Schoolhouse Rock

Marianne started "school" on Monday, August 25! The Village Chapel has a Mother's Morning Out program on Monday and Wednesday mornings, and David and I thought this would be a good opportunity for Marianne to spend time with other kids her age, as well as work on our current separation anxiety issues. There are about five other kids in her class, as well as one teacher and two helpers. It's a darling classroom, and after she quit crying she ended up having a good time! On Monday, she cried for 20 minutes (and I was outside listening to it all!), and on Wednesday she cried for 30 seconds! She also cries when I come to pick her up...because she doesn't want to leave!

In the car ready to go to "school"...
Marianne with her "big girl" backpack...
See you later, Mama!
Marianne's art project on Monday...

Say "Uncle"!

Uncle Nate was in the States for a couple weeks, and we got to see him a couple times. Marianne often points to a picture of Nathan and Josh in her photo album and says, "Uncle" quite clearly. She hadn't seen Nate since April and enjoyed playing with him when he came to Pinehurst for a couple days. Right before he headed back to Germany, we met the family at Cracker Barrel in Greensboro. Marianne liked the rocking chairs outside, although her Dada wouldn't let her sit the Carolina-blue one!

Marianne and Uncle Nate...

Best Buds

Jean Marie and Kathryn came for a visit last week -- Jean Marie is far braver than I, traveling all the way from Idaho with a toddler! The girls (and moms) had a great time at the park and swimming pool. Kathryn impressed us with her ability to climb into the crib, her "please" and "thank you's", while Marianne took the gold medal in the eating competition. Here are some pics:

Kat and Marianne hanging out on the tire swing. Playing with the chimes...
Riding on the bouncy firetruck...
Jamal and Krissy...
Marianne's current preferred method of sliding:

Imagination Station

One of our new favorite places in town is "Imagination Station". It's a great place for kids to explore, learn, and play pretend. With a veterinarian's office, fire station, grocery store, kitchen, train, boat, hospital, teepee, costume and puppet area, and exercise room to play in, the time always goes by quickly. We've been visiting Imagination Station with our church play group this summer, and we've been a few other times as well.

Marianne's current favorite activity is the exercise room, because that's where the music is! She loves to dance and shake maracas, and she's started testing out the trampoline as well. She also loves to play in the hospital area because (surprise!) there are baby dolls to hold and feed. Marianne usually finds a little time to climb aboard the boat for a quick ride. The raft sits on a water bed, so I can bounce it and make "waves" for her. She's also become interested in the golf cart, and sits on it and honks the horn saying, "Beep! Toot!". Hmmm, a sign perhaps? :)

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

"Rain, rain, go away!

Come again another day!"

Well, not exactly! Marianne loved the rain! She hasn't seen much rain in her life, due to drought conditions for most of the year. I was impressed that she kept her hood on, although she kept looking up at the sky with her mouth open wide to catch raindrops!

We love our babies!

One of Marianne's very favorite toys is her baby doll, a birthday gift from her Grandpa Jake and Grandma Anna. She loves to put the baby in her high chair, cover the baby up with a blanket, and of course give the baby stroller rides. We picked up another baby (a much smaller baby doll) at the store one day, but as soon as we brought it home Minnie claimed it as her own! Marianne has gotten a big kick out of Minnie "playing" with her baby doll!

Here are some pictures of M and M "playing" with their baby dolls.... :) Minnie's favorite position:

More Beach Pics

Beach pics

On the pier at Ocean Isle Beach: Marianne loves to play in the surf!