We survived JB's first week-long TDY along with our first cold of the season. I'm glad both are over, though JB will be gone again next week.

Another trip to Great Falls National Park. This time we had Anna's cool new backpack so we were able to do a little more hiking. Had a great time.


Sarah got her own grocery list for our trip to the store. It was great until she realized that fruit snacks, marshmallows and M&Ms weren't on her list.


Someone was a bit tired at lunch yesterday.


Today Anna "helped" with the laundry...

First Day of School...

FINALLY!

She's so grown up. She wanted us to take her through the carpool line this morning. I couldn't do it. I had to walk her in for my own peace of mind. The room itself still didn't really impress me, but the activities on the tables were perfectly appropriate. She sat down right away and started playing. She's going to be just fine...

We had to ditch the cute backpack. They HAVE to use these terribly ugly tote bags. The teacher wrote her name in big ugly letters with a Marks-A-Lot. She couldn't even use a Sharpie?!!?

You know you enjoy these flashbacks!!
August 2008

September 2007 (Look at those cheeks!!!)

Holly's Visit

Holly left today after being here for a long weekend. We had a great time! Sarah kept her busy pretending all sorts of things and Anna tried her best to scream every time Holly got too close. No worries, though, Holly was on to Anna's antics and they were best friends by the time Holly left this afternoon.

Holly helped us introduce Sarah to The Beatles. Here is the first official picture of The Bleil Family Band (Not to be confused with the Von Trapp Family Singers). Sarah now sings the chorus to Yellow Submarine and I Want to Hold Your Hand.


First swimming lesson! I was a little concerned that they put floaties on them right away, but the lady sitting next to me (whose son had failed the class in the previous session!) assured me that they only use the floaties for the first few lessons. I was pleased with the instructors, too, for the first time since we left Shreveport!

I saw an ad for an apple orchard so we thought we'd try it out. I should have done a little more research. There really weren't that many apples on the trees! It wasn't quite the experience that I was hoping Sarah would have. Oh well, live and learn.

Goofing off with Aunt Holly...

Anna's new ride. We're ready to tackle some more hiking trails!

Our Ballerina

Today was the day. She thought it would never arrive. I was excited and glad that JB was told to "tele-commute" today so that Anna could stay home with him. I don't remember my first day of dance, but I hope I was this happy.

Aunt Holly arrives tomorrow. Let the fun begin!

What a great week.

JB decided to take the week off. I still don't really know why, but I'm not complaining one bit! We pretended to be tourists and hit the Natural History Museum, National Mall and Great Falls National Park.

Sarah's loves the Washington Monument. Perhaps because it is the most visible in the skyline.


Some lady thought we really WERE tourists and offered to take our picture. Nice, huh?


The rotunda of the Natural History Museum. I was trying to get Sarah to pretend like the elephant was about to stomp on us.


Great Falls National Park. It was awesome for the girl's first hiking experience. Sarah explored and walked without a single whine for over 2.71 miles (thank you iPhone). The trails were wide enough for the stroller, but Anna walked enough to earn a snooze before lunch.

We were contemplating the root system of the tree across the creek. She was intrigued and afterward noticed the roots of trees that were in the trail. My budding little scientist!

Erie, Part 3

The acorns were the other big hit. Sarah spent quite a bit of time gathering them one at a time with the little pink shovel. Anna helped Sarah's cause a little bit, but was much more interested in dumping them out.

Alexis and Uncle John. (Sounds funny doesn't it?!)

The ride home was... um.... rough. We are thankful for Baby Bach. That cd worked wonders for Sarah and apparently does the same for Anna. At least for this trip it did. After 2 straight hours of tears they were both asleep within 5 minutes of Baby Bach being piped in through the speakers.

Erie, Part 2

Blueberries, blueberries, blueberries! The bushes were still loaded and they were YUMMY! Sarah, as expected, didn't let a single one pass her lips, but loved picking them. Anna had to be carried away from the bushes!








Taking out the middle man... I can do this myself!

Sorry Alexis... you can have some next summer!

Off to pick some more.