Just a Monday After School

Considering I have about a million blog posts to write, work/volunteering to do at 4 schools this year, a home to help manage, 2 young and busy children, and SO much on my to do list, starting to catch up with one simple blog post seemed like a nice place to start.

On Monday, another super sunny September day, we headed down to the beach after school.

We made new friends, waded in the water, built walls and fairy homes, snacked, watched the divers, and generally lazed in the sun.

It was simple fun, the best way to start off our week.

Fishing Q

After really getting the hang of fishing this summer, Q was pumped to get to go out on Matt's boat with Todd!

   

Q didn't get to reel one in this time (the big guy they had while Q was on the boat got away), but he had a great time and they did bring home some fish for us!

Welcome Vivian!

I was so excited to hear the news that the newest Sander arrived all on her own! Yay Anna! It was also such a treat to see her before she went home. 

 

 

Welcome Vivian! 

I can't wait to see you grow and change this year!

Hazel at Maplewood Too!

Hazel started a new preschool this year, Maplewood Preschool, located near Quin's school at Maplewood Presbyterian Church and run by Teacher Barbara and Teacher Nancy. H has her good friend Eliza in class with her, and enjoys playing with all sorts of new toys there. 

She has also of course loved getting to wear her new wardrobe provided by Gigi! 

 

 Bringing flowers to her teacher, Q did too (but with less excitement ;)):

 Teacher Nancy, H, and Teacher Barb:

 Strutting her stuff at Edmonds Heights, my new school!

She was thrilled to pose for me all day!

First Day of First Grade!

 Quin started first grade today! His first year of being away from home all day. :( He has Ms. Pendergrass this year, aka Ms. P. and he already loves her! She is so sweet, respectful and a perfect teacher for him this year.

He was nervous on this first day of school, but did absolutely fantastic! After school in the car ride home I asked him how the day went and he said, "Great!" and then proceeded to say, "Here are some rules for silent reading..." stating them verbatim in a very teachery voice. It was SO cute and I can tell that he actually appreciates the clear expectations, rules, and routines they have already been given in the class. It's going to be a fantastic year!

Aquarium Fun with Justin and Gigi!

As a fun end of summer treat we went down to the waterfront with Justin and Gigi today! Gigi got us a new pass to the aquarium (it was just a little more than getting in for the day!) and the kids were thrilled! It had been awhile since we had been there, and for Hazel it was like a whole new experience.She had to do all the face cut out things:

And we explored all over:

Afterwards Gigi took us to Ivar's for lunch, where we dined inside and then fed seagulls outside:

What fun!

YOINLOAY!

Leavenworth Girls Weekend!

At some point during our Leavenworth girls weekend the topic of YOLO (You Only Live Once) came up. You know when we were talking about things middle schoolers say too much or something...and we decided we had to say, YOINLO (You're Only In Leavenworth Once) to be silly, and then to add to the silliness I added AY,  for A Year. Ok, part of this weekend away IS just goofy fun, and I love it! I love spending time with these fun gals reading trash magazines (and not yet published chic lit! ;)) poolside, drinking beer, hot tub star-gazing, eating the amazing breakfast at Sleeping Lady, jumping off the side of the pool, 

oh and even taking a little time for myself:

 

 I can't wait for next year!!!

PS. Thanks to Gigi and Todd for letting me get away! :)