Howe's Life: October 2016

This month has been all about trying to settle into a new routine. Having the girls go to separate schools has been challenging to say the least.
The first day of school pictures did not make it into the last post. So here they are:

Madeline on the way to school with her Peppa backpack

Taken by Mrs. Paredes in class on Day 1

After the first couple of weeks, Madi's progress report is all Outstandings, just as it should be!

We've been trying to meet up with our Bay Park friends for playdates in order to help all of the girls smooth the transition to new schools. The friendships Madeline has with Shea and Evelyn have been very important to her for the past few years. Hopefully, we can hold onto these friendships while Madi continues to grow new friendships with people at Franklin, like Lily! We have already had a couple of playdates with Lily and Lily came over to spend the evening with us while her parents and Matt went to Back to School Night. As usual, Madi picked a blond blue-eyed kid to be her first friend. She totally has a type. Beyond Lily, Madeline has begun talking about other kiddos at school and even says hi occasionally when we see kids she knows before or after school.

Shea, Madi and Ella (who misses the big girls as much as Madi does)

Dinner with Lily and the baby-dolls

Science with Apples at school. Mom is so happy that Madi is into this!

Grandma T has been coming down to spend time with the girls one-on-one. She picked Madeline up from school the first week and got to deal with Madi's total breakdown about getting in the Porsche. Luckily when Grandma T came down this week to take Madi for ice cream after school, she had no problem getting in the car. Grandma T also took Ella to the zoo two weeks ago. Of course, she chose an actual rainy day in San Diego! They had a ton of fun and wore plastic ponchos. Ella was a little sad that Bella isn't allowed to go to the zoo, but she was okay with it after getting a stuffed Zebra.

Cousin Heather came down to babysit the girls so that Matt and I could go to the Zoo Food and Wine Event. We had a lot of fun spending the evening with the Kellys and ate/drank a ton. The food wasn't as exciting or upscale as I had hoped for, but it was yummy just the same. I definitely miss the days of Matt's work picnic at the Zoo after hours!

Eleanor is currently very focused on growing up to be a Doggy Doctor. She loves her vet set, wants to carry an animal around with her everywhere and as usual, loves on every dog she sees. The girls are continuing to get better at playing together and separately. They are super focused on their dolls and books. We play board or card games nightly right now. On Sunday, Ella played in the playroom while Madi played games on her Kindle in her bed for a few hours. It was a sure look at the future!

Super Ella!

I took a few days (planned months and months ago) to met up with Robyn in Colorado. I am going to call this an actual vacation even though I brought my laptop and there was an evening where Robyn, her sister, and I were all working away while watching trash tv. We did some hiking, ate meals out, and generally enjoyed being away fro the daily grind. On Friday, Jes picked me up and we got to spend a whole day together! It was lovely to see her and get some good catch up time!

First stop in a new state, Target of course. Doesn't this one look like Colorado? haha

The trees were so gorgeous! I am glad I got to see them in person!

While I was gone, Matt held down the homefront perfectly well as usual! The girls went to school, had snacks, got bathed, and on Saturday (when I was actually home but had to work of course) he took the girls to the Talmadge Block Party. They had an awesome time getting tattoos an doing some bouncing.

We spent last weekend camping at San Elijo again. The weather was absolutely perfect! Even the water was chilly, but okay enough to play in (which the girls wanted to do for hours on Saturday). We also got lucky with a previously dug big hole on the beach for all of the kiddos to play in. They were absolutely disgusting by the end of the day and all had to be hosed off in the beach showers, We ate, drank, played and had smores. I love camping!