Photo Palooza

There's a handful of little stories and photos that I've been meaning to post, but since I'm short on time all the time I thought I would just post one hodge-podge update to get caught up and clear my memory cache.
First, Athena started at a new preschool. It's the one walking distance from our house, which happens to be the very best, and which we've been on the waiting list for nearly a year. My twice weekly phone calls and pleading emails to the director finally had an effect. Zoe is still waiting for a space, but Athena now happily goes three days a week, brings her lunchbox and backpack and already has a new best friend named Amelia. She is achingly big and independent these days.

With Athena in school, I spend lots of time with just these two little ones. We are all out of balance and miss our fourth wheel. It is really good to have the Zoe-Mommy time and bonding between Zoe and John Patrick, but I now realize how much of the day was driven by our Alpha child. Without her choosing the activities ("Mommy I want to color now!") and guiding the pretend play ("Zoe you're the Baby and I'm the Mommy!") we are left with a big, empty void.

On one of those long days without Athena, Zoe was put to work on some household chores. She did really well and was extremely focused priming and painting the guest bedroom bedside tables.

But, it gets pretty boring without Athena around. More and more Zoe gets left behind and doesn't get to do what Athena does (school, soccer, birthday parties). I'm finding things for Zoe to do that are just hers alone, but I worry that this new separation will have a negative effect on their close relationship. Mimi and I were raised like one child, growing up we were each others constant companions and always best friends, and I want that for my girls, but they also need to be individuals too, right? In other news, the little Dude can do this now.
Somehow Athena got behind on her shots. Before she started her new school, I had to take her to receive five shots. Zoe and John Patrick came along for the show. As the nurse stuck her five separate times, I held Athena down saying comforting words and trying not to cry myself as she wiggled and sobbed. It was a very dramatic moment. When it was all finished, Zoe, not to be left out, jumped up on the examination table and said "It's my turn now?" A couple of weeks ago, we went to visit Chris' Grandma. Nana spent a few hours loving all over a baby boy who looked very familiar to her. She agrees that he looks exactly like Chris did as a baby - "except cuter". That's got to hurt when you get sold out by your own Grandma.

Meanwhile, Aunt Jessica taught Zoe how to text and update
MySpace mood from a cell phone.

And can someone tell me why my sister takes such great photos with my babies and I have yet to take one with all three that I like? I love this picture, even with all the bedhead. Mimi is now living about an hour and half away, close enough for regular visits and sleepovers.

One morning last week, we set out for school and noticed it was a little bit colder than usual. I said "It looks like summer is almost over." Athena replied, "But, Mommy I still want to go on a picnic." Mimi was coming that weekend so I told that maybe we could do that when Mimi came to visit. Athena thought for a moment and then quietly said "Mimi makes the whole world warm."

Okay, that cleared out a few pictures and stories. There's still more, but this will have to do it for now.

P.S. Happy Birthday Ah Katie!