At school with Logan and Carsyn...

The girls' school has a really neat buddy system where an upper grade class is paired with a lower grade class. Today Carsyn's class had their first meeting with their fourth grade "buddies." It was a lot of fun seeing Carsyn interact with her two buddies. They read books to her and were very sweet. But, the highlight of their meeting was making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a charity that provides food for the less fortunate. What a great opportunity for the students to take part in a philanthropy and have fun bonding with their buddies at the same time!

Carsyn loves being read to...

Logan has always been pretty artistic, so natrually she loves her art class. Mommy was able to come in to Logan's class today and help out. What fun first graders have!

Logan hard at work...

Busy, but GREAT Saturday...

Today started off with a visit from Grandpa Joe. He surprised the girls by bring over his dog, "Stitch." The girls had a blast playing with the dog. He was very good with them too. It was also nice to spend time with Grandpa Joe before he leaves for Texas, and eventually Iraq.

Maren, Carsyn, Grandpa Joe, and Logan with "Stitch"...

Afterward, Logan had a football game to cheer for in Centerville. The weather was a whole lot nicer this weekend! We also got to see our Cubbies clinch the division title--two years in a row!!! How awesome! We hope "next year" is finally here! Go Cubs Go!!!

This evening we also had a photography session with our old friend, Ms. Priscilla! She came all the way out to Virginia from Nevada to take pictures of several families who have moved out here from out West. It was great to see her again, and we had a super-fun time walking around downtown Fairfax. She always takes the best pictures and has a terrific eye. (Keep a look out for a new link to our photos in the next few weeks.) Afterward we took the girls to get some Italian ice cream--yum! What a great day!

Carsyn, Maren, & Logan wrapping up a wonderful day...

Petite Ballerinas...

Logan and Carsyn started ballet class today. Carsyn has been looking forward to this all summer. Logan, on the other hand, was pretty skeptic about being in the same class as Carsyn--she might cramp her style. But, it worked out just fine. Logan made an instant friend, and Carsyn had fun just being a ballerina! Poor Maren wishes she were taking dance too--maybe after the new year. She certainly did a lot of twirls and plies while waiting for her sisters.

Pretty in Pink...

The Cubbies are only two wins away from winning the Central!!! Go Cubs Go!!!

Here's a picture of Carsyn this morning before school

with our Cubs flag in the background...

Go Big Z!!!

Congratulations to Carlos on the no hitter! How awesome, now on to October! Go Cubs Go!!!

Cheer...

This afternoon Logan cheered for her first game of the season. Unfortunately we had an unusual heat wave and it was 96 degrees--yuck! But, Logan took it like a champ. She cheered well and had fun. Next weekend should be more bearable, and hopefully her sisters will be able to come and "cheer" her on!

Kennedy Center

There are so many things to do here in the Washington metropolitan area. Whenever daddy has a weekend off, we try to take advantage and do something fun. Today we took the Metro to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for their 24th annual Arts Festival. This was our first time visiting there; it was amazing. There were 30 different live performances. We didn't get to see them all, but we did see a Dan Zanes (from Playhouse Disney) concert. That was very cool. It was pretty warm in the sun, but that didn't stop Maren from dancing her butt off. Carsyn and Maren also had fun trying out different percussion instruments. Logan picked up tons of freebies--she loves collecting stuff! It was a great experience for the girls.

Here are the girls at home before we left...

Maren, what a sweetie...

Look at that Carsyn...

And of course, Logan...

Hey Carsyn, they're not real...

Logan happily poses for the camera...

A drummer?

Maybe they'll start a band...

Logan, Mommy, & Carsyn...

Logan, Daddy, & Carsyn overlooking the Potomac...

School days...

The girls have really gotten into the swing of things at their new school. They're both doing really well, they like their teachers, and have made new friends. It's great to still be able to walk to and from school. Both the girls have gym, art, music, and library. Logan also has computer and Spanish. She also goes to mass every Friday with her class. Additionally, their school was named a Blue Ribbon School today by the U.S. Department of Education (and even made the Washington Post)!!!

Carsyn and Logan before school this morning--check out Logan's P.E. uniform...

Carsyn getting ready for school yesterday...

Go Irish!!!

Who's ready for another season of Notre Dame football? We sure are. Let's hope this year is better than last year (it really couldn't be worse!) At least it's not raining in South Bend--it's been pouring here all day long because of the tropical storm. GOOOO IRISH!!!

Only Maren was up for a photo...

Carsyn's First Day of Pre-K...

Carsyn officially started pre-kindergarten today. She had a playday in her classroom last week, but this was the real start of school. Carsyn was so excited for school to start. She had her bag and her snack, and she was set. Her class is Monday through Friday in the mornings. Carsyn's class is right down the hall from Logan's. Now that two of our girls are in school, little Maren gets to pretend to be the only child for a while. So far she's enjoying it.

