New School Year

So there are a variety of hysterical (funny and crazed) antics that have happened at the Harteveld house in the last two weeks -- but a particularly funny one happened this morning. At Ben's school, the kids aren't allowed to carry money. In order to purchase hot lunch, we must load his account with cash and then he carries a PIN to school to access the account at lunch. I made him a little slip of paper for his lunch box -- but of course, Master Ben recreated it as a fantastic rainbow colored card. This morning he was a bit stressed trying to remember where it was, and he suggested it might be in his "laundry museum" NO JOKE!!! - after laughing I realized that he might not understand the implications of referring to his clothes hamper as a museum -- as if I leave the clothes in there like ancient artifacts!!!

Summer Highlights

So....how did it become September? We have had a very exciting couple of months. I started a fantastic new job and Drew became a licensed private pilot.

The kids had wonderful summers -- and grew like weeds!!! Ben graduated from Kindergarten -- to date, our best school experience by far! He attended Drama camp this summer and was Michael in "Michael and Meaghan's Cat". His proficiency in swimming is really impressive!! In typical Ben fashion, he developed his own way to advance his swimming skills -- channeling different swimming beings - swim like a sea turtle (underwater breast stroke), swim like a dolphin (plunging into the water from the steps with a big arch in his back) and swim like a mermaid (stacking his ankles and kicking them up and down like a fin). And he lost half the teeth in his mouth.

Lolly started sleeping in a big girl bed -- without a hitch! She played her guitar and wrote songs about all of us. Her comfort in the water grew exponentially! She started out being incredibly hesitant about even getting her toes in the water, graduated to leaping off her grandparents dock to proudly dipping her forehead in the pool. She also rode her first pony -- a huge deal for a girl who is completely obsessed with horses.


Laughing in our new big girl bed


Admiring her new horse jewelry box




Kindergarten graduation

First Pony Ride

The Train Ride at the Zoo



Jumping off Pop Pop and Gigi's dock at the lake

Anticipation

Walking out to the ring with Chuckles

Learning to turn

Determination

Where am I?

A special visit to Gari Melcher's, a famous artist, studio. Very exciting for Ben, who is trying out a painting prop here.

Lolly was begging for a boat ride much of our visit to Virginia. She got one Daddy style

and Pop Pop style.

Ben's gorgeous toothless face

Visits from two of the Uncs



Lolly turned three at the Fire House

A field trip to the Central Park Zoo -- Lolly with her best bud Gavin.

Ben in one of his plays.

Lolly giving Ben flowers from the family, because we were all so proud of him!

The day she wore pony tails...sigh....

Sharing my IPOD to watch Ferdinand the Bull

Look out Sheryl Crow!

A carousal with a dragon!!

First Day of School

I was amazed she didn't fall over with this huge backpack!

Posing

After Daddy prodding to "Smile!"

Getting on the bus.