School Days...

School has started back up and Evi was beside herself with excitement! And so were mommy & daddy! She was ready to see her friends and right now she actually enjoys school and most things come easily for her.  And I am so grateful for that. The first day of school this year was a far cry from last years!  She was all smiles and waves and sugar and spice.

a personal, obviously reflective moment

She also started dance lessons this month.  She is doing ballet (courtesy of Gigi & Chacha for a birthday present...best idea I ever had ) and musical theater.  It had been over a year since she had a dance lesson, and it was like she had two left feet the first week! It was funny to watch. But luckily I am not a complete idiot in her eyes yet and she let me work with her on the steps when we got home.  She got it quickly with a little one on one. And I purchased "it's a hard knock life" for her to be able to practice her musical theater routine at home.  I think I am I turning into one of those moms on the reality shows?!?
Eli has started swim lessons, and it is not mommy and me, just 4 kids and one teacher.  I let daddy be the one to break his heart and take him to his first lesson.  There were tears at first from all the kids, but Scott said he was nothing compared to his sister at that age!  And by the time the lesson was over he was enjoying himself. Plus it helped that daddy bribed him with a new toy if did good ( yes, we have excellent parenting skills). Now he still says he doesn't want to go, but goes in once you get there.  And it's so impressive to watch the process.  He'll be swimming like a fish at the end of this, no problem.  The day I took him I told him I would clap and say "yay Eli" and he said "stop talking mommy!" And every time he would climb up out the water I would quietly clap and mouth "yay" and I could tell he mumbling things about wanting me stop.  At 3 I already embarrass him! I love it!
Gymnastics has started up as well and Eli was ready to go.  There was no looking back, he ran in and follows everything the teacher says, copies the other kids and has a blast.  It surprising that he doesn't get distracted since there is so much going on at the same time, but he doesn't.

A couple of weeks ago I was joking that Eli couldn't work a mouse for the computer yet because he's so used to everything being touch screen, the mouse is antiquated to him.  But he's figured it out this month.  He now can get on ANY electronic device and get to Thomas.  
And by the way...Evi has been sleeping in her own bed, all night!!! On most nights!! Hey, gotta celebrate the little victories, right?