September 2009

September was an active month, but we were definitely able to slow down from the breakneck pace of August, which seems fitting of the month that transitions from summer to fall.

The kids were able to enjoy two fairs this month. The first was the Puyallup where we went with the Neels to enjoy rides, animals, and unhealthy food. Then in the last weekend of the month I took the kids to Yakima with my mother and Bill where we did it all again.

The trip to Yakima was part of an entire weekend where the kids and I went to Eastern Washington while Becky had the house all to herself and experienced life without any demands. She used her time to relax, run, do some yard work, and enjoy a few chick flicks.

September is the month of our anniversaries. Yes there are two of them, the 15th is our wedding anniversary and the 24th is the day when we first met. This year marked exactly 10 years from the day we first laid eyes on each other, which boggles my mind and makes me feel just a little bit old.

The children reached their own milestones. Kyla started Kindergarten, which is going well so far. She seems to really like her teacher and has made some new friends. Becky has been working with her to learn new words, and Kyla can now read entire books to us.

Blake has managed to give up his pacifier, at least while he is awake. He's not entirely pleased with this progress, but he's not putting up much of a fight either. While we were in Ellensburg he never once asked me for it.

The warmth of summer is gone and the fall has brought change to the trees and to our lives.

Kindergarten

Right after Kyla was born, the nurse congratulated us on just making it before the school cutoff. Indeed, she just made it by three and a half hours.

Whether or not we should actually send her on time has been in the back of our heads for quite some time, and it came to the forefront over the past year. We were concerned that she would struggle being the youngest kid in her class (except for any kids whose parents managed to get them in early). Eventually we concluded that she seemed ready and her preschool teacher told us that she seemed independent enough for Kindergarten.

Kyla has been longing for the day when she could go to the "big kids' school" that is about a mile from our house. However when the big day drew near, she started getting anxious and worried that it might be too difficult for her. Becky and I assured her that Kindergarten would be fun.

She requested that we give her a picture of Becky for her to take with her for comfort just like she had on her first day of preschool. We were shocked (and impressed) that she remembered that kind of detail two years hence. I printed out a small headshot of Becky and taped it to the back of Kyla's necklace.

The start of Kindergarten is actually a three day process. On the first Becky and Kyla went together to check things out together. Then on the second Becky went alone to learn what to expect. Finally on the third day Kyla actually went to class on her own.

I worked from home that day so that we could all escort her together to Grand Ridge Elementary. Apparently the first real day of school was a big deal to many other parents as well, as there were many cameras there to cover the event.

Kyla was the first in line to go to class and nervously walked into this new phase of her life. I took pictures as she left and Becky struggled to hold it together while her baby walked away both literally and metaphorically (Becky did a great job of staying composed throughout). She must have had a great time because afterwards she was complaining that she couldn't go to school every day of the week, then on her second day she literally ran to get in line for class.

While she was there Kyla helped another girl reach for a pencil and retrieve her mail from her mailbox. This impressed her teacher, Ms. Dammers, who rewarded her with a green ticket, which is her class' means of recognizing good behavior and was a very big deal to Kyla.

I don't think we could have asked for a better start to this new phase of Kyla's life. No doubt school is going to have its ups and downs, but we all know how important a first impression is.

Kyla's 5th Birthday Party

Wow, five already? Yes, she really is growing fast.

Becky tried to think of something original to do for her party this year, but Kyla insisted on a redux of last year's party, so we signed up again for Kidz Bounce. Also as with last year, we combined the event with Asher, which makes sense because there is a lot of overlap amongst their friends.

The kids bounced their hearts out, pausing briefly for pizza and cake. Becky was the coordinator while I did my best to record the event.

Afterwards some of the guests came to hang at our house, where I again showed off a new movie.

Rylee and Alanna stayed after for a slumber party. The girls enjoyed playing with Kyla's new dolls and watching an old movie they found on Apple TV. The nighttime was difficult because Alanna and Rylee struggled to get and stay asleep (Kyla was the first to sleep and the last to wake). The next day the kids were in good enough spirits to put on a mock wedding ceremony where they rotated the roles of husband, wife, and flower girl.

Again, another successful birthday.

August 2009

Perhaps with the exception of December, I believe that August will go down as our busiest month this year. We had two road trips, two weddings, several birthdays, and Kyla's big party to cap it all off.

On our second night off together ever, Becky and I went to her cousin Jennifer's wedding, then on the weekend between our two trips, my cousin Elise had her wedding which we took the kids to. Both were fun events with good food and dancing, and at both I spent a bit of time drooling over the photographer's equipment.

The first trip was to go camping in Oregon with the Neels. Then we went to Chelan to stay at my parents' place and cruise the lake in my mother's new party barge. The weather was very nice, 90 degrees feels pleasant when you're swimming in the lake, and Mom made sure we were very well fed.

Well, we survived our most hectic month of the summer. We are looking forward to a subdued Labor Day.