Snapshots from a sweet week

This week was the kick-off of the new school year and the girls enjoyed every minute of it.  We miss them while they're gone but they've been ready to go back for a while now, and as the result, a new school-related adventure is unfolded everyday.  Our evenings has been filled with refreshing stories from their classrooms - not that we're tired of the popular "Uncle Greg chasing Daddy" tale but...  Anyways, as time passed by they're willingly giving up to their new schedule (getting up at 6 a.m. s-u-c-k-s!) and they're loving the idea of having the time to chat and eat cereal with Doug before he goes to work. His crazy stories are part of their each morning's routine.

On the first day of school Claire and Helen were very excited, as well as Rachel - with Andrew in tow.  She found herself an old used Tinkerbell backpack and followed her sisters around as they explored their new classrooms, found their seats, and she even walked the "welcome back" red carpet!  She also helped them unpack their school supplies.  Our little chatterbox greeted her sisters' classmates and their teachers: "Hello Mrs. Walker!  Hello Mrs. Bailey!  I'm her sister Rachel, and next year I'll be coming to school too!"  She acted like one of the students: familiar with school and eager to start classes, any classes!  She can't wait until next year, but since she's OUR best game partner at home Andrew and I miss her already.

With the two big girls gone during the day, Rachel and Andrew have no choice but to play together in their own made-up games.  They spend hours screaming singing together and/or chasing each other.  Balls, cars and foam swords (2007 Family Reunion souvenirs - thanks Uncle Greg!) are among their favorite toys, but Andrew has a hard time resisting playing Rachel's girlie game: house & family.  The other day while waiting to go pick up C and H from school, he finally gave up to take a quick nap with his "baby" on hand.  It was a tender sight...

Also over the weekend we had the chance to attend an Asian-food-filled baby shower for a cute little girl named Mailey. Some Vietnamese friends of ours own a beauty salon and they invited us... "Come between noon and five, and share food with us" they insisted.  And let me tell you, they sure know how to throw a party for a brand new baby!  Lots of people and tons of food.  Oh yeah, we'll dream about lo-mein noodles, barbecued pork and all sort of seafood for a looong time.  No kidding!

While we were at it, we decided to get girlied-up for the occasion.  Sometimes we like pretending to be trendy and fabulous, especially Doug.  :)