Pre-K

Ruby just finished day 3 of preschool, and I have to say there is nothing I enjoy more than hearing Ruby recap her day as we walk home. Who she sat by, what they ate for breakfast, what she learned, and a wide variety of Ruby observations. Yesterday (Sunday) she told me it was hard not having school for two days, and this morning she was dressed and ready (with backpack on) a good 45 minutes before we needed to leave. And to top it all off, she is required to wear a uniform which is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. Her love for school won't last forever, so I'm going to enjoy this excitement for all it's worth.

Here are the pictures of her first day, and a little sideways video to illustrate her enthusiasm.

The Learning Continues

Today at diving lessons they started teaching Cecilia how to do back-flips off the board. It was pretty fun to watch, and she was a real trooper about the belly-flops. Only two lessons left!

Dive Right In!

Many of you know that Cecilia recently started springboard diving lessons and that I'm probably more excited than she is about them (though, she's pretty excited, too). I'm absolutely astonished by what she has learned in four short lessons, and also a little embarrassed about how proud I am of her accomplishments. But since this is our blog about our girls, I figure it's an okay place to brag. So there. (Can you imagine what will happen when she makes it to the Olympics? My head might just explode!) With that disclaimer, here are a couple little clips of Cecilia at diving class, Day 3:

Happy Birthday to Uncle Alex

I have no idea why they're hugging like that, but whatever -- you get the idea.

Preschool Gradulation.

a Cat On A Cold Shingle Roof.

Some of you have heard by now about our big adventure yesterday. I'll let Cici tell the story.

Bowl Me Over

Auntie Sarah came over for a visit on Monday and we took the girls bowling (with bumpers, of course). It was only the second time bowling for both of them, and all things considered they did pretty well. I managed to get some fun action shots as well as some video of both Cecilia and Ruby:

Auntie Sarah came out on top score-wise, but a great time was had by all!

Community Video.

This is a video Cici made for her school, for a project about her community.

Splash!

We spent last Sunday at Uncle Jason's pool enjoying the last weekend of summer. Here's some video of the girls in action... (note: Ruby is doing her "special dive")

Ruby Sings "Cici's Song."

Here's a great video of Ruby singing a song about her sister. The sound quality's not the greatest, but you'll get the idea. And no, she doesn't actually know what "making love" means yet, thank goodness. . . .

Ruby Music.

Don't tell Cici, but I get the sense Ruby is going to be our more musical child. These are two nice examples of her talents in this area. The first is an original composition of hers we call "The Hamburger Song"; the lyrics (in case you have trouble understanding them) are just "I want a hamburger" over and over again.

And here she is singing "Home Boys Home," a bawdy song of the sea the verses of which involve hanky-panky between a comely young waitress and a sailor on shore leave (hi, Alex). The chorus is clean enough, though; the words Ruby is attempting are:

Home, boys, home! [clap twice]
Home I'd like to be
Home for a while in my own country
Where the oak and the ash and the bonnie rowan tree
Are all a-growin' green in the north country

Please Hold Your Appliance.

Here is some video I took just this morning at Cecilia's "Author's Tea." The parents were invited to watch as all the children from her class came up and each read two poems. She was very excited that she got to give the welcome, and we were very impressed with her two poems.

(Sorry the video quality isn't that great, but until we get an actual video camera it will have to suffice.)