Natalie is Nine

Finally am taking the time to write about our first born's 9th birhday.  She had a lovely weekend. 

She had a few friends over to Studio You pottery to celebrate.  It all got off to a good start and everyone was painting nicely and talking about movies (Prom), music and jokes.   The volume in our lil studio room in the back started to increase rapidly and soon the painting part was over.  We brought out the first course, watermellon, and everyone started getting a little more wiggly and mobile.  Abby was doing skits, Nicolette was on the floor half the time, and five year old Charlotte and I spent some time in the hall because it was entirely too loud in the room for her.  Eventually though, she joined in.  Quiet Lily told me that she was laughing so hard her stomach hurt.  I don't think I've ever seen our Natalie laugh so hard in her life.  Red faces everywhere and lots of smiles.  We ate pizza and had cupcakes and the nice lady running the place told me that if there had been actual customers outside of the party, she would have told us to pipe down.  Successful, loud party with the friends.

And just like that, at 5:24 am the next morning, you are NINE!
The next day Natalie had a morning soccer game where she scored TWO goals.  Later, her Aunties Missy, Uncles Troy and Greg and cousins Madilyn, Olivia and Jillian came over to party.  We talked and laughed and played and, as always, had a great time.

We love you birthday girl.  Happy, Happy Ninth!!  XOXO.

Three weeks late, but so applicable...

I found this on the June2006 baby blog today:

"Everybody has a "first day",
when they feel sad and all alone,
it can be scary
when your out on your own.
And I know that a "first day"
can be full of doubts and fears.
But they are full of new beginnings,
take my hankie, and dry your tears.

You'll find lots of things to do,
and probably make new friends.
I promise we'll be together
when the school day ends.

Here comes the teacher,
blow your nose and be brave,
come on now and wipe your eyes,
this is no way to behave.

Well good morning teacher,
we really must beg your pardon.
No. MOMMY doesn't always act this way,
but it's my first day of
....KINDERGARTEN"

Saturday Night

We went to the Fox farm today, like we do every fall.  It was rainy but warm.  The girls got to hang with the Fox kids and pick apples and hang out.  We brought some flowers for Mrs. Fox and some Lanes Gourmet CC cookies for Karen.  The girls love to feed Jim and Rosie, the ponies apples. 

Lance is fishing today, in the rain.  Labor Day weekend. Tomorrow...Burlington!

My tallies in the five year journal are abismal.  Must Get on That, among other things.  I wonder if cousin Molly will blow off my Thursday night babysittin' request?  I may be going to Open House alone otherwise.  I have no babysitters and my search got buried in the UW Job site before I could secure a role with one of the two good candidates.  They've all been taken!  I can't resort to Cassidy.  I wish Kristin would come back from NYC.

Now, I need to drag the chillies away from ICarly and for Natalie...IPOD AND ICARLY.  Sigh.

Good Morning!

Charlotte and Natalie both had great drop offs this morning.  It was a beautiful sunny morning and I am so proud of them.  It makes the work day go better as well.  Love these mornings.