The Bus

Today was another huge day in a succession of huge days for Charlie. The bus to preschool came for him at 7am! Juwanda is our amazing bus driver and she has been working the special needs bus gig for six years. She has a child with Downs Syndrome who is also in the PPCD system. She has been very helpful in preparing us for this momentous occasion!

Get Out The Way Ya'll!

Thank you so much to my friend Amy Moore, who generously gave us her son's unused walker for Charlie's use. It is a great walker and will need a little adjustment, but not much. We're so grateful! And here is Charlie, taking off. He loves it.

First Day of School

Kindergarten Calls!

Today is your day...

You're off to great places...

You're off and away.

Have a ball my darling boy.

Are we done with photos yet?

And here he is walking out the door to school. He and Daddy walked the short two blocks to Skyview.

Walking out the door... 

And of course, let's not forget that today is Charlie's first day of school too! The bus won't start picking him up until Wednesday, so he took a short drive with mom to Stults Elementary. Miss Alexis met us at the door to his classroom. We put his snack and change of clothes in his cubby and sat him down on the "sitting rug". He made an uh-oh face when he realized I was leaving... but he didn't cry when I walked out the door. And when I peeked in through the window in the door a moment later, I could see him interacting with the child next to him and listening to the teacher as she spoke. I'll go pick him up at 11am and see how the day went!  Then we'll walk up to Skyview to pick up Walker at 3pm and walk him home!  What a big day for both kiddos. And what a big day for Jack and I!  

The Sheriff and the Flapper

Today, Stella came for a visit. 

Walker was in heaven.

Where's the Action? Where's the Game?

Charlie is not taking this lightly. Now that he knows how to drag himself across the room, he might as well drag himself across the house! Charlie joined me today in my studio from the TV room.  Yes... this boy dragged himself from the back bedroom / TV room down the hall through the living room and kitchen, over the lip of the laundry room and into the converted garage.  Love this boy!

Here he comes with a bunch of scrunched up area rugs in his wake... 

All tuckered out... 

After a short rest, we had a little conversation... 

Then he got to laughing and couldn't stop... 

Next up?  Preschool on Monday!

Slip 'n Slide

Jack is away this weekend in California attending the memorial of his dear friend and mentor, Dudley Knight. So this morning, the boys and I went sans Daddy to a neighborhood play date comprised of kids who are all slated to attend Skyview Elementary in the coming years. Our neighbors hosted us in their front yard for sprinklers and a slip n' slide. Mrs. Dodd, the school principal, even showed up with her daughters. Walker was so pleased and surprised to see his new principal that he shouted at her from the sprinklers, "What in the world are you doing here? Aren't you at school learning all our names?"

Charlie's Birthday in Seattle

Charlie's third birthday was celebrated in the Pacific Northwest this year. We started the day at Harmony Rutter's West Seattle home with breakfast and a walk across her huge floor piano. Charlie really enjoyed stepping on the notes and making music as he teetered over the keyboard.

We also had a short visit with the Tourino-Collinsworth family at their apartment in South Seattle. Walker and Oscar negotiated their playtime with vehemence and a little rage but were heartbroken when our time was up.

We finished our day playing at Grandma Betsy's condo on Capitol Hill. By Charlie's request, Betsy bounced him on her knees and helped him perfect the backward flip. Walker played piano and Charlie had a chance to open a few gifts. As always, the tissue paper was far more entertaining than anything that might lie inside the package.

Happy birthday Charlie Bear!