Thankful for Some Real Winter

We woke up to a bit of a surprise this morning -- snow snow and more snow! 

(and lots of gray too, you'll notice).

Which means...

it's also a great day for a walk!

or a ride, as the case may be...

We love the snow...maybe because it's so rare here.

Enjoying it while we can!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm a Big Girl Afterall

Somebody is turning 4 and 1/2 this week. 

And even after some protesting that she was "still a baby," her size told a different story. 

It was finally time for...

A big girl bed!

I think she's happy.  (Meanwhile, I'm jealous!  I want a new bed too!)

:)

Welcome Thomas O'Malley

I don't like cats.

I mean...

I've always thought of myself as a "dog person."

But, man...

this little kitty sure is cute and snugly.

Thomas O'Malley was plucked from the sky --rescued from a tree in our yard, if you can believe it. 

$400 later, he's definitely our cat. 

(Old scoundrel...)

Finally, Halloween

Once upon a time... 

 Frog and Toad met up with a Bunny and a Ballerina Princess...

And many laughs ensued.

:)

(Hope you still have candy left! )

Great First Day Back

OK -- I have no idea what happened to summer.  Summer?  What summer?  Nuts.  We were very, very busy. (I think that's an understatement).  I do know that and did a bunch of fun stuff.  My next post, I promise, I will go back over the hightlights... BUT, moving on to today:

Good news:  we started back to school (and work) this week!  New job for me -- crazy, but exciting.  Even bigger news: It's time for "First Grade" for Jenica!  She's simply over the moon.

And, it was Kerry May's first day back as a second year member of her Children's House.  Really, Kerry was a bit ambivalent about the whole thing -- even having her picture taken.

But, they looked quite cute in their matching dresses (Thank you Auntie M!) and were overall pretty darn happy to "get back to it" today.  (Maybe that was me).  

Now... tomorrow.  Well, that's probably going to be a whole other story...

And, we're off!  Wish us luck!    :)

The Performance

Last Saturday night the girls' ballet studio presented their end of the year show.  Really, the word "recital" doesn't cover it.  Jenica took to calling it a "performance" and really, it was one heck of a show, especially in light of the fact that this is a small outfit.  We were so impressed, we stayed for the whole nearly three hour extravaganza.

However, I was doubtful one ballerina in particular was going to make an appearance at all...

But indeed -- she did!

And she even danced... a little.  :)

Jenica, meanwhile, was so excited, I knew she's have no trouble with "stage fright."

   Having her friend Roisin right next to her must have been a big help.

Even though I am not sure the future will hold anymore ballet lessons,

this is a year I will always remember with a smile.

A Little R and R

With only a few weeks until Summer Camp starts (and my new part time job kicks into action --ack! going back to work for the first time in 6 years!), we've been doing a whole lot of nothing much.  Playdates, walks, playground visits, farmstand stops, and my personal favorite:

Sitting around in the yard with a good book. 

One playdate in particular really brought out some smiles.  A friend had us over to meet and try some horseback riding.  I think I know what we'll be signing up for once soccer is over...  the girls were delighted to be back on horses.

I even got a "playdate" with friends last Sunday morning.  Super day out on the water.  Ahhhh.... 

Hoping for a super summer!

Soccer Season Starts!

Finally, we finally got around to signing up for an activity Jenica has been wanting to do for several summers:  soccer. 

It's worked out great -- it started just as school was ending (along with everything else -- dance, Scouts, etc.) and it was a league that worked out for Kerry to try it too.

Jenica was pleased that it would give her a chance to see her friend Roisin too!

And that means Kerry could see Liam.   :)

So far so good. 

Go! Go! girls!

Girl Scout Goodbye (for now)

With the end of school, comes the end of our first Girl Scout year.  Jenica and her Daisy troop 43525 celebrated their year with a small gathering at Tennant Lake. 

(Seriously, I can't believe it's been a year... ).

Cake, games, stories and friends.  Even for all my apprehension when we started (my not being the world's best Girl Scout in my day),

I know Jenica enjoyed it immensely.

Here's to long time friends!

Summer Slowly Arrives

Seems summer is going to arrive here in the Northwest in fits and starts.  Rain one day, sunny and gorgeous the next. 

Flip, flop. 

It's OK.  Really.  We'll take it.  Any excuse to lie in the grass,

eat fresh, local strawberries,

And, in general, just act like a goofball. 

:)

Crash the Campsite!

So far this year, we haven't yet made the effort to go camping.  It's on our list and I'm sure it will happen eventually.  In the meantime, however, friends of ours decided to break out the tent and camp in a nearby campground.  What a great opportunity for a visit to the campfire!

Marshmallows!  Yum!

Seaside Oma

Sometimes the best times with family are the time when you are really doing nothing at all.

We packed up a few snacks, the bikes and scooters, and

headed to the boardwalk at Semiamoo one day.

We walked, talked, looked for birds, hunted for treasure.

And, most importantly:  just relaxed.