Summer draws to a close

I have heard that we appreciate things more when they are temporary, when we know that soon time will take them away.  If it was always summer, it would not be so exciting and special.... but it still seems hard to face the end.  Maybe one year we could have an experiment and see what happened if we let summer vacation last a bit longer?  Granted, I am tired.  Kids are exhausting!  But I find that I am dragging my feet more than any of the kids about going back to school and resuming "normal" life.  

Here are just a few beach shots from New York.  As often happens, I did not take many pictures and will have to rely on the photography of my mother for the summer.

Noella got some big news when we came back: She moved up to the 4 year old classroom.  An awful lot earlier than we expected.  She is, of course, very ready to move up and had no problem whatsoever with the transition.  She is already letting us know how very mature she is.  It seems like it could have some nice effects, as apparently "All Stars are ALWAYS helpful."

Mariel started 1st grade today, and is just as thrilled to be moving up in the world.  She is really looking forward to learning to read more and, of course, her favorite "subject" of recess.

The girls had fun last weekend posing in their matching dresses and new matching rain boots (which do require it to rain to become useful... but I am hoping).  Their disgruntled brother really was only interested in sweeping and kept trying to shove them out of the way.

And so the summer draws to a close... and back to work and school we go.  I will try to catch some of the enthusiasm of the kids!

Holden's First Haircut

He looks all grown up now!

Why you can't stay in the car by yourself

Yesterday, in the car (before stopping at the farmer's market)

Mariel: I don't want to get out.  I am going to stay in the car.
Me: You can't.  You know that.  You have to get out with me.
Mariel: Nah.  I am going to stay in here.
Me: MARIEL (in a VERY stern voice...  I look back and she is smiling at me.)
Mariel: Not really.  Mom.  (Smiles again and giggles). But maybe I will stay in.
Noella: NO!  Mariel you can't.
Mariel: Yes, I can. I will stay in the car.
Noella: Mariel, if you do the police might come.  Or bad guys!
Mariel: It's OK.  I will stay in here.
N: If you stay in the car, you might fall asleep.
M: Yep.  I might.  I will fall asleep in the car.
N: MARIEL!  You will fall asleep in the car. OK?
M: OK.
N: And then you will stay in the car until midnight.  OK? (Noella says OK in a high pitched voice.  She also raises both hands and shrugs at the same time).
M: OK.
N: And then when you wake up you will be in the FOREST.  OK?
M: OK.  (starts to smile again).
N: And there will be bears (in a very growly, angry sort of bear voice).  OK?  (back to the high pitched voice).
M: OK.
N: And then the BAD GUYS WILL COME (very loud).  OK?
M: OK (laughing now).
N: And they will GET YOU!  The bad guys will get you.  OK?
M: OK.
N: And after the bad guys get you, they will put you in a BOX.  OK?
M: OK.
N: And then they will throw you in the sea. OK?
M: OK.
N: With the bears.  OK?
M: OK... but I don't think there are bears in the sea.
N: THERE ARE BEARS. AND CHEETAHS.  OK?
M: OK.
N: And then Holden and I will be sad because we won't have a big sister anymore.  So you should not stay in the car by yourself, Mariel.

She is a DINOSAUR!

Noella went to dinasour camp ("Jurassic Art" at the College of Creative Arts) last week.  The program culiminated in a dance performance.  The kids started out as dinosaur eggs and then "hatched" before their dance.

Noella had fun, and was very excited to bring home her arts and crafts projects.  This week is it Mariel's turn at camp, and then soon we are all off to "camp Grandma" in Henderson!

Keeping Busy!

We have been keeping busy with all sorts of adventures: parks, playgrounds, museums.  While I struggle with ambivalence about living in the midwest, there is certainly much to be said about St. Louis and small kids.  The number of different activities that can be fun for kids- even for those of us parents who are less than enthusiastic about many child-oriented activities- is astounding.  Among the things that we have done in the past two weeks are hiking at Powder Valley, the annual Art and Air Festival in Webster, and picnicking in Forest Park.  More fun ahead, too!