Ready for school...

Carsyn with her teachers...

Where's Logan???

This week has been an adjustment for not just Logan, but also for Carsyn and Maren. They're used to having Logan around all day to play with. Now that Logan is in school full-time, Carsyn and Maren have been spending a lot more time together. Carsyn is definitely ready for her school to start though...and so is mommy! It will be interesting to see how Maren reacts to both her sisters being gone every day.

Carsyn and Maren enjoying some time together...

First day of First Grade...

Can you believe we have a first grader??? Logan's first day of first grade was today. Everything went very smoothly this morning, and we were able to walk to school! Logan has been a little anxious about it--being new and not knowing anyone. But, it went really well. She had fun, made a new friend, and liked her teacher. Best of all...she looked super-cute in her uniform! Additionally, Logan and Carsyn are very lucky because their Nana will be at their school everyday because she is teaching in the middle school grades. Carsyn will begin class after Labor day. So, be sure to check back for pictures of her on her first day!

Getting ready for school...

Our first grader...

The girls w/ Nana in her classroom during open house...

Happy 2nd Birthday, Maren!!!

Little Maren turned two today! She was so sweet...all day long whenever anyone would wish her a happy birthday, she'd say happy birthday back. After mass she got to open her presents. She was done after about two, so naturally Logan offered to help--more like take over. Maren was most excited with her new bike helmet and bike seat she received for rides on daddy's bike. Carsyn had a hard time dealing with the fact that it was not her own birthday. But, the cake was huge hit with both Maren and Carsyn. Maren fell in love with cake on her first birthday, and hasn't stopped since! Carsyn really has a sweet tooth, but Logan's not really into cake. Then we took the girls to Build-A-Bear Workshop in Bethesda, MD. (They have the closest Crewcuts to us and it was an additional 40% off sale merchandise.) Maren chose a koala and named her "Newt." She wasn't interested in dressing it, she just wanted to get a stroller to push it around in. It was great second birthday for Maren!

Who's ready to open presents?

Poor Carsyn, you already had your birthday...

Birthday Girl!

Make a wish...

Go Green!!!

We went downtown to the United States Botanic Garden today. They were having their Family Fun Day Festival--focusing on sustaining our planet and conserving energy. The girls love going there anyway, but this time they were able to pot their own plants, make cool buttons, do crafts, and sample yummy organic ice cream. We also received re-usable shopping bags which is something our family has been trying to implement. It was a very informative event. There are so many things we can do to be more self-sufficient and conserve our resources!
Afterward we a picnic lunch. We thought that it would be really cool to eat out on the National Mall, but there was a very large gathering of a fanatical group that we did not want to be around. So, we settle for some shade on the grounds of the Air and Space museum. The weather was perfect, and we all had wonderful day!

Maren, Carsyn, & Logan @ the USBG...

Ice cream...YUM!

Don't worry, Maren had ice cream too...

Family fun day...

Picnic anyone?

Our little treehuggers...

A Quiet and Relaxing Weekend...

Well, it was as quiet and relaxing as it could be with three little girls! The weather has been terrific this weekend--low 80's and no humidity--perfect! We did a little yard work and played outside, went to the library one evening, watched the Olympics, and went to mass. Pretty uneventful, but got a decent photo out of it...

More Summer Fun...

We have been utilizing the Fairfax County Libraries pretty regularly. They are all very nice and pretty well stocked. They also offer many classes and programs for children. Logan and Carsyn have both been to two animal encounters and a Virginia history show. It's great to have fun stuff for them to do that's FREE! We have also been checking out books like crazy. The girls completed their library summer reading list in less than two weeks. Once we turned them in they received a coupon book full of deals and discounts. One of the promotions that we already took advantage of was the Water Mine Family Swimming Hole. It is a family water park with a lazy river, lots of slides, and other water activities all geared toward preschool to elementary aged children. It was so fun--we'll definitely go back!

At the water park...

Sunday=Fun Day...

After noon mass we went downtown to see the Jim Henson's Fantastic World exhibit at the S. Dillon Ripley Center. It was very cool to see original storyboards, puppets, and sketches. It was also neat to share things from Mommy and Daddy's childhood (like Fraggle Rock) with the girls. They put on their own puppet show and created unique monster faces. We really had a great time. After the museum closed we walked about a mile and a half to the C.P.K. on Connecticut Ave! We had not eaten there since we were in Las Vegas. This was their treat for being so good at the dentist a few weeks ago and having no cavities! The girls were so excited.

Getting ready for church...

At the Mall...