We're all Rockets Now!

 Fed up with Warder Elementary, Ian and Kim decided to transfer Holden & Everett to St. Anne's.  Lillian is so happy to have her cousins with her in before & after school care. 

 This guy is loving his "Rocket School" too. 

Last Hurrah of Summer

We had all 7 Hanou Cousins together for a few days.  Severin, Colleen & Carolyn flew out to meet baby Natalie.  Naturally, Grammy & Opa couldn't miss out on the fun!  We spent the weekend pretending it was still summer vacation - and the cousins had such a great time.



Day Two...Already in a routine

 To help make drop off a little easier on all of us, we say goodbye to Joseph through the fish tank.  He enjoys signing and lip reading the words "I Love You" through the glass.  With a 4 year old, you have to make good-bye fun!

With a 5 year old, you just have to help her look her best. Cutie!



1st Day of our next 15 Years

Joseph & Lillian were thrilled to start their first day at their new schools.  The morning went well, although we are going to really need to work on getting out the door a little quicker.  They've grown quite accustomed to lounging in their PJ's for most of the summer. 

We pulled into Joseph's new school first, Little People Landing.

Immediately, he spied the playground from the back seat and squealed, "Thank you for sending me to Rocket School Mom!".  Because the lighthouse / playhouse on the playground looked like a rocket ship to my 4 year old.  So naturally, I went with it.  Whatever helps make school fun!

 With Joseph sitting happily in "circle time" with his soon to be buddies, it was time to take the Kindergartener to school.

 First, a little "first day of school" gift from Fiona.  A diary, with fresh pages to record a fresh years worth of memories. 

 Lillian with Mrs. Navarro, Mrs. Gregg and Mrs. Porecco

 Thomas, Brenna, Charlotte, Addie and Ava

 Lining up at the end of the 1/2 day of school.

Happy to see her mommy in the crowd, Lillian came running toward me!  We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting Uncle Ian at his office, having lunch with Daddy, Aunt Casey and baby Natalie and cruising the shops in Olde Town Arvada. 

Today was Mike's first day at work.  Thankfully, his first day consisted of boring paperwork and safety orientations, so he was able to sneak away and have lunch with his girls for a few minutes! 

Packing a LOT in.....

The unofficial end of summer vacation is here.  Monday morning Jak starts at Little People Landing in Pre-K, Lillian starts Kindergarten at St. Anne's and Mike starts a new job.  His FIRST job.  The first time he's ever had to bring in a blank check to set up direct deposit (oh how I look forward to direct deposit instead of the usual headaches he endures chasing money down at the end of a job).  So, I took Monday off, because someone needs to be cool, calm and collected on Monday as we all start to figure out our new routine.  But in the meantime, we really enjoyed our last weekend before the chaos begins!

 Nature & Science Museum

 Growing up so fast

 Helping Mommy by vacuuming out all of the dead flies from the windowsills!

 Driving our Jeep to the pool....it made it there and back!

 2 Thumbs up for fishing on the pond.

 I can't imagine why we never catch any fish!

There Goes the Neighborhood

Our next door neighbors are moving and we are so BUMMED!  We love the Cabrals and have really gotten used to Ava and Angelo coming and going without knocking.  Nothing makes me happier than kids who feel right at home in our house. But the upside of them moving is, they gave us a fun, new toy!  Free Jeep - $75 battery.  Well worth the $$$ for all the neighborhood fun we're contributing too.

 Emma, Lillian and Liv - all 5 years old this year and all 3 starting different kindergartens in a week.

 Jack and Jak - in the green John Deere tractor that is no longer battery operated.

Emma's turn!  Rachel tried to drive, but 11 years olds just don't fit behind this wheel. 

 The boys convinced Rachel to give them a ride.

Liv's turn!  Watch out neighbors, the block just got a little dangerous.

Take Your Daughter to Work Day

I sure love showing her off!

 

New to the Neighborhood

While the kids were out riding their jeep tonight, our neighbor Steve brought out a tiny little kitten and laid her in Lillian's hands. 

 These kids are smitten for this kitten!

I have to admit, she's really, really cute.  And he has 5 more just like her at home. 

They're driving skills have improved dramatically already!