School started and September was over before we knew it.
Figuring out our Tuesdays and Thursdays has been a new challenge for us this fall. Not an easy thing when you grow up with a big sister/best friend/built in playmate and she is now in school all day five days a week. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, our days flow much easier because Ella has school in the morning and an afternoon with Juliet and Mommy before Abby comes home. But, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Ella misses her big sister a lot (even though she has lots of quality time with Mommy and Juliet is starting to play with her more). On those days, we are thankful for planned activities with friends. :)
Before Isabel started Kindergarten, we had a fun morning together at the trampoline park followed by lunch. These girls had a blast jumping and playing in foam pit together.
Juliet was content in the stroller and loved watching everyone jump around her until Mommy got on a trampoline. She was not having that!
Lots of blurry jumping pics = proof of all the fun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOtrdZeyufk
Buddies since birth!
At the beginning of September, Uncle Cory came for a visit. Sleepovers with Cory always means late nights and laughing. It also usually means these guys are talking/singing/dancing/joking/debating long after I'm ready to be in bed. This time, it was karaoke! A few songs in and it just kept getting better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v9ncptzq0M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dV03fuMceE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmFqOOppMKM
Giving Uncle Cory "the Look"!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MItWW8-Pv0Y
After dinner, the girls asked me if they could take their dessert to "Starbucks" where they were working on their blogs. Please note the placement of Ella's cell phone.
Uncle Cory joined us for our church's Community Day on Sunday. Blessed to be a part of this community. It was such a sweet morning of worship as we were reminded of God's life changing grace and truth. I always love hearing stories of God at work. A powerful morning + gorgeous weather + annual Community Day BBQ with friends = just what my soul needed that day!
It takes her a couple of days and then she warms up like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3U2lAHp7SI
Face paint and balloon animals are always some of the girls favorite Community Day activities.
With school in full swing, our September was filled with new schedules, projects and back to school night. Joe went to Abby's classroom for back to school night and I stayed home with the kids. He sat at her desk and read through her All About Me project!
Then, Joe got to write Abby a letter for her to find at her desk the next morning.
I love having these precious pieces of handwritten memories from Abby's first week of first grade.
Abby was asked to bring in three things that represented her for an All About Me presentation. She brought in (1) Pinky Pie, her tutu wearing zebra because zebras are her favorite animal, (2) her favorite chapter book, Owl Diaries, because she loves to read, and (3) her ballet shoes because she loves to dance.
Ella's first school project this year:
Abby and Ella are loving all things "secret agent" and "spy girl". Their favorite show is Odd Squad. They sneak around the house in secret agent disguises complete with binoculars, notepads, sunglasses and hats. :)
You know you have an amazing daddy when mommy is away for the afternoon and daddy agrees to paper mache!
Ella, Juliet and I spent a morning at the apple orchard with Ms. Megan. We needed to pick our first load of apples as we prepared for Juliet's very apple-y first birthday.
The cider and donuts did not disappoint.
Our girls love Megan so much. After the orchard, Ella begged to go home with her to play even though all of her kids are in school. When we tried to explain that Megan had things to do, Ella came up with every reason why that didn't matter and assured Megan she would be quiet and helpful. Sweet girl loves Ms. Megan. Thankful for a refreshing morning together and apples. I'm always thankful for the apples. Pretty thankful for those donuts too.
At the first hint of fall crispness in the air, Abby pulled out her special new sweater made with love by Nagymama. :)
When days feel rough and our emotional girl is still adjusting to the new school year, a lunch date and some quality time with mom are just what she needs. (I'm sure the Doritos and chocolate chip cookie didn't hurt either.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKeziUOzxnc
Library mornings have been especially fun because Juliet is starting to enjoy it as much as her big sisters.
"Mom, can Ollie and I go out on the deck ad relax for a bit before dinner?" Then, she say and read him stacks of books.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dRggNi19wM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T7zOt_h8H8
Foxy ladies in our fox shirts. We have a thing for foxes around here. I'm making a plan now to write about the significance of foxes to our family in a future blog post.
Story time with Abby (also my favorite sight while cooking dinner)!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0v9OTKu7Dw
These moments don't happen as often these days, so when they do they are extra precious. Sick babies need their mommas.
Ella had to visit the eye doctor because she failed the routine eye exam at her 4 year wellness visit. We were convinced she would be headed home with some cute glasses this time, but she did great and is still seeing just fine! I'm guessing it's only a matter of time before our girls inherit their parents eye sight.
I love this sweet season when Ella still randomly falls asleep in the car with an armful of babies on the way to pick up her sister.
When our car needs a little TLC, I'm thankful that my favorite car doctor lives just a quick drive away. He fixes my car and then makes us brunch. French toast and bacon always tastes better at Papa's house. My dad is the best. Our trip home wouldn't be complete without a trip to Papa's playground and a visit with Grandma too.
Sibling seesaw anyone?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXd0ASXrFns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sek6028evi0
