Fall Holidays

Before I get to the big Christmas update, I first need to play a little bit of catch-up.  A lot happened in between Halloween and Christmas!

Two very proud girls got to show off their dancing skills at observation day at the Atlanta Ballet.  All of the problems we had going to ballet class in the beginning are long gone!

Really, really enjoying fall!  We were not missing Guyana with the lovely weather this fall.  I, however missed Guyana terribly the next day when I had to bag all of these leaves.  And then take some Tylenol.

Kata had a sick day shortly after her exciting ambulance ride and emergency room visit.  When she put on this pajama ensemble, I knew she was better.

When cousins Clara and Charlie came to Tennessee to visit, we went up to join them in Chattanooga for a day.

We then hosted the McSmithermicks at our house.  Kata dressed up for the occasion.

This is the closest I came to getting a picture of the cousins together.  These kids are fast.

We had a great Thanksgiving with Mimi and Papaw.  Before passing along the latest virus to their grandparents, the girls made fall cookies for the party.

And then...it was the beginning of the Christmas season!  I was able to join the class Christmas party circuit: here is Kata opening presents at school with her two best friends, Josiah and Aikaterini.

The kindergarteners made gingerbread houses on the last day of school.  Here's Norah with Macie, Ariel and Gabby.

A highlight of the pre-Christmas season was a visit to Holiday Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.   I look forward to Patrick's being able to join us next year so we can walk the Gardens with one of those glasses of champagne they were serving!

Halloween in the US!

I couldn't WAIT to celebrate our first real American Halloween with my two girls.  They were kind of excited too...and the day didn't disappoint.

For school, they both had to dress as a book character.  They chose to be "Olivia" twins.

Sassy Olivias.

For trick-or-treating, Norah bought a Jasmine dress and Kata a Snow White dress.  Just before dinner time, they came up from the basement looking like this.  And so it was...

They're off!  First (real) trick-or-treat ever!

In the Evergreen State

We spent five wonderful, wonderful days with family in Seattle in late October.  Auntie E, Uncle Mac and Aunt Jen, cousins Charlie and Clara showed us the time of our lives, and it was really hard to leave.

Play time, play time, play time (with wigs).

More play time.

October at the beach.  Kata was cold and grumpy.

Cheered up!

We played with a troll under a bridge.

And we stood on the edge of the continent (almost).

Feeling nostalgic...

A September to Remember

We were treated to another fun visit from Aunt Bridget!

No fancy hotel on a school night...but Aunt Bridget was there to help with Operation Bed Time. 

Kata does not like to sleep alone.

Hmm...layered shirts now, huh?  Winter's going to be interesting.

Norah modeling her latest fashions from Baba.   She looks like a real school girl, doesn't she?!?

Patrick had a birthday.  Kata gave him earrings.

We spent a lovely long weekend in the North Georgia mountains!

And made lots of silly faces with our household bear.

Boat rides with one loyal old dog who was thrilled to swim again after 4 years.

A lovely, lovely Saturday night in Blue Ridge.

The girls' first s'mores!

It seems there are two different ways to eat a marshmallow.

Powdered donuts at Mercier Orchards.  All of that sugar is getting us ready for some hard labor in the fields...

Apple picking!  (back off)

Eating an apple is kinda hard when you're missing a front tooth.

Happy September!

No Fear (except mine)

Two weekends ago, we went on a sunny weekend morning down to the Zoo.  Norah needed to see an elephant.  She had never seen an elephant (except as a baby at the Zoo in DC...doesn't count) and it was time to change that.

When we arrived, we stumbled upon the edges of a festival in Grant Park.  Zoo Schmoo.  What elephants?  There was a flying machine.

Norah went first, without hesitation.  She started bouncing slowly.

She got the hang of it.

...and so did Kata, of course.

After they came down to Earth, we finally got a glimpse of those elephants!  They did not disappoint.

Speaking of fearless, I think it's safe to say that Kata is pretty fearless in her fashion choices these days.  I have begun taking pictures of her creations.  I just can't resist.  They're too good.

Rolled (WHY rolled?) leggings under skirts with socks pulled up.   Snoopy socks.

She just continually bests herself.  She wanted to "hide" in this picture.  Honey, there'll be no hiding in that outfit.

Third time's a charm.

...or the stars just aligned.  Who knows.  But for whatever reason, week three and without any fanfare or production, Kata just put on her tights and walked into ballet class.  And loved it, of course.  Patrick is the super-stealthy cameraman who caught Ballerina prancing around full of herself after class.

Ballet Bust

 Norah and I were both so excited last week for Kata's first ballet class!  Kata, it turns out, was not.  She let us know that loud and clear in the lobby of the Atlanta Ballet.  Before that, though, here is a quick school update:

After the first day of school:  Norah is in heaven, telling us all about her fabulous day.  Kata didn't survive the elementary school pick-up line.

Kata and I have enjoyed walking to pick Norah up in the afternoons.

This is the only picture Kata knowingly let me take of her in her leotard.  You can just see that little glint in her eye...she already has a plan.

Miss Twinkle Toes and her little sister, Miss No-Rump.  Kata's mood is quickly deteriorating, up until the moment the lovely dance teacher comes to call the girls to class, and Kata throws one of the most epic tantrums the Atlanta Ballet has ever seen.  Who let THAT family in here?

Kata says she will try again next week.  "Just not today, right mom?"  I'm not convinced.