Is that part of Oceania?

Owen was telling me about a map that he is making at school and I was asking him what color different continents were. When I asked him what color Australia is, he asked me this. You take my love of the world, cultures and travel combined with my kindergartner coming home and clarifying my geographical skills...and now you know why I have a hard time thinking of sending the boys anywhere else but Sunny Hollow.

So I can't find my cord for my camera (time to clean upstairs!) so I can't share any photos from the great times we've been having lately, including a trip to The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins with my parents. So instead, I will share this lovely drawing of a lion by O. We are talking about redecorating their room and this was an idea for an African safari room. The final theme decision has not been made yet. It wavers between this, space, jungle, Star Wars, western, ocean and Toy Story. I have a few other spaces to decorate before we get to their room anyway, so we will continue to waver.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

I admit it, I love presents. I'm especially giddy on Christmas Eve and again on April 12. So, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised when my son wants to start his birthday list two months before his birthday.

If you are interested, I do have my Christmas list started...although I don't think mine will be quite as cute as O's! :)

My bones are shaking.

The boys were on a bike ride around the neighborhood recently while I was on foot and Walter told me this as he was going up a hill. Cutie pie! I realized sweet Walter doesn't get as much time on his bike as his brother did at his age. Now that Owen bikes like a pro and I got a new bike this year, we always go on big bike rides on the lovely bike baths near our house. Sounds like I have a new idea on how Walter and I can spend our afternoons together while O's still in school.

We had an after school picnic with some of Walter's besties on Tuesday. We went down by the lock and dam and enjoyed watching the boats, exploring the machinery and watching nature. Although I tried, I failed to get any great pictures of the boys. Next time you are with 3 three year olds fresh out of school, super excited to be together, pretending to be super heros, in a new and exciting place, I challenge you to get a descent photo! Here are a few of my failed attempts:

Can I have one that makes me laugh?

The new last request of the night from Walter is a kiss that makes him laugh. After the request, I dig into his neck and blow and kiss and tickle while he laughs so hard he is silent. How awesome is that!?

After two full days of school, Sunny Hollow was closed today for Rosh Hashanah. So today, the boys and I decided to head to a nearby apple orchard with some friends from school. Since 99.9% of schools just started this week, we had the place to ourselves! We had lots of fun feeding the goats and donkey, playing on the enormous playground and picking raspberries. It was like our own private farm. Fun, fun!

My cool is fun!

Walter started Sunny Hollow last week, with three days of an introduction to his classroom. The first morning after he was done, he came out and told me "I had fun, Mom." Now when I ask him about school, he will tell me "My (s)chool is fun!" He has made this nice and easy on me and I hope I didn't just jinx myself.

We spent the long weekend in International Falls visiting my sweet grandma. She had a sweet, beautiful smile on her face all weekend and hasn't lost her spunk! We enjoyed playing with all of the cousins, which Owen reminded me we don't see often enough. They had fun running around, playing football, building forts, exploring the woods, swimming, saunaing, and eating plenty of s'mores. Between the wonderful family and gorgeous lake, I'm in total agreement with Owen.

I'm walking on sunshine!

After dropping the boys off at school this morning, Jer and I came in and I put this song on. I love those boys, but it is going to be nice to have a few hours every morning to myself! Awe...

We had a great morning getting ready for school. We had a special breakfast together, complete with sprinkled donuts, and all piled in the van to head to Sunny Hollow. Walter was very ready to get there and get dropped off. Owen was excited as well, especially to see his friends again.

I'd tell you more about what we've been doing, but this time is precious! I'll fill you in later.