Making progress!

Today was Larkin's second day of school and she did much better today! She was really anxious at home all morning before we left and kept saying that she didn't want to go (actually she yelled, "NO!!! I'M NOT GOING!" at least 20 times). Once I finally chased her down and got her locked in the carseat, she emphatically said she would "not cry at all at school but will hide in the books."

Once we were at school she cried a little bit, but was so brave and walked into the class all by herself. She did have to stifle a few sobs and take a deep breath before entering, but she did it! Her teacher said she participated in almost everything and had a great day!

My camera batteries are dead right now so I don't have any new pics, but today while organizing some old photos I found this one of Larkin-at 9 months old...caught red handed shredding toilet paper!

First day of school

Larkin is taking a speech class that meets twice a week for 2 hrs a day. Today was her "first day of school" and she was so excited! She was dressed and ready to go about 2 hours before school even started, and could not wait to get there!

During snack before we left, Larkin and Willa had the following conversation.
Larkin: "Willa, I'm going to school. You stay home. I see you later!"
Willa: "I come with you!"
Larkin: "No, you not three. I three. I see you later!"
Willa: "I come with you!" and then lots of tears.

Larkin got up and hugged her and told her that she would be back soon. Wish I had my camera to capture that hug-it was priceless.



Once we arrived at school, Larkin was a little less than thrilled. The teachers pick the kids up in front of the school and they all walk in together. Larkin hid behind my leg and wouldn't talk to anyone. I knew then that we might be in for a battle! Willa and I ended up walking her to her classroom and the closer we got to it, the louder she cried. By the time we reached the room, she had what her teacher referred to as a "death grip" on me. I tried to get her started playing with some toys, but she just kept crying and telling me not to go. Finally I had to just pull her off of me and make a run for it! I felt terrible but had no choice!

For the first 20 minutes after we left Willa kept saying, "Poor Larkin! Larkin crying! Back soon!"
We ended up just coming home instead of running errands b/c I felt a little guilty about her crying so much! We did get the house pretty clean though and Willa enjoyed the one on one time.

Two hours later we came back to pick her up. She walked with her class out to the front and wasn't crying at all. Her teacher said that she spent the first half hour crying hysterically, and that after that she laid face down in the reading center and hid her face for the rest of the class (which help explain the bright red marks all over her face!). She even ended up falling asleep! The teacher would come by from time to time and ask her if she'd like to join them, and Larkin would always say, "No thank you."

Once we got home she said that she "missed Willa so much, but had fun at school." Not sure how much fun it was to cry and lay on the floor, but I'm glad she's at least open to the idea of going back!
:)

Rattlesnake

Here's a pic of what Joel found while cleaning out our garage--a 13 inch rattlesnake! It was hiding in the far corner right next to the garage door. Joel pulled it out of the corner with a broom and the snake struck at the broom a few times. Supposedly the babies are the most dangerous because they often release all of their venom into you. We had half the neighborhood watching while Joel and another neighbor made this snake go "night-night." We are now walking VERY carefully outside in case this guy has any siblings or a mama nearby!


And here's a pic of the girls outside on our bench. We may now start referring to Larkin's rain boots as snake boots!!

Larkin is three!

We celebrated Larkin's birthday this weekend at Cat-mama and Papa's house. We told Larkin we'd be going over to their house after naps, and as soon as she woke up she ran and told us, "Hurry up! I'm late for my party! I'm three! I'm three! I can't believe it! I'm three!"

The birthday girl in her new tu-tu.


Thanks for the magic candles, Grandpa Jerry! Larkin got to blow these out about 100 times!


Our party animal, Harley



Larkin with her new backpack! She starts school this week and is very excited. We checked out her classroom today and met her teacher, and she was close to tears when we had to leave--because she wanted to stay longer! Hopefully the first real day (this Wed) goes smoothly.

Papa had a gift for Willa too!

Larkin riding her new bike and chasing Willa. Willa had a few close calls but couldn't stop giggling--she loved being chased!

"Let's hide!"

Here's some pics of one of the girls' new favorite games. At least 20 times a day we hear them yell "Let's hide!" and then they always hide in the exact same spot (behind the recliner). They push it from behind to make it rock and let out small giggles as we search under the pillows, behind the TV, etc. to find them. I've run out of surprised expressions on my face and am trying desperately to get them to add a few new hiding spots, but no luck!!


Willa with her favorite Mr. Duck.


Don't see these girls anywhere!!

First bike!

Larkin got an early birthday present! We went to "look" at bikes for her to possibly get her one for her birthday, and she was so excited about it that we decided to just give it to her early. There were quite a few kid bikes in the bike shop, but she ran right for this one and kept squealing about the pretty "wibbons" and basket!

Willa wanted to sit on the bike too! Here's Larkin collecting flowers and putting them in her basket.


This morning we had a bagel picnic breakfast at the park and brought the bike along! She doesn't know how to brake yet, but she's learning pretty quickly!

playtime!

Our grocery store gives out free balloons, and the girls love to get them and "hang on tight!" Once we get home (sometimes the balloons do not make it that far--Willa has lost quite a few to the grocery ceiling!) they ask to have the strings cut short. They like it to be cut just barely out of their reach. Then they run around finding ways to grab their balloons-they've tried chairs, boxes, laundry baskets, and many other semi-dangerous things!! Today they used step-stools ("tep-tool") and Willa grabbed her car! Larkin likes to position her balloon a few feet away from the step-stool and try to jump and grab it in mid-air. Willa loves to tell you over and over again that she "can't reach! uh-oh!"


Here's a pic of the girls reading Harley some books. At first they were reading books together in Larkin's room, and then Larkin said, "Let's read to Harley!" and immediately both ran to find him. Larkin is "teaching Harley colors." She did have to wake him up a few times though because he dozed off! When Willa read, she kept saying "M-N-O-P." She can sing quite a bit of the alphabet song and it's really cute. I'm trying hard to get it on videotape but she is not cooperating when the camera is out!