Autumn the Explorer, Innovator, and FIXER OF TOILETS

Autumn gets on these exploring kicks and her exploring outfits are the best. Check it out...I can't remember what she was looking for but she needed binoculars AND a magnifying glass.


Another day when my mom came over they went on a snail hunt. I haven't the slightest idea how this came about but it involved this fabulous concoction.


They did, in fact, find some snails. They were pretty adorable. I wish I had taken better pictures. They were really mobile and brave in the box so I was like, "yeah, these guys are going to have to go back out." Mike came in a was all "whoaaaa, take 'em outside." Hahaha. We are not bug/slimey things fans but these little guys were so cute! Poor Mike has accidentally stepped on a slug under his desk so he isn't inclined to like slimey creatures.


In less hobo-looking news, we had dinner with Mike's family this week and I got the BEST photo of Boppa and Autumn.


School is still going well. You guys, guess what her art teacher's name is. MS. ORANGE. Best art teacher name ever! And her music teacher is name Ms. Williams and we had a cute discussion about how Williams used to be my last name and that Uncle Donnie, Aunt Liz, and Lula are all Williamses. AND...Autumn got a hundred on her first spelling text! Yay!! Her handwriting is a huge deal. She had sooo much trouble with writing that it was one of the things we worked on with the occupational therapist last year. And look at her now!


Last Sunday we went to the 140th anniversary of Mike's parents' church. It was a pretty cool event and it's amazing to think that they've been around that long. The church, not Mike's parents. One of the things they had was a throwback to the old Southern churches--fan! They put old photos of the staff on it and Autumn got to take one home. I found her Monday morning using the fan to make reflections on the floor for Molly to play with. I love the way she occupies herself when she's done getting ready and doing her morning chores and I'm still getting myself together--she's definitely the morning person around here!


And, I am going to wrap this one up with THE BEST THING EVER. Mike taught Autumn how to fix a gasket in the toilet. In her Sunday dress. I hung out in the closet listening to him show her the parts and explain why the part was bad and had to be replaced just in case she ever needs to do it herself. Autumn, PLUMBER EXTRAORDINAIRE.

Art and MORE

Bad News: I can't sleep. Good news: I remembered that I didn't do my Sunday blog post, haha.

We're plugging along with school and work and getting caught up on everything I've laid by the wayside...like my files. I have finally cleared off my work table. Glory! I also realized that it's time to get a new art folder for Autumn. I have one with her preschool art and projects in it and another for kindergarten. I already have some fun things to put in the first grade folder after they come off the art wall here in the playroom. Autumn drew this one for Mike. Once, they were in the ocean with snorkels and they found a yellow and orange fish and they followed it for a while. I think this was back in May so I thought it was pretty fun that she just decided to commemorate the event. AREN'T THE SNORKELS ADORABLE??


I think Autumn drew this one before school started...I was doing something and had the bathroom cabinet open. There's an opening inside the cabinet that leads underneath the tub which is encased in tile. I have no idea why and, quite frankly, it's kind of creepy. Molly was curious and got most of the way into the hole before I rescued her. Oh, man. Can you imagine if we lost her in the tub abyss? Autumn thought it was hysterical so she drew a picture for Mike so he'd get to experience it, too. Text: Molly was sticen her hed in the cavin.


Oh, we were to curriculum night. I got to sit in Autumn's desk. None of the parents of the kids who sit in Autumn's group made it. I told the teacher no one wanted to sit with us, heh. Anyway, I took this because I thought Pd would like it: "I hope we learn about subtract and math."


We've been doing non-art things, of course. We made fried apple pies! I counted it as one of those things that if I wanted it bad enough to make it, then I can eat it! Autumn is getting enough dexterity that I've had her actually helping rather than just playing with dough while I make the real food. With the pies and with samosas (the Indian food, not samoas as in the Girl Scout Cookie, sorry if you know that but we've had people really confused about why we'd eat chutney with cookies), I had her start rolling out the circles and then I'd finish them out to the right thickness and diameter. Soon she'll be able to do all of it on her own! She really was a big help this week.


