New routines and apples

Dear Maya & Emi,

The last month has been a big adjustment, but pretty awesome. Actually, I think it's been a harder adjustment for mommy than for anyone else. Maya, you're having a great time in 2nd great and Emi, you don't seem to have had a single moment of doubt about going to school. Yay!

Here are some photos of you guys in the mornings before gleefully getting on the bus:

And here are a couple pics I forgot to post last time of you in your classroom, Emi:

 And here's some other fun stuff we've been up to:

Taking donations to the Humane Society

Having fun at Natalie's birthday party

Hitting the Rail Trail

And the best September activity of all...apple (and pumpkin) picking!

And, finally, some pretty photos mommy took of you guys in her new studio space before school started (as insurance in case the first-day-of-school photos went south). Maya, you look so grown up and Emi, you are so funny!

Well, mommy has lots of work to do so it's time to sign off. Love you both!

Second Grade and Pre-K!

Dear Maya & Emi,

It's the first day of school! Mommy took too many pictures to just share them on Facebook, so today called for the second blog post in a week. I'm so proud of you two--my big 2nd grader and my big girl going to her first ever day of school! I hope you both have an awesome day!

Love you both!

August of new adventures

Dear Maya and Emi,

The whole month of August flew by without a blog post! Does mommy get a pass since one week of it you guys weren't even here? Well, it was a busy month regardless, and here are just some of the fun things we (and you) did!

• Went on mommy/daughter dates that featured sweets! (pop rocks ice cream for you, Maya, and fancy French pastries for you, Emi)

• The last few weeks of your summer rec program were awesome, Maya. You started sort of swimming on your own, and in your words, you're a "natural" at dodgeball

• You two went to North Carolina to spend a week with Grandpa and Lori...without your parents!! You went to the aquarium, went on a boat ride, played in the peacock pool, ate ice cream and sushi, and tired your grandparents right out!!

 

• On your way back from North Carolina mommy met you guys in Maryland and we spent a day and night hanging out with your friend Nora and her parents and her pets! You especially loved the hedgehog, but you also liked checking out the big yellow gecko and the Madagascar hissing cockroaches they're babysitting. You had a great time swimming with Nora, too!

• We went to the fair! You were both so excited for the rides that we spent less time with the animals than usual, but that's okay. Maya, you were great about taking Emi under your wing on some of the rides that were new to her. Emi, you were fearless! Next year we're going to have to get lots more ride tickets!

  

• And yesterday after some raspberry picking at the flower farm, we had a Labor Day weekend meal with Matt and Rhi. Emi, I think it was your first time eating real outdoor s'mores but you had more fun burning and dropping the marshmallows than eating them. Maya, you were reallllly good at getting a nice golden color on yours. And we all loved Aunt Rhi's family secret---using Ritz crackers instead of graham crackers!

Well, it's time to get ready for school!! Just a few days left now until you're BOTH in school. Mommy has such mixed feelings--happy to have some time to myself but also a little sad about your independence. It's a good thing, though. And one thing will never change...

We love you both!