LT's preschool is a cooperative. Co-ops generally have lower tuition but require significantly more direct involvement from parents. For example, just in the last week Kari and I have spent as much time at the school as LT has - Kari helped out in the classroom today and last weekend we all went as a family and cleaned the whole school (ok, it's basically a one room school house but it still took a couple hours).
I like the idea behind the co-op. The parent involvement not only help keeps costs down but also helps build a sense of community among the families and reinforces to the kids that education is something we value.
Unfortunately the nature of the time commitment required by a co-op means that, for the most part, the kids come from families with a stay at home parent which, in turn, sort of self selects a particular socioeconomic group to the school.
The last parent requirement of the co-op, which is fundraising, along with that socioeconomic situation is where it gets a little hard for me. I mean, it's a good and legitimate cause - his school is a licensed non-profit and I think you'd be hard pressed to argue that education, even the earliest years, isn't important. But it's certainly not a needy cause and I have a hard time asking people to contribute to a school where most of the families find themselves comfortably in the middle class.
All of that is a long way of saying that I'm not *asking* for anything but am letting all you loyal readers out there know that we are selling raffle tickets for LT's little school (we've even got a quota to fill!). If you'd like to buy a ticket or two, that's be wonderful and we'll be thankful, but I didn't want to put anyone in the position of feeling bad about saying no.
Lucky for me, Kari was the one in our family who did the hard work and managed to scrounge up some great donations for the raffle. She got a gift card to
Tenn Street, our local coffee shop,
a massage from her cousin Cierra who is amazing, and her mom knitted a couple of cute baby hats.
Other prizes include $1000, $500 and $250 cash as well as "restaurant and spa gift certificates, sports items, and a wide variety of goods and services from local merchants."
Tickets are $5 each and the raffle is on March 13th at Gumbo's downtown but you do NOT need to be present to win. Please let me know, if you'd like to get in on the action!
This kid clearly needs school but he doesn't have a job to pay for it yet.
Most of Adler's friends* are boys but few weeks ago Adler had a little girl, Erin, over for a play date. As you can see from the big grin on his face, he's a natural with the ladies and pretty happy about the coed company.
But sadly, like all men, he's easily distracted by toys and shiny objects.
This kid clearly needs school but he doesn't have a job to pay for it yet.
Adler carried the car all the way to the Market to meet my friend.
The cement truck was a hit because the middle part actually rolls. 
Adler eyeing what cars LT has. From the look on LTs face, you would think he was hording the cars from his brother, but LT loves sharing with Adler and "making him happy".
Baby Jonah and his brother Isaac. Jonah is just 2 weeks younger than Ads.
MC and Jonah. What a happy baby (and mama!)
Holden and Adler (yes, Holden is being held by me and Adler is being held by Brandy). I think they are starting to notice each other!
Brandy described Holden as just "melting" into you. There is no better way to describe this mellow baby. He melts into you. Such a snuggle buggle.
And then there is Adler. He literally tries to JUMP out of your arms!
LT chose Adler's spoon color (red) for the first food. He got out a special bowl for Adler and the cereal and helped me make it. Adler loved just being in the chair.
His face after the first bite. Not nearly as bad as LTs facial expression when he ate solids for the first time.
I guess I was too slow at feeding him because he grabbed the spoon and began feeding himself, pretty accurately too.
Wondering where all the food was and how to get some more.
Once again, these two boys are different. I think Adler ate more in his first sitting than LT ate the whole first month of giving him food.
Its a combination of elmers glue, water and borax. Its not messy, yet stretches and can be manipulated. It also is a wonderful tool for fine motor development of little fingers. For some reason, every kid I have met, loves playing with the stuff with jewels put in it. LT was no exception.
And after an hour of just jewels and gak he asked what else he could put in the stuff. We took out a car and that entertained him for another half hour before dinner.
I couldn't get him to look up, even for a second to take a picture.
First you have to roll out the dough. Each child had a rolling pin to use.
Sadie, pressing down the dough before rolling again.
Joe rolling his out nice and flat.
Ewan doing the same.
And then there is LT. Rather than using the rolling pin, he found a plow and decided that was a better tool to roll out the dough with. I can't argue with his thought process.
And the final product. A long oval shaped pizza with a little sauce, a little cheese and a mountain of mushrooms, tomatoes and basil piled on one side. It was one of the tastier pizzas I have ever had.
Its his bottom right, although just this morning we found his second one, bottom left. The kid isn't even 5 months yet.
Playing on the floor together.
One of my favorite times of day is when the boys first wake up. Adler usually wakes up before LT. When we hear LT, we head into his bed and the boys love just playing together on LTs bed for a few minutes. One of the first things out of LTs mouth each morning is, "Where is Adyar? I need to give him a hug and a kiss". I love seeing them smile and laugh together.
Using his arms as best he can to push his body up and out.
Trying the other direction, maybe this way will work better.
Taking a rest and devising a new plan to get out of it.