Um, ignore the dusty floor but I love this picture so much. I saw Autumn stop on her way to feed Molly to play in a sunbeam. So cute. She was batting at dust particles but then realized her cat ears (what every kids needs in their before-school wardrobe!) made a cool shadow and was all "MAMA COME TAKE A PICTURE!" So, I did. I loved this one so much that when I went to the grocery store, I got a frame, converted the photo to black and white, and put it in the living room! I cut out the storage container. :P


Oh, one fun thing. Autumn read this book about starting kindergarten and last year she put one of her old loveys in her backpack "to remind me of home in case I miss you." She asked if she could do it again and I told her I'd think of something else. Well, we LOVE Pete the Cat. We have 4 of the books and the doll. His recurring theme is "did Pete cry? Goodness no! He kept on singing his song..." Well, I got the backpack pull for her! Autumn was soooo excited. And we talked about how if she got worried or homesick, she'd see Pete and think about singing her song! Too fun. She's loving going to and from school but she still likes to walk with Pete draped over her shoulder.


Last one! Check it out...first home work at Autumn's desk! Craziness! And this used to be Aunt Lauren's desk. Even crazier! Time sure does fly, wah!


If you haven't been to Passing Pinwheels lately, stop in! We have had a lot going on and tomorrow (ahem, this afternoon) I should be posting our Day of Hope prayer flag.

FIRST GRADE, WHAT?

Oh, my gosh, check it out! It's our first grader having her first first grader breakfast!! Mini wheats and chocolate soy milk. Breakfast of champions!


Even though Autumn was super pumped about first grade, I read her The Kissing Hand which is the sweetest book ever. We found stickers at the end of the book and I have no idea how we missed them the last time we read it but Autumn got excited and wanted a sticker when she left for school. And she wanted me to take a picture of the book and her hand. :)


We had to get a full length shot! They still have clothing guidelines--collared shirts and navy, khaki, or black bottoms. No rules on shoes though so Autumn picked out some really cool light up sneakers! I told her she could only wear them if she could tie them and that proved to be the incentive to get her working hard on shoe tying! Lindsay, Lainey, Mike, and I all tried to teach her our versions of shoe tying and while I think we all helped, Mike is the one who had the magical technique that clicked for her.


Here's the shoe tying magician now. Mike was going to pick her up from school but at the last minute decided to get to work late so he could do drop off with us! I'm really glad because it was fun to do it as a family like we did last year.


Mama picture time! Used to be, everyone talked about how much Autumn looked like Mike. Lately everyone has used the term mini-Sharaze to describe Autumn. I can kind of see it in this photo although I am happy that she's still a nice mix of the two of us--looks and personality.


Happy girl in line waiting to go in. It was **crazy** parking and walking to the campus! As the week went on, the drop off became less hectic, thank goodness. Although I wish the police would do something about the parents who park ON THE CORNERS. It's really tough for little people (like me, even!) to cross the street around the giant land yachts that like to park in illegal spots! If you're one of those parents, THINK OF THE SHORT PEOPLE. We don't want to get mowed down in the cross walk.


This is her desk! Autumn was fantastic--no crying, no sadness, just happy little miss. She was lucky and got assigned a seat next to the twin sister of her good friend from last year. She was all, "JULIA!" And her friend was all, "I'm Natalie." And Autumn said, "NATALIE!" Another boy named Izzat from her old class was also in her area. I think that really helped.


The next day, Autumn didn't even need me to walk her to class! I asked her if she needed me to take her in, she said she thought she could find it. We talked over the directions (go in the door, turn right, class is on the right) and talked about who to find if she got lost and she marched right in like a big kid!! Seriously, she has become so independent! I'm really proud of her because i know she's really worked on it. So very far from the preschooler I had to do a sticker chart with when I dropped her off in class back at Mullins.


Oh, and this is how Molly has coped with the schedule change:


Ha! Cats. Also, say a prayer for me if you think about it Monday morning! I have an interview at the Memphis Jewish Community Center to be a fitness teacher sub!

Summer of Fun, the Recap!

Can you believe that school starts tomorrow for Autumn? FIRST GRADE. Wah! I'm not ready! But, she's super, super excited and I have heard nothing but good things about her teacher. She was a sub last year and when I asked Autumn about the new teacher, Autumn said, "I like her leopard purse." Pause. "And her black boots and her pretty makeup." Hahaha. Cute.

