september

One of my favorite days of the year is when we caravan to Perry and the infamous 'fruit way' to buy a bunch of pumpkins, eat a lot of rolls at Maddox and wrap it up with typically the first fall drive of the season. This year did not disappoint.

Pumpkins were out in force and we spotted a few orange and yellow leaves on the mountains.

My sister is kind of obsessed with me so she dyed her hair red on Saturday afternoon and then invited us all over to her back yard forest for yummy food and time around the fire pit.

I should have a picture of Caitlin's cute hair but Lucy seems to be the only subject of these photos.

Brinton & Caitlin's back yard looks amazing. There's a zillion little twinkle lights and mason jars with candles. I would totally steal this idea but Blake doesn't do well with heights or electrical projects. Brinton has worked so hard and their whole yard and garden is a cozy woodland retreat.

Lucy slept over and kind of couldn't wait for us to leave and have her night begin.

Suk and Wedge had kind of a traumatic day at the groomer earlier in the week. Our regular groomer is not available so we've been on a search to get these mangey mutts groomed. Blake found a place but when I dropped them off only big dogs were around - like pit bull type dogs. These little boys were terrified. Well, almost nine hours and about $100. later Blake picked up the boys. Wedge was handsome as always but my poor baby Suk had all the long hair on his ears cut off and any hair he had on his stump tail was gone (when we bought him 10 years ago for our first anniversary he was discounted because of his stump tail). My poor Suk. He was embarrassed for a few days and he's still shivering so we took them to the party to cheer them up.

Pit-bull ears.

My favorite month of the year!

preschool

The first day of preschool was a success all around!

The night before I admit (if you didn't read my post below) I was kind of a basket case. I was nervous, sad and doubting if I would be able to be there for the drop-off in the morning. But we all woke up excited and happy and all of the uneasiness from the night before was gone.

Lucy was literally squealing about school. Blake and I both took the day off because we both wanted to see her walk into her class and hear all about her day when we picked her up. Blake made Lucy a yummy breakfast but with all of the excitement she only had a few bites.

We got to the preschool and it was so quiet. I expected madness but mostly it was a lot of nervous/excited kids and parents taking pictures.

Lucy gave hugs and walked right into her class. She knew from the open house to get her name tag and to wash her hands. We stayed a bit in the doorway (with ten other parents) to spy and make sure she was fine...and she always is.

She looked so big in her classroom. I mean, hello, she did make it onto the growth charts last month for the very first time - 1st percentile!!

She seemed older and very ready to be where she was.

Blake and I had almost 3 hours for a Tuesday morning date - so we went to Costco and Target.

And I guess Blake 'coupons' now...

We picked her up and she kept saying "it was so fun!"

Lucy loves Halloween (of course) and it's practically the middle of September so for her first day of school gift she got a giant Halloween coloring book and Halloween-ish/Pirate pajamas.

Blake and I handled it much better than expected. I teared up a little walking into the preschool but it was mostly because of all of the excitement and emotions from the parents and kids you could feel in the fall-ish air.

Lucy did amazing but I didn't expect anything less.

Here's to a happy school year!

(and a couple of free hours to browse as many "boring" stores I wish!)

practically perfect

To use a term from Mary herself, that was exactly how our weekend was, practically perfect!

We've been counting down to this long weekend for quite awhile and it didn't disappoint. We spent some time shopping, lunching, picking up dance shoes for a new season, packing the backpack and having as much fun as possible to wrap up the summer.

On Sunday afternoon we checked in to one of Lucy's favorite places, the Little America Hotel. We thought it would be fun to have a little family overnighter downtown before we step into this new chapter. Preschool may not be a huge deal for some but for us (Blake and me) it's a huge deal sending our little girl to preschool and we wanted to do something special.

After checking out the room we went to swim and lounge by the pool. We ate and then Lucy and I got ready for Mary Poppins at the Capitol Theater. Blake wasn't invited to the girls' night so he played chauffeur. The musical was amazing!! It's over 2 1/2 hours and Lucy was mesmerized every minute. If you have a chance, see it! Even if you don't really care for the movie the musical is so entertaining and way above anything I expected.

After the show we went back for treats and snuggles in the hotel. Our sweet little girl was so appreciative and kept thanking us for her special night.

Unfortunately I've been using my camera phone for everything lately so things pictures aren't the best...

ready for the show

in the elevator with her new Mary Poppins bag - mini version

sleepy girl.

It was such a fun weekend and a nice distraction. I know I'm overreacting but I have so many mixed emotions about preschool. We went to the parent orientation the other night and as we sat in the chapel (her preschool is at a Presbyterian church) the Pastor was giving a blessing to the students and the school year and I got so emotional. I know that Lucy is ready for preschool, friends and to be away from home a few hours a week. But it is hard letting her go. I guess it is hard because I know it's a step to so many more things. Kindergarten next year is going to be a doozy...

I have full confidence that we're doing the right thing and I know she is going to the right place so that does make it a little easier but it is incredible how fast time flies. She is growing up right before my eyes and I'm afraid to blink.

But I'm sure the melancholy will last for a few days and then her excitement and stories about preschool will outweigh a lot of these feelings. It's so ironic because one minute I feel like I need a break from the zillions of questions, picking up messes and being a personal butler but now the idea of her starting school and her venturing out into the world soon has me absurdly considering home school.

But just for a second...that would be punishment in Lucy's eyes and well, I can't even really do long division.

Tomorrow will be hard for a minute. Sending my little baby off to her two teachers (who pretty much already seem like angels) and off on some new adventures to meet new friends, learn exciting things and take a mini step of independence...so, so bittersweet.

