First day of Pre-K

Ellie moved to the 4's room (Pre-K) at daycare following the Labor Day holiday. She's been looking forward to this all summer! She was thrilled for her first day when it finally arrived and has been doing fantastic per her teachers. Its even obvious at home because she's so exhausted in the evenings. The biggest change - no more naps. She still occasionally takes them at school when she wants, but she was really struggling when she had to in the 3's room, so it was time to move away from them.

New Car!

After 5 years with our Acura TL we had to finally get rid of her. She was horrible, if not impossible, to drive in the snow. Plus with a dog these days, we need to be able to get her around if we don't have the truck (lesson learned from last year's accident with the truck).

We purchased a Toyota Highlander and love it! We've had it about a month now and the kids love it - Ellie tells everyone "we got a new car, and it has cup holders!!" Which is a change for her since she can actually reach them. We have already taken advantage of the third row for extra company, although its down most of the time.

McKinstry Picnic

McKinstry does a summer family picnic every year. This year they hosted on a weeknight and did a carnival theme. Which was funny since the kids had done a carnival earlier that same day at school with almost the exact same activities! They still had a blast and even got their faces painted!

Ryan picked "Jake" or pirate from Jake and the Neverland Pirates (Disney show)

Butterfly Ellie

 

Ryan loved the cotton candy and probably ate two sticks worth!!

Friends Birthdays

So after a year at the new daycare we finally attended the first friend's birthday party. It was at Chuck E Cheese which was also a first for us. It took Ellie quite some time to get comfortable there and with the rides. And she and the birthday girl were totally petrified of Chuck E Cheese (the b-day girl accidently put her foot in the side of her cake trying to climb up her mom to get away from him).

Can you tell Ellie is totally freaked out in this truck that literally moves back and forth?

All smiles later!

Hot Cocoa Cup ride with the birthday girl, Memphis (middle) and another friend.

Work-cation

I traveled a lot this summer for work - way way more than usual and way more this year than any other year! But there are some benefits...1. small vaycay from the kids, 2. I get to hang with co-worker friends, 3. I get to play tourist.

The Seattle Wheel - built after we moved away from Seattle - very fun to get the opportunity to ride with my Los Angeles coworker on her first trip ever to Seattle.

My LA co-workers

I took this funny pano shot of our team at dinner and found this gem when I zoomed in on them.

After the team meeting we found ourselves a speakeasy - fun, tiny, bar in an alley with yummy from scratch drinks.

Handy Ellie

We have really enjoyed the kids clinics at Home Depot and Lowe's, when we have a free weekend that is. Ellie has done a couple projects this summer and had a blast. Despite not having enough power to get those nails in all the way, she does really good at trying to do most of it herself.

Spokane Indians with PPCC

Our daycare is great! Pacific Park Children's Center (PPCC) hosted a group night at the Spokane Indians game. The kids had a blast - they had friends, teachers and dollar night - how could you go wrong?

Showing off their foam baseballs

Ellie and her friend Daphne

Being silly

Ryan being silly with Miss Donna - his favorite teacher