Ready to Fly

Tomorrow morning we're braving a plane ride across the country to Maine!

A few months ago Birch decided to go into anesthesiology and this week he'll start an anesthesia rotation in Portland. It didn't sound fun to be alone for a month so the kids and I are going with him. I don't think Portland will look this perfect in November but I'm really excited to try living somewhere new. If we can just make it through 5 hours in the air with kids first....

Patches and Porches

We went to Agua Linda farm for our pumpkin this year. I loved that it was much less commercial than places we've gone before. It was a sweet little farm with trees, tire swings and animals in the barn. We were only a little disappointed when we found pre-cut pumpkins all perfectly shaped in the field. We're a little suspicious about where they really came from...

Making our way through the kid-friendly hay maze.

The easy way out of the maze.

Haley with a "neigh!"

Another stop was Apple Annie's orchard. Trevor couldn't remember how to say "orchard" so he called it the "apple porch."

When you don't fall asleep in the car anymore, you get tired and grumpy. No smiles from Haley.

Happy Fall!

Back in the Saddle Again

Before Trevor was born I taught 4th grade for 2 1/2 years. I loved it. It was in the Vail School District with strong families and teachers who became great friends. Leaving that job made me feel so torn and I wished I could live two lives: one teaching school and another as a mom. But I remember driving home on my last day and feeling at peace. Instead of conflicted, I felt grateful that I had that time to pursue something I really enjoyed.

After 3+ years, teaching has come around again. I started teaching preschool with my friend at her house two days a week. Haley naps in the morning and I teach six 4-year-olds while Trevor enjoys his class with my friend in the 3-year-old class. We're teaching the older class some beginning reading and I'm surprised at how much I love it! Sometimes I dream about going back for a Master's when Birch is done with school. I would be a Reading Specialist.

A few months ago I was called to be the Primary president in our ward. I'm not sure what to say about that...it's a lot of work and I've made some great friends with the other teachers. Birch has been so helpful with the kids if I'm gone or tired after a long Sunday. Sometimes the roles do switch!

Here's my one and only piano student, Erik. I've never taught lessons before and asked if Erik would let me practice on him. So far, so good! Maybe one of these days we'll have a little recital so he can show off his skills.

Lost or Stolen?

Sometimes I wonder if "lost" and "stolen" mean the same thing in Tucson. Lately I've had a bad streak of not keeping track of things and they've disappeared. The worst was my new camera, only a few weeks old and holding a memory card with quite a few pictures. Here are a few snapped with Birch's camera:

Haley requires a "bath" in the sink after every meal. I think this time she was also enjoying a new pretzel M&M--yum!

Trevor and Haley's favorite game (that is now banned): filling up the crib with all their toys. I guess I got something done while they were hard at work.

Poor Trevor inherited his mom's big head. Hats always look a little small on us, even when they're on all the way.

Learning how to blow bubbles--yuck!

Playing in the creek after a little hike in Madera Canyon.