And It Begins

2 Years, 17 Weeks.

"All I really need to know... I learned in Kindergarten."

                                              -- Robert Fulghum, Author

She was so eager to go to school she wanted to wear her uniform the day before classes officially began.  She could barely contain her excitement, going to sleep that night would prove difficult, and yet, she was fresh as a button the following morning.

And with that, this year's summer vacation was over.

Braelyn and her teacher on the first day of Kindergarten!

So we're back to the regular school schedule, including our mid-afternoon trips to downtown to pick up big sister.  Back to following a daily regimen and timelines; we had totally relaxed bed time over the summer.

Let me tell you, being in charge of two children as opposed to three is so much easier!  And this was very evident on Monday when I woke up to only having to take care of the twins for the majority of the day.  I was, however, feeling a little bit melancholy though, without having my little assistant around.  The twins kept asking me, "Where's Brae-Brae?"  I would respond:  "She's at school,"  to which they would repeat, "She's at school?" making me miss having her around even more, if not just for conversations. But oh, so much easier!

Here are this week's highlights:

• Friday Tangie got off work a little earlier and took Braelyn out for a little make-over, i.e., haircut and manicure/pedicure.  A little Mother/Daughter date.  Afterwards we had dinner at Texas Roadhouse because Braelyn wanted to "eat at the restaurant with the peanuts."  

Getting a trim.  She wants to grow her bangs out and so they layered the sides and back.

Getting pampered, complete with lollipop!

Trying hard not to laugh while they did her pedicure, her feet were ticklish!

With Daddy at "the restaurant with the peanuts."

Showing off her new nails.  You'll be there soon Maddy!

• Sabbath we attended church and then went home for lunch and naps.  Later that evening we joined the Bergherms and took them resort hopping at Disney, something they had never done before.  We started by getting stuck at the Fort Wilderness Lodge for quite some time due to a very serious thunderstorm with some crazy rain, but then we were able to ride the boats and monorail around.  All for free!

Brae joined the twins at their Sabbath School because Calleigh wasn't back yet from Nova Scotia.

Searching for Jesus.

We were joined by our friends the Johnsons with baby Erik.
They usually attend the more "traditional" 10:15 class and wanted to see what all the hype was
with the more contemporary 11:15 class!  I just thought Kent looked funny sitting in the kids' chairs!

Maddy being goofy at the grounds of the Contemporary Resort.

Hanging out with buddies at the Polynesian Resort.

They enjoyed doing all the boat rides.

• Sunday morning I went to spend some needed Daddy Time so I hooked up with another daddy (Bruce Bergherm) and we hit up 18 holes.  Actually 19, as we played one hole twice because we didn't like the scores we got on the first time around!  Mommy was able to take all three to the pool for several hours to get them worn out and tired for naps, as we were to attend OJA's registration and orientation/picnic later that afternoon.  We would meet Braelyn's new teacher, Mrs. Hudak (who dat?!)  and see her new classroom. Like I said earlier, she would be so excited she would have a hard time going to bed that night!

Nothing like having the pool all to ourselves!

Brae working on floating, diving, and water gymnastics!

Getting set to go to school registration!

The kids were running on the mats while the parents filled out papers and getting forms stamped.

Walking around, observing her new classroom.

They twins felt real comfortable and made themselves at home!

• The remainder of the week consisted of errands, playgrounds, cooking, cleaning, and the lot.  I did take all 3 to the Science Center after school on Wednesday as it would be the last time they would be open on Wednesdays for the summer.  They are usually closed that day during the normal school week.  Other than that, back to routine schedule.  Oh, and a lot of weeding.  Did I mention how much I hate weeds?

The community pool was closed for maintenance one day so we had to resort to plan B.

We found this playground in Winter Park off 17-92 during one of our drives.

Um, Maddy....

More laughs at Costco!

Squeaky clean times 3!

Randoms:

Where would I go if I needed some meat?  Actually, they even had exotic meats including kangaroo!

A spectacular view from the backyard one evening.

Dishes this week:

Eggplant Parmesan 

A friend challenged me to plate oatmeal so this is what I came up with.

Braised Beef Short Ribs with Watercress and Basil Oil.

Concert:

Have a great week!