Kindergarten!
It's hard to even believe that our little Mac is now, officially, a kindergartener. And she is loving it! Here's a pic of the fam on her first day (sorry for the backlighting). I'm grateful for this picture, because we look calm and happy. The 'first day dropoff' at her new school was possibly the most stressful event I've lived through, and that's saying something. I couldn't even get a picture once we were at the school because things were so chaotic. Arriving late, among hundreds of parents and nervous/excited kids, no idea where we were going, having to park illegally and bolt across traffic, and Mackay having a small panic attack while I wrenched her off my leg once we got to her class.
I'm pleased to say that this morning (Day 3, mind you) we managed to actually get her to her classroom ahead of time.
Owen is now in his second year at preschool. He thinks school is the best thing ever, which makes mornings so much easier. I've heard horror stories from parents whose kids didn't like school.
The kids are both thriving -- taking swimming and karate in their spare time. Mackay is a natural swimmer, and the biggest challenge her swim teacher has is trying to give her instructions, since Mackay's head is always under the water. Owen also loves the water, and has already learned to swim. Despite this, he insists on wearing water wings when we go to the lake or the Tahoe pool. 'I can only swim in indoor pools,' says he. (His swim school pool is indoors.)
I'm continually surprised at our kids personalities and how well they are learning to grasp the nuances of language. I told Owen he was cute as a bug's ear the other day, and he responded 'Mommy, bugs don't have ears. They have antennae.'
On the health front, I'm happy to report everyone is doing great. Owen's last cardiology checkup went extraordinarily well. The areas they had been concerned with in his heart seem to be growing on their own, and all his blood pressures and pulses are normal. It doesn't mean he won't have to have another surgery at some point, but for the moment, he looks great. Bill also has made it through his two year post-chemo checkup, and is still in remission, a great and statistically important milestone.
Happy Fall!
