The Ploehn Reunion Effect

A long hot day with no nap. And not much sleep the night before (hotel with his sister). This is a child that NEVER sleeps in the car.

First day of school!

Michael is officially a student. Of Harper College, no less. That is where his new preschool is and today was his first day! It was all very exciting, especially since he thought Mommy was going with him. There is no doubt he was a little disappointed to find that I was gone when they came in from outside play time. There were no tears shed (I spied on him from the secret "observation room") from either of us. Miss Fran reported that he did very well the whole time. Luckily his friends Michael and Bobby were also there. He did nearly cry when I came to get him...he flew into my arms and did not let go for at least three full minutes. I loved all three.

Yuckin' it up with Papa Mike

Megan is reading Papa the FUNNIEST book!

Hideout

Megan discovered Michaels’ color table...though she prefers to be under it. And of course throwing in the tupperware lids makes the place totally irresistable.

New capital for Minnesota

Michael got a new placemat with a map of the US on it. He's been having fun pointing to and receiving names for all of the states. We've been teaching him the capitals of states that he knows someone in and tonight we were asking him the ones he knows (or that we thought he knows). We asked for the capital of Minnesota and he came back with "St. Prior Lake."

Can you lay off the camera?

For one meal, at least, daddy?!

Michael and Michael Part II

Here they are again...this time "coupled up like boxcars" reading a book about trains.

You whistlin' at ME?

Because you should be.

She's in for it...

A lifetime of disappointment, that is. Dan is already drilling the Cub fanaticism into Megan. I have tried and tried to explain to her that she cannot attach her happiness to a team that can't get the job done, but he insists that it will build her character. I take no responsibility for any result of this brainwashing.

MACK!!!

So I've been telling Michael that they "don't make" Mack the truck (a "Cars" character) in a toy, out of the sheer desire to not have another thing in my house. However, for his birthday, his friend Michael S. gave him, you guessed it, MACK! You can see the glee on his face as he plays with it for the first time. He still freaks out if Megan touches it and it has become one of toys that we have to put away for "safe keeping" before play dates.

Michael: A Three Year Old!

So Michael decided that he wanted an "Art Party" for his birthday. I spent approximately 100 dollars on art supplies and made T-shirt smocks and art bucket take-homes for each kid. We decided to set up the swimming pool for the mommies to cool their feet in and all painting was forgotten. It turned into a pool party in a hurry. They did have fun, though and that's all that matters, right? Even after they insisted on cracking open each and every bottle that I bought, ensuring the unreturnability of each item, I still feel like it was a successful party. But if any of you feel like painting, come on over. We have enough posterboard to shingle a house. And then we can paint it. With glitter, even.

Ol' Blue Eyes

Mmmm. She is cute enough to just EAT.