The steady rhythm of school makes the freedom of the weekend so much more beautiful in the fall...
The girls and I scored free paddleboating at Hyland Lake Preserve during the Target Book Festival. I got full-time pedaling duty, Tori and Isabelle took turns, and the Mace steered the boat.

Well, it is awful quiet at my house which can only mean one thing..school is back in session!




We were up and ready at the house in plenty of time. Tori had to make a last minute outfit change because the weather was a little chillier and windier than we originally anticipated. Isabelle woke up excited to open her special package from her teacher. We were showered, fed, and packed but somehow got a little behind in getting out the door. As we started down the street we saw the tippy top of the bus about a block away from our stop and we knew we had to book it. So, on the first day of school, in their beautiful new school outfits with their supply-filled backpacks and perfectly packed new tin lunch boxes, the girls and I ran to the bus stop (so much for their perfectly combed hair).




Thankfully, it is the first day of school and people must have been taking pictures or something because the bus delayed at that stop for just enough time for us to get to our stop and snap a quick picture. It seems the girls are not the only ones that have to get used to an earlier routine. :)



Have a great year girls!!!



I asked Macie how she felt about the girls being gone at school, but she didn't answer. She was too busy texting her friends that she and puppy once again rule the roost! ;)

I surprised her!
Jamie was at a baseball game so I told the girls we would go for dinner. Abegail was playing at a house that just happened to be on our way. ;) The girls, of course, noticed when I steered off the regular path so I told them I had to pick something up (I was just bursting inside at this moment as you can imagine). I had expected Abegail would be playing outside but she wasn't, so I told Tori to come with me so she could help me pick up my something. She assumed I had bought an item off Craigslist. So when she heard a voice say "Hi, Tori" she sort of waved and said "Who is that?.....Abegail?". And then the big what-in-the-world-is-going-on smile came over her face and she looked at me and ran over and gave me a hug before going in to reunite with her friend. There was chatting and giggling almost instantaneously. ***sigh***.



They sat alone at dinner so they could catch up on some chatting. My heart was so happy watching them talk I had to sneak over and snag a picture. :)



I had a grand idea to take them to the American Girl Bistro for dessert, but when we got there it was closing. That was disappointing. My apologies to Sue, Abegail's mother, for the American Girl Store visit. Sue and I had always stayed strong together staving off the girls constant requests for American Girl dolls. We had even both bought them the Target version a Christmas or two ago to appease some of their longings. But Jamie gave in and we bought Tori one for her birthday this year and I thought Abegail had got one, too. Oops. (Sue she may have said to me, "Now that Tori has one, my mom will have to buy me one"). My deepest apologies. :)



Most of their night was spent in their tent. I would love to hear all that they talked and giggled about inside those blanket walls but that would take the joy and mystery out of preteen girlhood. Of course I asked Tori what they talked about this morning and she gave me the staple pre-teen answer, "Nothing really".



Thanking the Lord today for sweet friendships that cross miles. Their style may change and their topics of conversation may, too, but their hearts will be forever bound by first grade, Mr. Suzuki, soccer, and hand jives. We love you Abegail!

Tori thought the highlight of the last weekend before school starting was going to be watching the premiere of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, but little does she know that tomorrow she is going to have a surprise sleepover with her BFF Abegail. Abegail moved to D.C. a year ago and Tori has never really recovered. :( She is going to freak out and I can't wait!

Praise the Lord that Abegail's dad is a crazy Twins fan and is coming in to watch them play in their new stadium!

Pics to follow....:)