Grandpa and Grandma come from Michigan

We were so happy to have Grandpa and Grandma here while Kurt was away at a conference for the weekend. We had a blast enjoying some beautiful fall weather, and were treated to a special train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine in Boone. 

It was a gorgeous day so we took our lunch along and had a picnic before the train ride.

  

The conductor showed everyone a rare "jewel", which of course all the kids wanted to touch, but none were allowed. It must've been worth millions! Ha!

  

  Thanks, Grandpa and Grandma, for the special treat! We had so much fun on the rails!

The Thomas event also included live music, which the kids were invited to play along with...

 ...and a bouncy house! 

During the weekend, we had fun outside riding bikes too. Cassidy was SO excited to show Grandpa her new bike!

  Grandpa even got to be here for Cassidy's church-singing debut!

My brand new girl

About a month ago, Cassidy had her first real haircut, which was really just a trim. But ever since then I've contemplated going for a little something different. Travis had a haircut appointment today so I asked if she had time for two and the rest is history. This girl loves being pampered at the salon! The whole time she said things like, "That tickles!", "This is fun!", "I love this!", and "Brandi's house is great!" (Of course Brandi doesn't live at the salon, but don't bother trying to explain that one to Pumpkin.) After the haircuts we went shopping at Target and when random people smiled or said hello to the kids, Cassidy said repeatedly, "Hello! I LOVE my new bangs!", which got a lot of laughs, especially from me. 

That's what six inches of little kid hair looks like on the floor, folks. Thought I'd be sad to see it go but, nah.

 And here's my handsome Trav! His haircuts are much less of an event. :)

Camera-ready

This day, Cassidy actually asked for me to take her picture! She was dressed for preschool, backpack on and she said, "Let's take a picture of me!" Funny girl! Travis and I walked her to preschool on a beautiful sunny morning and when we went back just a few hours later, the weather had changed and on our walk home it was a downpour! Better take the umbrella next time.

 I guess it's too much to ask for two kids to hold hands, smile, AND look at the camera all at the same time. Doesn't stop me from trying, though!

Afternoon at the Park

This afternoon we got together with five other families and had a marvelous afternoon and supper at the park. BIG fun! The kids of course love the play equipment there, and to have that many friends all together at the same time was awesome. It was a perfect early autumn day: sunny and warm, with good food, lots of laughs, and at the end, two very tired kiddos!

Cassidy has gotten really comfortable with the big climbing equipment and the super tall squiggly slide, but we were surprised to see today that Travis followed right after her all the way up to the top, no fear, no hesitation. These kids are getting so big and brave!

The long-awaited dance class

All summer Cassidy has been waiting to go to her dance class. She asks about it almost daily so when the day arrived she could barely contain her excitement! The cuteness in that room (all those beautiful little princesses in pink!) was abundant. There are five girls in her class, but only three really participated this first class; the other two were too shy to leave their mommies. But Cassidy greeted each girl by saying, "My name's Cassidy Jensen! Welcome to my dance class!" She surprised even us with her outgoing personality and leadership skills! She had a blast and can't wait to go back next week. What fun! (And thank you, Far Far and Far Mor, who gifted the class to Cassidy as her birthday present. What a fabulous gift!)

Each girl had to choose a colored dot to sit on. Cassidy was sort of the unofficial gatekeeper of the dots.

Learning first position, or making your feet "smile"!

Marching along to the "Going on a Bear Hunt" song.

Each girl got to choose a sticker at the end of class. Cassidy chose an orange smiling star and boy, was she proud of her sticker!

Preschool!

Today was the day we've been talking about alllllllllll summer: the first day of preschool. When I reminded Cassidy what day it was this morning she said, "Yay! It's MY turn!" An hour ahead of schedule, she was dressed, including wearing her backpack. Her first day was great; on the walk home she said, "I love preschool!" It might be a very long week waiting to go to preschool again next Monday! 

"I'm gonna spell you!"

 Cassidy's mornings all start out the same lately: she hops out of bed and immediately finds her dress-up clothes. She loves being a princess! She recently got a new crown and wand and has worn them for days, including to the grocery store and other errands. She thinks it's just awesome when people say, "Oh! You must be a princess!" 

 

But watch out if she sees you with her wand in her hand. She will "spell you!" So far the spells aren't too bad, though. Either you're getting a love spell or being turned into a horse. Could be worse!

Rally Day!

Today at church was Rally Day, the first day of Sunday School. The first Sunday School day of the year and the first day ever for Cassidy! I was excited for her, but yes, worried. I just didn't know how she would handle being away from me or if she'd be scared going into a room with people she didn't know. But when we got to church, we found her room and got her name tag ("The necklace kind, not the stick on your shirt kind, mommy!," she reportedly excitedly) and met her teacher. When it was time to go upstairs for the sanctuary assembly, she reached out and took her teacher's hand and said, "I'm ready!" And off she went, no tears, no drama. After the Rally Day assembly, during which she did miss me a little but overall did great and enjoyed the dancing and singing, she went with the rest of her class back to her room where they practiced the songs they will sing in church in two weeks' time. I'm so proud of my big girl! 

 Travis had so much fun with our friend Brad and especially loved wearing his glasses!

Happy Guy

It doesn't matter where we go, what time of day, who we see; one thing's guaranteed: Travis is making new friends along the way. All it takes is one glimpse of eye contact and a smile from this guy, and people seem to melt. We always hear the same thing: "What a happy little guy you have there!" And they're right! He is (almost always) our happy boy, full of smiles and ready to make everyone around him feel like a kid again. He's just a bright light everywhere we go, and we ADORE this little boy that God gave us.

Biker Girl

My girl is having an amazing time enjoying her new bike. From the time she wakes up until bedtime, she thinks about riding her bike, talks about riding her bike, tells people about her bike, and rides her bike. It's so cool to see how far she's come in just a few days. Her bike has training wheels but still, never having ridden a bike, she felt very challenged on that first ride. Pedaling, balancing, steering, all of it was new. But just a few days later, she's riding on her own, going fast!, and steering like a pro, ringing her bell all the while!  Go, girl, go!

Cool Dudes

My guys in shades, on our way to church.

 This dude is so cool (or, as he says, "tool") he kept his sunglasses on the whole morning!