and Santa only comes on Christmas. I will tell you that I was excited that he liked his present and is consistently playing with it. Money and time not wasted, whew!!

I had planned on a big morning of the zoo or travel town or just something he would really like. What happened is nothing. He just wanted to stay home. I really wanted to go to the gym and Elliot had gymnastics that day. So we went to the gym where the really nice man at the front desk gave him a dollar for his birthday. Then we tried to go to gymnastics, but it was closed and we couldn't get in. Instead we headed to the grocery store and then the park. While at the grocery store Erik learned the value of a dollar and that he could trade his dollar for peanut m&ms. Let me tell you, this boy was excited to get candy!

After going to the park I had planned on making Erik's birthday cake. I know you are suppose to do it for someone, but Erik LOVES cooking and making a cake is special to him so we got everything together and baked. Elliot helped, but I didn't get any pictures of him. Erik was a very big boy and cracked opened the eggs all by himself that day. He even stirred the coco and butter.

Then after nap I told him he could decorate his cupcakes. I had a bunch of sugar candies he could put on it and he thought it was the best idea ever and had lots of fun with it.

 

We did it reverse order since Erik was obsessed with his presents. We opened presents first and then cake. Erik's grandparents came over that day to celebrate his "actual" birthday.

 

When all is said and done, Erik liked his $3 sticker Doc Hudson way more than his parking garage, but I probably knew that before he even opened his presents.

After cake and presents we went out for a family walk and bike ride. Erik's rule is that he walks his bike across the street because often I am dealing with both kids and its safer for all of us if he does it that way than risking a fall while crossing the street.

 

 

Just a fun birthday with lots of time with family. Simple yet sweet!

A little camera fun

When I was on vacation my 50mm lens broke. It dawned on me a couple days ago that I stopped taking pictures after vacation and it was because I didn't have a good portable lens. As soon as I realized it I immediately purchased a new lens and even splurged on the f1.4 because having a little extra depth is fun.

I was hoping to have my new lens in time for Erik's birthday party today, but wishful thinking since I had to leave the house at 10 am. Luckily when we got home at 2 pm it was at my doorstep waiting. My friend Alicia and her two kids, and my mom hung out at my house after the party and became the victims of my new purchase. So here are a few images I snapped at f1.4 because I have to try it out and see how I can control this shallower depth of field. I'll get it, but this his a new depth for me right now.

Dylan was my best candidate since he stays relatively still these days.

I did take some pictures that were not f1.4 just because we were in the moment and having fun. Here are a few of my favorites.

Here are some pictures, because the reason I bought this lens is so I could capture the everyday experiences. Today it was playing bikes in the front yard with Audrey and she was driving her very first car and having a ton of fun with it. Oh and I had to document that Elliot can now ride a bike all by himself now.