Sunday, October 3, 2010

Casey's Big Month

This is old news now, but Casey turned 4 a month ago! I know there was no record of the occasion on the web site, but we really did celebrate his birthday. It has taken until now to mention it because I am a horrible mother who secretly doesn't want any of the kids' grandparents to see their cute faces. No, actually it was just a really busy month. I happened to mention to one of my former colleagues that I was between freelance projects, and I guess word got around that I was free, because a bunch of the editors suddenly started sending me work. I probably took on more than I should have, but it's hard to say no to people when they want to pay you money for doing something you enjoy. Chris had a busy month at work too, and on top of that there was a flurry of doctor and dentist appointments, so a few things like the web site fell temporarily to the wayside.

So, back on Casey's birthday, our plan was to have a picnic at the beach and enjoy one of the last gorgeous hot days of summer. But there was some sort of massive bicycling event that was closing off roads all over downtown Madison, and we could not for the life of us get to the beach. So we settled for a park on a different part of Lake Monona that didn't have a beach. It had a playground, and the kids had fun poking around the shoreline.


Later that day Casey was super excited to open his presents. This was his reaction when he came down the stairs and turned the corner.
He's going through a big pirate phase lately, so Darby gave him a pirate hat. Aunt Susan sent a pirate costume, and he wears that a lot these days, but I'll wait to post a photo of the whole getup until Halloween.
The basketball hoop is new too, from Great Grandma and Pap. We'll probably put it outside next spring, but for now it's in the family room and the boys have been having a lot of fun with it. We can adjust the height as they get taller, but for now it's short enough that Darby can practically dunk.
This is the new aircraft carrier. Casey and Darby were playing so sweetly together here until Darby started a squabble by trying to run off with the mast. That's been a recurring conflict ever since.
Great Grandma and Pap made sure Darby a new toy too so that he didn't feel left out. He loves scribbling on his new aquadoodle, and I love it because he can be artistic without any mess.
Casey's getting more wind power as he gets older. He blew out all four candles by himself this year.
This pirate ship took hours to put together, but it's crazy awesome fun now that it's finished. It's one of Casey's favorite toys now.

Starting Preschool
Casey turned 4 just in the nick of time for the school year, so two days after his birthday, he started the pre-k program at St. Francis Xavier School in Cross Plains. Back-to-school night was actually on his birthday. He goes three afternoons a week, and he loves it. He was pretty nervous the first day, but now he looks forward to it and doesn't even look back when I drop him off. I barely have time to say goodbye before he's disappeared through the door. Forget my chances of getting a goodbye hug! He has already brought home some cute art projects. I'll try to scan a few and post them soon.

Here he is on his first day of school, looking all grown-up with his backpack:

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