The change.

With many things in life, I resist change.
I can be a real creature of habit.
I've used the same day planner for about 16 years (yes, I still use a day planner.)
I still sleep with my blankie from birth.
I've never cut my hair shorter than my shoulders.
I've been at my career and the same company for 11 years  (and when my co-worker of 10 years left it took some real adjusting!)

Apparently I like certain things to stay the same. I think I find a certain amount of comfort in that.

But...

But. Not with everything.

Seasons are different. I yearn for the changing of seasons. I crave it.
It's like a fresh start.
New ideas, new activities, new smells. The whole nine yards. I play into and eat up all that there is about an upcoming new season. It's like someone hit the restart button and a whole new world of inspiration awaits. I bit dramatic, I realize...but truly, that's how I feel.

And Fall might very well be my favorite of them all.
Sunny, chilly days...football...back to school...apple picking...pumpkin patches...baking....crafting...boots...leggings...leaves...coziness...my mind is racing with the things I need to add to Fall Bucket List.
I just love this time of year. Each month building on the last towards the big crescendo of the year, Christmas! (But let's not get ahead of ourselves here...)

Point is, the change is here. Fall is upon us, and I'm loving the change.
***********************************************************************************

However, last weekend it was still summer.
Truly our one last weekend of rompers and swimming pools for awhile. We met Nick's parents at their condo in Leavenworth for a fabulous weekend of all things summer, grandparents, and sun soaking adventure.

 

 

 Cutest ever scavenger hunt that Teta put together for Charlotte

 

 

Electric hair after going down the slides.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm so glad were able to go out with such a bang in saying goodbye to our fabulous summer.

 

10 months.

This week my little dove turned 10 months old.

 

Lately I feel so very aware of the passing of time... and how quickly it goes. Perhaps it's because both girls moved rooms at their school, perhaps it's the impending changing of seasons, perhaps it's because it seems like everything this little one is doing is in fast forward.

 

Miss Madeleine...

Do you realize that since getting your heart fixed at 7 months, you have just taken off? You have soared baby.

You sat.

You crawled.

You got teeth.

You finally took solid food from us.

You pulled yourself up.

You stand on your own.

You coach surf.

And I swear, you're going to walk soon.

You are fearless.

 

Now you see why my head is spinning.

 

You definitely keeps us on our toes. You are not one to miss a thing, always wanting to be where the action is and do exactly what your older sister is doing. You love her so and get so excited to be by her side.

 

With the exception of still not totally wanting to give in to the whole sleeping through the night thing, you are such an easy baby. Almost always content. We are so lucky.

 

My favorite time of the day recently is putting you to bed. I pull the shades down, close the door, and let daddy deal with the crazy 3 year old running around the house.

It's just us.

Quiet.

Calm.

And we just curl into each other.

And when you are done eating, it's the same every night...you roll on your side in my arms and nestle in a little closer as you fall deeper into sleep.

 

And it melts me. Every time.

 

 

I love you so much my little love. Happy 10 months.

xoxo

Not sure how it happened...

But somehow we have a pre-schooler.

 

 

I know Charlotte. That shocked look you are sporting is exactly how I feel.

 

 

Last week was a big week for our girl. Officially a pre-schooler. And although the transition was really easy since she's still at the same school, with her same buddies and knows her teachers...it felt different. Bigger. Official.

We kicked off the week with Parent Orientation, learning all about the fun things the year has in store for us...field trips, monthly themes, Parent Teacher Fellowship, show and tell, daily helper jobs, learning, learning, learning.

 

I am so excited for her. I know she is going to thrive with all this new knowledge that she is going to be exposed to.

But I also just really can't believe it. Can't believe that we are here with this fiery, spirited, hilarious little 3 year old who is off and running at school. 

 

Charlotte Gracie girl...we are so proud of you. This is going to be an awesome year baby. Now lets just take it reeeeeeeeeeeeal slow and quit it already with this time is flying by nonsense. 

My favorite weekend.

Three years in a row makes something a tradition, right?
I'm going with it.
Walla Walla for extended Labor Day weekend is now our tradition. And it might just be one of my most favorite weekends of the entire year.
One last call for hot summer days, followed by relaxing hot summer nights.
The fair.
4H animals.
Rides.
Cotton Candy.
Corn dogs.
The parade.
Wine.
Dinner out at my most favorite restaurant, Brasserie Four.
Naps.
More wine.
Grammie.
Time to really relax.
Time to fall in love with this little town all over again.

 

 

 What a difference a year makes. Last year she tried one of these little rides and was terrified. This year she hopped on by herself...such a brave big girl.

 

 

 

 I told them to make a silly face... funny girls.

/

Walla Walla just really knows how to do summer right.