AWOL

Yes, we're still here.

No, we haven't fled the country

or won the lottery.

Nothing that exciting. We've just been busy. With life.

My 4-week summer vacation started about 10 days ago and since then I've been extremely limited in my computer time. It seems as soon as I sit down at the computer, a little girl crawls up on my lap asking for "baby, baby" Yes, she thinks the only thing a computer is good for is seeing pictures of babies. Of course it is quite useful for that and we've done lots of baby-looking - newborn babies like "Baby Cour-nee" and lots of other babies, too, including several who are bigger than she is, like "or-y". I guess they're not ALL babies to her, but that's still what she says when she wants to see her internet friends.

The other big change in our life that we're still adjusting to is preschool! He's certainly ready for more stimulation and interaction with kids his age and we decided this summer would be the time for him to get adjusted to school life. This being his 4th week, he's really getting used to how

everything works and Kate is adjusting to her days without her big brother as a constant companion. It seems as if up until this week we've always had at least one kid crying as we left school in the morning - the big one wanting to leave, the little one wanting to stay. However, this week has been much better so far. Let's hope it continues.This was Keanu on his first day of school. He really was happy and excited about it, but very nervous, too. Do you like the uniform? He insisted on the PE uniform even though they're only required to wear it one day a week. He figured it was his school clothes so he should wear it, right? He was also wearing his smock in this picture, which he really dislikes wearing now. I haven't figured out why tha one is, though.

So, although I'm on summer vacation, I'm still on the clock to get Keanu to school in the morning and then pick him up before he thinks we've forgotten about him. After school, we often swim or play tennis, so that leaves a very short evening at home. And so the rat-race begins for another of our species.