End of Summer and New Beginnings

 Labor Day weekend came and went. It was fabulous to have another beautiful weekend up north to enjoy that little bit of sunshine left. We got lots of rain but it was mostly at night so that left lots of boat/lake time during the day. The girls had fun tubing- mostly Josie and Madeline. Sofia doesn't take to tubing yet but went with Dan a cu I got in a long run and a hard workout, as I am only a couple weeks away for my next big half marathon. The rest of the weekend, I took it easy- reading by the lake and swimming when I got too hot! The Ahrens were at the cabin too and we got to watch Dane go water skiing for the first time! He popped right up his first try! I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I was totally impressed.  I love watching all the cousins play together. When they weren't tubing and swimming, they were working on their "spy house" in the woods or jumping in one of the many mud puddles. Good thing there was a lake to wash up in!

The best way to cruise the lake- put the kids on a big float so we can have the pontoon to ourselves! (Way more fun for the kids too!)

Oh, to be a kid again!

Love how Josie is wearing her life jacket!

 Who can get the muddiest?

Sofia

Madeline is pretty dirty

Dane looks proud!

Josie

I think Peter won the muddy contest!

Sofia putting on a pose :)

Josie trying out the slip and slide!

"Tat time" (what Will calls nap time)

Looking for turtles and treasures

Kids on their way tubing!

Peter, Madeline, and Dane

Dane, Peter, Madeline, and Josie

Go, Dane!!!

Will hamming it up!

Sauna time!

One last hurrah the night before school. Touch-a-Truck!

Well, yesterday was the girls' first day of Kindergarten. It was a big day for our whole family! First of all, when we think back to when they were first born, the concept of Kindergarten felt foreign and even optimistic. We weren't sure if these babies were going to make it at all. We also thought about James during this big event- thanking him for doing such a great job looking over his sisters. We don't go a day without thinking about him.

First picture they ever had all together

James...in the middle of being terribly sick.

Kindergarten for me, marks the beginning of the girls being big kids- and a beginning where we (and family/friends) aren't their only influences in their world. Suddenly, there are their teachers, classmates, and all the other kids on the playground and on the bus! What really made me start crying on the first day was when we were walking to the bus stop and I was holding two of the girls' hands. I thought to myself "how many more years will they want to do this??" It's such a sweet moment to walk holding hands with your kids. After the girls got on the bus, Dan, Will, and I ran back to the car and made it to the school. We barely had enough time to park and run over to the sidewalk to watch them get off the bus! They have a such a short bus ride!

Their first day went well. We had a million questions for them but it was hard to get too much out of them. I wish I could be a fly on the wall and just watch them all day! I do know they got two recesses and saw the gym and did a couple games there. Snack was after an early lunch.... you know, the important things. ;)  Among the new pics, I also added one pic of dan from his first day, and one of me. Who do the girls look like??

Dan in his bright yellow rain jacket!

Me... but I have to point out some strange observation...the first day of school was universally on the same day for all the public elementary schools, and Dan and I were the same grade, so why does Dan's weather look drizzly and foggy, and mine relatively bright? What!! Deb (Dan's mom) wonders maybe we had a big gap of when we actually caught the bus, which could be the answer we're looking for! Duluth's weather does change quickly!

Madeline

Josie

Sofia

Love, love, love this picture!

My kids and me!

Posing with daddy

Waiting...

Here comes the bus!

Josie giving us one more look back!

Arrived at school!

In line ready for school

They're home!!! That marks the end of the first day!

Today is the first day it is truly just Will and I since Dan worked from home yesterday. I think it's going to be just as big of an adjustment for him as it is for the rest of us. All of a sudden three of his playmates are gone the whole day! I have to learn how to be a "singleton" mom! I can think of plenty of things to do outside the house, etc, but it will be new for me to try to get things done around the house when Will wants to play with me at the same time. Too bad he doesn't have a twin- haha!
Seriously, that would be great!

I love seeing everyone's back to school pictures online. I don't get sick of it at all! I hope school is going smoothly for everyone out there! Thanks for reading this long post!