It's here!

With the coming of October, it officially begins! Autumn is here in all its glory (even if it still hits 90 degrees most days)!

Pumpkins begin resting on doorsteps, mums adorn front porches and the delightful pumpkin spice latte makes its first appearance. Yes, we love this season and are itching to take part in all the changes ahead.  Happy October to you!

ballet. round 2

There she stood all dressed in the much-anticipated ballet accouterments that she longed to wear.

With a point of her toe, a twirl of her body on a single foot and arms open wide, she was a ballerina.

Her turn had finally come and a little ballerina dance on her bed was definitely called for.

We are delighted to see where her little pointed toes take her this year!

her first day

Her first day of her second preschool year finally came 3 weeks after her sister's first day.

She asked and asked when she would go.  With the third, I am always amazed at how eager she is to do just what her sisters do.  She acts without hesitancy and yearns to fervently keep up.

Although her first day of school came a week later than expected, she sailed along without a hiccup on her first day.  She marched in with her reusable tote (requested instead of a backpack this year), found her cubby and her friends and seemed utterly delighted to tinker with the little toys and Play Doh at the exploration table.  As I left her, I bent down to give her a final kiss and reassurance that I would return, only to find her completely absorbed with the manipulatives on the table.  Needless to say, she was delighted to be at school again.  Even though I was a bit sad that she didn't even care to say goodbye, I was incredibly happy that she was so happy.

A wonderful year awaits!

dive

This summer, she worked up the confidence to dive standing up.  She was coached by all her expert coaches and with a month of practice, felt comfortable diving while standing up at her end of summer competition.

All that hard work paid off with a well-deserved medal at the end.  It was a good summer of swimming for this girl. 

Dress up days with her boy

She has reached the stage that I so fondly remember with the others--dress up days!  Any chance she gets, she rummages through the dress-up trunk in her sisters' room to find the perfect pieces to pair together for her desired look.  On this particular morning, she decided to dress up her boy as well.  Thankfully, he is a willing participant...happy to have her attention for a bit.

Summer concert series, Part 2

Each summer, our lovely piano teacher comes to our house and hosts a piano recital for my girls and our family.  It is a wonderfully intimate way to introduce young children to the idea of playing for people without too much pressure.

 She insisted on a solo.

 She prefers duets played with her teacher.

They adore their teacher and the time spent weekly with her.  We look forward to our next summer concert series!

Tea

Oh how lovely it was to sip tea from my Grandmother's tea set at my niece's birthday party.  Just having my hands encircled around her dainty tea cups with the sweet floral pattern and gilded rim, made me so happy and feel her presence around me.  I adored my Grandmother and miss her all the time.  She did everything right in my world and was such a friend to me.  To have tea with her again would be the most lovely treat in all the world!