Svea's first day of preschool! (and a tooth drama)

Svea was up extra-early this morning. Preschool today!

She requested Chocolate Malt-O-Meal for her special breakfast. Usually she doesn't wear a bib anymore, but you know . . . Malt-O-Meal . . . it kind of ends ups everywhere.

Everyone was happy with Svea's breakfast choice.

We're just starting the preschool year off right.

Always our little gift-giver, Svea was prepared with gifts for her teacher (bunny stickers and a flower - her teacher was delighted). She had a great first day of school and can't wait until Thursday!

To simplify things I packed a lunch and we ate at the church after preschool. (We love destination lunches.) She regaled us with stories of her first day and showed us the pictures she colored and told us what she did. It was so much fun!

But maybe you noticed that Viggo is with us. And that he doesn't look too happy.

On Sunday, he told us his tooth hurt. Nate took a close look at it and the tooth had been completely broken off. We have no idea why or when this happened. "Did you hit your mouth on something? Did you bite something hard and did your tooth feel funny?" He had no idea. Oh you know, it's just a broken tooth . . . no big deal.

So while I was at a meeting at the church, while Svea was in preschool, I got a call from Nate, who had just left the dentist with Viggo. The dentist visit that morning was memorable. We had been anticipating that they would cap Viggo's tooth. Not only did they pull the broken tooth out, but they pulled out the canine on the other side as well to make room in his mouth because things were getting pretty crowded in there. They'll grow in eventually - they were both baby teeth.

Nate told me over the phone that the laughing gas they gave Viggo had quite an effect on him. Not only did Viggo giggle hysterically while his teeth were extracted - the dentists assured Nate this was a first; never have they seen a patient so full of glee while his teeth were being pulled - but the gas was taking a while to wear off. Nate told me, "Well, he's still a little loopy from the gas. He's been running around the house . . . and he's honking his nose."

Viggo was in no condition to be in public. So Nate dropped him off at the church and I brought everyone home after preschool - but first we stopped at the grocery store and bought a three-day supply of yogurt, ice cream, jell-o, and pudding for the V-man.

Here is Viggo attempting to smile. He was still a little numb for this picture.

If you're the tooth fairy and you're reading this, I think you'd better stop by the bank tonight. Hint hint.

Svea's open house, geese, tiny Japanese animal forks, etc.

Svea is going to preschool! She starts next week and she is so excited. We went to the open house last night and she was immediately drawn to a large bin that had green shredded paper and plastic bugs in it.

Why she was so attracted to this is beyond me. The dollhouse, the train, the pretend washing machine and dryer . . . none of those held a candle to the bug bin. Butterflies are the only insects that don't provoke a screaming session in Svea. Even gnats frighten her. But here she is playing with bugs . . . ?

Viggo and Elin were equally enthralled with the bug bin.

After the open house we headed to Toys -R-Us, which I have to admit, I really don't like that place. We were in there earlier this week scoping out some birthday gift ideas and these little Playmobil packets caught Svea's eye. For $2.99, you get a packet with one of ten possible figures inside. It could be a princess figure. It could be a skier. It could be a mermaid. It could be a punk-rocker Robin Hood gal with a gun. Well, we went home that day and Svea counted her money. She was about a dollar short. The next day she volunteered for many chores and earned some money. Viggo found out about this and was eager to see what the Playmobil mystery packet person thing was all about, so he donated some pennies. A few hours later, possibly desperate to get to Toys-R-Us, he gave Svea even more cash, so she made it up to $3.00. She paid the cashier in mostly nickels and pennies, which Nate painstakingly counted out.

Of course while we were there, Viggo accidentally tripped over Svea's newly healed leg, causing Svea to cry out in agony and Nate and I's hearts stopped beating for a moment until we were convinced she was actually okay.

While we were there, Viggo surprised Elin and bought her a Playmobil mystery packet person with his own money: "I don't want her to feel left out, Mom." He had enough to buy something for himself but the only thing he purchased was Elin's own toy. What a guy!

We came home and said everyone had to be in their pj's before the packet people were opened. Well, heaven was shining down on us and both girls got seasonally-themed princesses, complete with cute dresses, wands, crowns, a dove, the works. Thank. Goodness. The thought of somebody getting the Robin Hood punk rocker/vandal/ riff-raff gal was a little worrisome.

Elin slept with her little winter princess next to her bed.

Svea was completely delighted with her spring princess.

New toys are so exciting - especially when you earn the money and work hard for it! (And when you receive handouts from your generous big brother :)

In other news, two dozen geese visited our backyard this morning. Viggo went out on the deck to take photos. This has been happening daily for some time now, but today, Viggo wanted some pics. When he went out on the deck, the geese all started going . . . away.

The girls were thrilled. When there are geese around, it is a really big deal and was major entertainment this morning.

And other breaking news: I bought these little Japanese animal fork picks from Amazon.com. I thought they would just make lunch around here a little more interesting. For $4 I figured it was worth the risk of the investment to see what little people around here would think of them. So they came in the mail today.

They were a hit!

I buttered bread and cubed it and cut up canteloupe into very small pieces. Svea and Elin carefully ate everything with their little bears and kitties.

How cute are these. They are very, very small. They are small enough to all fit on Svea's hand. Elin has visited the drawer in the kitchen several times, where they now live, to check on them. I'm sorry to report the giraffe is sad, but all the other little animals have cheerful expressions. If you have a picky eater in your life, I would highly recommend these. There are 3 of each design so you get 15. No, Amazon is not paying for me to tell you this (but they ought to). I just think they're such a hoot!

Back to school!

Early this morning somebody was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

I'm sad to say the end of summer actually happened and the V-man had to head back to school.

I surprised Viggo with Dinosaur Egg fruit for breakfast. Viggo loved it! (They taste like plums.)

New backpack. New shoes. New haircut. New markers. New pencils. New folders. Ready for a new school year.

I'm not sure when Viggo got so big . . . must have been when I blinked.