Grand Stand

I'm trying to make up for lost time... it's been so crazy, busy here (isn't it always? Or is it just that it's always busy and I'm crazy?). Greg came, we went on vacation (and I will post those pictures later), my parents came, school started... and now it's quiet on the home front. We had such a lovely end of summer and when my parents packed their suitcases yesterday, they took our warm 80-degree weather with them in their bags. Fall came as quickly as our house emptied out and while I wish the people hadn't gone, I do welcome our autumn weather and all the accompanying traditions, routines, and sights, sounds, and smells. We did take advantage of our unseasonably warm and sunny weather to explore lots of new places and more thoroughly experience some old favorites. 

Molly wrapped up her first week of school and it went really well. She was excited and eager to be there, no tearful goodbyes, and will actually tell me what happened while she was there. It's a good place for her and she's happy and, whew, it's a good feeling to get the school year off on the right foot. Jack starts his little co-op school tomorrow, and while I'm still trying to suss that place out, I think the teacher is lovely and I'm looking forward to him having a spot of his own. He has spent so much time looking on from the sidelines at big sister's activities, eager to join in but not being able to, so this will give him a place of his own with small people his own age. 

So, there we are. We are back to our foursome -- which means you'll be back to bad camera phone pictures after I give you these from my parents. 

Exploring the arboretum... I also just noticed that Molly wore this rainbow dress an awful lot during the week. 

Jack and Jill, er Molly, went up the hill.

Coolness can be achieved when you're under three feet tall.

Speedy lady.

Less speedy but very enthusiastic man.

The intrepid adventurers.

Checking in with mamacita.

Break-taking.

Little legs get tuckered out.

Off to see the fishies at the aquarium.

Grammy-sitting.

Seal watching.

We got in lots of bike-riding practice...

which often conveniently end at the playground.

Showing off the monkey skills on the monkey bars.

Fancy footwork.

Ferrying ourselves over to Bainbridge Island.

Pensive man at our rocky beach picnic.

Thanks for coming out M&D! Seattle misses you and the sun!