Momentous week

Well, it is official, Leah is a Kindergartner. She had her first day of school on Tuesday. Tuesday morning she was a little teary and did not want to leave home to go to daycare. However the daycare workers told me that she left them at 12:30 to go to school with a big smile on her face. According to all, no tears were shed. I was able to leave work early and meet the daycare van upon her arrival home from school. She did not say much other than her first day was boring. She also told me that she had to go to the Principal's office, but she was not bad. Daycare drops her off early so they can make it to all the schools in time. So Leah will hang out in the Principal's office for about 10 minutes before classes start. She was able to color and stated that the principal was very nice.



Since Tuesday, Leah has been almost excited about going to school. She even got to ride to bus to and from our house today, just like the big kids. She is growing up so fast. I was given homework today to write out my hopes and dreams for Leah during this school year. I just hope she finds school enjoyable and learns that life is full of all sorts of possibilities.



This is also a big week in Emme's life, although she is too young to know it. A year ago today, Leah and I were at the library reading books when my cell phone rang. It was the call I had been waiting for for months. There was a baby waiting for me in Kazakhstan by the name of Indira. By 10:00 that night I was staring at my daughter. The first pictures just made me laugh. Here was this chubby-cheeked, fuzz haired girl with a smile that just lit up her face. So different from Leah's referral picture. Although the road to bring Emme home was long and nerve racking, that first sight of her made my heart melt.

We have been having a lot of fun as the summer is winding down. Leah has been busy going places with friends, starting soccer practice and enjoying the last few "free days" before the start of school. She was able to get her face painted, as seen to the left, at a festival she attended with her friend Maria. Leah usually does not like her face painted, but peer pressure did her in.

We also ave gone to the zoo a few times in the last week. The weather has been so nice, we just had to be outside. Leah and Emme always love to play on some of the animal statues outside the children's zoo. It is only fitting that they like to "ride" the camel. It is a big part of their heritage.

I can't believe that summer is almost over and I will have one is school. The years have gone much too quickly. Leah and I will have a "big girls" outing Monday. We are going out to dinner and then will meet her teacher for the first time. Leah has been at the playground of the school, but never inside. Hopefully, some of her soccer friends will be in the same class. She still is not happy that I signed her up for school. Her main aspiration in life is to grow up to be a babysitter so she can boss kids around. She is also willing to trade her sister in her cousin Mya, because at 2 months, Mya does not move!

Sisters

Leah has been wanting to take a pictures. So I have been letting her take pictures of Emme. I think Santa may have to bring Leah a camera of her own for Christmas, as she really does a good job (as you will see in some photos). We are getting Leah ready for school. She will start Kindergarten at the end of the month. I don't think either of us are ready for this. Leah is always leary about change, so I expect the first month to be rough. I just can't believe she is old enough to be going to school. She is starting to grow up so fast! Luckily, Emme still needs me, although she loves chasing after her older sister so I expect she will grow up fast as well. Over the past month, Emme has taken an interest in Leah and all of Leah's possessions. She follows her around, steals her toys and is doing all the annoying things a younger sister can do. For the most part, Leah enjoys playing the big sis role, which includes teasing her younger sister, but every now and then carries her to me and states: "It's your turn now, you are the one who wanted another baby". Leah has even offered to trade Emme for her cousin Mya, as Mya is too little to get into her toys. True sisters!

Better late than never: Vacation pictures

Life has been a little busy as of late. So vacation pictures are coming one month after the vacation. We had a great time spending the week with our family and friends at Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Leah had a great time playing with all her cousins as well as swimming in the pool. Emme did well with all the confusion, although did not like the long driving time needed to get to and from the beach.
The days were spent oceanside, in the pool, visitng with family, sleeping and of course eating. I enjoyed the help of my niece and her cousin Ali and Amber who were wonderful with both the girls.I could not ahve asked for a better week. Hopefully next year my sister Katie and her family will join us as well