Mia is off to Kindergarten!

Oh my, time passes! A few years ago I thought the day would never come when all my kids are in school. . . . but the time is here! Mia is soooo excited for school. She had a hard time waiting a WHOLE week while her siblings went off to school, but today was the big day for her! I have her in afternoon, so I just dropped her off at Noon and then she will get to walk home with Kennedy and Elizabeth after school. What a big girl!!

When she first gets to her class room, she is to move her "shell" over to show that she is here today!

Her teacher, Mrs. Bennett. I think she will be fabulous. When we went in for Mia's assesment last week, she did so great! She told her all her letters, counted, etc. Did everything for her! I wasn't sure if Mia would regress and not talk when she got to school this fall. . . . but she is doing incredible! She is still a little leary and shy, but with a little bribery. . . .she does great.

No, I didn't cry. But it is a little strange dropping her off. . . . I am glad I still have my mornings to spend with her. I will miss her saying:

"Mommy"

"yes" (i say)

"I love you"

She says that several times a day. I will miss her!!

Happy Birthday Mia! 5!

Mia LOVES Strawberries. .. she she wanted a strawberry cake! Very good taste. . .

We had a busy day. . . but by bedtime we were able to have some cake and sing!

Ready to sing and blow out the candles!

I wonder what she wished for??

Ear Piercing time!

Mia decided that for her birthday we would get her ears pierced. . . . so we went off to the mall. Here she is right before. All smiles. And very cute I have to add! Right after. . . she was so brave. Didn't cry. .. but her eyes got just a little watery like she wanted to.. . but she didn't make a peep. Just squeezed my hand a little when the earring first went in.

All done. . . A sucker for a prize! Gotta love this girl!

And they're off!

Elizabeth. . .first day of 2nd grade! Kennedy . .. first day of 5th grade!

First Day of School was on Tuesday! I didn't get any pictures of Luke, but here are Kennedy and Elizabeth ready to head out for the day! Can you tell how windy it was outside??

They both came home very excited about their teachers and the school year in general.

Why are we smiling around here??

Well, it's actually not because Elizabeth lost her two front teeth. . . although she is pretty cute.

Well, what is it then? Well school starts tomorrow!! We have been to open houses today, the kids have outfits all picked out for tomorrow, and I am sure will be up and ready to go first thing in the morning!!

I can't believe that the summer is over. . .. . . but we are smiling around here! Well, maybe David isn't as excited as the girls for school tomorrow. . . and Luke doesn't seem to be too excited either. .. but ready or not, it starts tomorrow!

Seattle

We decided that after all the working we've done this summer to take a little trip up to Washington for a week. We left early Sunday morning on August 1st and drove ALL day until we reached Seattle that evening. We stopped to snap a photo of the water as the sun was setting. All day in the car. .. we were glad to finally be at our destination!! We only had two days to enjoy Seattle, so we tried to make the most of it! We met up with David and Tiffany and their little one, Sean, (David is my nephew) at the zoo Monday afternoon. We saw the entire Zoo and we were all tired and hungry by the time we were done. So we hit Dick's for some food.. . . and I have to admit it wasn't as good as I remembered! I know some of you will think me terrible for saying so. . . . but we were dissapointed! I will admit that the fries were pretty good, though! Day two we hit downtown. First we made a stop at the Ballard Locks to see the salmon run, and the boats go through the locks. It was quite neat when we spotted a little leopard seal swimming around! We ate on the pier at Ivars. . . expensive, but very good! And of course hit Pike Place Market.

That night we met David and Tiffany for the Mariners game downtown!

Elizabeth and Mia wouldn't stop pestering David. . .he handled it very well, though. We actually lucked out and the Mariners pulled out a win that night!

Two Brothers Apart

I saw this video on facebook. . . . and thought it was pretty crazy that it was the Nelsons ( family that mine knows really well in Seattle)!!