What we have been up to: So we are getting used to our new schedule with Sydney starting school. It is a shock to have to be somewhere everyday at 8:50. Syd's first week was a bit rough but now all is well. After her first day the tears really started to flow. On her worst day Pat picked her up from school and took her out to a special lunch and bought her a Bravery Locket. In it she could put whatever picture she wanted. Syd chose a picture of her and Sara and she wore it "bravely" the next day at school. That locket made all the difference. Pat is the best Dad and I love him more and more all the time. Poor Pat I love him so much I just might snuff him out with the weight of it:>))

Sydney gives a thumbs up after a tear free day at school, wearing her new locket.

Sara and I are enjoying being together. She really blossoms when she is the only one. I am so grateful we get this time together just her and I.

Sara and I made cookies for Syd while she was at school.

We all went up to the property last weekend and Auntie met us there. Auntie was feeling the creative bug and decided to make some rustic furniture out of that God forsaken vine maple. I am sure this table/bench will be in the family for years.Auntie indulging in her new found passion of furniture building.

Sydney taking after her mother in her passion for FIRE!!!

Me and one of the MANY piles I get to watch burn come Fall. Weeeee!!

The cabin as off last weekend.

The cabin as of this weekend. Pat is up there by himself today and spent the first night ever in the cabin. I can't wait till it is all done and we can just go up there to play. My goal is that Pat and I spend our anniversary up there in the snow.

On the way home we stopped off at the 59er Diner and got old fashioned milkshakes.

Syd is sleepy on her way home from the cabin. I have to tell you how grateful I am to have this wonderful property where the girls can run around and have fun. They play outside all day and great games with rocks and sticks. I am so happy up there.

SYDNEY LOVES SCHOOL!!We finally got to take Sydney to her first day of kindergarten.

Syd was really nervous the night before. She told me she had school fright, which she said was like stage fright but of school.

Pat got out his kindergarten picture and was telling the girls how nervous he was on the first day and how much he ended up liking it. His picture is really cute. I couldn't get the scanner to work to share it with y'all.

Patrick is my HERO as he took off an hour before school started to get Sydney switched back to the teacher's class whom she had met and had the school visit with. I ran into the teacher at the library late Sunday (Thank God!!) and she told me Sydney had been moved out of her class. Pat fixed it so our first day was just like we planned.

Syd was worried and then the tears started flowing. I didn't snap any pictures of that but the teacher was great and I was strong like bear. Sara and I left to go play at the park. It was fun to have Sara all alone. I look forward to our mornings together.

Anyway, I picked up Syd and she came FLYING out of the classroom yelling "I love school!!"

I thought this was funny and scary:

ThE First DaY OF SchooL

Well, the first day of school was: What the heck?!?

Bellevue School District teachers voted to strike so after all the crazy buildup to kindergarten....there was no kindergarten today. All this has been tough to explain to a 5 year old. The good news is on Labor Day we got to meet her new teacher and Syd got to see her desk with her name on it. That made all the difference in her fear of school. We are ready to go when the day comes. It looks like this strike is going to go on for awhile.

We headed off to Grandma and Grandpa's today for some fun. I am glad we live so close we can do that whenever we want. The girls helped Grandma make oatmeal for their upcoming trip to the sun in California.