Mommy & Daddy's Homework

Well the school year is underway and Jim and I are enjoying the challenges and responsibilities of being parents to a kindergartener. We are volunteering once a week in the classroom for small groups. I have taken on the duty of Friday Folders where I take all the homework for the week and different flyers for the parents and organize by child and stuff into corresponding folders, while Jim has been working on stapling de-codable books for the class. Life has suddenly gotten very busy, but a fun busy.  

Lets get Dirty

So I've never had a green thumb, in fact I often jokingly call myself a black thumb, but our back patio was in desperate need of some greenery. So I headed to local nursery and asked for some plants that I couldn't kill. The kids had a lot of fun getting into the new dirt and digging holes. Finn was really excited about the watering part. He wanted to run through hose and cool off.

Lets take a hike

Now that everyone's settled into school I'm enjoying some one on one time with Emme. I've also been trying to incorporate a little exercise into my mornings. Today Shannon, Lisa and I took a hike up Mt. Burdell. Emersyn was happy to ride in the backpack and fell asleep for the half the hike. Colin hung out in the stroller and Benjamin ran the trails. I got to enjoy some girl time and good exercise. I could get used to this!

a view from the top

Lisa, Shannon, Colin & Benjamin the dog

Race Track

Kenzie is the artist of the family and so imaginative. Today she drew a race track outside the house for her new game run rabbit run. Finn saw it as the perfect opportunity for some lap time.

Race Car Seat

The other day while I was cleaning the cover to Finn's car seat my little crazies decided to drag the seat in the living room and play (against Mommy's wishes). Unfortunately Finn got a hold of the Styrofoam backing and thought it would be fun to rip into little pieces. Upon discovery furious is a word that comes to mind! Not my happiest day of parenting. The first unlucky person to call my cell phone (sorry Lisa) got an earful. Luckily she's an MFT and is used to letting people talk it out. After a Mom's night out at the smoke house and a couple amaretto sours, we regrouped. I got online an ordered a new car seat which was delivered the next day. I so love the internet. We decided to go with red this time. Its flashy and perfect for my little speed demon. Finn saw it and said "That's my race car seat!" So fitting. Here's hoping this is the last car seat we have to buy.

its a good thing he's cute!

Fun around town

Novato is a great place to live with kids and there is always lots to do. Lately we've been going to our local frozen yogurt shop "Twisters", so tonight we decided to head downtown to the candy store and take Daddy for gelato. Powell's is a candy store on grant street that has all the candies we loved as a kid. Its like being in a Willy Wonka movie, and if that wasn't good enough recently they added gelato. Everyone enjoyed this, even Emersyn. After our frozen treat we took a walk down grant and headed for the playground. We made one small detour to visits some horses (Kenzie's request) and then rode the train to Rio. These are the kind of nights that make me look around and smile. It's so much fun being a part of the Malcolm Clan.

horse acrobatics

All Aboard!

Two Teeth!

Today Mackenzie lost her second tooth. It's a good thing the tooth fairy stocked up on gold one dollar coins. She's going to be one busy lady in the Malcolm household!