H and Emri Show Goers!

Hazel has been lucky enough to get to go to some wonderful shows lately with our 9 year old friend Emri! She was invited to see the Seattle Children's theater production of The Cat in the Hat with Emri and her sweet Mom Danielle, 

 and she had a blast of course!

Then, I got a fabulous deal on tickets to see the Pacific NW Ballet's production of Cinderella!

It was so much fun to take the girls.

 Hazel loved getting all dressed up as Cinderella (in one of Emri's old costumes in fact) and got so much attention from it.

 They were both happy as could be there seeing the real ballerinas.

We couldn't stay for the whole show as it went pretty late. After the second act H was asleep and I carried a Sleeping Beauty Cinderella out of the theater to lots of "awwwe's". What a treat of a night!

Fall Season

We kicked off the first weekend of fall with some nice times together. Todd's awesome co-worked gave us a beautiful insect display box, complete with pics etc. and after a week studying bugs at FH I was thrilled. The kids immediately went outside to add more to the collection (already had a few dozen when given to us!). So, after a lazy morn on Saturday Q and I had some solo time at Yost Park to do some hunting. I love moments I get with my boy like this, and so does he! After our quick walk in the woods, he asked if just I could take him to soccer, and I happily did! It's such a treat to watch him play. He's so fast, really hustles out there, and is aware of what he needs to do on defense and makes good passes to teammates. I'm excited to see him gain confidence on offense too, especially against more challenging players. After the game, we stopped by one more park and scrambled around a bit before we got the call to help with with Miss. H. Saturday night Q and Todd got to go to the Sounders game Todd WON tickets to! and I dropped off H to play with Cedella while I went out to celebrate Rebecca and Tara's birthdays at Tula's!

 Sunday, we headed over to Vashon to visit Nami and Danpa, smoke some fish (YUM!), 

 

visit with baby Vivian (and the Sanders and Tuckers too! ;)), 

pick fruit, gather pumpkins, eat fresh produce, ride Tommy, hunt insects some more, hold chickens, catch a pet rat, and you know generally have fallish fun! 

Fall, I love you already!

ZAGOFOPO '12!

Ok, I have to admit somehow I can't remember if this was ZAGOFOPO #4 or #5! Either way, it's fun to cook up fish activities, eat salmon, and visit with Fish Oriented People and Others! ;)

 I think I got about half of the crew...but most of the kids at least! ;)

Don't tell Todd but ZAGOFOPO is really just another excuse for Erin to plan a themed party for kids right?! ;)

 

 Reminder to self, perhaps reconsider planning ZAGOFOPO 2013 for a less seriously BUSY week in September. Regardless of the fact that many folks are off vacationing in the summer, that's probably a better time to have a shindig, and not after the first full week of school (=super busy time for this Mama!). That said, my husband is a ROCK STAR at home cleaning when it comes to it! Even after the party our home is still more clean than normal, hooray!

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!