EIGHT

Our recently turned 8 year old LOVES life. She is a good and loyal friend.  She is mature well beyond her years. She is exuberant and tenacious and will accomplish nearly anything that is set before her.  She is quick with a smile or giggle, loves to play with her American Girl dolls, build towers, draw art and read.  I couldn't be more proud to be her mom.  Happy 8th birthday Josephine Marie.  I had no idea how incredibly cool you would be when you came into our lives 8 years ago.  XOXO

 
 Josie had a fun filled day of parties this year.  In the morning we had a brunch with the Riemers - Liz, Ed, Oma and Opa all showed up to celebrate Josie's big birthday.

 Shortly after family left her friends showed up for a backyard bash.  SO thankful for the nice weather and the chance to have her party outside in the backyard.  Her chosen theme this year was
Under the Sea...

 So we had fish or ocean themed everything from food to art projects.

 Benjamin devoured nearly the entire food table before the guests even arrived.

 Craft time

 Liz and Ed had given Josie a Magic Set for her birthday just hours before.  Marty looked it over and decided to do an impromptu magic show.

 They were rapt

First of the Fours

 A couple LONG weeks after Josie started school Benjamin had his first day in the Four's class at Admiral Co-op Preschool.  This marks my 8th consecutive year being a co-op parent.  Most of those 8 years have been extremely positive but am feeling a bit like I have senoritis as we begin our final year of co-op as a family.

 He is so happy and proud to be in the 4's class this year.

 From day one he has fit in, has had no separation anxiety, goes happily each day and seems to love it overall.  He has made some great new friends this year and strengthened old friendships he had with kids from last year's class.
On the first day he and I worked together on his "draw around" Basically a paper cut out made to look like yourself.

 He and Charlie always look like they are scheming something.  If this year with these boys in a boy dominant class (16 boys and 5 girls) doesn't put Teacher Barb into retirement I'm not sure what will.

When Benjamin returned home the First day of School Fairy also had visited his bed. 

 Yay!  A boomerang and a velcro ball set.

After school they sat and watched TV together and talked about their day. SO Sweet. 

Solo Days

Benjamin enjoyed 2 weeks worth of being the only child at home after Josie started school as he waited for his co-op preschool class to begin. 

Several days were spent at Seattle Center and Pacific Science Center

 Walking Anna, the dog.

 Organizing the tiles into rainbows

 Visiting Josie's classroom

 And since the weather is always so lovely in September we spent several warm and sunny days down at Alki.

First of Second

 Just after Labor Day Josie started 2nd grade at a new school, Fairmount Park, in the APP program.  Smarty Pants is doing reading, writing and math at the 4th grade level.  Great job, Josie!!!

The transition to a new school went very smoothly due in large part to the fact that her two best friends not only were transferring there as well but also were assigned to be in her classroom.  SO thankful for such great friends. 

On the first day she met up quickly with Elliott who has been a very close friend since kindergarten. 

 Within minutes they meet up with her other great friend, Bryn who she has been friends with since she was 3 months old via our PEPS group.

 Good friends make the first day fun and less stressful.

 When she got home she was all smiles and stories and the first day of school fairy visited her bed with a few small gifts.

 A new water bottle and a fun art project.

So proud of this little girl.  She is not only surviving but thriving and making average grades for a 4th grader (who is only in the 2nd grade)

Rattlesnake Ridge

Over Labor Day weekend we all headed up to Rattlesnake Ridge.  The kids did so great and hike the entire way.  

 It was a beautiful hike and we had a great time.  The only downside to the hike was nearly everyone else in the Seattle area had the same idea.  I have never been on a more crowded hike. Still very gorgeous and fun just crowded.

 The view from the top