September....Already?!

Look who likes chocolate AND knows where to find it!

Move over Willie Nelson....there's a new harmonica musician in town.

It's now the 4th week of school and the routines are setting in. Lauren has started to notice her side-kicks aren't around during the day. She's usually up when they leave but if she happens to wake up after they leave at 7am, she looks for them in their beds.

Lauren is certainly a lively & curious toddler. She's such a climber. Part of Natalie's morning routine is to take down the ladder to her top bunk so L can't get up there. The other day I was in my bedroom and V comes in to tell me L is sitting on the kitchen table. She'd pulled out a chair, climbed up it and onto the table top all in about 2 minutes....lovely I know. She is a very busy toddler who isn't content to sit with one toy for very long and TV means nothing to her. She's still in a crib, but with the climbing skills strengthening, she'll have to be moved to a toddler bed soon. THAT SHOULD BE FUN! So I remember...Words Lauren can say at 15 months= moma, dada, valla, daisy, kitty, bye, up, eat, no, uh oh, flower, meow, hi, ball.

Natalie is thriving in Kindergarten. She comes home every day with her arms open for a giant hug telling me how awesome her day was. Pure Joy. She's really developing her beginning reading skills and wants to do homework since her big sister is. She's excited to be a Daisy Girl Scout although I'm sure her motivation for joining was again... her big sister.

Vallarie as she's asking to be called (instead of Valla) :( has adjusted back into traditional school very well. She's making lots of friends and is eager to do her best. We are so proud of the young lady she's too quickly becoming. She's counting down the days to her first Brownie Girl Scout meeting and keeps giving me ideas for crafts and meetings since I'll be a co-leader.

Jason has enjoyed working with his previous construction company for a short time until his law career officially kicks off soon. Next Monday is the big bar exam result day. We're headed out that night....to either celebrate or drown his sorrows...my money is on celebrating.

I am really enjoying living in a real house, feeling settled, reconnecting with former and meeting new friends. I am able to volunteer some at the girls' school and have joined the local moms group to hopefully meet more moms and give L a playgroup outlet for her energy! We put a lot of thought as to where we wanted to put down roots and establish friendships. It's so nice to see the girls making friends and going on neighborhood playdates and to birthday parties. The last 3 years were an amazing and often temporary experiences. I love the stability and routine we now have. :)

Natalieisms-

• There was a baby doll stuffed into the oven in her play kitchen. When I mention this to her she replies, "Don't worry, the oven isn't on."
• She saw a photo of the Hubble Telescope and I told her about what a neat and special camera it is and how it takes pictures of places far out in space. She responds with, "It looks like a toilet paper roll."
• Mom, "Natalie I've told you 3 times already." Natalie, "I know, now you've told me 4!"
• "I like Captain Ahoy cookies." (aka Chips Ahoy)