Halfway Through September

Still trying to get our new school schedule figured out so not a lot of pictures have been taken lately.  Busy, busy, busy!

Without our 11:30 pickup time the little girls and I have more time to do fun stuff like go to the aquarium.

Don't let the picture fool you.  Usually I drag them around to Target, the post office and really fun places like that during the day.

 We have been having lots of fun in the *still* hot weather.  Erin and I braved Art in the Park.  Really we just wanted fair food without going to the fair.

 Shave Ice.  Hooked since Hawaii.

 Meredith wanted to have a Bronco day.  She likes to lay out her school clothes the night before.  That girl is SUCH my daughter.  Love it.

 Ahhh, another fun birthday party for Kirstin.  We were treated to a ride in Rods Limo which took us to Kuna (where?!) and dinner at El Gallo Giro which was really really good.  I was trying to capture the fake flowers decorating the limo.  Rod goes to some serious trouble color coordinating.

Here we are at dinner.  Thanks Jeremy for seating me right next to Rod (real name Randy).  I learned so so much about self published books, where not to drive a limo and Kevin Spacey

(Randy claims to be his brother). 

 Quick stop at the Kuna grocery store for beer and warm hats?

 I got crafty.  Thanks pinterest.

 Oh boy...

 So the rest of the weekend was kind of a hot mess.  Literally, the BSU taigate was SO hot.  Jesse took Fisher and the two big girs while I went home with Quinn.  They all lasted the whole game!

Meredith is loving first grade.  Here is a little gem she brought home.  I like that Ruby is the head of the household and that everyone is happy and smiling except for Quinn who is screaming. 

Pretty much spot on there Meredith. 

Delaney Goes to Preschool...Finally

She's been waiting years for this day to come.  Finally, preschool!  The big let down was when she discovered on the first day that the parents don't leave.  Wah wah wah.  Delaney strutted into the Dragonfly classroom like she's been there all along (pretty much she has) and knew right what to do (wash hands first, old hat).  She's going to do SO great and I'm so happy she is started in school.  That darn August birthday really drug things out for us but she is right where she needs to be.  Her class is full of kids we know, 8 of them I think have older siblings that attended.  Exciting stuff!

 There's Charlotte!  So glad these girls are in the same class. 

I met Charlottes mom Erin 3 years ago when Meredith and Ava Mae started school.

We've all been good friends ever since!  

  

September 2012 - Week 1

We are getting back into the swing of things here.  With Meredith gone at school last week and Delaney not having started quite yet we had lots of extra time to play.  A whole week with no 11:30am pickup, it was really nice not to have a deadline.  We hit the zoo a couple times and enjoyed the butterfly exhibit one last time.  We were the only ones in the exhibit one morning so the zoo keeper let the girls pick up and hold any butterfly they wanted.  I think the recognized Delaney and saw how sad the was when the butterflies weren't landing on her.  She tried wearing every outfit she owns to attract them all summer. Finally she got her chance!

 Cousin Logan was in town.  I promise that is really her.

 My little girls and Danika got to pet the huge Flemish rabbit one day.  They love that thing.

 Potty training bribery.  Not working so well.

 The week got off to a great start then went quickly downhill.  Riding home from soccer Delaney took a nasty spill on a trail. 

 The next evening was a back to pre-school potluck and of course one of my kids got hurt since Jesse was out of town.  I thought the potluck would be safer than the block party happening back at home.  Guess not!  Quinn got knocked down on the playground and ended up out cold.  This was her about 9:30pm feeling a little better.  I made her stay up really late and blasted the monitor so loud I could hear her every breathe all night.  She is a-okay!

 This is Quinn at the Bordners BBQ after she 'painted' her nails.

 We took the kids to the Birds of Prey.  They liked the dress up the most.  Delaney wants to be a bird for Halloween.

 Papa Gene and Jesse got out our IKs and took the kids down the Boise River.  They loooved it and we can't wait to do it again next summer.

First Day of First Grade

Wow, that went fast.  I swear we were just heading out for the last day of Kindergarten.

Everyone was excited for the first day of first grade.  Quinn and Delaney were up extra early right along with Meredith (oh joy).  They were all dressed and ready to walk to school right on time.

 Thanks for the new backpack KK and Papa Jim.

 Meredith kept asking Quinn and Delaney if they were going to miss her during the day.

I actually think they really did!  I know I did (sniff sniff).

Delaney was ready to go in her gymnastics leotard.  She tumbled so hard she voluntarily took a nap today.  Win!

 

 Saying goodbye for the whole day...no tears for either of us!

 Thanks for joining the entourage Grammie Dana!

 Back with her buddies Sofia and Ruby, heading into Mrs. Greenwoods classroom.

I think it's going to be a great year for Miss Meredith!  Although I'm already hearing complaints about my lunches...

Keeping Busy in McCall

Like I said, we did some interesting things to keep busy in McCall the last couple of weeks.  One day we joined Jesse on a woodcutting adventure.  The girls thought it was really cool to see their Dad chop down a tree.  Too bad that the chainsaw wouldn't start (loooong story) right after this tree fell across the road.

Huge FAIL for the day, but the kids had fun in the woods!  And for the record, Jesse went back and did indeed cut that tree up for wood.  No freezing this winter.

 The Bryans were in McCall the same week so we swapped big girls/little girls on a couple occassions.

I thought the 6yr olds would be the easiest.  Nope, these 3 girls kept each other entertained for hours with no refereeing from Mom!

 Love these girls, they were too cute teaching Quinn how to use a tube to float.

 Which is not so great now that she won't wear water wings and thinks she

can 'swim' to the end of the dock.

 We had to make our annual trip to the Roseberry Summer Concert series.  We had gorgeous weather and a fantastic bluegrass band. 

 Delaney squeezing in the tip jar

 Quinn having a typical "Quinn Moment".  Yes, that's a whole roll of Smarties in her mouth.

 I usually get to celebrate my birthday in McCall and this year did not disappoint!  We had dinner with the Bryans across the lake.  What a fun evening, good food, good kids and good adult bevies!

 Erin makes the best goodies.  Thanks for the cake girlfriend.

 Looking every bit of my 35 years.  Jesus, someone Botox me quick!

The girls spent quite a bit a time making me cards and a crown.

 Thomas the lone boy in the pack enjoying his Mamas cake.

 Big girls heading to 1st grade in a few days!

 Our annual adults only extravaganza had to be downsized this year.  Instead of a full weekend of kidless nonsense we managed to carve out about 12 hours of 'free time'.  We took full advantage of the Darmodys lake toys for the afternoon.  No sunscreen, no lifejackets.  It was great!

 Lots of fun boats to play on too...

Now it's back to early mornings, gymnastics, playdates, school, soccer, lunch packing, laundry etc...

We had a GREAT summer full of wonderful friends and memories.  As sad as it is for summer to end, this Type A, OCD Mom is ready for a schedule.  Bring it fall!