Changes

This is something I wrote for the SNOMOMS (my twin club) newsletter recently. I thought it was relevant here too....

In mid-September school had begun, the weather cooled, it seemed the windows would stay closed until spring and that we had no need for shorts or sandals anymore. So I put those things away, turned on the pilot light on the fire place, brought out the rain boots, and even considered some long-sleeved clothes for the girls.

Then just when I was settling into that "Fall Feeling" - you know, the cool, crisp morning walks to the bus stop, watching the wind blow the leaves out of our huge maple tree, feeling the need to wear socks and (gasp!) jeans - BAM! Mother Nature brought us some unusually gorgeous and WARM end-of-summer days. So I went in search of the shorts and sandals for the 80 degree day. I dug out the swim suits for one last trip to the Forest Park splash pad. And (aahhhh...) the windows were thrown open for one last hurrah of fresh air flowing through the house. (I turned off the pilot light too.)

Doesn't parenting feel a little like that sometimes? Okay ... MOST of the time? As soon as you figure one thing out and you're finally comfortable with it, the kids are moving on to something new. You finally figure out what "Ungh!" means ("apples, please") and he decides he wants pears. Your 3-year-old learns how to dress herself and for a few weeks you get a little relief in the morning, only to have her "need" your help again because she "forgot how!" You establish an evening homework routine ... and then basketball (or hockey!) season starts.

None of these changes are necessarily BAD - your baby is trying new things, your 3-year-old still WANTS YOU, you get to woot and holler and cheer on your happy little athlete. And of course, what Washingtonian in their right mind would complain about a little last minute summer weather?! As parents, especially of twins and trips, we just have to be a little flexible - sometimes with a sigh, sometimes with a grin, and almost always with a little extra work.

I have to admit that the growing-up and learning-new-things part of parenting is one of my favorites. It's so darn entertaining! (Someday you may need to remind me I said that.) And I don't mind the stop and go beginning of fall either. Heck, I'll take an 80 degree day in January if it's offered! So cheers to the changing season and to our growing kids ~ Happy Fall!

Ailey the Toothless

Ailey definitely looks the part of a 1st grader these days. She recently lost two teeth in two weeks, and has lost five altogether. (The first one was almost a year ago and I was so not ready for it. But we're prepared now!)

She lost her first top tooth the week before school started - it is quite the gap!

The second was on the bottom where she already has 3 permanent teeth.

I told her we were going to carve a Halloween pumpkin this year to look just like her smile. The idea stuck, and now whenever Ailey is telling someone about her gappy smile, Silje pipes in with "Ailey looks like a jack'o'lantern!"

Ailey is pretty proud of the holes in her smile. And I can understand why after visiting her classroom this past week: at least half of the kids in her class look just like her! The tell-tale sign of a 1st grader!

Helpful

Marin figured out how to pump herself on the swing over the summer (the same day Ailey did!). So Silje is now the only one who needs to be pushed on the swings. When Silje wants to swing and I am otherwise occupied, the girls have figured out a way to get her moving.

I do love these moments in parenting!

(video)

First Days of School

That "fall feeling" is here, with school starting for all three girls in the last couple weeks.

Ailey went back to school last week in 70 degree temps - it was nice to walk to the bus stop in the sun! She wore her favorite color pretty much from head to toe and was excited to see some of her friends again.

Silje and Marin had their first day of preschool today. They will go two days a week starting next week, but this first week 1/2 the class went each day to help Mrs. Crossen get to know them a little better. They will all be together next Thursday.

I feel so blessed to have them in Mrs. Crossen's class, where Ailey spent two years. She is a great teacher and great person and the girls already LOVE her. Marin was a little anxious about preschool on our way there this morning. But as soon as she saw Mrs. Crossen - and all the toys! - she warmed up and had a great time. She came out of class saying "Mom, I LOVE preschool!"

First day pictures:
Note that Silje's bangs are SLOWLY growing back in....

Marin

Ailey was excited for Marin and Silje's first day ... and I'm sure a little jealous that they got to go to Mrs. Crossen's class without her.

We walked Ailey to her bus...

...Then came back for their backpacks. Oh, they are SO EXCITED about their backpacks!!

I have big plans for my "free time" this year, but I have to keep reminding myself that Marin and Silje are only in preschool for 4 hours a week. With drop-off and pick-up time that doesn't leave me much! But it will allow me to volunteer (a very little) in Ailey's class and maybe get in a grocery shopping trip. Today I attended a, ahem, mandatory parent therapy class at Starbucks with a couple of my friends. I'm sure there will be other mandatory parenting classes throughout the year, and I have to say I am REALLY looking forward to them!

Happy Fall!

Summer Daze

As much as we Washingtonians like to complain when the rain just ain't quitin', I'll take a Washington summer over the blazing heat some of the rest of the country is having any day. Like today.

Our "partly cloudy" Monday ended up more "sparsely cloudy". And the upper 60 degrees was ... perfect. Nice and warm when the sun was on your back, but still cool air we're breathing. And even though 67 degrees doesn't sound like much for an August day, it was ... perfect.

Can you tell I'm still wistful about our summer day gone right?

We walked onto the Mukilteo ferry with some Mukilteo friends. Whatever it is with kids and water, it's enough to keep them staring at it for ... well, WHOLE MINUTES.



We walked off on the other side to the little park next to the ferry terminal. When I say "little", I mean you can't even tell its there unless someone points it out. There are bathrooms and a mound of sand. The mound of sand is, for some reason, well stocked with toy vehicles. So with the additional buckets and shovels that we brought it afforded plenty of entertainment for 6- and 3-year-olds, while us moms chatted and watched the ferries come and go.

We then walked down the pathway to the public access beach - about 100 feet of beach between the apparently private beaches of the homes along the shore. It was just enough for us.

Ailey found a shell FULL of barnacles.

There was a little water-exploring before...

... they got more brave...

... and their pants all wet. Silje. (Need I say more?)

We opted for ice cream after coming back to Mukilteo - soft serve at Ivar's. And walked it to the Lighthouse to eat.

A warm, sunny day with the ferry in the background and three happy girls ... darn right I got some posed pictures!