Zoe’s class has a pet turtle, Yertle, and her teacher needed someone to take him home and turtle-sit for a long weekend. The girls were very excited when we volunteered and even more excited when we brought him home late Wed.; ever since they’ve been talking with him, showing him toys, and even reading to him.

-M

Just as I closed the door to her bedroom the other night, Avery called to me and asked for water. When I brought a cup to her she looked up at me and asked, “Mama, is it hard being a mama sometimes? Because people ask you to do things when you’re walking the other way?” It is hard sometimes, I told her, but not for that reason. And, looking at her sweet face and wide eyes, I said there was nothing hard about that moment.

-M

The weather has been gorgeous here lately (October is our summer), and the girls and I took advantage of an early school-dismissal one day last week by visiting a hidden San Francisco gem. I had been hearing for years about a gorgeous hand-tiled staircase tucked away in the Sunset neighborhood, and I was happy to find – and climb – it with the girls that afternoon. It was beautiful (we all agreed that the top of the stairs, featuring a bright yellow and orange sun, was our favorite), and standing at the top gave us a clear view of the ocean, Golden Gate Bridge, and rest of the city.

-M

I wasn’t feeling well during the girls’ bedtime one night last week, and I asked Zoe if she would tuck her sister in and read her a book. She happily agreed to this, as well as to another request from Avery – and as Zoe headed to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water I heard Avery call from her room, “You are the sweetest sister in the world!”

-M

Part of the reason I like going into school, versus dropping off, is to see the girls in action (and occasionally take some photos). Avery looked so settled and happy at the drawing table one morning last week that I had to take a quick pic.

-M

The new school year continues to go well – and perhaps even too well, with the girls feeling so comfortable and independent that they’ve been insisting that we drop them off, versus walk them into school, most mornings. (“Oh my gosh, they’re embarrassed by you?” one mom exclaimed when she heard me tell this story at a party the other night. Not embarrassed, I told her – they just find it fun to walk in on their own.)

Though the drop-off lane is a real time-saver in the morning, I like going into the classroom and chatting with the teachers. And I admit to starting to worry that the girls were growing up too fast and not needing/wanting me around as much anymore… But, then, at pick-up the other day Avery squealed “Mama!”, raced across the playground, and literally jumped into my arms when she saw me. It was the sweetest, biggest hug I’ve ever gotten at school – it was as if we hadn’t seen one another in weeks. I guess she does still like it when I’m around.

-M

Despite being excited to look for pumpkins – and having an overall good time -  in Half Moon Bay last weekend, Avery was not in the photo-taking mood during much of the morning. The second pic below (which I also shared on Facebook) is a real classic!

-M

Some more photos from our time last weekend.

-M

The photo from yesterday was taken at a pumpkin patch in Half Moon Bay. It’s our tradition to visit every year, and this year we went nice and early!

-M

Today is the first day of October, which means the start of Halloween season for us. And the girls are ready!

-M