NYC trip

Last week I took the kids to NYC to visit my parents. This was Andrew's first trip to the Big Apple and he was pretty indifferent to it all! Amelia was able to enjoy some aspects of NY for the first time, though, including the Statue of Liberty (seen from the Staten Island Ferry), the Central Park Carousel, and an off-Broadway show (the Gazillion Bubble Show...exactly what it sounds like). She also had fun playing on the playground outside Nana and Pops' apartment building, riding on the bus and subway, and visiting American Girl Place (an early birthday present). Andrew celebrated his 7-month birthday in NY! He is well on his way to crawling; it'll happen any day now. He can also sit himself up from laying down, so it's time to lower the crib mattress. He is a very curious boy and so much fun! Below are some pictures from our trip.

Amelia and Pops ride the carousel

Andrew's first subway ride

7 months old...with the Statue of Liberty in the background (very small, over Nana's shoulder)

We enjoyed a tea party on Nana and Pops' patio with tea and kolaches that Amelia helped make.

Amelia loved the tea party!

Back to School

Amelia's first day of Pre-KThis week Amelia moved up into the Pre-Kindergarten class at her school. I feel old. I can't believe she's already in Pre-K! She is very excited about her new class and teacher. She knows Ms. Vicky (she's seen her around school before) and almost all the kids in her class were also in her Preschool class at some point, so it's nice that there's not a ton of new stuff all at once. Anyway, the classroom activities are all much more school-prep-oriented than last year's, so it'll be fun to watch her learn. We are almost positive that we won't put her in kindergarten next year (she'll turn 5 on Nov. 15, 2009 and to enroll in kindergarten here, you have to be 5 by Dec. 1, so we could start her next year if we wanted), but it's still hard to believe the school years are already upon us. Those of you out there: what's your opinion on the age deadline? What do you see as the pros and cons of starting her in kindergarten next year or waiting a year? I've heard several people's opinions both ways, but I'm always interested to hear people's reasons. Thanks!