first day of school

Monday marked Eden's first day of school for this new year. She is in the Swinging Monkey's class with Ms. Janet and Ms. Kyra. She started to get excited on Thursday night - although she was sick she got to "meet" her teachers. I went to orientation and, on Ashley's recommendation from CC, took a video camera. I filmed her teachers saying hello to her - she watched each video a hundred times before bed and smiled big every time. By the time we got to school on Monday she forgot I even brought her - had to ask for a hug and kiss ... drastic shift from last year. Also a big change is the way she looks ... holy cow!

The report at the end of day 1 was that she is a great listener and a joy to have in their class. On day 2, she was the line leader, aka the top banana, and got to walk with her teachers. She loved it!

Lydia was also excited - getting to spend some QT with mom. Ashley is teaching 2 online classes and only goes to campus Monday and Wednesday at 3:00 for one traditional class - so I also get a little QT with my girls while Ashley is teaching ...

Other recent firts include ... my first invited luncheon keynote speaker (first time wearing a new seersucker suit and purple tie, too)...

first solo ride in the inglesina stroller ...

Here is Eden on one of her first rides @ a year old ...

first painters' tape "car seat" ...

and first time pretending to be Kanga and Roo ...

some other firsts this week:

• first blowout diaper from Lydia, Ashley couldn't figure out what was on her hand
• first time Eden said, "No, I don't want to wear that bow; I already wore it. I want ... ... this one." -- Ashley says it's so much easier to just dress her without comments
• first time I took the girls by myself outside of the house. We went to Whole Foods. Lydia was quiet most of the time, sleeping in the Baby Bjorn. Before we left, however,  I had to sit in the food court and feed her a bottle while Eden asked to eat everything we had just purchased in the store.
• Lydia rolled over from her stomach to her back. She was doing tummy-time on her elephant pillow with her arms tucked in and flipped over three times.