Rock Climbing!

Taylor was invited to her friend's birthday party this weekend at a new place in downtown Olympia called the Warehouse Rock Gym. It ended up being such a neat place! Taylor was very nervous to go- she thought she wouldn't be very good at climbing and of course ended up having a blast! Maddie even got to participate as they needed extra parent hands to help all the kids. It was something that I wouldn't think to do with my own kids and so it was a great experience for them. They both left wanting to come back again! We have had a busy weekend already and tomorrow seems to be packed as well. Dave went to Pullman today for the Coug game, the girls and I ran errands, found Halloween costumes (we decided on a witch for Maddie and Fancy Nancy for Taylor), played outside in the gorgeous fall weather and even managed to squeeze in a few loads of laundry. Maddie has a birthday party to go to at the Children's Museum for a friend from her Pre-K class tomorrow and I'm even cooking a turkey- I'm hungry for Thanksgiving dinner! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Taylor attempted to climb the wall...she quickly found out she didn't like going too high and that repelling down was much more fun :)

I love this picture! These two are just the best of friends and I love how they are looking at one another! Taylor and Katrina.

This was one of Maddie's favorite hang outs of the day! Upside down!

Maddie loved the harness but didn't want to use it to climb the wall- she stuck to safer grounds!

Taylor busy climbing!

Monthly Friday Night Meal!

I think we have a good thing going on! Friends from the neighborhood decided that we would try out a once a month Friday night meal together. In September, we went to the Meconi's house and had a Taco Bar. It was the first Friday right after school had started. I can't tell you how nice it was to shred some cheese (our contribution) and head over to the house and have a yummy dinner together. It was quite comical though because everyone was WIPED out; kids and adults from our first week back at school. Last night, Dave, the girls and I hosted for October. We made our yummy White Chicken Chilli and everyone else brought something tasty to go along with it. I can't tell you how fun it is to just be able to sit, relax and catch up! The kids are all so close that they literally run into the house and disappear until it's time to leave. I love it. I feel so lucky to have met all these amazing people!

I leave you with a picture of almost all the kids. Ellie and Addy were at a football game last night but otherwise everyone else was present. Trying to get them all to sit still was rather comical! Happy Weekend everyone!

From L to R.... Mateo, Ava, Kennedy, Mason, Maddie and Taylor in the back!

Cougar Football!

A couple of weekends ago, Dave, Sean, Krista and I took the motor home to Pullman to watch the Cougs play in their home opener. I haven't been to Pullman since before Taylor was born so it was quite a big deal for me to be going! We had a very fun time! The ride over was fun sans kids- something we hadn't done yet, we did a bit of tailgating, checked out the new bookie and of course, screamed, swore at and cheered on the beloved Cougars! You know how passionate my hubby is about his Cougar Football and I have to say that not much has changed in my six year absence in Pullman; he's still loud and obnoxious! I only had to move once to a different seat and I have to say that I was the ultimate Positive Coug Wife in that I kept reminding him that he was the ultimate Postive Coug Guy and therefore for each mean thing he said he needed to say something nice. At one point, this is what I got..."Fine. They all have matching uniforms on." Oh, how this guy makes me laugh and smile! A great big ole Coug Fan with a great big ole heart to match! I love you Dave and all your Cougar spirit! Not sure when I'll be back- it could be another 6 years but I sure had a fun time being with my guy and our friends! Go Cougs!

Sorry these pictures aren't very clear! I didn't take them and had to do some downloading and copying to get them :)

First Days of School.....

I know we've already been in school for 13 whole days (trust me, I know, I've been counting!) and I also know that I had promised first day of school pictures. I'm sorry! Life has been, well, hectic! A lot of transitions for all of us- new school, in school all day and getting up early. I'm sad to say that I only have one picture for now. Carolyn took all the first day pictures of Taylor and she is gone until the middle of October on a trip and my friend Krista took the pictures of Maddie and I'm still waiting on those pictures as well. I'm just thankful for our family and friends who are able to help us on days like these. It is one of the few days of the school year that I wish I was a stay at home mom!
Taylor has had a much more difficult time adjusting to going to school all day then I had anticipated. The first week and a half she had huge meltdowns as soon as we walked in the door in the afternoons. She has been exhausted and STARVING :) I don't think any of you will be surprised to learn that Taylor spends more time talking at lunch then eating which has been a whole other issue with her! If the girl doesn't eat it becomes quite horrible for all involved :) Despite all of that, she is absolutely loving her teacher, enjoying her 3 recesses chasing the boys and is eating up all the new curriculum being thrown at her! She's a happy girl!

