A quick trip

Pat participated in the Nation's Tri on Sunday in Washington, D.C.  The original plan was for Pat to go up on Saturday, check-in, do the triathlon on Sunday morning, and then come home.  Saturday morning I decided to be spontaneous and pack up the boys and go along.  We left after soccer on Saturday morning.  We didn't really even do much in D.C.  Gus and Cormac were so excited to stay in a hotel so that was almost entertainment enough.  It was actually kind of a nice break.  I think we may go back before #3 arrives to take in some of the sights. 

View from our hotel room.

Happy as can be in a hotel.  They picked up some Geico Gecko Pez dispensers at the bike expo for the triathlon.  These became the big hit of the trip.  Gus even took his to show and tell at preschool yesterday. 

View of Washington Memorial from our hotel room (zoomed, of course).

Happy Birthday Gam-Gam!

Gam-Gam's birthday is today and she is turning 25 according to Gus.  We went over last night to cook dinner for her to celebrate. 

As you can see the birthday police were enforcing the birthday hat rule once again.  Gus reminded me yesterday morning that we needed to take our birthday party hats to Gam-Gam's.

Gus and Cormac opened all of Gam-Gam's presents for her.











Have a wonderful birthday Gam-Gam!!

GOAL!

It has been a busy week for Gus.  Along with pre-school, he started soccer this week.  His first practice was cancelled due to the massive amount of rain on Monday and Tuesday, so his first practice was Thursday.  He is on a team for 3-4 year-olds in a league set up for the JAG school (mainly the children of JAG school students, faculty and staff).  He has been really excited about playing a sport and this is a great opportunity to give him a taste of team sports.   He has 10 or 12 other little kids on his team and three coaches.  But the parents are all encouraged to get out there and run around too.  It is very casual and non-competitive--a good start for Gus.  He will have practices during the week and games on Saturdays.  One of the most exciting parts is he even gets a uniform!

Gus did a fantastic job at his first practice.  He listened to his coaches the entire time and was the first to volunteer to try things.  He worked hard the whole practice (many of the other kids wandered off, were busy picking their noses or played with bugs--much like me when I was little). We are so proud of him.  

Here are some pictures from the first practice.

Gus is the tall guy in orange shorts.

Cormac spent a lot of his time rearranging the "field" by moving the cones around.  Unfortunately he is just a few months shy of joining the two-year-olds but next spring he will be ready to go.

Cormac also spent a lot of time collecting pine cones during soccer practice.  He did remarkably well considering Gus was running around with a soccer ball.

At the end of practice the coaches were asking who had played soccer before.  We thought it was pretty funny when Gus raised his hand right away and said he "played in South Carolina but that was a long time ago."

Gus' First Day

Gus started pre-school today.  He has been very excited about this for quite awhile.  Wednesday was the "get-acquainted morning".  Gus and I headed up to his new school.  He met his teacher, Mrs. Carey, and some of the other kids in his class. He thought it was neat that he has his own cubby hole and his label is a frog.  He also spent a lot of time playing in his classroom and checking all of the stuff out.  He didn't really play with any of the other kids because he was so busy looking at all of the toys and games. 

This morning we got him ready to go and he was still very excited, although I knew he was a little nervous as well.  Cormac and I took him into his classroom and he was nervous but he saw all of the other kids saying good-bye to their parents.  Although he was nervous, he was ready and quickly said good-bye to us and went off to start his morning.  I think it was much harder for me than it was for Gus.  I think he is really ready for this time at pre-school and I am so proud of him.  Gus continues to amaze me with how very bright and mature he is for a three-year-old.

Before school pictures:

Gus picked out his clothes for the first day of school.  He wanted to wear a long-sleeved shirt and shorts (I helped a little in the matching).

Making goofy faces--it is so hard to get him to just smile for the camera.

In the car and ready to go.  He took one of his cars to put in his cubby hole (in case he needed something for show and tell).










It was definitely more quiet at home without Gus (no conflicts over car/train/toy ownership).  Cormac really missed Gus, at least in the beginning, until he realized he had all the toys to himself. 

Gus was happy to see us when we picked him up.  He had a good day.  Mrs. Carey said it was a good day for Gus.  She said he did very well sharing with one of the other little boys--the other little boy needed a little work on his sharing and she said Gus was very patient with the little boy.  Gus said they painted, listened to music, listened to a story, played freeze dance and played outside on his first day.   It was a good first day and Gus seems excited about going back next week.

Mimi and Opa's Visit

My dad and Janet came out for Labor Day weekend and it was wonderful to have them here.  Gus and Cormac were thrilled with all of the attention.  They love having visitors and Mimi and Opa will play and play.  Thank you so much for the wonderful visit Mimi and Opa--come back soon!