Sitting at her bedside in the NICU I prayed to God to have these moments. I prayed for her to stand tall, be brave and have the most amazing life ever imagined.

I wanted it all for her - and she will do it all.

I just have to be okay with letting her go...but just a tiny bit for now.

so long summer

Yeah, it's August.

But I'm ready for the change in the air and ready to move into a new season. I'm ready for schedules, cooler air and some more orange in my life.

Blake brought home these beauties for me the other day and they're the perfect welcome for fall to arrive.

But instead of watching the calendar we're making the most of the last few weeks of summer. Lucy starts school pretty soon and we're having fun playing outside and visits to the pool. Last weekend we even had our own backyard movie night. I thought we'd need the elaborate set-up of a projector and screen but in about five minutes Blake just set up one of our tv's and we were good to go! We had such a fun night and it was so cozy to have our treats and movies in our own back yard.

Summer isn't complete without breakfast in the canyon.

morning people

Summer growth spurts.

Lucy has grown almost two shoe sizes over the summer and is in a bigger size of clothes. Her hair seems to grow longer by the day and don't even get me started on her personality.

4 going on 14 is no exaggeration.

We've had a great summer so far...

enjoy the rest of yours!

nicu reunion

This weekend we went to the annual NICU reunion at IMC. We missed the reunion last year so we were excited to go and visit with other NICU graduates and remember how far Lucy has come. IMC did an amazing job on the reunion - so many fun activities for the kids and Toy Story themed. There were over 600 people so it was kind of crazy but Lucy got her passport and visited all of the rooms and activities. This is Lucy at the nurse station room standing next to an isolette - where she lived for her first two months of life. When we first walked by the room I had to catch my breath. Isolettes, heart monitors, oxygen and all of the other equipment found in the NICU was on display so the kids could see what helped them when they were born. Once we went in though it was interesting to watch Lucy take everything in. She was cautiously curious.

We explained how this was her bed and we'd visit her and do her cares and then when we'd leave we'd put her blanket over the isolette to let her sleep. I told her she had her cute dragonfly quilt - not a hospital issued sheet. I think that pleased her.

They had scales and various items to show how much their weight equaled. Blake and I found a one pound bag of dry beans and an apple to make her birth weight.

Fishing for prizes.

Bo Peep from Toy Story - Lucy was so excited and we spent a good chunk of time hunting her down. Meanwhile Blake was complaining, "we'll be in Disneyland in two months!"

Hello scrooge, this girl stops for any and all characters.

And I do mean any characters.

A fun reunion and a very happy one too!

It's good to remember and look back but also nice to go home and snuggle and see how far we've all come.

rainy monday morning

We had a nice, dark down pour all morning and into the afternoon today. The grass sure needed it and I think Lucy did too. She got soaked to the bone and splashed to her heart's content.

After she was dry and warm she wanted her magic blanket and books on the porch.

This was the rest of the house on this dark, cozy morning...

When it's clean...Lucy's room is one of the coziest places in the house. One of her windows is almost covered in greenery and with the dark clouds it looked like the perfect spot for a nap... but Lucy doesn't believe in naps.

p.s. the only thing missing on this rainy morning was a good book for me. On Friday I finally bought The Help and it was so amazing that I read it in less than two days. This morning I kind of wished I didn't finish it so fast. If you haven't yet, read it!

arts & crafts

When Lucy had her last dance recital in June I worried what would keep her busy or entertained over the summer. We've done a lot of fun things but she needed a class - something to look forward to each week and give her a break from home. So she started a summer art class in June and it has been the best thing ever!

A cute friend of mine helped put the class together (her sister in law is the teacher) and it's saved Lucy this summer. Each week she goes to Annie's house for an hour and a half (plenty of time for a Target run!) and learns about a new artist, has a story, a little snack and brings home plenty of AMAZING pieces of art!

Before this class Lucy would color a little bit but now she is an art master. She's doing elaborate drawings, paintings and her imagination can go crazy on the canvas. Her teacher is truly wonderful and so good with the kids. I can't believe how much Lucy has learned about each of these artists and styles of art.

This was yesterday when I picked Lucy up from class. They learned all about Georgia O'Keefe, studied flowers, made their own magnifying glasses and Lucy ate gobs of watermelon. I swear, sometimes I struggle with getting her to eat but every week at Annie's she shovels in every snack put in front of her.

When I pick Lucy up from class this is usually what I see. Paint hands, huge smile and begging for me to come back and pick her up "in five more minutes." She's in class with one of her besties Amelia and even Amelia will say, "Lucy's mom, we're not ready for you yet." Over the summer we've practiced a lot of writing and recognizing letters and numbers but I also think having more artistic time has helped her writing. Sometimes I'm too uptight about art messes so it's been nice that once a week she can dive in, get messy and be creative.

All of this new original artwork started to take over my fridge so it prompted me to work on a new project the past couple weeks. We've had a playroom downstairs that has been very neglected. Hopefully I'll take care of the finishing touches this weekend and do a post with the playroom makeover.

Lucy's had such a great time in art this summer so I know that preschool will be her dream come true! I'm taking the whole "back to school shopping" a little overboard but it's just as fun for me as for Lucy to pick out a new backpack and cute school shoes. We have just about a month left before she starts and it will be hard in the beginning (for me) I'm sure but seeing how much she loves being in a class, learning and being with friends it will be so worth it.

p.s. if you have any interest in fall art classes let me know and I can put you in touch with Lucy's teacher Annie. She is an accomplished artist and I can't say enough about how amazing these classes have been. She is planning on doing a series of classes in the fall - her house and art space is located in the avenues.