Friends

Axie has been participating in a little playgroup for the last few weeks. It's a group of 4 moms, and we take turns hosting the kids for a few hours. It's been really fun for Axie; she gets excited about seeing her friends. When the boys are back in school, it will also be nice for me to have a morning with just Emily.

Here are a few photos from the most recent playgroup. This is Axie and her friend, Westly. I think they're pretty cute. Westly is also learning Spanish from his mom and dad (home language).

In other news, I am in week 4 of my couch-to-5k training. I run 3x a week, but I'm also doing strength training at the YMCA. I'm excited for the weather to start cooling so I can run outside more.

The boys are going back to school next week. We met their teachers last night. Ethan is happy that he knows 7 kids in his class already. Scott didn't know any of his classmates, but his teacher seems nice. We are hoping that this classroom is a better fit for Scott, although Mr. M expressed the feeling that he is a square peg in a round hole. We will see how things go for him.

My violin studio is coming together nicely for the fall. We start the day after Labor Day. Most of my students are coming back, and I'm picking up a few new ones. I've been enjoying my weddings gigs and am hosting my own "play" time this afternoon with two new violin and cello friends. Starting to gear up for the Messiah the first weekend of December. I'm in charge of the prelude music, and I'm organizing a violin choir of children and youth to play two part versions of O Come Little Children and Silent Night. Good times!

Dad's home!

There was much rejoicing when Mr. M returned from his 15 day visit to Guatemala. Here is a photo of the girls with their dad, wearing the souvenirs he brought them. I also have a matching skirt, but haven't quite figured out how to wear it yet (it's a wrap around which makes it a bit tricky).

Nap and play

Emily is gaining some motor control, although as seen in the movie, she is mostly benefiting from random flailing to make her toys spin.

This is one is cute because you get to see some of those gummy, chubby-cheeked smiles. What is there not to love?

No pants (bah bah!)

All day, Scott (age 7) has been hanging around in his underwear. "Mom, I don't have any clean pants to wear." I was a little surprised, but figured it must be my fault for not being more on top of the laundry. Just as I put in a load, he came down fully dressed. "I forgot that a few days ago, I took a pile of clean pants upstairs and put them in my drawer!"  Evidently, he didn't think to look there before complaining of having no  pants to wear.

Axie went to a little playgroup with 3 other kids our age from the ward. We are going to take turns hosting. I took advantage of a few hours to myself by mowing the lawn, taking a shower, and having a rest with Emily.

Here are a few photos of us at the park last night while Ethan was at scouts. My phone claimed it was 99 degrees, but we were mostly in the shade, so it was probably only 90.

Her very favorite thing to do at the park

And there was much giggling!

The heat was making her pink

Nothing better than hanging upside down!

Except being a monkey and climbing up, up, up!

"Are we through here yet?"