Shhh....

 This was our day without Ellie... a first, and not without huge feelings of guilt. Really, it's mostly about my wanting to have her there because she'd so enjoy it, but I also was somewhat concerned because its been difficult getting her to not be upset about going to school anyway- we don't need her finding out fun things go on without her while she's there! We did have two successful days this week, with no crying and unassisted walking down the kindergarten hallway... thanks to a new friend (remember girl from birthday party?). But, I'm hoping we don't have to count on Holly, always. So, Lia, Aurie and I, did have a fun time at the Children's Museum, a huge, beautiful place we had visited last summer, as a family. A friend joined us with her baby and a young visitor and we checked out spots we remembered, as well as the newest exhibit...Hotwheels!

 During the day, one day this week, I tried to catch the cuteness of Aurie in this little striped dress- a hand me down that I can remember Ellie in... 

And then, there were the princesses... :) Halloween preview :) (Let's hope the interest lasts that long!)

 Happy Birthday Ellie! Dropping off the birthday princess at school...

And then, later that day, the fun began...Chucke E Cheese!

 (Ellie was so excited that her school friend came!)

 This had to be the funniest thing I;ve ever seen. It's called the Ticket Blaster- a tunnel type thing she was to be in (only when handy-dandy friend came along) where wind would be blown and she could have as many tickets as she could catch... it was hilarious to watch. I'm saving this above photo for their graduation (hee hee!)...

 Last weekend, we hit "The State Fair"- the way people around here talk about it, it sounds like it should be quoted...big important deals here in Indiana *wink*...

 (The girls abstractedly listened when I tried to call them over- "Girls, come here- it's a real princess!"Then, when they actually saw her crown, they were shocked. )

 I like this one- we look like real hicks, eh?

 Who is that masked man?

hee hee hee hee hee

Yup, it's true. We are cat magnets. This guy (or girl- we'll see) came around our back patio, and has stayed for three days going now. I don't think he's going anywhere. We named him Sedona. :)

Hey, Dat de me (Aurie's words)

All dolled up for an ice cream social...

Who did it? She did..

Sisters walking, hand in hand, first day of school..

 After dinner popsicles in the backyard..

nothin like a good jaunt through the sprinklers in your underwear ;)

 or, nothing at all...

(I couldnt resist :) love this one...she looks like a sprite or woodland nymph caught on film )

 The bare walls are making for great backdrops..

Pssst...hey dad-deee....

Mommy's installation of her organized life backsplash..

We tried out water balloons! :) (Thank you poor unsuspecting Grandma who thought mommy would buy something practical with that gift card! ;))

 And Nana, that catipillar has been a big hit at the pool!

Dance class is just fabulous!!!!

How much- is that Aurie, in the window...?

Daddy loves his new airplane :)

 First day of school (before I had to leave mommy)

some pretty sunsets here in Indiana..

First day takin the bus to school (Again, before I had to leave mommy)

An awesome discovery of a Saturday morning market in a town nearby...

Aurie's room, starting to look normal...

Addition of a 'princess corner' in the girls room...

(dresses to be hung on future moulding with knobs)

 and a dance mirror...

(with an additional barre, soon...)

Aurie's first movie experience...Brave

 We all appear excited, but left halfway through! :)

An observation day at dance...

(somewhere very near the beginning of this, I started balling my eyes out ;))