Happy Thanksgiving

A very fun Thanksgiving with the Bates group . . . including Project Gingerbread House Co-op, Early Christmas Present Extravaganza, Jordan Lake Tree Farm Outing with all 4 boys, and Nanny's surprise Birthday party!!

Thanksgiving Day . . . feasting with the family . . .

Early Christmas . . . especially fun for the kids (wait a minute, . . . which ones are the kids?)

Ian, wearing Jackie's Christmas present . . .

Jordan Lake Christmas tree farm . . .

Hayrides!

Cam had had enough!

Pictures from Nanny's surprise (early) Birthday party . . .

Ian was just interested in the cake

Just before our movie outing to see the new Twilight movie . . . our hubbies joined us (although a little begrudgingly!).

Lizards and Tigers and Dragons . . . Oh My!

Halloween 2011 - this year we were excited to share our Trick-or-Treating with Noah and Ian! We kicked off this rainy, Monday Halloween night with a little neighborhood Hotdog social at our house . . . lots of fun to see all the neighbors and their costumes! A few pictures . . .

Trying to get a group shot with all the kids was nothing short of impossible, and hilarious!

and there goes the Dragon! . . . .

What we're up to lately . . .

Cam's smile has been described by many as "mischievous" or "up to something" . . . whereas, I just think it's endearing!

Fun in the bathtub . . . well, maybe not for the one getting dumped on!

Grey's appetite and zeal for eating has now much improved . . .

Outside to carve the pumpkin . . . AKA, mom chasing the boys around while she attempted to do the pumpkin

School Days, School Days . . .

It is so hard to believe that my little guy has been in preschool for a month now! Grey started attending Aldersgate Church Preschool on Tuesday September 6th. His class is from 9 to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
There are 10 children in all in his class, 5 girls (Madison, Madelyn, Matilda, Gianna, and Lila) and 5 boys (Miles [our neighbor!], Wyatt, Sebastian, Luke, and Grey). I love hearing all the names - haven't names changed so much in the last few years? Matilda and Sebastian are actually twins, and their parents are from Sweden. They apparently speak 3 languages (French, Swedish and English). Meanwhile, Grey isn't even talking! What a range of abilities at 2 years! Truly surprising.
Anyway, their time at preschool is very structured with lots of group activities. We are very pleased so far, and we really love their teachers - Miss Holly and Miss Julie. They always talk fondly of Grey.
Here are few pictures of Grey at preschool (sent by Miss Julie) . . .

I love this picture! Grey, approaching the two girls . . .

Snack time around the table, and the children sing a blessing before eating . . .

The blessing song is sung to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and goes like this: Thank you for the stars at night, Thank you for the moon at night, Thank you for the birds that sing, Thank you God for EVERYTHING!

(Matt said he was disappointed that Grey was pushing a pink baby stroller around the playground - I thought it was cute!)

Play dough time!

My little artist!

Miss Julie said that Grey was slow to participate on this day, carrying his mouse around the table while the other children made sponge bubbles . .

Grey's favorite times seem to be on the playground and at the drawing board . . .

Miss Julie sent a schedule of "A Day in the Two's" (also called the "ducks"):

9:00-9:10 Washing hands, playing in room

9:10-9:15 Circle Time - Surprise bag with Rocky the raccoon and Hickety Pickety & Song time

9:15-9:45 Free Play - Kitchen cooking time, Painting, Art table projects, Block building, Reading

9:45-10:15 Playground time

10:20-10:25 Washing hands

10:25-10:30 Setting the table before snack time with napkins, cups

10:30-11:00 Snack time with blessing song and then stories with Miss Julie

11:00-11:30 Clean up snack time with clean up song and dance, Play dough time

11:30-12:00 Playground time/ free play/ clean up room/ chalk on sidewalk/ singing songs

12:00 - Mommy (or nanny) Pickup time!