Ducky (Umbrella) Goes to School

Avery conveniently had her Meet-the-Teacher/Assessment last Monday so she could go to school on the older girls' first day of school. However, yesterday was her official first day of Kindergarten.

The morning began cold, dark, and rainy. Our planned line-up on the playground turned into a mad dash into the school to be told first to go to the cafeteria, then sent back to her classroom.

Getting Ready to Dash into the School

Loving older sisters ushering Avery to her class - Lizzie & I couldn't keep up.

She did a marvelous job being happy and participating (all the kids did.) I was fine as long as I got myself out of there. After Avery sat down at her table, I looked around and saw several moms with moist eyes looking wistfully toward their suddenly grown babies. I knew I had to get out of there fast.

Ready to Start the Day!
(I kick myself for not moving that McD bag!
They were learning about "environmental reading"
where kids recognize logos and "read" them.)

School!

Sixth grade. Fourth grade. Kindergarten.

The only year we will have three at the same school.

A lucky cold snap (80 degrees) meant Avery could wear the sweater and purple boots she picked out in July and has been anxiously waiting to wear ever since. Below is her "amazing pose" she has been rehearsing for the first day of school. It sort of morphed into a WWII era stance.



Notice only 2 out of three wearing glasses in the top picture. Katie transitioned to contacts last week. She sure figured it out fast. Don't know if I could do that. She is quite pleased with her glasses-free face.

Temporary Downsizing

While the big girls were off to visit my parents in Arizona, we had some quality time with the little girls. It didn't take long to miss our big kids, however, we were quickly transported back to what life was like about eight years ago with just a toddler and preschooler. I knew that I'd be short on helping hands while Katie and Abbie were gone, but I learned there is just a lot less work to be done with half the kids gone.

We did lots of simple things geared just for this younger set.

We did a lot of this:

A carousel ride gets so much mileage with these guys.

Made some apricot jam with the apricots from the CSA - yum!

Purple carrots too!

Finally got this dress made for Lizzie based on a tutorial from here.

Then, my big girls came home -- happy from a week of grandparents love, and even a little bit older and more independent than when they left.

The end.

Boston Creams

Austin's mom's side of the family held a family reunion this summer. They were so smart to plan a cooking demonstration by Austin's aunt and grandmother.



Even though Fae started her demo by saying, "Don't try this at home, it's too hard," how often are my girls going to be taught something by their great-grandmother? Thanks Jergensens!