Last Day of Freedom

Even though Jacob's first day of preschool was last week, tomorrow is the first full day and the start of his first regular schedule of school - every Tuesday and Wednesday for two and a half hours each day. Last week's first day was just an orientation type day for the kids where they were only there for an hour and fifteen minutes and the parents were all in the lobby getting to know each other.

I joke that today was our "last day of freedom" because it is the last day before we are officially a "scheduled" family. Making sure our kids get to bed at a certain time, having to take a bath that night and not in the morning if we didn't get to it, getting everything ready for the morning, etc.

What a wonderful day to end our "freedom"! It was amazing weather, the boys woke up early and we were able to get outside super early. We played with sidewalk chalk, drew a road for Jacob's cars, and camped out under the tree in the front yard for most of the morning. Around Joshua's morning nap time we ran real quick tot he bank and then to mail some things, and then we home within 15 minutes and headed to the backyard for some fun on the swing set. I love how Jacob and Joshua watch each other swing back and forth, we sing songs together, and both boys laugh so hard!

I pulled Joshua's high chair out on the deck and we had a picnic lunch. I love seeing the boys sitting together and just having a wonderful lunch together. I still can't believe I have both of my boys at this stage already where they interact together, and I can't wait to see how they play together when Joshua is actually walking! We just sat and laughed together, and I love hearing everything Jacob has to say and all of his questions about trying to figure out how the world works and how things are built and what animals do, etc.

After lunch and some more playing, we took naps. Jacob woke up a little early and came out and cuddled on the couch, asking me to rub his belly and his back and his head. I soaked it up, knowing he's not going to be at this stage forever!

We baked brownies and then headed outside to play in the sprinkler. Joshua usually really enjoys it, but wasn't really into it today. Jacob discovered a part in the grass that turned to mud and went to work splashing away in his little mud puddle, getting filthy! It was hilarious!

After the splashing, he played monster trucks while Joshua tried his hardest to climb up the trunk of the tree.

We headed inside for dinner, and then out to ride bikes and Joshua fell asleep in the stroller. Jacob just took his time on his bike tonight instead of pedaling so fast I can't keep up, so it was nice to listen to him singing songs while he rode along. Lately, he's been fascinated with the cactus around the corner, so he always rides down there to look and then we turn around and come back home.

My parents ended up coming down to help with bath time, which was so nice to be able to bathe both boys and not have to hurry. Bob is gone 4 nights a week, so bed time and bath time aren't quite as relaxing on those nights - I try my best, but sometimes we have to hurry the bath along a little more than other nights just because I'm the only one here.

I loved reading Jacob his books tonight, and then he read me one that he has memorized, and he went to sleep. I can't believe tomorrow morning we are really into full swing of preschool years and my little man is going to be Mr. Independent and making new friends and learning new things all on his own. I hope that he has such a wonderful time, and hope that I have prepared his as best as possible so he has a smooth transition and can really enjoy his time at preschool.