New Concept Playground

We LOVE this new park! It rocks.

Outdoor Dance Concert

C really enjoyed the opportunity she got to be part of the annual dance concert in the park that her dance company puts on! This was the first year that the girls Corinne's age were able to participate. She loved it and did a fantastic job on her piece. There were just three sweet girls who danced in her piece and she enjoyed telling everyone that she was part of a "trio"! Her face was beaming the whole dance through. We love to watch her dance and use her God given talent this way. We are proud parents every time. The only downer of the perfect afternoon was that S got stung by a bee right before the show started.

 

Twins

Ellen and Sophie. Twins, yet we really just think of them as sisters. They are similar in lots of ways, but really have different personalities too. They appear to be pretty independent of one another and they really don't go around as a unit or only stick to one another. However there are sweet moments where I do see their bond come through. Walking into a new place together, for instance, and holding hands and looking out for one another. Sometimes I even forget that I have Corinne and twin girls because I really just think of them as our three daughters. But we've begun to talk about how special it is to be twins (not that Brett and I know...we certainly never knew a thing about twins until we had them!) They have begun to become more aware of their twin-ness as well. Now that their friends are more aware too, they've begun to be asked "Are you Ellen or are you Sophie?" It's always interesting to me, because I wonder what that feels like. And yet I'm sure they don't fully grasp the reason behind the questions...or maybe they do. We just haven't ever emphasized that they are twins, nor have we ever spoken of them being alike or looking alike. So I'm not sure if they realize how similar they look to other people (because we don't think so). And I'm not sure they think it's weird at all to be asked who's who. Only from my adult view do I wonder if that is strange. It is all they've known, and I'm glad. I want them to know that it is special to be a twin, that they are unique from one another and also special and unique as twins, too. I hope we can help them navigate being twins and all the cool and not so cool comparisons, questions, and issues it brings up, with grace and confidence in who God made them to be.

E & S Off To Pre School

Ellen and Sophie started pre-school a few weeks back (I am so behind on my blogging)! They are really enjoying themselves and have some really good buddies in their class, not to mention two awesome teachers! Hard to believe they will be off to kindergarten next year. I really do not know where the time has gone--the "little" years are a thing of the past for us!

1st Grade

Corinne had her FIRST day of FIRST grade! She got such a good night of sleep the night before that I had to wake her up around 8am so we could be ready for breakfast and get to the bus on time! We met her teacher the night prior at Open House where we moved in her school supplies and and took a look around her new school and new classroom. That payed off and she went to bed full of energy and nervous excitement. I wasn't sure how the 'morning of' would go, especially since I had to wake her, but to my surprise she woke up excited and not nervous at all. She breezed through breakfast and we had fun walking to the bus stop with neighbors. It was an easy goodbye and away she went! A long 8 hours later she arrived home on the bus and was happy but understandably hungry and tired. Corinne shared her favorite parts of the day at dinner as we always do and hers was 'school' and seeing Mrs. Wasson TWO times at school (her kindergarten teacher from last year who is also now at her new school). I got more details about her day as the afternoon and evening went on, with the biggest chunk at bedtime. All in all, her first day was a big success. We are praying it's a wonderful year with lots more great days ahead! Oh, and I had to take a picture of her lunch box. Not only because eating lunch at school is new for her this year, but also because I'm following in my mom's footsteps and adding a little note to C's lunch box each day. Props to Mimi.

Goodbye Summer Vacation

 With one last day of 'summer' to enjoy before school started for Corinne, we made the most of it. The girls and I went downtown to meet Brett for lunch on Fountain Square and then made a quick visit to his office. After that I gave Corinne the choice of what she wanted to do next and she chose to get ice cream (she comes by it honestly)! Had to share this picture of them as we were finishing up. Oh, and funny that we ran into a neighbor and friend of Corinne's doing exactly the same thing!

Zoo Trip

We've had such mild weather here this summer and recently spent a beautiful Saturday morning at the zoo together. It was such a wonderful morning, however it was not just because of the weather. It struck me how grown up our kids have gotten as we walked the zoo that morning. Walked the zoo. No strollers, no wagon, not even any piggy back rides this time. And it was pleasant, all morning. The top picture kind of says it all. We are in a new season with our kids. It's not smooth sailing, we still have tons of bumps and we're not done with meltdowns. But my. The girls look old to me. They express themselves with words. They do so much on their own. They are fascinating and sometimes still maddening all at the same time. But mostly, I think we are entering an altogether different phase. Here's to three big girls.

MND

We celebrated our friend, Calley, at our most recent Monday Night Dinner. Her family is moving and so we took some time to encourage her in the ways we are thankful for her and we also shared how she has blessed us with her friendship.We will greatly miss her!

Let's Go Fly a Kite...

 

 A brand new park opened near us, with lots of green space and a new concept playground. We went to the grand opening and the girls got to make their own kites! They actually worked really well, too! Only phase 1 of the park is open. We cannot wait to go back and check out the rest very soon.

Brett's Birthday

Brett's birthday was this past weekend and we celebrated with a full day of fun, capped off by dinner at one of our favorite local spots and then birthday cake at home! It was a really good day and we are thankful for Brett. He is awesome at so many things, one of the biggest being loving his family. A true blessing!