End of summer fun, and back to school

Last Friday was so nice. Probably our last 80 degree day. We took the girls up to DQ and got Elsa this ice cream treat:


By the time we got back, it had melted all down her face, neck, arms, and into almost every crevice of our double stroller. The thing was nearly totaled. Next time we'll stick to dye-free ice cream.


We also took the girls to Wyoming Stagecoach Days. Elsa went on her first fair rides! She liked the Dizzy Dragon ride the best.



Tim, Lila and Elsa on a train ride. They also had real Stagecoach rides, but the line was too long.


Lately Tim has been teaching her to say new phrases. Some, such as "kiss my sassafras", are shouted out at random during large family dinners. Others, she somehow knows how to use in context. An example:

The day of Jenny's reception, she kept calling me and asking for detailed favors. I got off the phone and Elsa asked,"Who was that on phone?"
I said,"That was auntie Jenny. She's being very difficult today."
To which Elsa replied,"Typical woman!"

In other news, it was Elsa's first day of school today. She's in the Early Childhood 2's and 3's class, which makes her one of the youngest. Once the kids sat down for snack, all the moms went to a separate room for the last 20 minutes of class. (We're gradually going to work up to 45 minutes.) I was a little surprised nobody had to come get me. When I got back to class, there were kids playing everywhere. I scanned the room for Elsa. Finally, I saw her - sitting at the snack table alone, still eating! One of the other moms joked that she's probably an emotional eater. :) I think it's because this class starts so early, we didn't have time for our usual big breakfast. The poor kid was probably starving! Hmm, depending on how next class goes, I might have to try that again. She really liked it though. It feels good to be back in school.

Lila is 12 weeks old now. She's sleeping a little better, and is smiling and talking a lot. She grabs toys and can hold her head up well. She seems to feel most at ease in crowded, noisy areas like parties and carnivals. Rock on.



I nearly forgot our field trip last Tuesday. We went with ECFE and rode the bus to Pleasant Valley apple orchard in Shafer. It rained the whole time but it was still fun. They handed out apples and Elsa held onto hers the whole time, until a ton of bees were following her around. They liked her jacket. I had to throw it on the bus floor and stomp on it to kill them before we headed back.

Elsa on the way to the orchard. I think this photo could also work as a DVD cover for a somber documentary about juveniles on their way to prison.


Elsa and her friend Cael enjoy their apples on some hay bales.


Note the bee on the right side of the photo under her elbow.