Kendra: We back to preschool on September 13. She is enrolled three days a week, and loves it. I kept her in the twos and threes class so she has the opportunity to be the big kid at school. Our school mixes all the ages on every day but one, and that one is for the younger kids. It was the right call. She shows so much empathy and sweetness to the younger kids...it is amazing. Despite the rotten attitude we see all too often at home, apparently our lessons are sinking in.
Halloween was a total hit this year. Kendra dressed up as a little cowgirl riding her pink pony, while Darian was the cutest tiger ever. Dan's office offered trick or treating to the employee's kids, so we headed there first. We quit after a scant 3 floors (out of 21) when Kendra couldn't carry her candy bucket because it was so full. She was even given a really cute stuffed dolphin by one employee. Darian: Little Man continues to grow like a weed. We had his 4 month check-up on October 8. He weighed in at 14lbs, 15oz (50%) and was 26" long (90%). He had his second round of shots and seemed to tolerate them very well. Since Kendra attends a co-op preschool, I work roughly one day a week in the school. Darian gets to go to preschool with me on those days, and he is a hit. The kids adore babies, and Darian is so good natured he tolerates everything without much (if any) protest.
We started Darian on solid foods October 26. Our pediatrician said he was big enough at his 4 month check up that we could start him at any time. By the end of the October, it was obvious he was completely ready to move into solids. Between then and now (a scant week!), he's gone from a few bites of rice cereal to downing entire jars of baby food at every sitting. He loves Gerber Puffs as well, and we generally stuff a few of them in him to keep him happy while we get the rest of the food together. He still nurses regularly, but the regular feedings of food have made things easier on me. He absolutely loves food, and squawks loudly if we don't shovel it in fast enough. Scamp.
Dan: Dan continues to enjoy his new job. I like it as well - he is much more relaxed and has a more regular schedule. I've encouraged him to start a guys night out, but so far no luck. He keeps pretty busy working around the house, and hanging out with us. Roughly once a week Dan and Kendra have dinner together. I either go to school meetings or out to coffee with friends. Kendra loves her daddy, and really enjoys their time together. He's such a great dad.
Me: Raising the kids and keeping the house in some semblance of order is plenty to keep me busy. I am on the school board for the preschool, which requires more time than my job last year. I do enjoy it, though, and I love being involved in her school life. I've met some wonderful moms there, and I'm becoming better friends with them as time goes on. I even started a girls night out so we can get together one night a month without the kids. This week several of us met to work on various craft projects we are donating to the school's fundraiser in December. We had ball!
As part of trying to teach my kids empathy, we have begun volunteering at a food bank. Once a week I pick up bags from the food bank, pick up Kendra from school, and the three of us deliver bags of groceries to the home bound. I wear Darian in a baby carrier and he naps, while Kendra helps me knock on the doors. I enjoy it, and hopefully she does too.
I've also volunteered at my church to be a Eucharistic minister. I'll start at the new liturgical year, and continue for one year. I'll serve every three weeks and if it goes well, I hope to continue. The downside is I can't take the kids with me to church on the days I serve (unless I can convince Dan to come with me and watch them!)
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