And so it begins!

Maya came running down the stairs this morning asking me to come up to her room. I wasn't sure what she wanted, but it was to show me that her clock had turned green (the indicator that it's OK to get up). Then she looked at me with her eyes wide and asked "What's today?". When I told her it was her first day of preschool she was ecstatic. It was 7:45 and we had a lot to do before we could leave the house at 9:25. We had eggs, toast and peaches then Maya needed a bath (not our usual routine but we ran out of time last night) and finally she got dressed in her new first day of school outfit we bought yesterday. She was most excited about her new Twinkle Toes sketchers. She had been wanting them for months but I finally found a great deal on them yesterday. When we were all ready, we loaded her things in to her new Ariel backpack and went out front to take a few pictures.

The preschool is only about 5 or 6 miles from my house but it takes me about 10 minutes. On the way there we were talking about the construction we were driving by and Maya suddenly said "Mommy, I am so excited for my first day of preschool." My heart melted. Though she had been so excited and had been asking about it for months, in the back of my mind I was just hoping she wouldn't suddenly decide it was not such a great idea.

First we found her cubby and got her name tag to wear for the first day:

Then she decided to pose in at one of the art tables (she was looking at Owen):


It took her a minute to decide what she wanted to do first, but she settled on building a tower:


I had been there lingering for about 10 minutes and decided it was time to hit the road (though most of the parents were still holding out). I told her I was leaving and she said ok, I'll see you in a little while and off I went. Or so I thought. I was opening the outside door and heard, "Wait, mommy!" I thought uh oh! But, she only wanted to know where she could see me to wave goodbye. Luckily I had parked by a window and so I showed her it and out I went. Of course, by the time I got out there, she barely stopped what she was doing to wave, but she did.


Owen and I spent out time at Target then at home playing. Man, it's quiet without the continual chatter of a 3 year old girl! Alas, the time went quickly and I went back to get her. She was so excited to tell me all about the puppet theater, the book they read, the two projects she made, circle time, the clean up song and playing out on the playground. She had a great day and as I was zipping up her sweater she asked me how many days it is until she gets to go to school again. I was so happy for her that she had a fantastic day!

Questions

Lately Maya has been filled with all sorts of questions. At lunch the other day she wanted to know which animals eat without chewing then she wanted to know which animals have flat teeth and which have pointed teeth. Last week while driving in the car she wanted to know how dogs swim (we had just crossed over the Snohomish River). Today she wanted to know what kinds of animals jump and if spiders have teeth. I love all the questions but they make me realize I need to do some studying or something. I once saw a book about questions your kids ask you....I think I need to buy it! Not only will it have answers but I love demonstrating that we can find information in books (always an English teacher at heart).

It's the end...

I am finding myself singing "It's the end of the world as we know it...." because summer is over. I am not, however, singing "and I feel fine." That first day of 'fall' in the northwest is always shocking; I wake up and suddenly realize I must delve into the part of my closet that has been left ignored for a few months. I went from shorts and sandals to jeans and a sweatshirt overnight. I need to ease into fall...not, well, fall into it. It shocks my system. I do not like being shocked (electrically or mentally). I am holding out for summer to make a momentary reprisal. Just a couple days would be lovely. Oh fall, today I loathe thee.

Fair

The kids and I spent a total of 7 hours at the fair! Thankfully it was in two trips; it was very nice that we live close enough to go twice in one day. We met our friends in the morning to go on some rides, get our faces painted and check out a few animals. After the daddys were home from work, we all headed out again for more rides, dinner and games! The girls are right on the cusp of the 42 inches required to ride alone (Maya is 42, the other two were a hair or so under) so each time they went to get on a ride we would all hold our breath. Sometimes it mattered and sometimes it didn't. The girls road the roller coast at least 3 times but only once was Lora required to ride with them (they singled out her daughter Addie though Sarah is the shortest...funny!).

Maya, Sarah (in back) & Addison (front right)

Sarah (left ) & Maya(right)

Owen & his buddy Brody

Lora chaperoning...though the only time
required to do so ...

Face painted!