Beautiful Fall Night at the Park

 

Brennan has really been working on his park acrobatic!  He is skin, bones, and muscle –as illustrated here.  You’d never know that he is an eating machine!

Hike to Snoqualmie Falls

 

Its been such a beautiful fall.  We had a little bit of rain/wind….and on our first nice weekend, we decided to venture to Snoqualmie Falls.  It was really roaring – and we really enjoyed ourselves. 

There was a guy at the bottom of the falls who had this dog, and Caelan was an instant fan. 

This is her skeptical, “"’why do you keep taking my picture, mama?’ look….

Our alley neighbors, The Maybells, ended up having the same plan as us, and we met up with them for a few minutes before we headed home. This is Brennan with his buddy Nate.  Nate is about 9mo. younger than B. 

Happy Birthday Mama!

 

Wow, what a great birthday!

I was awoken on my 40th birthday by everyone singing our traditional “heeeyyy, it’s your birthday….heeeeyyy, it’s your birthday.”  Brennan was so excited to show me what he had decorated and for me to open my presents – which were truly THE BEST!  Caelan got me a hamburger from her kitchen (to represent going out to eat that evening) and Brennan got me a pack of little Diet Pepsi’s.  On his request, I have given up my daily Diet Pepsi, but I am allowed on on Saturday & Sunday…..and the ‘emergency’ ones he got me for my birthday. 

Breakfast was french toast – which is definitely my favorite.  Yummm….

My handsome boy on my birthday, getting ready for school.  I took the day off from work and went shopping.  It was a great day! 

Brennan has really be excited about the ‘bucket filling’ concept his first grade teacher has adopted in her classroom.  When you do nice things for someone you ‘fill their bucket’ and your own.  When its not so nice its called ‘dipping in my bucket.’  This sentiment on my birthday card was pretty special! 

Sean surprised me on my birthday by giving me EXACTLY what I wanted……a wine tour through Woodinville with my best girlfriends followed by dinner.  Icing on the cake was the Limo he arranged to drive us, and my friend Emily flying in from Carson City to join us.  It was an awesome surprise birthday gift.  My husband is the BEST! 

First Day of First Grade!!!!

 

Brennan started First Grade the Wednesday after Labor Day.  His teacher’s name is Mrs. Terasaki and we have high hopes for a great year this year! 

During ‘Meet The TTheacher’ the day before, Mrs. Terasaki handed out this poem and a little packet of confetti.  It was a very nice little special thing for the kids. 

 

Beautiful Miss Cassidy. 

Caelan Modeling Her Big Girl Pants

 

We’ve had just a few successful potty trips.  We’re pretty low stress about the whole potty training thing, but when I went to Target I noticed that they had Bubble Guppy panties (one of Caelan’s favorite shows) in 2T/3T – had to get them and see if they would inspire her to try more often.  She instantly wanted to put them on and model them.  I promise you, these ‘moves’ were all her – she knows how to ‘work it’ already!

So, while I was making dinner I took Caelan and her little potty and her new panties outside while I grilled dinner.  Unfortunately, just as I was going out into the alley to call Brennan home from playing – she announced that she had to use the potty and was so worried that I was leaving her that she peed her pants.  Shoot!

Anyway, it was a lovely evening so she played outside a bit and did some more posing for mama.  Love that girl!

End of Summer Alley Party with the Neighbors!

 

So thankful that the weather cooperated this weekend and we were able to celebrate Labor Day with another Alley Party with our neighbors.  It was about 85 degrees, so perfect weather for one last pool party too. 

Love this action shot of Brennan jumping out of the pool!

Our neighbor Cindy is the “hostess with the mostess"’ even when she’s not the host.  She always brings tons of food – this time she came with a Radio Flyer wagon retrofitted as our own bar for mixed drinks.  Here they are making a Lemon Drop cocktail. 

Caelan and her buddy Jude Maybell. 

Molly and Jason (our neighbors across the alley) were celebrating their 11yr wedding anniversary!  Molly is 8mo pregnant with their third child (another boy).  Wonderful couple & neighbors!

Caelan and her buddy Ewan Hoffman…..enjoying an ice cream treat.