times they are a changin'

Lots of things are changing around here, it seems.

First, summer vacation has come to an end. . . the carefree days of sleeping in late(r) in the mornings, splashing at the pool in the afternoons, and relaxed evenings with no "homework" are over. :( Today was my first "official" contracted day back at school, and the kiddos start on Tuesday.

This school year will be full of change for me as I move to 3rd grade after many years of teaching 2nd. While I am excited about a new challenge, it's also a bit daunting to think about all of the new curriculum I'll have to learn. I'm really glad to have many of my former students - at least they will be familiar!

Our little guy is changing too - in just the last week several people on different occasions have commented on how big/old he looks. And it's true - B is growing up! His vocab grows by the day (which is super fun - he's now adding names and a few phrases to his repertoire), and he's stretching up and growing taller. Tonight he "helped" mommy bake cookies (as a thank you for the custodians doing a few tasks in her room today) . . . in the capacity of quality control/taste tester?

We also (finally?) decided that B could face forward in his carseat. By law he could have faced forward at age 12 mths/20 pounds, but we'd read that rear facing really is much safer even for toddlers. However he's now much more interested in watching the world go by as we travel in the car, and his body is less like a fragile toddler and more like a sturdy little boy, so we've given him a new view. I am glad that we chose to rear face for an extended period of time, and feel good about making it to almost 23 mths. . . since the law may be changing to 2 years instead of 1 year, according to our ped. B now gives us a running commentary on what he sees as we drive (car, car, car, truck, tree, tractor, cow, etc. . . . often throwing in a few extra "tractors").

And finally (these really and truly should be the last of 'em), a few pool pics from our last couple of swimming days. We were so glad that yesterday was sunny and warm and a perfect day for that last afternoon at the pool. It was also extra fun because there weren't many people there, but B's daycare provider and daycare buddies came, as did his cousins - so he had lots of pals to play with. (And while I was back at work today, lucky little B did get to go to the pool again today . . . with the daycare crew!)

We ♥ the pool!