First Day of Preschool

Maddie had her first day of preschool in Mr. Sellke's 4 year old class! This was the teacher Marin had last year when she was 4, so this was a BIG bonus for my timid little girl. She had a great day, and was brimming with confidence, since she already was so familiar with everything that happens in this class. She came home with a wide smile, and already bubbling about a new friend she made. Also unlike last year, she was chatting up the entire office staff, as well as the 3 year old teachers (we had to go visit our old teachers after class was over!)... what a difference a year makes :)

Side note: I find it hysterical that both girls chose their red/white dresses as "first day of class" choices. If you even knew how many different dresses these girls own, you would understand what I'm saying. They just really REALLY like to match. Ironically, Marin's first day was last Thursday, and Maddie's was today (Tuesday), so the matching even crossed time boundaries. And yes, they basically choose all their own clothes now. I give creative suggestions when I'm allowed :) I got each one of them a little hanging shoe cubby for their closet, and "we" choose their entire week's worth of outfits over the weekend & stuff the cubbies with all necessary accessories & parts of the outfit. It makes the morning routine much smoother, since there are no discussions about weather concerns & debating if that red dress matches those pink leggings (or not). We are four days into the school year, but so far so good :)

First Day of Kindergarten

The time has come, a huge milestone - our first child entering kindergarten! She was so excited, and loved her first day. I asked her "tell me all the things you loved", and she listed many, many things. Then she paused, said "Mom there was ONE thing that worried me a little though." I braced myself... then she said "it worries me that you won't let me ride the bus"... ha! Please, I figured I would at least drive her the first week or two, while we got used to everything... but Little Miss had other ideas in mind, so we are officially riding the bus full time (except for preschool days when we have to go pick up Maddie)... she loves it! This is where Mommy has to breathe. My outgoing, self confident, first-born is racing forward into new adventures with no concern! I'm glad she loves it :) Little did she know that I grilled the office staff for every last tiny detail of how she will be getting into her classroom once she gets off the bus, because I can't stomach the idea of her just "figuring it out" as a 5 year old in a new, big school. Thankfully there is a very specific system, and she is going to be just fine :) First time school mommy, loud and proud! :) Go school! I'm loving it.

A little pastry break after kindergarten drop off, and before Maddie's preschool open house.

After school, waiting for Marin to get home on the bus. Max must be calling the officials to find out where she is :)

There she is!! Her bus is here!!

 Next morning ~ waiting to take the bus to school. Racing ahead of the pack at the bus stop, first one on... Excited much? :)

The Fishin' Hole

It's Labor Day weekend, and the fall is coming fast. So we took a spontaneous trip to our favorite fishing hole for one last hurrah before we start school this week! The catching was good, however for some reason we always seem to catch more than the other people there. We always get the questions like "which spot were you at?", "what bait did you use?"... it's just worms & sunshine people, nothing fancy going on there. Aaaannnnd, now we have to (I mean "get to") eat it :)

Matchy Matchy

Who says kids are the only ones who can match in our family? Max with his beautiful matching Auntie... He is protesting the camera, but we caught him anyway :)

 

Farewell Grandpa

My beloved Grandpa Morry passed away last week. He passed from this life (98 years) into Heaven, and I loved him so much. He was the funniest, warmest, most accepting person I've ever known. He always thought his grandkids were the most amazing human beings alive. For example, at my younger sister's highschool graduation, I was sitting next to him in the audience. A young girl from Jessica's graduating class was in the middle of singing a very nice song, and Grandpa totally bellows out (in his trademark booming voice) says "Lis, what is this? You can sing way better then her". He was not joking, not even a little. Which is mostly so funny because I am not a good singer at all. I can hold a tune, but I am not gifted with song. But Grandpa thought I was the best thing since sliced bread, since I always sung along with his ukelele songs.  I was counting the SECONDS til I could race to grab my sister to tell her what Grandpa did, it was so hilarious. I loved him, and I'm so happy he is with his precious wife & Jesus together at last. Here's our wedding picture, with all four of my grandparents. My grandparents who are now in Heaven are the ones standing on my side.

 

We traveled north for the funeral this week, and it so happened it was the week before my parents move out of our childhood home. So one last chance to sleep in my old house, and say "goodbye" to the neighborhood. I'm kind of sad, for lots of reasons! Just lots of good memories there, and it's hard to believe we will not be back there. My girls are sad too, but we have lots to look forward to visiting their "new" house on Camano Island. We've been going there for years, so it will be a familiar new home. So, one last family picture in my parent's front yard :)

 

A first

It took a whopping 5-1/2 years, but Kyle finally painted some daughter fingers & toes! Being the perfectionist he is, this project was of course done with extreme loving care: complete with first coat, second coat, glitter coat, top coat and drying drops. What a man! Seriously, I wonder what it would take to talk him into doing my nails for me. Seriously. Ya, I'm not holding my breath on that one :)