SEPTIEMBRE

September was a very eventful month.  A little less crazy than August but full nonetheless.  The biggest event was the starting of school.  Reena started 1st grade.  I could hardly believe I have a child in 1st grade, especially when people think I'm still 20 yrs old and I feel about that.  Crazy that I have a child that old already, even with us waiting 3 years before we had her.  

 We squeezed in some outdoor swimming.  September was still our summer month since we don't start summer 'til July.  September was all sunshine.

 After the whole wedding thing from the previous month, my brother Mike stayed behind
for a few weeks. For Labor Day we went on a hike to Rattlesnake Ridge; a two mile hike to some
amazing views and lots of chipmunks waiting for unsuspecting hikers to set down their bag of Doritos.  For a last hurrah before sending him home we went to a Korean BBQ where we grilled the food at our table.  He was our babysitter when we went out and celebrated our anniversary.  We took him to Blake Island so he could have clams and grilled salmon.  We enjoyed having Mike here.

For a start of the school year kick off me and 7 other ladies went to wonderful restaurant and had a nice ladies night out to recharge us for the new school year.  Busy year ahead.  Lots of volunteering in the classroom and the art docent program like last year. 

 

 Happy little 1st grader.  6 hours without her I'm happy to see that she thinks school is not too bad.  Brie's happiest when she picks her sister up from school.  They get along so well now I'm thankful that spacing them 3 years didn't turn out too badly.  We added dance to her after school activity.  It was hard getting her in swimming at a time that is convenient for us so we signed up for a gym membership at a place called Sammamish club.  They have the best swimming pool in town and they have an indoor tennis court and a lot of classes so we thought that could be her swimming place for now.  We take her there and take turn teaching her.

 So Reena is gone all day now, what am I going to do with Debrie all day long??  I had this thought last year and decided that since we're in a bigger house now I could run a preschool in my own home.  We have a good size bonus room that has just toys in it for the kids so we turned that into a preschool room.  I chose the name Tootle Tots, which was the name I gave to the preschool I created at the House of Hope.  I started with 4 kids and now we're at 7 kids.  I have all my lesson plans that I used when I taught at the shelter so I have great ideas and crafts and lessons.  I charge a reasonable price so the moms love me for that.  Some of them trade various things with me.  It's a job I actually look forward to doing bc it's in my own home and I'm able to be with my kids.  It's nice to be the owner and operator as well :)

So Brie is in the playgroup which I run circle time.  She's in swimming and gymnastics.

 

 Beside being busy with crafts like this I also signed up with a company a friend of mine helped start up. They sell headbands, hairclips, and jewelry.  This will help me work towards having my own line of fashion some day.  "It's in your blood to be in business and trading" Dan told me one day.  I just love fashion, what can I say?

 

Our friends the Rincons went to Hawaii and needed someone to watch their dog.  We gladly accepted and watched Tobby for them. We loved him so much we asked for extra days.  They brought us back some yummy Honolulu cookies.  Totally worth it.  The kids adore Tobby!!  Dan has been looking up various different dogs.  Oh boy! 

Our friends the Frasers came and stayed with us for 2 days.  We took Zach out to eat when he came for a visit so they took us to the Mariner's game.  We love them!!  Jolynn and I had a girls night out and went shopping.  The guys also did the same. 

 

Our projects for the next several months!  STAY TUNED FOR SOME FABULOUS FALL COLORS ALBUM COMING UP!!