Sunday, waiting for Ikea to open...

About to go in and buy Noah a Big Boy bed!

Noah's Birthday Present is DONE!

Patrick and I had decided that, if we had the opportunity, we'd love to be able to get Noah a really nice play set for his 4th birthday. Well, we both worked very hard, I had some unexpected closings, and we were able to do it.

We SO APPRECIATE everyone who contributed to this amazing gift, and I'm sure you can see, Noah really, really enjoyed his birthday present!

We had hoped that he'd be able to play on it ON his birthday, but as it took 2 professional builders close to 16 hours to put it up, I guess it's good that he was able to play on it as soon as this weekend!

Again, thank you so much to everyone who went in with us on this amazing gift--it may be a once-in-a-lifetime gift, and I really think that it'll be something that he remembers for a long, long time!

Enjoy the pictures!

Yeah, it's big...the tower is 3 stories high (not FULL stories, but kid-sized, and still pretty darn tall. You can absolutely see it over our privacy fence!)


Noah climbing down from the 2nd level to the 1st level. The slide & rock wall are behind him, they are attached at the 2nd level. Behind the slide is the ladder leading up to the 3rd level. It's pretty amazing, and yes, I've been all around on it, and that sucker is sturdy!


Noah on the 3rd level.



Noah on the dual-swing. You can either swing by yourself, or have a friend swing with you facing the opposite direction.


I see you! Noah promptly removed the telescope from its perch and brought it down with him. There's also a steering wheel on the 3rd level. Hopefully he won't figure out how to remove THAT, too.



Checking out the telescope. Probably trying to figure out how to completely take it apart.


Noah wanted to take his Tonka truck on the play set. He pretty much got it on the first level by himself. Needed help getting it to the second level, and then I was suckered into carrying it to the 3rd level. We played up there for awhile, then he decided that the Tonka truck needed to go down the slide. Which it did. Luckily, both the slide and the Tonka truck are just fine. And FYI--the slide is pretty fun!

Again, our many, many thanks to everyone who helped with this!

Our love to all!

Bithday fun and First Day of School!

Our birthday boy! I can't believe he's 4...


First day of Montessori School! Even though he's just doing their Summer Camp, it's Monday through Friday (his previous school was Mon - Thurs), and drop off is 7:30 - 8:30 and pick up is 2:30... So, not only is he going one more day than he had been, it's potentially 3 hours more than he's used to. Hey, it's just like REAL SCHOOL!!!!

Noah did great this morning--a little scared, but he did a great job. The Director called us after he'd been in class and told us that once he got in the classroom, he was fine. She also sent us an e-mail update to let us know that he was really enjoying Art class, so we know that Noah's going to have a great time.

Mommy & Daddy? Well....it was a little harder for us, and yes, I cried a little. We know that he'll love this environment, and we know that it's good to be challenged and to try new things, even though they scare us. Still, that doesn't mean that Mommy can't be a little sad!

(And our thanks to Aunt Rachel for the stylin' shirt & shorts he's wearing on his first day!)

I'm so proud...

(It's a green crayon.)