What can happen in a week?

1. Cute kids can make a sign
We brought Lincoln home from the hospital last Sunday. Jonah thought that we should put a sign out to let the world know that Lincoln had been born. All by himself, he made this sign "Babey was born." With Micah's help, he and Kate taped it to some sticks, dug holes, and put it out in the front yard. Jonah was hoping that it would make people stop by and bring presents. I thought it was pretty cute.

2. Baby can get his first bath

How many adults does it take to give a 4 day old baby a bath? One dad to handle the washcloth, one grandma to make sure the baby doesn't get injured, and one mom to videotape and photograph. Needless to say that Lincoln was

much happier AFTER the bath.

3. Jonah can have his first day of school

Jonah started preschool on Tuesday. This is his first year at a real school--last year I did a Joy School with some friends in our homes. He was a little bit nervous, even though we had already gone and met his teacher and seen his classroom. Always a little bit slow-to-warm-up, he needed his monkey to come along in the car with him. I was able to take him myself (without the other kids), but Micah had court so I had to go it alone. When I went to say good-bye he started crying, but his teacher assured me he'd be okay. I stood outside, watching through the one-way mirror, tears streaming down my face. I knew he'd be okay, but this was my baby going to school for reals! (Hopefully kindergarten will be a little easier considering I won't have just given birth a few days before). Thankfully Jonah has a little friend in his class from our playgroup, and her mom provided much needed moral support for me (thanks, Julie!) After that first day, Jonah told his teacher that "tomorrow will be better. I just get nervous with new things." The second day brought tears at the beginning, but he got over them quickly and had a great time. I'm confident that in no time he'll be waving goodbye to me without a backwards glance.

4. Kate can get more girly

Is it possible?, some may ask. Well, its been over the past few weeks, actually. We took the kids to see a local youth theater production of Beauty and the Beast. Ever since then Kate has been obsessed with Belle, the Beast, Gaston, and "spinning around in a pretty yellow dress." (The family has to re-enact the movie over and over again). She's taken to dressing up in her princess costumes when we go out, and she wears her crowns, jewerly, etc, all day long--sometimes more appropriately than others (see pictures below). She spins around the house all day. She only wants to wear "pretty dresses" (no shorts, t-shirts--it's even hard to convince her to wear a skirt). And lately she's been telling us that she is going to dance class so she can be a ballerina. And of course, her maternal instincts are in full force with a new baby around--she changes her dolls' diapers and takes as good of care of them as Mom does of Lincoln. Today she told me, "I can get married when I'm three." We're not ready for that super-girly event just yet.

5. Our fish can become suicidal

Unfortunately, we did have one serious issue arise this week. This morning after feeding Lincoln I noticed a weird thing under the table. Thinking it was a piece of food, I went to pick it up and realized that it was actually Splash, our beta fish! I quickly picked him up and put him back in his bowl, and miraculously he is still alive. I have no idea how long he was out of the water. Now tell me, is life so bad that he had to leap out of his bowl in an effort to end it all? Splash, I beg you--I know that things can't be all that interesting in that little bowl, but the kids will be really sad if have to hold your memorial service anytime too soon.

And finally...

6. We can catch OLYMPIC FEVER!!!!

Let's just say, for the next 2 weeks, we are all about Team USA. (And weren't the Opening Ceremonies amazing?) We just have to keep reminding Jonah that USA can't win everything. His favorites so far: Michael Phelps swimming, and watching rowing. He even made flags to wave in support--one American flag and one Olympic flag.