l'automne

Fall is my favorite season: it marks the advent of the best holidays, potential snow, salted caramel hot cocoa and getting cozy in front of a fire.

Even a four-year-old knows there's something wonderful about cooler weather calling for the first fire of the season.

So does a nine-year-old...





{And, yes, I do feed L...he just doesn't eat.}

au theatre

So we officially have a budding thespian in our home. This week C traded a week of gymnastics for a week of the theater. The Missoula Children's Theatre group blew into town on Monday, cast the 50 or so parts that same day, rehearsed with the kids all week after school, and put on the show on Saturday. A play in a week! Chloe had a bit part in the musical, "The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe," as a member of the Very Hairy Frowny Face Tribe.

The hairy blue one in the middle is our very own daughter...

With "Latte" and roses after the show...

In case you are skeptical and are wondering whether or not you'd want to sit through an hour-long musical put on by a bunch of elementary kids who learned their lines and songs and moves in a little under a week, I can assure you, you are not alone. J and I had our doubts, too. But I am a witness that it works...and is enjoyable to watch! Good thing, too, because C had a bunch of supporters in the audience. A big thanks to Aunt Dine, Aunt Jones, and "G & G with the white hair" for coming with us to cheer her on!

neuf ans

Just in time for 4th grade (school begins next week!), our baby girl celebrated her last single digit birthday a couple of days ago. And though I haven't even begun to blog about 99% of our summer (maybe when school begins next week?!), I have begun to realize that if I don't try to keep up with the flow--occasionally going back in time to catch up--I'll never catch up. So here is C in her 9-year old glory. Click on the photos for a better view.

A kiss and a gift from Aunt Dine

les deux gourmandes

In a house full of rowdy boys, C definitely holds her own. She's a bit tomboy, a bit girly-girl, a bit teenager, a bit little girl, a bit mother--but mostly she's simply C. In some strange way, I feel like she's been a grown up since she learned to talk. She has a big soul in that little body, and it's always seemed to shine through despite her age. And I can tell by the way she talks to us, she feels she's on a par with J and me.

But somehow, I digress. I didn't start this post with the intent of getting into all that.

C's creative and wants things to be beautiful, even if it's just Top Ramen. One day this summer, she and a friend cooked up some Top Ramen. They snipped twigs of rosemary and thyme from the pot on the deck. They shredded a carrot. And then they made Top Ramen beautiful.

I so appreciate having a daughter, and this one in particular.

la gymnastique

So here's "Coey" (LiLi's pronunciation) in her home away from home. Any given week for the past year and the upcoming one, she trains 6-10 hours at the gym on floor, vault, beam and bars. These shots were taken this past April at her last meet of the competitive year: the spring state championship.

C and teammates await the floor competition...

Working the bars...with Coach Marci looking on

The handstand dismount to finish her beam routine...

Concentrating on the floor routine while waiting for her turn...

Last minute pep talk from Coach Marci before taking the floor...

The stretch before a backward straight arm roll...

Poised to begin her round-off, back handspring tumbling pass...

Celebrating with Nadine after finishing 7th in two events...

I think gymnastics is good for Chloe. The perks? Discipline, strength, a gym "family" and goals to accomplish something worthwhile. Stay tuned for more highlights when this year's meets begin next month.