Snapshots from the Weekend

Usually our town doesn't start school until after labor day.  But this year I loved starting just before labor day. It gave the girls a short week of school and then a LONG weekend.  Long weekends are the best; and Scott and I didn't want to do anything but have fun as a family. 

We packed in a whole lotta summer into the last weekend of summer, and it felt great just being together all weekend.  Our fall programs and extras haven't started up yet so it was a totally free weekend... ahh!

The girls got a little gift for finishing their first week of school.





The next morning we headed to the pool for the whole day.  Relaxing poolside and having fun playing ping pong with daddy.


(Abigail pretending to read a book she grabbed off of Anna's bookcase... The Long Winter... hope that's not a sign)










Sunday after church we headed out for a hike.  It was perfect weather to discover a new hiking spot.  I think it was a bit more than Abigail could do... but she did it!  All the way to the top!

It's fun to discover new things together.  Especially when we had homemade chocolate chip cookies at the top!  :) 










Scott and I love hiking on trails. We often went hiking when we were in college. No money of course... we'd find trails, hike to the top, and talk for hours. We'd decide what kind of parents we'd be, dreamed about our home one day together, what kind of a life we'd create... good stuff!





We decided that since we live near so many beautiful hiking spots that we're going to take advantage of it as often as we can. Oh it feels good to be all together away from everything!




An early morning bike ride with daddy.  Anna and I read together while they were on their little adventure.





On Monday we headed to my parents for an awesome labor day picnic. 





Grandpa goes all out with the activities.  Grandma goes all out with the food. 


(rolling down the hill)


(soaking from the hose)









Scott giving my Dad a hand building the biggest, longest, fastest slip and slide ever!















I baked my first apple pie for the fall to bring along. 






I can't believe that it's almost the weekend again.  I just can't seem to get into a routine around here.  I thought for sure by now I'd be on my way to having the girls caught up with their photo albums.  I never imagined that the days would slip by so quickly.  We've had a few bumps in the road with Abigail and her allergies in Kindergarten so that's kept me stressed and busy for sure.  I found that when I'm not in the school trying to resolve all of this or on the phone with the nurse I'm just cooking.  I do love cooking and baking but that's all I've done so far.  Just the regular everyday normal stuff.  Cook, plan meals, shop for ingredients, cook some more, laundry, and rush through my cleaning so that I can soak in my girls when they are home.  I feel so blessed that I'm still home doing the 'job' I love... taking care of my family. 

The First Day of School (part 3)... here come the tears

It's been almost a week since Abigail started Kindergarten and I still haven't gotten those pictures up. Maybe it's because I hate it. Yes, I hate the quiet house, the too long, could never do in a year daily to do list, and the ache for both girls.  But I know with time I'll slowly get used to it. (part one is here) (part two is here)

She was nervous and worried at home.



But that worry was mixed with smiles too. There was a bit of chill in the air so she was "trying to keep warm."



Of course we were all building it up for her.. like some grand vacation to Disney World. Maybe that's why she doesn't want to go to school any more. This morning she was cuddling with me and begging me to let her stay home. Last night pulling her jammie top over her head she said, "it's just not enough of you mommy." I feel just the same way Abigail!






Her most natural smile and real happiness is when she is wrapped up in Anna's arms. Love this one!









Sweet arms around daddy's neck








Yes, we're both faking it!







This is how she looks most mornings now standing in line. Kinda numb with a "really, do I have to go again?" look on her face.



But she put a smile across her face and gave daddy a wave as she walked in line to Kindergarten without tears.



Not exactly the look you want to give to the girls in your class that you might want to play with at recess...



And this is it



Scott wrapped his arm around me and I walked away and back to the car as quickly as I could.

Later that day I got a delivery with a card that said, "thank you for staying home with our girls."

My pleasure... my pleasure!

The First Day of School (part 2)

I wrote about part one here. One to part 2

Abigail's Kindergarten visit was so much fun! 



She colored.



She cut.





She listened to a story.



She played.



And then when it was time to go we took a walk down the fourth grade hallway to sneak a peek at Anna in her classroom.  I wanted to but I just couldn't stick my camera in and take a shot. 



We stopped at the nurses office.  Abigail will be spending a lot of time with this sweet lady with her allergies. 



And then we got to go home... ahh! We changed, relaxed, had a snack, and then got ready because it was daddy's birthday!



It was Scott's first day of school at his school, Anna's first day of school, and Abigail's visit Kindergarten day. Not the best timing on his birthday... but we tried to make it special anyway.

I love how happy and relaxed Anna is here... first day done!



Looming in the back of my mind of course was what was to come the next morning... Abigail going to school. Butterflies for sure!

The First Day of School (part 1)

It's been a whirlwind for sure since that first day of school.  I was oh so worried about my little one going off to Kindergarten but I've been so occupied with issues related to school that I haven't had a chance for it to all sink in.   

I've been wanting to get to these pictures for so long.  The new computer (lightning fast) is up and running.  I'm in love with it!  Anyway, it's time to post these and possibly process some feelings. 

Two parts for sure since there were two first days of school.  Anna's first day of school was Abigail's visit with mommy day.  It was great to ease into a first day for her. 

But before the first day of school we kept finding these kinds of notes all over the house. 





Yeah, summer is great Anna!  My heart breaks for my nine year old who has such a hard time with transitions. 

We woke up bright and early that first day. I had to get two girls ready and out the door. I know for sure that I'll miss having Abigail in her jammies during that drive to school.

Anna was happy and relaxed until I looked over at her at breakfast and tears were coming down her face. She was scared.

I moved her through it as quickly as I could, and these pictures distracted her. It was a chilly, perfect day of school, morning. Anna wearing her traditional red to honor her birth country, China.



Boy, she's come a long way...



I had a little surprise for Anna that morning. I was so excited to give her this matching bracelet. I wear mine all of time and I wanted Anna to have a smaller version to match me on special occasions. I thought that this was the perfect day. I'm always looking for little things to "match" Anna since, well, we don't. I hear over and over how much Abigail looks like me. I want Anna to have special things that look like me. She was oh so happy.



There's my happy girl; tears gone!



Oh I love China eyes!



There was a breakfast note from Daddy and a lunchbox card from mommy.





And all the while I was getting my five year old wearing a size 3T dress ready for her visit to Kindergarten. I didn't spend too much time on pictures of Abigail that morning since her real first day would be the next day. Man, could I go through these nerves two days in a row?



We headed to school and Anna found a friend right away, phew! (excuse the blur... I was so thrilled that she found her friend that I had the wrong settings)



And we found her line and teacher. Darling, wonderful teacher... again...



Fourth grade? Really?



We listened to speeches, had the flag ceremony, and music. All this time I was standing with Anna in line... in this sea of back to schoolness





while Abigail decided to find a shady spot and sit on the curb.



Anna walked in to marching music on the speakers. Happy and upbeat (the music, that is)



And Abigail and I walked into the Kindergarten doors for an hour visit together.

More coming tomorrow!