Is it really starting to feel like fall?

I'm afraid to say that it is starting to feel like fall because I know another 90 degree day is surely just around the corner.  At least the lighting is changing and the days are getting shorter and it isn't 90 degrees at 9am.  That is a big relief.  Today was just beautiful.  We had such a relaxing afternoon and we needed it.  Things have seemed so busy and crazy lately.  It was a nice break.
The girls spent the afternoon outside roller skating and bike riding and scooter riding and even riding scooters on roller skates.  That was interesting. 

It felt good to just be outside and my pumpkins are starting to not look out of place when it is a little bit cooler.  My girls are so excited for Halloween this year.  We bought our costumes early when they first started talking about it.  I think we may actually do some "fall-ish" things this weekend. 

Student of the Month

I'm this habit of only having my phone and not a camera.  None of my pictures turn out that great.  Olivia was Student of the Month.  The first one of the school year in her class.  They always keep it a secret and it is fun to see them be surprised even though she figured it out because she saw me in the back of the cafeteria.  I'm so proud of this girl.  She is such an example to those around her.  When her teacher emailed me to tell me she wrote, "Olivia is so thoughtful and respectful."  She really is a special girl.  And she wasn't too thrilled about taking a picture.

American Pop

The Third Graders put on the most awesome school performance every year.  They celebrate "American Pop" from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.  It is so much fun to watch the kids singing and dancing to snippets of popular music through these decades.  I heard a grandma sitting in front of us say, "This is like watching my life right before my eyes."  Music is such a big part of growing up and it was a fun night to celebrate it.  Sammie had to dress up like a 50s girl and danced with a sign to an Elvis song.  And yes, there were kids dressed up like Elvis for her number.  It was awesome.  I wish I could remember all of the songs they sang.  Some were hilarious like "I love Rock n' Roll!" "Can't Touch This," and "Vogue."  They also sang Ain't Nothin' But A Hound Dog, HELP!, Stayin' Alive, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, Everybody's Going Surfin'. 
I wish I could remember more.  Such a fun night.

Kindergarten Fun

Kindergarten is too fun.  It seems like nearly every week, Abby needs something.  A tie for tie day.  Pajamas for pajama day.  Wear red on Red Day.  I'm glad that they get to do these fun things.  Her teacher takes a picture and then sends out a text to all the parents.  I love getting these.  Look at all the fun they have had in just the first quarter of school.  I don't even think Abby realizes that she is learning.  She comes home from school and I will hear her "teaching" to an imaginary class the things that she learned in school.  She gets so excited when she recognizes sight words in her books or when she starts to say things like, "Mom, if I have 3 groups of 5 then I have 15."  I love having her in school.  She just loves it and loves making new friends.  I hope that she is always so confident.

Today the Tooth Fairy Came 

 

Field Trip to Murray Farms

 

Green Day

 

Yellow Day

 

Red Day

 

Pajama Day

 

Tie Day

11 Years!

Wow, it's almost hard to remember what life was like 11 years ago. Only one little brand new baby, we were living in an apartment, Joey had just started his first year of teaching.  My life was turned upside down with feedings, diaper changes, and comforting a crying little baby.  This week 11 years ago was completely different than the week we have just had.  This week was filled with soccer practice, play practice, Sammie has a never-ending cough, all of my kids are now in school, homework, piano lessons, piano practice, taking care of the puppy, kids getting themselves ready for school, dropping off at school, picking up from the bus stop.  Things are so different now.  Both times and the times in between have been some of the best times.
Olivia is such an amazing person.  We just love her and who she is growing into.  She's smart, funny, fun, creative, and kind.  Her favorites at 11 years old are:
clothes
her new bike
the color orange
elephants (she has quite the collection)
reading fantasy and historical fiction
drawing
writing stories

 Her birthday loot from Grandparents.

 Her oreo ice cream cake.

A few things...

A few thoughts this month...
Nate and Dianna and my mom stopped by and stayed the night while they were on their way to Disneyland.  We love seeing family and were happy to be a stop on the way.  They even made it to Sammie's soccer game then we headed to Freddy's for dinner.

Sammie earns points from her piano teacher and then receives little treats and prizes for them.  A couple of weeks ago she picked out some clay.  She made the cutest little animals that she added to lots of others that she has made.  Sammie loves to use her hands.

Last Sunday morning I overheard Sammie say so sweetly, "Olivia, will you help me pick out something to wear to church."  Sister love melts my heart.

On the way home from the bus stop one afternoon Abby's friend said, "Your dog looks like he is a famous dog."  He does sort of have that look.

Life is the Best

Yesterday was a particularly rough day.  I was exhausted and spent by the end of the day.  Last night I was helping Abby in her bedroom. I was on my knees and then flopped my body over so that my head was on the floor and my arms stretched out, like a yoga pose.  Abby asked, "Are you doing yoga, mom?"
"No, I'm just tired."
"Why are you so tired?"
"I don't know....from life."
"Life?!! ...But life is the best!!!"
She is absolutely right.
I get some of the best advice from my 5 year old.

And back to a busy life

After the summer it's always a bit of a shock to get back into routines and start doing activities again.  Sammie and Abby are both doing soccer.  Their first games were last weekend.  We got an email about 3 weeks ago saying that neither of their teams had coaches, so Joey volunteered us to be coaches for both teams!  I am actually enjoying it though Joey is doing most of the work while I am helping him create the plans for practice.  I would like to be in there more, but we're doing the best we can.  Thankfully Abby doesn't have practice during the week. 
It was a hot day and we had games in the morning and were still sweating bullets.  Sammie had a cold and wasn't feeling that great, but she played well and gave it her best when she was in.  Abby scored a goal, that I didn't see.  That always seems to happen.  We will have busy Saturdays for the next couple of months and I look forward to watching these girls play hard :)

 I love Abby's face in this one after she ran through the tunnel.