We're Four!

That's what they say, in unison, every time they meet a friendly adult. The next line is "We're Twins." It's like clock work. Maybe they are just anticipating the adults' likely inquiries. Kids and adults - so predictable.

Ian and Eleanor had a really nice birthday party. It was a dress-up theme, with cake, a treasure hunt, favors, friends, and relatives. It was great.

(It's ridiculous, but we don't have good pics of some of our family members,
who traveled from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Lancaster, and New York.
Note to selves to do better next time!)

Then and now

I've always enjoyed wearing decades-old clothing from my Aunt Blanche. When my mom was cleaning out her house and gave me some of my little girl dresses last year, I was so excited to see what Eleanor would look like in them. I managed to get this one on her once, earlier in the summer, before a growth spurt. Here we are, mother and daughter in the same dress:

First Day of School!

Today is Ian and Eleanor's first day of preschool. When I left them in their classroom this morning, they were busy playing with toys and new friends. Is it possible that my anxiety about this transition was unfounded? Is it too soon to tell?

Upstairs

I should always be afraid when the kids are upstairs and its quiet. Over the summer, Eleanor spent some time upstairs by herself. I was imagining her reading books and playing with stuffed animals. Instead, she was lathering my lotion all over herself. When she came back downstairs, she was covered. It was a miracle that she didn't slide down our wooden steps. I had to take pictures. I'm just getting around to sharing them now.

Sports Class

The kids are enrolled in an intro sports class at the community center because they are unlikely to learn about team sports from us. The teacher has covered football and basketball so far. Eleanor has opted out of most of the classes and watched Ian and her peers from a distance. Below is some footage from a recent class.

Halloween 2010

Use your imagination...

Baby Lion and Daddy Lion talk and work in the back yard.