Lots of SPAC!

Technically, SPAC is the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  But for some reason, since we've lived here (and especially at the old house where we were only minutes away), we have called the Saratoga Spa State Park, SPAC.  I guess since SPAC is at the state park?  Anyhow, its been more than four years, so there's no changing it now... 

We have been to SPAC every day this week.  It always sounds nice to go and take a walk on the trails there or visit one of the many playgrounds, but from our house now it takes a good 20 minutes- 25 with traffic, to get there and the girls would probably choose to do something else.

But since school started, we are already halfway there when I pick her up.  And she is so excited about riding her bike that it gives us someplace new to practice.  And who can say no to playground and picnic lunch?

So Monday we practiced biking and had our picnic lunch at the playground.

Yesterday we took a walk with our friends in the late afternoon.  ALL the girls biked (which was adorable) and then ALL the girls got tired.  Here they are taking a break: 

too cute! being a preschooler is rough!

a tailgating, post work-out snack break

 Since MiniM.E. is a creature of habit, she requested playground and picnic after school today too.  So we headed to SPAC, did a bike loop, and found a new playground we've never tried.  Check it out in the back of this LittleL.G. photo: everything is nature inspired- fake rock steps, fake log climbers and slide supports, rope ladders... very cool.

Definitely our new favorite shade playground.

MiniM.E. wants to find them all.  I'll keep you posted!

MiniM.E. Takes Dance: Take 1

Yesterday MiniM.E. started ballet class for the first time.  (Let's pretend last year's attempt at taking dance class for the first time at the YMCA didn't happen since they didn't allow the parent participation the program description called for and since they actually didn't teach any dance so we asked for a refund.)

She has been so excited for the past few weeks.  She loves watching ballerinas and was thrilled when her dance outfit came- leotard, tights and ballet shoes.  But boy, when those TAP SHOES arrived, she found her new love.  What kid wouldn't want to dance around in shoes that make extra noise?!?!?

I was a little concerned about how she would do because she has repeatedly told me she doesn't want to take any classes that Mommy can't come to (I am flattered that she wants me to be there for everything), it is at 4:30- right at the time of day when everyone realizes they are tired and hungry but it isn't quite time for dinner, and it is on a school day and school WEARS. HER. OUT.

After a bit of a crying moment at the beginning, she did GREAT! She participated in everything, listened to directions, and even danced in the middle of the circle, which was optional.

Bursting with pride for my almost four year old.

11 Months?

Where did the time go?  I cannot believe we are one month away from LittleL.G.'s first birthday!

Happy 11 Months LittleL.G.!

(and 3 years 11 months, MiniM.E.!)

TreePaad and Malta Community Day

Thursday we headed to one of our favorite "inside activity" locations, the TreePaad.  It actually wasn't a terrible day, but rain was in the forecast and it was a great opportunity to go since all the big kids are back in school.

When LittleL.G. wasn't riding in this car:

I was chasing her around, so I don't have much documentation of our trip other than this slide video:

but we had a blast and I definitely see us there a lot once it gets cold.

Friday MiniM.E. had a great day at school.  We celebrated with lunch and ice cream downtown.

Yesterday was Malta Community Day which we have been to the past few years and both the girls had a great time.  It was a nice fall-weather day and it was fun to do something outside.

MiniM.E. loved the inflatable slide

and the pony ride.

LittleL.G. got a pony ride too!

and MiniM.E. climbed to the top of this for the first time

and sat in this car with a cheesy smile? (Bob took this one)

The Second First Day of School

MiniM.E. had her second first day of (pre)school today.  She has been talking it up since the middle of summer.  Despite her crying at drop off until even the last day of school, she really did grow to love it last year and she definitely missed it over the summer.

We have been counting down the days for weeks and surprisingly MiniM.E. has gotten insanely good at tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, the day after that, next week, the week after next week, etc. and how many days all those things actually are.  So though it was mildly obnoxious to have to tell her how many days until school 5 or 6 times a day, at least she learned something.

She was so excited for today that I didn't think she was even going to sleep last night.  And the first words out of her mouth this morning were, "I'm so excited!"

I can't believe it was a whole year ago that she went to preschool for the first time!

2014

2015

sit-down dance of excitement

and jumping for joy  

 LittleL.G. and I stayed today because it was open house where MiniM.E. had a chance to see the classroom again, say hi to her teacher and meet her new classmates.

Unlike last year, she is still so excited to go and insists there will be no crying at drop off this year.  Let's see what happens Friday...

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Friday was hot and sticky so we planned the spray ground for the afternoon to meet up with a new friend.  Of course, it had to pour an hour before we planned on meeting, but MiniM.E. was set on spray ground and we were all packed up to go, so we decided to brave the wet ground and give it a try.

Despite the less oppressive heat and soggy playground equipment, it was actually a really fun spray ground afternoon.  We had the whole place to ourselves for a while, MiniM.E. had more fun running through the sprinklers than I've seen in a while, LittleL.G. would have stayed in the swing the whole time if I let her, and of course... the merry go round:

Saturday we did some things around the house... but most importantly it was a day of firsts. 

MiniM.E. learned to do this:

We are so proud.  And she is so excited.  I am not sure I've ever seen such a little person ride such a small bike!

And she had her first camp out with Daddy in the back yard.  I was impressed- she fell asleep in the tent and made it until 4am!  Better than I probably would have done... 

Sunday and Monday we lucked out and went to BBQs instead of hosting them here.  Not that I didn't want to clean my house and cook lots of food... Wait, actually... I didn't want to clean my house or cook lots of food- so it was perfect.  Instead of worrying about everything, we brought dips and fancy Nutella star bread we saw on the internet.  Perfect.

cutest tractor driver and wagon cargo ever!

"I'm not sure about this!!"

"Hi Baby M.! Let me touch your hair for the next 20 minutes..."

And now it is the Tuesday after Labor Day... where did the summer go?  I can't believe MiniM.E. starts her second year of preschool tomorrow... 

A Busy Weekend

Last weekend, in typical end of August fashion, was a bit hectic and crazy.  So much so, in fact, that I have exactly zero photos of our last weekend in August.... It was a baby shower, date night, birthday party, baby sitting blur! But even though it was busy we had a good time.

Today we took a relaxing trip to the pool.  I packed only one bag and figured we would stay as long as we lasted.  Sadly, our new favorite hang out, the kiddie pool with the mushroom fountain, was closed because all the life guards are back at college.  Still, we brought our toys to the big pool, braved the chilly water and had a good time.  In fact, we stayed well into LittleL.G.'s nap time.

MiniM.E. did a lot of jumping in and even jumped off the wall into the (two foot deep) water without her floatie!

It wore both the girls out.  Well, it wore MiniM.E. out.  LittleL.G. was ready to play and MiniM.E. wouldn't get up for anything!

Yesterday we had a playdate with our Tuesday Playgroup.  MiniM.E. always wants to hold LittleL.G. and cuddle her and have her fall asleep in her arms, but LittleL.G. wants nothing to do with being restrained or cuddled or held (unless she is tired and it's Mommy doing the holding).  So when MiniM.E. got to cuddle BabyM. she was thrilled.

H. checking on her little sis

LittleL.G. seemed a little jealous!

Visiting with BabyM. has brought on a storm of "if we have another baby we should name it..." and we get some pretty interesting names: Beatrice, Cantaloupe, Madeline.  Not for a while, MiniM.E...