As a child, I never understood why my mom would moan and groan as we got older. I think I finally get it...watching your kids growing is almost like observing time literally FLY by. I mean really....Brady had GRILLED CHEESE for lunch today!

But the big news this week....and the thing that I think must be worse than having my own birthday - Logan started preschool this past Tuesday. I wasn't as emotional as I thought I would be. I was actually just really proud of him! I'm just not the kind of mom who is excited to get the kids in school. It's certainly exhausting to take care of three little ones all day long, but I think I recognize this phase of my life for what it really is.....the only time that my kids really WANT to hang out with me :) Who is going to do crafts and watch cartoons with me once they are too old!? Maybe I'll eventually grow up when they do (perish the thought!)

Logan also started his fall Might Mites class on Wednesday (it's a little sports class where they do different activities each week in this beautiful, spacious, tree-shaded area near the river). This week, they did relay races and Logan actually spoke up and suggested a "new way to do the relay" when the teachers asked for suggestions. He threw his arms out and yelled "we can be airplanes!" All the kids cheered and started practicing being airplanes. Logan then announced "actually...I'm a jet plane!" Actually....I wish he would stop using the word actually so much...it's actually getting annoying (maybe I should check my own vocabulary for over-use of that particular word!!)

What else......oh - check pictures below for a funny thing that happened today. Also...Aiden is really into stickers the past few days. I bribed him away from his friends outside this morning after we dropped Logan off at preschool with the promise of stickers at the grocery store. Once there, I gave him 4 choices and sort of coaxed him into choosing these really cool snake, lizard, gecko, & turtle metallic stickers (hey...at least I'm not trying to get him to play with cute flower ones!) He also picked out a pack of funny stickers featuring animals with cameras (for example, a monkey taking a picture and other stickers that were speech bubbles with sayings like "say cheese" and "snap happy". Somehow...I could relate to those ones!)

Lookin' good dude!
Aiden wanted to look just like his brother. He had to put on his zip-up hoodie, backpack and hat too. I was reminding Logan about some of his preschool details (teacher's name, classroom color etc.) and Aiden started making up details about HIS class! Logan is in the green room...Aiden claimed that he is in the blue room (there is no blue room by the way. not to worry...after we dropped Logan off at school, Aiden and Brady went to their gym class!)
We were lucky enough to have a brand-new elementary school built in our neighborhood this year. One side of the building is a new park district facility which contains 2 beautiful new classrooms. Logan was lucky enough (in the lottery process) to get into one of those classes so we can walk to school if we want. He we are - heading out!
Aiden had to be contained in the stroller after walking about 2 houses down...he loves to stop and smell (or stomp on, or pick) the flowers.
This, I promise, is the cheesiest picture I have ever taken. This is my shadow...Logan walking with me holding my hand. I couldn't help but think that I bet he won't hold my hand while walking to school for very long! :)
Look...the triple stroller strikes again...how handy!
Here is the new school...still somewhat under construction on the park district side. (they are still finishing the playground for the "little kids")
In the lobby, Logan and his classmates play with magnetic fish while they wait for the rooms to open. Aiden got in on the action too (bright yellow hoodie behind Logan)
Aiden and Bray waiting for big brother to get going already
Today, I left Brady and Logan downstairs while I put Aiden in his room for a nap. I left Bray in his highchair with cheerios and Logan was watching TV. When I came back down....
Logan had pushed Brady into the living room to watch TV and had given him a toy. It was a thoughtful gesture....
...even if Brady didn't need to be QUITE so close to the screen (the highchair is almost touching the TV)