...and school is back in session!

Three cheers for the return of routine!!! School started back today, for Drew at least. Addison starts "reception" on Monday, which is the first year of required school over here - kind of like Kindergarten in the states, but they start at 4 rather than 5. I'm glad Addison is socially ahead of the pack or I'd be really concerned about sending her ALL day. Of course she'll probably be behind in everything else, but being away from mom all day will NOT be a problem! I just can't believe I'll have two kids in school all day. Par-tay!! Drew's in Year 2 this year (he'd be in 1st grade in the States). Although he made really good progress in the one term he was here for last year, he's still a little behind - so we'll see how this year starts out. We didn't get as much practice time as we should have in our six whole weeks of summer - two of which were spent out of town and one sick.

Anyway, I really enjoyed getting back into the routine a little today and having a little more one-on-one time with Noah and Addie.

For lunch, Addie decided she wanted to make her own sandwich...a peanut butter & honey..and mustard & mayo sandwich!!! Sick! I tried to tell her it would be disgusting, but she insisted.

She actually ate a good portion of it! But then, this is the kid who dips her chicken in her lemonade and her apples in ketchup, so...

Noah helping with the laundry...

Addie and I found a little time during Noah's nap to build this Rapunzelesque princess tower...

Before we knew it, it was 3:15 and time to walk down and pick up Drew. Since I forgot to get a picture before school this morning, we took this one after school (thus the untucked shirt and dirty clothes).

The good news is that Drew had a great day too. He likes his teacher and was glad to see his friends again. Hopefully he'll go willingly tomorrow!

OUCH!!!

Drew had a really bad weekend. First, while the kids were home with a babysitter (these things always happen at the best time) Drew decided he needed to use the microwave for the first time ever while the sitter was putting Noah down. He stuck a chocolate covered cookie in there and when he took it out, the super hot, melted chocolate burned the crap out of his little hand. Thank goodness for Grandpa John and the power of the Internet. We were afraid we needed to take him to the hospital (something we weren't excited about after the stories we've heard here), but after a chat with Grandpa and a few emailed pictures, he told us what to do. Despite some pretty good 2nd degree burns, no hospital was needed and hopefully Drew's hand will be at least semi functional by the first day of school Wednesday.

Of course what's one injury when you can have two!? Sunday after church Addie and Drew were in idiot mode. Somehow Drew, who was standing on the toilet?!, fell and took it in the shin on the bidet (one more reason bidets are a waste of space). Not as "picturesque" as his hand, but he did a pretty good job of it and has some mean swelling.

Anyway, here's some lovely pictures of Drew's misfortune. If you have a weak stomach, you may want to skip the 3rd picture down of Drew's hand - it's pretty nasty.