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.

Growing still, adjusting again

It is ten in the morning, and here I am in a totally quiet house in Atlanta. We somehow managed to survive moving back to the US, moving to a new house in Atlanta, The-Summer-That-Was-Without-Patrick. And then today-- Norah started Kindergarten today, and Kata started at her new Preschool. The house is sooo quiet, which I know I will grow to appreciate, but Mr. Potato Head and I are feeling pretty lonely for now. So, while I COULD be using my alone time to pick up Mr. Potato Head's pieces that have been scattered all across the living room floor since Friday, I think I'll just indulge myself instead. I have always loved keeping this blog, and it hasn't felt quite right to let it drop since we left Guyana. So, while we are no longer Guyana girls, we are still Liming, and having plenty of adventures worth documenting for posterity.

Here are some highlights from the past four months:

We rode a camel

We learned about Spring

We moved into a big girl bed (and had some tantrums, camera-related and otherwise)

We moved into a new house in a new city

We partied

We had one great beach vacation...

...and another

We had a lot of fun at summer camps

...and then it was here.  The big day!

Here they go.

She couldn't be more ready!

And, I'd like to add that while I was waiting for these pictures to upload, I picked up the pieces of Mr. Potato Head.  A little blog therapy does wonders, and everyone is exactly where they should be.