Caroline Starts School!

Today was Caroline's first day at preschool. She asked all weekend long if it was time to go, had her outfit picked out days before and we get there and she melts down. "Don't leave, Mommy, don't leave!" After attempting all of the tricks I know: consoling, distraction, bribery of food, I decide to do what I do best and tell her I have to go to work and she is just going to have to not be a baby. So I peel her arms off from around me and hand her to Mrs. Mira, her teacher, who seems to have done the trick (I spied on her through the window as I went to the car). Kids must be born Catholic, knowing how to make you feel guilty for anything, even attempting to bring in more income so they can have a house, food and possibly go to college. By the time I got home tonight, Caroline told me she had made many friends but she didn't know their names. She decided she would just say, "Hey girl" to each of them. I guess that would work.

Jill is staying home these first two days until she starts school on Wednesday. She pretty much watched T.V. all day long- with John and I calling every hour and then him running home twice to check on her. I guess 5th grade comes with some license to be alone and independent. Not that I like it, however. She gets to meet her teacher tomorrow afternoon and is very excited to do that. I'm having John take her to meet the teacher- need to utilize his parental strengths now that he is closer to her school!

Her first full day will be Wednesday- she is very different than Caroline in that she will not cry when boarding the bus. She has always been a big girl when it comes to things like that. Dancing and singing in front of hundreds of people- not a problem. Brand new friends at summer camp- bring it on. We finally found her report card and test scores from last year that we couldn't find earlier. She is really worried her teacher might think she has gotten anything less than an A or Commmended Performance on the TAKS. I don't know where she gets this competitive nature.

Thrift Stores Rock

Well, it is the last weekend of freedom for both the kids and me- so to make it really worthwhile we spent the entire day yesterday going to thrift stores! Jill is still a little uneasy about thrift store clothing, but after showing her that there are Gap, Justice, Limited, Old Navy, etc. brands, she may be a believer! Caroline loves looking at toys, books and housewares. Especially glass housewares. Fun for me, glass-holder interference master.

Thrift Store finds certainly abound here in the Seattle area. BFOD (best find of the day) will have to go to the 99 cent pristine-condition Battleship game that Jill and John played last night. We have yet to hit the Goodwill Outlet in Seattle or the biggest-ever, reputation-precedes Salvation Army also located in Downtown Seattle. All in due time!

I am off today to paint the remainder of our "craft room." We have decided to dedicate the fourth bedroom to being a place where the girls (well, John is certainly welcome) can be store and create crafts. We picked a lovely green for the walls and will accent with black- Jill loves the color and so do I. If Caroline had it her way there would be rainbows on every wall! Pictures to come very soon of our Craft Room Paradise.

School!

Well, after a long and laborious search I have finally found a job. Consequently, the girls must go to school. Jill will be riding the school bus (and couldn't be more excited) and Caroline is enrolled in a daycare minutes from the house. We are enjoying our last weekend sans school and are planning on heading up Mt. Rainier tomorrow despite the forecast for rain!

Hanging out with Maxx!

The girls have had an awesome time this past week hanging out with their cousin, Maxx. Today is his last day here in Washington! What to do, what to do. They've enjoyed riding bikes, visiting the ocean and challenging him on the Wii (which he is really good at).

Parks!

The girls and I have been exploring parks here in Washington- St. Edwards, Carkeek and Discovery just this past week! We've loved visiting with a teacher from Jill's old school- Kathy Kaju- and taking her to parks and Pike Place and of course, thrift stores to buy books for her classroom!

Discovery Park was today's visit- 550 acres of amazing land with miles of beaches to explore. We found a jellyfish washed up on the beach along with countless shells and rocks. The girls seem to be getting closer as sisters and friends as each day of summer goes by. I am enjoying spending the days with them. I wish summer would last forever!

Watching Concerts at Marina Park

The girls and I met a new friend of a friend at Marina Park in Kirkland. We watched "Recess Monkeys" play kids songs (a band made up of Seattle teachers). It was great! There are free concerts every Thursday we may go to in the summer. It is right on the water and just beautiful.

The Girls Speak

Jill says, "We are now safely living in Washington having a grand ol' time. The house is amazing and there are so many cool places to visit. Plus, I love my great new bed and bedroom. The place is awesome. I miss my friends at Sherrod the most!"

Caroline says, "I have lots of time spending time with all my family and my friends. And what I love most of all is my friends. And I love the whole world. I like my new house. I like Owen and all my family. I love movies to watch with my whole family. I love you whole world!"

Heidi says, "Caroline is really in a good mood tonight! Things here are wonderful- I am loving staying home with the girls and getting all of the things settled. We painted the girls rooms and will paint more...the whole house is yellow! Whew! Our favorite park is St. Edward State Park- there is a terrific playground, beach area to play and a huge indoor pool we just discovered. Still can't find a teaching job- may end up staying home with Caroline full time next year (which would be fabulous). That is all for now!"