Back to School

The Meek's are back to school.  Both kids are in school this year at Orchard Park Learning Center. 

Carter is officially in preschool and loving it.  He goes 2 days a week from 9am-2:15pm. The class is focusing on a couple of big concepts this fall.  The kids are working on being self-sufficient.  They work on going to the bathroom all by themselves, eating lunch without any help and recognizing their names.  They other concept is being kind to others.  The teachers say his class is very affectionate and social....almost too social.  Most of the kids were in his class last year so reconnecting with his buddies has been easy. It should be a great year for our preschooler!

Ryan is in the Mothers Day Out program which is a cross between pre-preschool and daycare.  Her class meets once a week from 9am-2:15pm.  This class will hopefully help Ryan get over her massive separation anxiety, work on sharing with other kids and following directions from other adults.  So far Ryan hasn't warmed up to the idea of school.  Her teachers joke that she is exactly like Carter at this age.  He had a really tough time at the beginning of his first year too.  He would cry a lot, but would snap out of it whenever the class would sing or dance.  They say Ryan instantly goes from sad to happy whenever music is involved.  I imagine Ryan will love going to school within a couple of weeks. 

I am so glad school is back in session.  I'm 10 weeks to my due date and I'm enjoying the extra time catching up on sleep, house work and work for the business.  I'm sure I'll appreciate school days even more once baby #3 is born.  Although all the free time is great, I am happy when the school day is over.  Both kids are exctied to see me and they love to show me the crafts they made in class.  Carter likes telling me who he played that day, how much he ate of his lunch and what activities they did. 

Lets Go Colts

So it might not be the best season for the Indianapolis Colts, but I know two fans who are always ready to support their team

Pirate PaRRRRty

The family went to a Pirate Party at the local Gymboree.  Carter really got into the pirate theme and all the pirate activities.  Ryan simply loved playing on all the equipment, tossing balls and jumping on mats.  Both kids had lots of fun when the group played music, danced and sang.  It was a fun way to spend a Friday night.  Here are some pictures of our little pirates:

Conversations with a 3 year old

Having a conversation with a 3 year old can be so entertaining.  I decided I better blog them when they happen or I'll forget. 

This morning's conversation:
Carter: Dad, I want donuts for breakfast.
Dad: Ok, I'll go get them at the store.
Carter: No, I come with you!
Dad: You stay here and watch Mickey Mouse and I'll go super, super fast.
Carter: No Dad! Don't go super, super fast or you'll get a ticket!

Other recent notables:
Carter and I will snuggling on the couch this morning. 
Carter: Mommy, stop breathing.

Dad came home from work the other day.  The kids and I were at the dinner table.
Carter (very enthusiastically):  Hey Dad, nice shirt!

State Fair 2011

The Meeks spent the the day at the Indiana State Fair. 

We finally made it on the last day.  We took the 30 minute train ride from Fishers since Carter loves, loves, loves trains.

Carter waiting for the train.

Mom and the kids posing in front of the train.

The kids spent the ride looking at their tickets and the State Fair program. Carter had fun waving out the window and Ryan enjoyed eating snacks.

At the fair, riding ponies was a must.  Ryan is at the age where she's decided Carter is NOT allowed to do anything without her.  If he rides a pony then she rides a pony.  If he rides an elephant the she rides an elephant.

The kids did a little farming.  They planted seeds, harvested fruit and veggies and rode little tractors.

Their favorite part of the Indiana State Fair was feeding the animals.  They fed goats, sheep and pigs.  The piglets were hysterical.  They would run around the pin and tackle each other to get the food.  The kids laughed nonstop at these little guys!

Overall it was another great experience at the Indiana State Fair!

cutie pies

Can you believe THIS kid

is now THIS kid? 

Carter found the Santa suit in the "for sale" box and just had to try it on.  It doesn't quite fit the same 3 years later, but  he's still a cutie pie!

Little Ryan is starting to get into dress up.  She loves hats and helmets.  She thought she was super cute wearing her princess towel that has a hood on it.  I thought she was super cute too!

18 Months

Little Miss Ryan will be 18 months old tomorrow.  Hard to believe!

She is such a little toddler now.  Ryan loves to play with the Carter and any older kids and she does her best to keep up with them.  She is a tough cookie, too!  If this girl falls or gets knocked down, she is right back up without so much as a peep.  She loves to play on the swing set and swim.  She always wants to play with basketballs, baseballs and bats.  She loves to go for walks in the wagon too.  Her new obsession is the show Bubble Guppies on Nick Jr.  She will say bubble nonstop until you put it on.  Ryan loves to sing.  Her favorites are wheels on the bus, itsy bitsy spider and little bunny foo foo.  She is a girl who loves her lotion.  I can already imagine the stock piles of Bath and Body Works lotions she will have in her room when she older!  She is just starting to get into the dress up phase.  She likes to wear hats and helmets and strut around for everyone to see.  Ryan is going through some separation anxiety that's both tough for her and mom.  She starts school next month so it will be interesting to see how well she can adjust.  Also, as and FYI, I was holding an 8 week old baby yesterday and Ryan did NOT like that.  Bringing Baby #3 home in a couple of months might be a huge adjustment for her.  We're crossing our fingers that her transition to big sister goes smoothly.  Happy 18 months, Ryan Michele.  You brighten up our lives, little girl!