School girls

Zoe is a kindergartner.

Zo ready to go!

Maggie is a preschooler.

Baby's not a baby anymore!

Holy moly!

Both girls were *ready* for school to officially start up (Maggie gave it a trial run over the summer at "school camp" at the Center) and I have to say I was one proud mama. These girls are growing up so fast that I have to regularly remind myself that they are still really only babies.

unsolicited affection

more

So how'd the big day go?

Zoe didn't flinch an inch. She SO loves school (and really, is ready for more than K, but we're letting things unfold in a natural progression...) and it's really great to see her find her place there. She quickly made new friends and aced the bus ride mid-day from morning K @ Syre to the Center for K+. Atta girl, Zoe!

love it

Maggie flinched a bit, but overall did great. She was completely unfazed by summer school because she always started and ended her days with her big sis (and sometimes had mid-day rendezvous!). I'm so glad she got the "soft start", but it has been a bit of a transition for her in these first few weeks. Mornings she's a bit, let's say, snuggly. But her teachers assure me she is "a kick in the pants" and I always find her engrossed in great play with at least a few friends each day when I go to collect her. She's gonna be more than fine.

indeed

We're all having some "firsts" these days: Daddy started his job at the Clipper in July and the girls and I have had some adjustment to his not being around in the morning to see us all off on our days. But, routines come easily in our house (well, for 3 of the 4 of us they do...) and I'm nearly certain that we'll all settle in to our new stations, still smiling, soon.

New England tour: friends as good as family, more family

…pool party!
Ken and Aleta – honorary St. Pierre “aunt and uncle” – did us the priceless favor of allowing us to invite all the other friends and family whose homes we had no time to visit to a party in their beautiful yard/pool. What a treat – the chance for the girls to chill (literally) and for me to get a little (sometimes just a little ) face time with old friends and many of my Manchester – and Oregon and California? – family.

Splash!

Women of my youth

CA representatives: Bob & Darlene; Aunt Irene

And I can’t believe it took a trip to NH to finally catch up with my OR cousin, Leigh!

A few great men (and girls)

Great girls

Cute fishies!
Oh and Maggie! go Maggie go!

I was in a bit of a daze and dizzy with distraction, but was/am SO so grateful to at least have seen everyone in the same place! XO!

New England tour: on to NH

Maine was a blast but my true roots were calling so it was back to NH we went. It was a great opportunity to convene the St.Pierre-side contingency. A BIG thanks to the Fossbenders for coming up from Massachusetts. It was so great to see the kiddos connect.

Cousin Melissa was uber-smart and cool to literally bring buckets of fun for all the kids: slinkies, chalk, pens and paper, a blow-up ball and a whole host of bats and balls. I shouldn’t have been surprised to see that Missy knows how to have fun!


Mackenzie taking the lead …and Maggie happy to take orders?!

A bit of a snack before the real party begins…
How low can you go?

Limbo?


Chit chat
Thanks too, of course, to Auntie Rita and Uncle Norm for their gracious hospitality. It was nice to take the trip mode down a notch! Especially since the very next day…

New England tour: Back to Hampden

With a few days at camp under our belt, vacation truly set in. We got back to Hampden the day before we were set to head off to NH…leaving just enough time for the kids to kick loose around the St. Sidell house and for me to get me some lobstah and steamahs!



So different, still so related



Whoa!



Call it what you will: Monkeys on the jungle gym/pirates on the Caribbean/cousins in cahoots



Pretty girls

Thanks so much to Greg, Amy, Nick and Tim (and Jake!) for opening your home and camp to us. We had a fabulous time and love that our families now have some “together memories” over in your neck of the woods.

XO!