Moon Festival

BP knew somehow that there was going to be a full moon. Not sure how still, but maybe her teacher told her? She said we had to have a "moon festival." I was clueless, so I asked and she told what it involved...Dinner, a blanket in the grass, and watching the full moon rise. We finished off the evening with a campfire. It was fun to go with her 4 year old imagination and to enjoy one of the last warm Summer nights.

Checking in...

We are getting back into the school schedule. BP is still riding twice a week and can carry her own saddle now. She still talks about horses and riding non-stop, but now combined with re-enacting her days at school. BP started ballet last week. On days off from school we are trying to enjoy the beautiful weather we are having. BB just started a gymanstics class which is right up her alley. She loves swinging on the bar and jumping on the trampoline. "More, more" is what she tells the instructor. She is speaking in complete sentences and comes out with many new words daily. BP will be 4 next week and BB will be 2 less than a month after. Wow! They are busy little bees always and therefore keep us busy also!

September Flashback

I love to look back at our blog whenever I have spare time. Today I went back a year ago to BP's first day of school. Oh how hard it was for me. One year ago on that day, I blogged about the above pic. It was where I went after we dropped her off and the beautiful views and "The Hills are Alive" fields gave me some relief. I laugh and get goosebumps now because it is those hills I now see out of my windows everyday. Funny how life works. How direction is realized in an instant. How things just happen for a reason.

Daddy Date #2 (BP)

Daddy Date #2 was BP's turn. They went kayaking on a pristine local resevoir. She left with a pillow to sit on, a small quilt, snacks, her pink water bottle, her binoculars, and of course a pink life jacket. He left with a life jacket, snacks, a water bottle, and my camera. They both came home 3 hours later with huge smiles and lots of stories from their adventure. I just have to say that my husband is the perfect "girl Dad." He just gets them, and understands that sometimes they are sensitive and whiny. And other times they are adventurous and all about bugs and kayaking and peeing in the woods. Now BP is planning on an afterschool kayaking trip. Yes, she has asked Daddy "to pick her up in his green truck with the kayak" and go in the nearby Delaware or another lake they spotted recently. It seesm she cannot wait for the weekend. I give her credit. I am not all that confident of a kayaker. She is a braver chick than me!

Hello Fall!

Those two little pumpkins sitting on my farmhouse table made me smile and realize my favorite time of year is here. Plus the chilly temperature today and the crisp wind blowing helps too. I bought mums the other day to plant and decorate our porches with. We have two pumpkins in the garden that are slowly turning orange. Now I do believe it is time to fill the candy dish with some candy corn. Do tell if you have seen it in the stores yet...

Daddy Date #1 (BB)

Daddy and BB went for a hike Saturday morning. BB thought she was the cat's meow riding in Daddy's truck and having one on one time with him. It seems BP normally steals all the Daddy time away, but Little BB is coming into her own. She has really grown up this summer. She is good company and can talk your ear off!

First Haircut

BB had her first haircut today. She is sporting some bangs now. It took all of 2 minutes and then she got to choose a lollipop. She told Daddy and BP about her "hairtut" as soon as she saw them. I am so glad her hair isn't constantly in her eyes anymore.

Hey Cowboys...

This picture was taken at the Brad Paisley concert a couple weeks ago. They planned their outfits like two sorority girls and even made a last minute shopping trip to Tractor Supply. Aunt Nicole and I rolled our eyes and made jokes about them. When we got to the concert Brad Paisley was wearing the same exact hat!

First Day of School '09

Today was BP's first day of school. She was very excited. Can you tell from the pictures? It was pretty much an instant replay of last year. She kissed us all good-bye and never looked back. Except this year she recongnized all the faces greeting her. I cried on the way home. Again. I am so proud of the little lady she has become and the quiet confidence she exudes. She is back in her little "Homestead world" and could not be happier. Wait until they get BB next year!

Music is Magic

We took a Music Together class called "Music is Magic" at Bethel Woods Performing Art Center this Summer. It was every Friday and absolutely amazing. Not your typical kids music class. Being that it was held at the site of the original Woodstock festival made it extra special. The music included all the originals with a kid spin on them. The girls left with a new appreciation of the "oldies" and tie-dye. They got to dance on the "big stage" where Taylor Swift once sang, which made BP's Summer. They spent time with friends, ate chocolate chip cookies, and celebrated peace and love in true Woodstock style.

Swimming Lessons

BP wrapped up a Summer of swimmng lessons with Miss Danielle last week. She and Daddy went to the last lesson together and said good-bye. She took two lessons each week for a half an hour and made major progress. She went from clutching Danielle around the waist and neck to confidently moving about in the shallow water by the end. In the beginning she refused to get her chin wet or even kiss the water, and in the end she would dip her whole head in. She learned to float on her back and stomach and kick solo with the kickboard. She started to paddle and kick alone in the last few weeks. By August Danielle would say after each lesson, "I cannot believe it is the same kid in the water!" This was all we wanted to hear. We did not sign her up to be the next Michael Phelps, but to gain confidence and some basic swimming skills. Next year Danielle is unfortunately leaving us for med school (what a slacker!), but both BB and BP will take swimming lessons at our town pool. On a side note...I loved this pool this Summer. BB and I would swim during BP"s lesson and then for about an hour after we all would. It was warm, but refreshing, and it miraculously cured the morning sickness for the couple hours we were in it!