First Day of School Outtakes

We'll be back tomorrow with the real pictures!

First Bank Account

You know those days when you think, you can't even make this stuff up? This was one of those days. Chris' piggy bank is very full. He somehow manages to stuff a penny here and there in it, but that poor piggy is popping at the seams. I got wrappers to count all of it up and take it the bank. That was at least 6 months ago, and let's be honest, that's just not going to happen.

A bank has been being built close to us that has a change counter, so I've been telling Chris we'll take his money there. Saturday was the opening day, and boy was he excited. I decided just to open up an account for him, considering we have a lot of years of loose change to count. I didn't realize how big their grand opening celebration would be. There were people lined up a whole block before the bank to greet us and give little kids tons of loot. Chris walked away with a yo yo, an eraser, 2 frisbees, a coloring book and crayons. When we went in the bank everyone there stood and applauded. I kid you not. There were at least 25 people there to give Chris a standing ovation. So here he is, thinking every time you open up a bank account people give you free junk and clap for you. We walk to the back and I go to get out my folder of important papers. I look all throughout my bag. Can't find them anywhere. Yes, I left them on the table at home. I take a deep breath and tell Chris we're going to have to come back. He obviously has no clue what a social security card is for, and tells me we can open it anyway. The banker and I try to break it to him gently that it's just not going to happen. So what's a four year old going to do? Freak out? Yes, of course. So there I am, about 2 minutes later, pushing Bryce and dragging Chris through the same group of people who had just given us the ovation. Rejected.

Don't worry! We survived and Chris recovered quickly. We went home and waited for Conan to get home from the dentist. He got home and looked like he had just taken a shower. Outside. Bryce laughed hysterically at him when he came in dripping wet. We had an unexpected downpour, of course.

Once it stopped raining we tried again. This time we had Dad, and things went much more smoothly. The bank mascot greeted us. Bryce was a little terrified by this crazy guy.

Here's the random guy making balloon animals for all of the customers.

Chris was very excited to have a bank account of his own. Such a big kid!

I just don't want to have to be the one to tell him the vendor passing out free hot dogs and pretzels as we left won't be there next time we take his piggy bank in!

Last Day Before the First Day

Chris starts school on Monday. All day. I'm trying not to get too emotional over it, it's only Pre-K, but this really does seem like the beginning of real school. Forever. I think it will be good for everyone. Chris knows almost everyone in his class, and I think he'll learn lots. Bryce spent a lot of his first year in the stroller being hauled back and forth. I'm excited to have some one on one time with Bryce that lasts longer than a few minutes before we have to go back to pick Chris up. It's still hard to think that my little guy is going to be in school full time from now on until he leaves for college. Okay, I promise, that's the last of my drama! Kindergarten will be a breeze for us next year : ).

We had a fun day to celebrate our last weekday of summer! We took the East River ferry to the Brooklyn Bridge park this morning. Here's a good ferry shot. Are my boys actually getting easier to take pictures of? I think they might be. It wasn't completely impossible to get the two of them smiling here. Crossing my fingers for an easier Christmas card pic this year!










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Maybe not, I forgot how not easy this picture was.  It was such a perfect backdrop, and the boys would not even look at the camera in unison. That is until they discovered how fun it was to throw gravel at Mom. I clicked this right as I was about to run away.

The best part of the park? The new carousel! Everyone was very excited. We rode it twice, but I think Chris could have ridden it all day. Before they let us on we had to wait for what looked like a marching band to finish practice playing while riding. Seriously. I think they were either practicing for a concert or a music video? No idea, but it was very entertaining to watch them play their instrument and ride around on the carousel. The boys were not amused. They were itching for some horse time.

Here's Bryce!

I rode on it too once it started. Couldn't let the boys have all the fun!

Bryce fell asleep as soon as the ride was over, so we got some good Mom and Chris time in. 

PB & J for lunch (that would actually be sunflower seed butter, we're practicing for our nut free school next year).

Ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream. I'm usually not an ice cream connoisseur, but man was that good.

Turtle at the playground!

Happy last day of summer, little guy! You are going to be an amazing Pre-Kindergartener! We love you!