Miles at Preschool

 I haven't had much time with our new external hard drive with which to upload pictures, recently. But I thought *some* of my readers might be interested in seeing some of the pictures Miles' preschool teacher has taken of him at school. He's benefiting hugely from his time at school, learning routines and disciplines, social skills, manners and just generally becoming more confident. He talks to unfamiliar kids, goes down slides at the playground, and participates in group activities (say, at church) more readily than before.

I can't really commentate much about what he's doing in each picture because, for the most part, I don't know! I wasn't there. That's why I so appreciate Miles' teacher's efforts in documenting school days. He's only going to be in preschool for a tiny span, really. I'm glad I get a chance to peep in the window every so often.

Evening Cozy

We are deep into Ordinary Time here, at the top of October, and starting to get comfortable in the Routine. I am at work 40 hours a week, and often, like yesterday, I leave the house before either child is awake! So the evening routine has come to be rather important to me.

We try to get a bath in almost every night.

Adele is a huge fan of the bath experience. Miles is a huge fan of not looking at the camera when the flash goes off.

There we go. Can you see the adoration in Adele's face? He only has a few more years of his sister following him worshipfully. But I doubt he appreciates this.

We had to make a rare trip to purchase clothing for the kids. We've gotten so much handed down to us that we almost never have to do this, but we needed some key warm pieces in their current sizes now that Fall has stopped messing around and it's genuinely chilly for 12-15 hours a day.

So: new sleepers!

Mr. Miles was being honored that evening with a special ceremony. We have long been making his naps optional, which has done a lot for Inner Harmony, Household Morale, and for Adele's naps. However, we have made him a deal recently wherein if he takes a nap during the day, he gets to stay up later than Adele and watch a kiddy movie with us. This promise has been in effect for several days, but he finally was able to nap yesterday.

The movie was The Land Before Time. It's probably only the second time he's sat through a movie, even a 68 minute feature like this one. It's certainly his first popcorn experience. He got to help make it, too.

The dinos... were mesmorizing.

He was absolutely delighted. To be honest, his parents were too. This 1988 movie was kind of big in our childhood.

Miles thoroughly enjoyed his movie night treat. I sure hope this bribe incentive option continues to hold the same appeal... Because I really enjoyed the payoff.

September the 22nd.

Welcome, welcome, to the 200th post at ...With Two Cats in the Yard. We are 4 years and 4 months into blogging our life. There is currently no end in sight. I might get all reflective and commemorative in a future post, but this post is dedicated to the wedding of Tim and Corey.

The wedding took place on, in my opinion, one of the best possible days to have a wedding, particularly in the fall: September 22nd. It was the first day of Fall 2012, for one thing, but more importantly, it was the anniversary of Bilbo and Frodo's birthday, and of the beginning of the Quest of the Ring! An excellent date for beginning new and important journeys.
 
 Then Thursday, September the 22nd, actually dawned. The sun got up, the clouds vanished, flags were unfurled and the fun began. -The Fellowship of the Ring

Adele was the flower girl!

I will probably have these two framed.

Can you see her personality coming into focus?

Adele was wheeled about in the wagon I decorated with my nemesis, the glue gun. Miles is dressed sweet and sharp for his role as the ring bearer, and Corey is the transcendently lovely bride pictured below:

(Correct me if I'm wrong on any of these details) But this dress is a family heirloom. It was worn first in 1934 by Corey's great grandmother, then by Corey's great aunt, then by her mother in the early 80s.

On a personal note, I would love it if I had a figure that could fit into my grandma's wedding dress!

Miles was able to spend some time with weekend with his beloved Tita. They're good old friends.

Here we make our entrance after the bridesmaids. Miles wanted very much to help Adele in some way, whether to pull her or to help her scatter petals. As it turned out, it was all he could do to keep the pillow upright and walk in the prescribed stately fashion. He still did a pretty nice job for a 3 year old ring bearer, waiting patiently for the best man to wrestle the rings out of the pillow.

Most people were pretty much just staring at her, though:

I don't know that I blame them.

They stared at the kids, at least, until Corey's entrance. There was no looking away from the radiance of a truly beautiful bride.

We did our best to keep the kids contained and quiet during the ceremony. Adele did a little bit of kvetching, but all remained fairly mellow and quiet in our pew until... the etch-a-sketch incident. Who knew how loud a dropped etch-a-sketch could really be??

The wedding party

Many people from other parts of the Shire were also asked; and there were even a few from outside the borders. (FOTR)

Grandpa's girl

When every guest had been welcomed and was finally inside the gate, there were songs, dances, music, games, and, of course, food and drink. (FOTR)

Also, Daddy's little girl. Practicing the father-daughter dance.

But there was also a generous distribution of squibs, crackers, backarappers, sparklers, torches, dwarf-candles, elf-fountains, goblin-barkers and thunder-claps. They were all superb. (FOTR)

We all massively enjoyed the reception. Miles danced wildly, both by himself and in everyone's arms. Adele was all smiles, claps, and squeals at the light, sound, and happy faces.

Corey had a powerful throw of her bouquet!

Celebrating, very rightly and properly.

Many young hobbits were included, and present by parental permission; for hobbits were easy-going with their children in the matter of sitting up late, especially when there was a chance of getting them a free meal. (FOTR)

Tita and Marshall kept taking the kids on romps and leaving us to eat and dance unencumbered. Many cheers for Tita and Marshall! Here, Miles is an iphone junkie/narcoleptic.

Master Everard Took and Miss Melilot Brandybuck got on a table and with bells in their hands began to dance the Springle-ring: a pretty dance, but rather vigorous. (FOTR)

It's not a party without the Twist.

 

I will protest lest you think I am being ironic. I love the twist. I will do that dance at the apocalypse party and on from there.

Trying not to get trod on.

This was the last giddy photo of the evening, and it is evidence of Marshall's success in winning Adele back over. They were good friends back in December, but he had to re-introduce himself. All the family, it is safe to say, is re-acquainted now.

And welcome, Aunt Corey! And many happy wishes to a new family.