Leah and Zoe!

Star of the Day

Leah was thrilled to be Star of the Day. You get to introduce
yourself to the class, bring in snack, wear a crown, etc.
Leah picked a new friend to assist her with the official duties.

Of the Girls, By the Girls

Apple Fest!

Celebrating the arrival of fall with her "old" friends at our much-loved
apple festival.

There is a hay-less hayride, tons of crafts, face painting . . .

. . . apple crisp, apple pie, and everyone's favorite, giant caramel apples!

Posing

Lakefront

Petting a sturgeon at Discovery World.

We lucked into a kite festival. Here they're launching an enormous
octopus kite.

In all its glory. (It came down and the next time they tried to put this
monster up we got caught in its tentacles -- the highlight of the girls' day.)

Lunch at the art museum. Who puts open-faced nutella and banana
sandwiches on a children's menu? More importantly, who allows their
child to order one? Live and learn.

Our Social Butterfly

Leah insisted on attending an all-school dance 2 days after school
started. Here she is dancing with her new friends.

Then she requested that I take a picture of her with her
new principal. I was impressed that the principal already
new Leah's name. Leah has that affect on people.

Drastic Measures

This is Zoe's beautiful hair (surrounding her pounty face).
Usually, she won't let me brush it or put it up in anyway.
She also sucks on it -- disgusting. So I threatened to cut her
hair (Lois did the same thing approximately 25 years ago.)
So consider this a "Before Shot."

"Before Shot" of the back.

"After Shot"
Not nearly as dramatic as I would have gone. She got bangs
but her stylist told me not to go with a chin-length bob
because of the shape of her face. Hmph. Now Zoe loves
her bangs, and we're only slightly better off.

At the Park

Moving sand with Grandpa.

Enjoying an old-fashioned slide.

Heading home.

Z's Big Girl Bed

Her last night in the crib.

Proudly showing off her new bed.

Breaking it in with Leah, Peter, and a bedtime story.

Tucked in for the first night. (Yes, those are fall mats on either side.
So far, so good.)

Hanging With the Boys

Laura and Dave brought the boys by for a visit while they were in Wisconsin.
We were excited to see them! (This is the best picture I got with 4 squirming
kiddos.)

Girl Photographers

Zoe captures me with Leah.

Leah captures me with Marcie and Zoe. (A big thanks to Peter's
parents for watching the girls while we headed down to Chicago
for a great party!)

1st Day Of Kindergarten

Posing.

Showing off the new backpack.

Happily and easily walking away from Daddy, Zoe, and
tearful Mommy. At pick-up she declared it, "The Best Day Ever!"