We're ready...

...all we need is some snow!

Children's Garden Dad's Day

Lauren's school had Dad's day this last week.  Each duo does a trick, this year these two impressed everyone by singing the alphabet backward.  Lauren was so excited to have her daddy at school. 

#yolo

Blake, this last week you came off the bus and said to me "Mom, someone wrote #YOLO on the bus, in SHARPIE".  You couldn't believe someone would write on the bus, especially in sharpie. (I hope you stay this sweet for a very long time.) I was curious if you knew what it meant (I was also kind of impressed I knew what it meant!). You said "Ya Mom, hashtag YOLO means You Only Live Once".  I then launched into some sort of explanation about you only live once being similar to "go for it" or "you only get one chance" and that yes indeed, we only live once. Your response, "except for Jesus, he lived twice".

Summer?

We're pretending it's still summer!  Blake and Lauren went tubing together for the first time with out a grown up (me). YEAH! Unfortunately, in an effort to not completely freak Lauren out, we pulled them a little too slowly and swamped them.  They both fell off and Lauren only panicked a little bit. Blake quickly tried to pull her back onto the tube but she was over it.  Maybe next year?

 having fun

 thumbs up!

headed overboard

little sister

Lauren, 

This week you had a tough day at school.  Your best buddy, Ava, was home sick and you ended up feeling really left out at school.  You are my independent girl and many times you like to be left alone to complete your masterpiece of the day.  After your tough day we talked a lot about how you can let people know you'd like to play too. Then I thought I had a brilliant idea.  I had your brother give you a pep talk about how to "join in".  I've always been blown away by the way Blake happily jumps into any social setting. For instance, last year he and some other kindergarten boys decided they should play football with the 3rd graders everyday.  I thought that would have been some sort of social suicide, but no, evidently you just have to join right in.  So I asked Blake to tell you a little bit about how he goes about joining in with friends.  He told you "Lauren, you just have to go up to your friends and say can I play with you?  And if they say no, you just play with them anyways".  I'm not sure how helpful his advice was, but it does explain how the 1st grade boys end up playing football with the 4th graders everyday! 

Lauren's news from school this week:
"Blake is at school in 1st grade.  He rides on a school bus and me and Mommy take him to the bus.  The minute he gets on the bus I wave and I miss him.  Blake gets home just a few minutes before Daddy gets home from work.  He has homework."

A few other one liners from my daughter this week -

"Mom, you are the best mommy in the whole....neighborhood."

"Mom, you are fun, Auntie is more fun than you, but you are fun."

Thanks Lauren, I love you!

First Day of Pre-K

Lauren had her first day of the "Crickets" class today.  She hit the ground running and never looked back.  This year the kids have to write their name as they come in each day.  Lauren was very excited about this part of her day.  She immediately got to work and looked at me like "what are you still doing here?".  I love you sweet girl, I can't wait to see what this year has in store for you!

Huskies or Ducks?

Each year since Blake was born, I like to get a picture of the kids with Chad in their Husky gear on the Huskies' first home game day.   A few weeks ago, Lauren and I were talking about this tradition and she said she wanted to wear Oregon gear this year.  She and Chad have a not so inside joke where she says "Go Oregon Ducks" and then Chad tickles her to pieces.  Even Georgia gets in on the action when she sees Chad.  Chad has had a deep hatred of the Oregon Ducks since he was a kid, both kids know college will be paid for...unless they go to Oregon. So this morning when Lauren woke up she put on her gear and surprised her Daddy.  It was pretty funny and everyone was pretty wound up. Good job, Lauren, you are one funny girl! 

first day of first grade

Blake, 

You had such an awesome summer, your dad and I kept saying "it's good to be Blake".   To me, the best part of summer was seeing you and your sister pal around together.  Now it's off to first grade! You are completely full of confidence and ready to go.  We went to "meet the teacher" day yesterday and you were high fiving your buddies all the way down the hall. You and your best buddy, Cade, are not only in the same class this year, but your new teacher has you sitting together too.  I tried to explain that mostly likely, it won't last long! I'm really excited to see how this year unfolds for you.  You are awesome my boy, I love you.

Love,  Mom

PS - you decided to style your own hair this morning, looking good buddy!

Last Hurrah

We had planned all summer to join Alison, Brian and kids at Brian's family's home on the south Puget Sound for Labor day weekend.  We had amazing weather all summer long, but wouldn't you know it - rain.  Like true pacific northwesterners, we made the most of it - kayaking in the rain anyone?  We did manage to see some sunshine each afternoon.  These cousins are great at entertaining each other, they all had a ball. 

 skinny dipping! (kids only :)

big brother & little sister

2011

2014

the walk home

On our last full week of summer we had driven down to our neighborhood barber shop for Blake's back to school trim, then we stopped for dinner and a quick trip to the park.  While at the park my kids BEGGED to walk home by themselves.  "Please Mom, we can do it.  We'll stick together, not talk to strangers, we can do it!".  It's a short walk home we've done together 1000 times. It's a paved path through our neighborhood.  Hmmm..I was finally talked into it. I walked them to the entrance of the path and ran to my car, drove home and doubled back on the trail (just to peek on them).  Then I waited for them at the end of the trail. They were SO PROUD when they arrived, still holding hands and with a collection of pine cones for me.  So, as sweetly as this story ended, my husband was NOT happy! I have to agree, 7 and 4 is probably a little young, even in our safe, suburban 'hood. You two are still super proud of your achievement, you might even get to try it again when you're 25! 

Last few pics from August

Lauren attended her first camp,  a 'Frozen' dance camp no less! She had a great time with her good buddy Addison.  On the last day they had a performance and the girls were invited to dress up if they wanted to.  There were tons of Elsas, but only one sweet little Anna.  Love you my girl! 

 Blake and I went to a Seahawks game.  It was a preseason game, and even though we were up by over 30 points Blake wanted to stay until the very end.

 What do you do when your friends serve you fancy but very small food for dinner? Burgermaster! Their first late night burger stop.