Back to School (and Work)

It's been an exciting and busy week here. Jacob started 3rd grade on Tuesday. He's such a social kid that he loves school. Wyatt spent a couple hours at his new "school" (childcare at Preschool Place) on Wednesday while I took Gavin to his kindergarten evaluation. Then today Gavin went off to his first day of kindergarten (all-day), Wyatt went to his school for the full day, and I started a new job at ExacTec. Gavin was excited for kindergarten and very comforted to have his big brother on the bus with him. It was so sweet when they came off the bus, Jacob waited for him to get off, then took his hand and helped him across the street.



Jacob's 1st day of 3rd grade.

Gavin's 1st day of Kindergarten 

Ready for school.

My first day too!

Off to the bus.

Wyatt with his full-size backpack, its about as big as him.

Wyatt and me.

 

I was afraid Wyatt wasn't going to be game to go anywhere without his brothers, but Gavin and I dropped him off yesterday and he joined right in washing his hands and headed to snack without looking back. Today, he trotted right in too and was happy when I returned. I hope this continues, it sure made it easier for me.

 

I got a job as an office manager here in Chaska - about 1.5 miles from my house. With the hours of 8:45 to 2:45, its perfect. Get the boys off, drop off Wyatt, work a few hours with ADULTS and then be home in time to catch the boys off the bus. Today my parents brought me lunch, so that was a nice treat. They were also here incase my kids needed anything, which was very comforting and fortunately they weren't needed.

End of Summer

Just a few more activities before the kids headed back to school...

 

We went to Camp Ice Age at the Mall of America with our friends, the Silvestains. The kids got to play around there with games and crafts and watch a short video. I couldn't recommend the outing for what they provided, but the kids certainly entertained themselves for hours and us moms managed not to go batty from the Ice Age 4 theme song being played non-stop.

 

State Fair: We had a small group for our state fair outing this year. Adrea was off in Boston (which meant Tim got to skip out on the expedition). Fred had work meetings in the morning, so he came late and we didn't invite Jesse with because of Fred's questionable attendance. My dad rented a scooter to help him get around and ended up running over/into both Gavin and Wyatt. Both came out none the worse for wear, so all was well. We were a slow moving group, but we did manage to eat a few new items including: deep fried-bread pudding, dough-sant, deep fried olives, and chocolate coated/dipped cheese curds. I made another trip the next Monday with Adrea to meet my mom and friend. It was so hot that trip that we mostly ate ice cream - mini-donut crunch and chocolate chili, plus chocolate dipped cheese cake, three pigs torta, falafel, chocolate dipped deep-fried pickles, and a very good quesadilla. 

 

Fred and the boys getting a lift towards the car at the end of the day at the fair.

Wyatt was worn out by the fair.

 

The last week of summer we tried to check a few more things off our list. We went to the sculpture garden at the Walker Art Museum, hit the St Louis Park splash pad, and then rode the trolley in Excelsior - all in one day. 

Boys by the signature cherry & spoon at the Sculpture Garden.

 

Our "tour" group in the sky-viewing box.

Kids on the Excelsior Trolley.

 

Our last outing was to the Arboretum. We went this week while the big boys were in school. We had lunch at Qdoba first and then hiked around the arboretum a bit. It was a good day besides being warmer than we expected and Gavin getting stung by a wasp.





Avery & Gavin - these two have been together since they've been born. This year is the first year they'll be going to school without each other.

Wyatt, Gavin and Avery with one of the Goldie statues.