We had a great summer, though. A little busy so maybe next year I won't plan quite as many activities! Autumn had three levels of swim lessons to get ready for Junior Swim Team:


A traveling kitty visited us in the garden and later hung out with us while we watched the supermoon come up with the neighbors.


We spent time with soft and fuzzy friends,


animal friends,


and human friends!


In between swim sessions, Autumn got to go to two weeks of camp at Mullins, where I teach aikido. She also had ballet camp at Collierville Arts (my other location) which was, apparently, exhausting. :) She took regular aikido and ballet all summer, too!


We also did a lot of swinging and sliding


and spinning!


AND someone had her VERY FIRST ICEE!! How could this have happened??? Six years and no icees! I have been remiss.


We experimented with lunch ideas--behold octopus hot dogs (I found some all natural, no nitrate hot dogs that are actually good!) and my first attempt at tamagoyaki or egg sushi. Autumn ate them both! The egg sushi needs a little work but it wasn't too bad for a beginner.


We also did lots of experiments and crafts and art and ALL THE DRAWING. Hahaha.


Not a bad summer!! Definitely a fun first summer break! Sigh. I can't believe it's over already.

NO COMPUTER, WAH

This is why I don't have a post today: SO SAD.

At the Beach!

I can't believe I let the family blog go this long!! I wasn't feeling well last week and the week before we were getting back from vacation so there you go. Here are some fun beach pictures! Oh, and there are more on the pinwheel blog.

One of the days we were at the beach, there was a jellyfish invasion!  There was a sad Autumn.


But we did get some beach time. The end of the week brought storms so the ocean was pretty cool. Lots of those people who ski using parachutes. I loooove this picture of Mike and Autumn!


Tyler and Hudson joined us while the rest of their family went to Hawaii. They were, as always, hilarious and very self-entertaining!


Hudson really liked doing this but I only had the energy to do it a few times, haha. Pd and I traded off until we just couldn't do it anymore. But he had fun and really liked me until I told him he had to sit and read with Autumn and Tyler while Pd ran an errand and it was just us. He snubbed me after that!! I laughed so hard.


We went back to the little amusement park where Miss Daredevil likes to show off her race car driver roots and pass ALL THE CARS. Here she is edging past Tyler...


And then cackling like a maniac over it!


Mike and I did the sky coaster! It only took me a YEAR to talk him into it. It was super fun although you can see Mike had some concerns going in.


On the fourth, we went to a fair and watched the fireworks. It took many, many tries but I got a decent picture with the three of them.


Autumn had SO MUCH FUN on these swings. They were really, really fast so I was surprised she enjoyed it so much. I guess she really is a bit of a thrill seeker.


All together, it wasn't a bad trip, despite the rain and jellyfish!

Autumn started swim lessons at the beginning of the summer. She's actually already pretty decent at swimming. Surprisingly so considering this used to be her:


The first day Autumn was a little scared.


By the end, she was happy enough to have crazy eyes.


And tired enough to be in cat mode!


Autumn just finished level 2 and will start level 3 the second week in July. She's really rocking her way through! I think she might try the junior swim team in the fall! It's just the most fascinating thing to me. Out of anything I thought Autumn might enjoy, it was NOT the swim team! But that's what she wants to do so we'll give it a try.


One of Autumn's favorite birthday presents was a Kiwi Crate. In the first box, she got a DIY bird costume and it is hysterical. There are different beaks and this is the kiwi beak. BEHOLD KIWI GIRL.


The morning after she made her costume, I woke up to this. WAY TOO EARLY.


Mike and I take turns hanging out outside while Autumn plays. We're not quite ready to let her tool around on her own so we just kind of stay in the vicinity (that's not Autumn on skates, by the way). I came out one day to find Mike's little set up:


By the way, Molly says hi.


Oh, hey, check this out! Autumn's making her own toast and stuff now! We just got a real toaster (we used to use the oven) so she's excited to have her latest big girl moment. :D


That's it for now but I should have some super fun fourth of july photos to share next sunday! Have a wonderful holiday!