Belated September 2015

Thanks to kindergarten for requesting a family photo

So much is happening and there is no time to record any of it.  From looking through photographs, I can tell that in September:

First day of school

Ronan started kindergarten!  He made the transition very smoothly, and often tells me how many days he's been a kindergartner (especially if he is calendar helper for the week).  He loves the responsibility of kindergarten jobs, and looks forward to being line-leader.  He likes his fourth grade reading buddy, he is learning tons of new songs and poems, and on Spanish days he almost always greets me with "Mom: como estas?"  The year started with learning about caterpillars and watching them change into butterflies.  When Ro learned that I did not study caterpillars in kindergarten he had two reactions: first, perhaps I should go back to kindergarten!  Second, maybe if I get tired of studying voles I should study caterpillars next.  Honestly, I wouldn't mind going back to kindergarten in his class.  

Also in September, I started working on campus again.  It felt too soon, and I'm both lucky to be able to have a flexible schedule and spend some time at home, and unlucky my line of work and research lab doesn't allow any time to really be off.  My favorite days are my Fridays home with Orion when we go for long walks and hang out in cafes and I don't have to multitask (unless you count nap time computing).  

I turned in my tenure dossier, got two new graduate students up and running in my lab, and am teaching a seminar called "Behavioral epigenetics." David started going back to NYC once a week and we both learned how to handle two kids at once (especially tricky at bedtime).  Sleep and personal time remain elusive and seem directly in opposition.  On multiple occasions I have paid for childcare just to sleep (handing off Orion to our sitter and then catching up a bit), which I couldn't have imagined a few years ago but now seems just part of getting by! 

Orion started to reach and grab and laugh and probably lots of other stuff.  We enjoyed some late warm weather and got outside as much as possible.  Whew! September seems like a long time ago!

Quotes

Outdoor naps are the best

R [tears in his eyes]: Ow, I accidentally bit my own leg
A: Were you trying to bite something else?
R: No
A: Would you like a hug?
R: Yes

S: Can I have this [gold] coin?
R: Um, I don’t think so.
S: But I really, really want it.
R: Well, I don’t think you understand how playdates usually work.
S: But can I have it?

R: I think Orion is kind of cold.  I think he’s using some kind of goose technology.

R: You know what I might do when I'm older?  I might actually marry you or dad.