A week of firsts

This past week was a week of firsts. It started on Monday when Ava had her first day of preschool. She goes on Mondays and Wednesdays for 2 1/2 hrs each day.  She was very excited to go and had no problems telling me good-bye at the door, which I was very happy about.  She was full of energy when I picked her up, telling me that her teachers are the best in the whole world.  Needless to say, she's happy to be a preschooler and I'm praying that she'll have this much enthusiasm for school when she's in high school. 

Our week was pretty low key with the usual work, daycare, and ECFE.  Saturday morning brought a new adventure for Grant.  It was game day!!!  Grant attended his first gopher football game.  We had beautiful weather and an 11:00 game, so we decided it was the perfect time to take the kids.  So, Nate and I packed up the Traverse with sippy cups, a stroller, sunscreen, sidewalk chalk, and snacks (not Nate's usual when he packs to go tailgating).  The kids actually did very well.  We stayed until there were about 5 minutes left in the game.  We wanted to try to beat some of the traffic and make it to the car before the rain came.  I can't really tell you anything that happened during the game, as I was distracted with the kids.  However, there were no meltdowns, nobody got lost, and the gophers won...so I would say that the whole adventure was a success.  I think we'll brave it again next weekend. 

The weekends seem to fly by way to quickly.  This morning Daddy and Ava made pancakes for breakfast since they weren't able to do it yesterday morning (Saturday is usually pancake day in our house).  We then got the opportunity to go meet Baby Tess (our friends Josh & Kate's new baby girl).  We took over some lunch and birthday cake.  Tomorrow is Daddy & Kate's birthday.  Ava had a great time decorating the cake with me last night.  We were going to make it a surprise, but that girl can't keep a secret for the life of her!  We got home in time for naps and then headed to the mall to get the kids some clothes.  These little turkeys are growing so quickly.  I had to buy Grant 18-24 month shirts.  Yes, he is 10 months old.  What did Daddy learn from our shopping trip?  To never tell mommy, "have fun shopping" when the kids are along.  Shopping with two small children is not relaxing and it always appears as though it's always a race against the clock.  The kids were very good at the mall, but it's just more time consuming when you're pushing that double stroller around trying to fit through racks of clothes and having to find elevators to go up and down to different floors.   So, Daddy didn't get anything new while shopping...but our kids will look great.  :)

Ava's first day of preschool

Tailgating

Grant was tired before the game even started.  He missed his morning nap because he was to interested in everything while tailgating

Ava in her own world, Grant trying to get his hat off, and Nate and I smiling and this crazy life that we lead

Ava loved playing bags with the guys

Ava helped make Daddy's birthday cake.  She loved licking the beaters so much that she dipped it back into the bowl after she was done with this so she could have another round.  That's my girl!