Maddie is doing well at her new pre-school. If you ask her if she likes it, she tells you NO! But deep down I think she actually loves it. When I asked her why she didn't like it, she told me her recess was too short...I had to laugh! She better get used to that! She is having fun though and I am loving that she is so excited about the work that she is doing! Now if we could just get her to sleep past 5 a.m. in the mornings life would be fantastic! By 4pm she is one tired girl!

Here is Maddie with her friends, Macie, Abigail and Kaylin!

Dave's start to the school year has been busy. Lots of meetings, lots of parents, a few drug busts (scary, isn't it? Middle school.) and he even had to pin a student down last week who was out of control. Despite all that, he is doing an amazing job. His job is demanding and I don't think I tell him enough how proud I am of him for doing what he does!

Me? Well, this is the first weekend I've felt relaxed since school started. Do I have a crew this year, let me tell you! Fun, super loving but holy terrors on wheels! I feel like I have my word cut out for me this year but am also excited to see where I can take these kids! My favorite moment this year so far...I'm reading a story (I swear, it's the only time they are quiet!) and a boy comes in, sits down after going to the bathroom and promptly announces (while I'm reading) in a big loud voice: "DANG IT! I FORGOT TO WIPE MY BUTT!" Really? Do you see what I'm talking about?? Patience, patience and more patience! :)

Open House for Taylor!

The long, anticipated night finally arrived for Taylor; Open House! She was so full of life tonight it made me more then a little teary! Proudly walking into her new classroom, saying Hi to her teacher, Mrs. Bond, giving a gasp of excitement when she saw that her best friend Katrina would be sitting across from her and oh, how lovely it was to watch her pick up her Welcome Taylor sign that her teacher had put on her desk for her and to see her pure love for school. Again, more then a little teary tonight.

I didn't think that I would be that emotional about her going to school all day but I was wrong. Very, very wrong. Our little girl is growing up quickly and right before our eyes.

However, I know that it's time and it's what we all go through but I just wish for a few more moments I could make time stand still. With that said, her outfit has been picked, her lunch has been packed and tomorrow morning whether I want her to or not, she is heading to First Grade. Insert Sigh.

The Desk!

Over the summer Taylor got it in her head that she really needed a desk in order to start first grade. She is anticipating (and very hopeful) that she will have homework and she really wanted to be able to do her homework at her desk. Dave and I pretty much ignored the request every time it was asked (we were actually thinking what a great Christmas gift it would make) until we had a garage sale this past weekend with some friends from the neighborhood.

Our friends had brought a desk to sell that was used by their daughter as her first desk and has since out grown it. Taylor took one look at and simply had to have it! And being the great parents that we are....we took it, for $5! I couldn't resist taking her picture today. She was so excited about her new desk and I love that she has no idea that quite frankly, the desk is a piece of crud! It made me smile. All day long.

Ta Da! (We tried to convince her we should paint it white to match everything else in her room- but she just couldn't wait to get it in her room!)

So Proud! Let's hope she is this excited to do homework at it!

I came back into her room later on in the day to see that she had acquired a new lamp from her Grandma's house and had placed some special items on top to decorate. Love it!

Happy New Week everyone! It's a big one in our house! Back to work and daycare tomorrow for everyone and of course new beginnings for Taylor in first grade and Maddie at a new preschool! I'll be back as soon as I can come up for some fresh air!

Meet the Teacher Night!

Maddie got to go and meet her new teacher, Mrs. Koehler, last night! She was quite excited that we let her choose one of her new outfits to wear! She proudly brought in her school supplies and then upon meeting Mrs. Koehler she quickly found my leg. Right after meeting the teacher she found the Little People toys and was as happy as could be!

I am really excited for Maddie to be starting her Pre-K school next Wednesday. Last year, the preschool she went to really focused on social topics which was just what she needed for an introduction to school. I'm ready for her to start doing more academic things as well and feel that this program is going to provide her with both great academic and social settings.

I'll be back with pictures of Taylor's Meet the Teacher Night soon and of course first day of school pictures! Wishing everyone a Happy Labor Day Weekend!