Things he said today.

I snapped a few pics of him on his first day of "school" (he goes with me once a week 'til January when he also gets to go once a week by himself), and today he said such great things that I thought I'd include those. But first, he looks the cutest in his little LL Bean backpack. I'm hoping that, just as the reviews state, he'll have this backpack til college. OK, I might have to get him the next size up at some point, but still.

So, today when Ron had to stop at home at lunch time, Fisher said to me, I don't want Daddy go back to wuhk. I know, honey, but Daddy has to get the money. But I just get money in my piggy box. (Unfortunately their piggy "boxes" are not big enough to hold a mortgage payment.

When Alla left: I WANT MY AWA!!

And after we left the dentist, both of us with clean, cavity-free teeth: That was a good dentist!

Ten on Tuesday.

1. Today was the first day of school for Fisher! I was a bit nervous about the whole separation thing (and by that I mean separating to different classrooms for 45 minutes), but after some serious sobbing, his teacher said he calmed down quickly.

2. He decided not to eat his snack but instead went to the sand table, which he just had to show me when I returned.

3. And, the best part - when we were walking to the car, he said to me, "I wike dat cwass!" Thank goodness. I think it's going to be a great year.

4. The morning paper mysteriously disappeared today. I looked under cars, I couldn't find it. I'm still holding out hope that Ron accidentally took it to work.

5. Tonight we have fall soccer pictures. Just what we needed, more soccer pictures.

6. While Daddy's taking her for pictures, however, I will be with Fisher at the Farmer's Market.

7. We have a wonderful house guest! Pappi's here for a couple weeks!

8. Ron and I went to The Melting Pot this weekend. How nice it was to sit there for two whole hours, and then waddle ourselves home.

9. I hate to see summer come to an end, but I'm actually looking forward to fall stuff: apples, seeing what's in the winter boxes for the kids (what did I buy last year?), and, of course, fall TV!

10. Speaking of fall TV, Parenthood starts tonight!

Today was for.

Letting her brush my hair and give me a hair 'do. Then letting her hold my camera and photograph her work. And me.

Today was for playing Monopoly with my daughter and my mother.

Today was for abundant sunshine, reading, standing outside with no shortage of friends to chat with.

Today was for Dutch Babies made in thanks of grandparents that make our life a little easier, more wonderful.

Today was for kids complaining about something at dinner. Oh, wait, that's everyday. Scratch that.

Today was for picking one [last?] zucchini.

Today was for both kids getting a cold. Nothing like school to help out with that.

Today was for family.

Sadly.

The giant sunflower we were waiting on had only a few days to open itself up before a mean old squirrel thought nothing of climbing its stalk, all the way to the tippy top, which left the heavy flower dangling by whatever that core bit is called.

Look how big the leaves are!

Poor thing hadn't even fully opened. (It has now, in a vase of water in our bathroom!) We have one sunflower left, though not as tall or wide. We'll have to celebrate that one, the fittest.

The story of her first day of kindergarten, and mine.

Here she is in all her morning glory. I won't say she bounded out of bed before me, but when I woke her at 7:30 she was raring to go after a few yawns and stretches.Her morning routine goes something like this: potty, brush hair, make bed, get dressed, eat, brush teeth, shoes, bus. Daddy was on hand to send her off at the bus this morning. (Who am I kidding, Daddy was on hand for moral support after the send-off this morning.)

I kept busy all morning, readying things, straightening, pictures, busy busy busy. I was okay until this moment. Until I could hear the bus coming for her, and then see it down the street and I knew she was next and I knew it would be quick. And then I thought, Oh God I'm not ready and my throat lumped up. 8:45am.
It was quick. Ron had to remind her to turn around for one last picture.

Then one last kiss (I didn't even get one then, good thing I got mine at home!) and she was ready. More than ready. Her friend Cody was already waiting on the bus.

She didn't even look back.

And then she was gone.

Fisher and I went for a run, came home and made her a bus picture and cookies.

And, I have to admit, it went much faster than I thought it would. 12:25 rolled around and Fisher and I found ourselves waiting out in the grass, the sun having made an appearance.

When she got off the bus I felt flooded with happiness, relief, joy, just so glad to have my baby back in my arms.

I was not the only one. The two of us pretty much tackled her, but then I had to step back and see how much he really missed his big sister. I missed you, Awa, he said. He squeezed her, took her hand and led her into the house and they had a blissful hour before his nap.

At some point this afternoon I realized what an emotional day this was and thought, I cannot do this again tomorrow, but of course we have to, and surely I'll get used to it.

The highlight of my day.

Was hearing and then seeing the bus come around the corner with Alla on it. Fisher and I just about trampled her with hugs and kisses. More to come.

This is the State Fair post.

Seven-something a.m. Once again, cool start. But sheer excitement walking into the fairgrounds. Is Alla completely off the ground?

Cow butts: small, medium, or large?

Pig snouts.

What fair is complete without trash truck sightings? Yes, plural.

Alla climbed halfway up the rock wall! Last year she was scared.

Last year she was also scared of the big ferris wheel. Not this year!

This was at like ten-fifteen. Already too tired to walk. Thank goodness for Uncle Will coming along!

Spotted from the Sky Ride: Fried Fruit on a Stick. Really? Why do they have to go and mess up even the simplest things?

The sky ride took us over to the Food Building and at the fruit stand outside I chose the Peaches and Cream, complete with two gluten-free, dairy-free cookies for Fisher, two small peaches that he gobbled up, and Alla chose this giant orange which she just seemed to adore.

Guess what else she wasn't afraid of this year? The Giant Slide! She went on once with me and then begged Ron to take her again. Fisher loved it, too.

Uncle Will, Aunt Renee, and Daddy waiting for us to ride the carousel.

I'm super glad we're still doing little kid stuff like this. Alla's there on the other side of Fisher.

After the carousel we headed to the truck area. Let me just say, little boy heaven.

(Maybe big boy heaven, too?)

OK, I'm not going to lie. Not a lot of kids who don't like cool trucks, girl or boy.

Onto the next tractors.

We saved the best for last - KUBOTA!

Swear we didn't even get two blocks north of the fair before he conked out. Like, it wasn't even worth trying to keep him up til we got home. He just kept on sleeping even after we got home. That tuckered out.

I'm often struck by simple moments like this, when she notices how sweet he is herself. Of course, that's because she's so sweet, too.

Scenes from a hot afternoon.

We have a lovely 70 degrees today but earlier in the week were battling the low 90s, so this was what an afternoon looked like. Anything to stay inside just a little longer before I take them outside and melt.

I think they still got their exercise.

We're having a fun week around here. Alla met her teacher last night and got to explore her classroom. Today Aunt Renee and Uncle Will arrived, and they've been reading books and helping clean street drains ever since. One more day to go and we'll be at the State Fair!