September

Elena started Second grade at Concord Elementary and was accepted in the dual language Spanish program.  Hurrah!  I thought she would be tested, but honestly, there are so many administrative issues going on, I think they just threw her in.  Which is awesome! Elena practiced her numbers and reading all summer, and I just wanted her to have a chance.  Elena also started piano lessons!

After going back and forth through the summer, we decided to wait and put Michael in kindergarten next year.  He is an August baby, a boy, and is still overcoming some speech kinks.  On the one side, he seemed ready because he really is a bright kid, but we were a worried throwing Spanish at him this year.  Michael started speech again on Tuesdays at the junction.  He is doing great.  They said that he only has some mild speech issues.  We've got to get him in a fun class, like karate or something.

While Elena was in school, we took advantage of the warm weather and went biking on Alki, Seward Park, or we have meandered at the zoo.  It turned into a morning routine.  It's really cute to see Michael and Cora race around together, while I lug Charlie on my back.  They are becoming little buddies (sure, there's fighting too.)

I got obsessed with this personality test that I took.  The picture it had of me was of a woman shaking maracas, and I think I want a personality that is a little more noble, hahaha.  My label is the "entertainer" (ESFP) and Dan is the "architect, aka the villain (INTJ).  We are polar opposites.  Yup, we know. 

Other events:

Dan turned 35!  We ate breakfast, Dan opened up a cute homemade card from Elena, and then we went to the UDUB to go canoe.  Chalie was too little so I meandered on foot with him. 

One weekend, Dan and a few others from the ward volunteered at Morningside Farm, while I took the kids to a primary clean-up activity at Seahurst Park.

I went to Bookclub and we discussed the book: "The Orphan Keeper" by Camron Wright.

We had dinner at the Bevilaquas, and Crystal tried to convince me that I can get my hair to be naturally curly.  I told her it was impossible!


Went to parent-teacher night, and Elena has really great teachers.

Our old busstop friends (Jevon, Darcy, Eli and Spencer) came over for dinner.  Jevon has his PhD in Psychology, so I asked him a lot of questions about that horrible personality test!  Hahaha.  Afterward, we hopped on over to the park and for some reason there were a lot of mosquitoes which devoured Charlie's face.  Poor Charlos!

Buzzed Michael's head out of curiosity. :)

Took the kids to the zoo after Elena had early release.  (I love that she still loves the zoo)

The Jolley Family, who lived here for 12 years, are moving to Arkansas, so we had them over along with a couple of other couples to interrogate them!  They are such a good family, and I'm so sad to see them go.  Later in the month, they gathered with friends and we roasted marshmallows on Alki.

Jill Jolley needed help painting, so I went over a couple of times.  It got me in the mood to get our living room finished!  She gave me an old book shelf, and Michael and I painted it white on the outside and turquoise on the inside!  It's in Michael and Cora's room now.

The month ended with a wonderful weekend of staying at home and watching General Conference.  After the Sunday session, Ben and Geno plus kids came over for cookies and games.

Instagram pics and captions: