First Day of Preschool: G

Let's not sugarcoat this: G was pretty grumpy about going back to school earlier this week. Even though he was returning to the same classroom with his same beloved teachers and friends, he asserted that he was not excited and did not want to go back to school.

When we arrived at school on Monday, he clutched my hand and his eyes filled with tears as we entered the building. And for the first time in three years of taking him to the same school, he cried when I left -- heartbreaking!

Poor G

But his teachers assured us that he was fine within minutes of my leaving. They said he quickly rediscovered favorite puzzles and other classroom work. At the end of the day, he was excited to show us his drawings and tell us about new friends. He was especially proud to discover new skills that he couldn't quite master last year, like punching out shapes and using scissors. 

He's also one of the bigger boys in his classroom of 3- to 6-year-olds this year, which means he gets to boss the little guys around. I mean, he gets to be a leader and teach them new skills.

Later this week, he'll have to show his brother the ropes. Miles will be in the classroom next door.

Finders Keepers

Grant has lately been obsessed with collecting objects he finds outside, especially crab apples, walnuts and pinecones. Our new neighborhood has a plethora of these things, and he loves to visit the neighbors' yards each day to see what treasures he can find. 

We've had to set some rules about what can come into the house. Pinecones and acorns: OK. Cicada carcasses and sticks: Nope. He now has a growing collection of Ball jars filled with acorns, walnuts and pinecones on his desk in his bedroom.

Still, I often find his pockets filled with crab apples at the end of the day. And he may have slept with a walnut clutched in his hand a night or two this summer.

Because It's So Rare...

...to get a decent photo of these two boys together anymore, here is a recent one. Taken at Snookies, a favorite local ice cream shop.

A Closet Fort

Grant has converted the second closet in his new bedroom into his own "fort," where he has piled blankets, pillows and his favorite teddy bears. Occasionally I find him in there when he's supposed to be napping in his bed, curled up on the floor happily sucking his thumb.

A New Bike Rider in the Family

Recently, Miles has taken over Grant's red balance bike. He isn't quite cruising on it yet, walking the bike ever so slowly around the neighborhood. A typical bike ride is only a block long, but he clearly loves the feeling of being a big boy on a bike, just like his brother {who is now so fast he can keep up with me on a run}.

Miles Is 2!

The year went by too quickly! Since his last birthday, Miles is walking, talking and charming us with his sweet and silly personality. Here are a few pictures from his party yesterday:

He loved the balloons so much that he carried them around the house and yard.

"What was the best part of your party, Miles?" "Cake!" he said.

Cupcakes with the cousins

Silly Grandpa

A new water toy? Yes, please!

See all of his monthly photo here.

More From Colorado

Here are a few favorites from our trip to Telluride this year.