Ride 'Em, Cowgirl

It's Round-Up Week in Pendleton, and we aren't really in much of a celebracious mood (Aleaha;'s term) over here, unfortunately. We are wrapped up in a few other tangled projects of trees down at the barn, fences to mend, racing, re-fi, and other not-so-fun tasks.

But Miri has her sights set on fun.

Play Wif Me!

While visiting Jan's house, Miri spied the little house and coersed Aunt Kelly to get in.


And then Mommy.


No, she does NOT always get her way.

Fab Four

We gathered together to celebrate Grandpa's life. We are so lucky to have these brilliant, beautiful women (his daughters) in our family. Here's to Aunt Jeannie, Aunt Peg, Mom, and Aunt Jan. We love you!!

New Kitty!

Meet Sly, the newest member of the team.


He was found at a mill, nearly run over by log trucks. Despite his rough beginning, he is very people-oriented. Loves to take baths with the girls.

(Note how mommy is not in this shot. Not in the bathtub! She finally broke Miri of insisting on Mommy being in there too. Thank heavens. It took 2 years and a lot of bubble bath. Maybe Sly's presence is helping. And there's a lot of squealing and laughing that goes on, so Aleaha helps a lot too. )


He lets them pet him (even with wet hands), carry him around, step on his tail. He's very tolerant. He just keeps purring.


He's learning to take naps, but is not quite sleeping through the night. (Hmm, neither are a few others in our household!)

He's taking cues from JuicerBearCat, for sure. They play very well together -- too well. Too noisy at night, so Juice has to go outside until Sly can learn to sleep.

Summertime Lessons

Daddy has been teaching Aleaha how to fish. She has a full-size pole and shares her Great Grampa's tackle box.


And she was gifted with a few horse-riding lessons this summer. Wow, what a thrill to see her on a big horse, really steering!


This is a horse named Terry, from Inavale Farm. Special thanks to Kelsey and Kila for helping build an official foundation of riding skills for Aleaha.

First Day of Kindergarten

Today is Aleaha's first day of kindergarten.



The girls this morning, in the must-take shot for the First Day of School.


High-five!


Aleaha and Ms Jenny, her teacher.

We had a bit of a rough start to this kindergarten business. Without going into inappropriate or incriminating detail on a blog (can you say dooce?)....We thought -- for the last 12 months! -- that she would be enrolled in a full-day kindergarten program in one nearby public school. One iwth a great reputation. But that would prove not to be the case. They didn't offer a true full-day program, and we weren't satisfied with a kindergarten program of 2 hours, 40 mins. We panicked. Cuz she is ready for a full-day program. We need a full-day program!

We even looked into private schools (for a nanosecond). Ah, but we still have to pay our mortgage, darnit.
So they said, Have you considered applying for financial aid? Loans?
And we said, For kindergarten?!?

The day before she was to start at that other school, we learned of and enrolled her in the last open spot in a nearby charter school, for a full-day program. So far (ya, it's really only been one day), we are thrilled with the fit.

It's made for an interesting story.

This picture was taken at the orientation for the first school we enrolled in. Note the look on their faces. Turns out Miss Miri was projectile vomitting all over the floor at the moment this pic was snapped. Nice. I think the teacher and custodian are glad we didn't return.

After attending Aleaha's new charter school orientation this week, Miri happily announced,

"Mom, I not throw up at Yi-ya's new school! Dat's weawwy good!!"

Their Special Skills

Aleaha kept begging for us to put her up on the monkey bar of their swingset, and we kept refusing. (hey, we are busy! - but of course we are watching our progeny). So she managed a way to get up on her own. And then she had to manage a away to get back down too!

Miri, showing off her spideyskills.

Sharing can be Fun

We have only one trike, and Miri hasn't quite mastered it yet. Probably because her older sister beats her to it. But that doesn't stop them from having fun.

And yes, someday Miri will get something new, all to her very own self.

Like Sister, Like Sister

Family Movie Night this week was a showing of The Retrun of the Black Stallion. Miri was inspired to run and find her hand-me-down black cowboy hat, and she spent a good part of the show on the horse (whom she named Pablo, after the pony she rode at the Frolic this summer).


Here's a similar shot of Aleaha (note the same hat), taken while watching Seabiscuit.

Everchanging Emotions

Within a matter of seconds, she goes....


from giggly....


to pouty....

to furrowed...

to happy again.

Consequences

Mommy had been putting Miri in her highchair with her after-dinner dessert and then taking that moment to get other things done. When simply screaming no longer was the trick of the week, she took to other tactics to get the attention she wanted.

Cleaning up

Aleaha loves to use the hose, and Miri loves to help too. So we put 'em to work!


First, they practiced on the picnic table.


Then Aleaha washed the pickup. How great is that?! Finally earning her keep. :)

These cats

We have 2 of the most patient, kid-friendly cats....


BearCat likes to sleep in Miri's doll bed. Wonder what the doll thinks.


Purrl loves the coziness of the blankets Aleaha snuggled her in.


The things he tolerates.

We have another new kitty, too! Will take and post pics soon. So far, he seems like another one of these types.