Kate's first ride on the school bus

Today was Kate's first full day of kindergarten, and her first ride on the school bus. She had a lot of folks to show her the ropes, including Audrey and their friends Hannah and Olivia. We heard later that Audrey and Hannah were really sweet and helpful in showing Kate the way to her classroom and helping her get settled in. Honey met Audrey and Kate at the bus stop in the afternoon and reported that Kate was in good spirits, a good sign after such a long day of new experiences.

Edgefield staycation

Audrey and Kate spent the weekend with cousins Lily and Cora at the McMenamins Edgefield. The girls and Lily loved playing on the bunkbeds in Audrey and Kate's room.

On Saturday, the girls braved the rain to visit Multnomah Falls, stopping at Crown Point and the Vista House on the way. In the afternoon, they went for a dip in the soaking pool. On Sunday, they toured Edgefield grounds and posed for some pictures before checking out and heading home.

(If the slide show below doesn't appear or doesn't work, click here.)

Children's Gym camp

Audrey and Kate both spent some time at the Children's Gym this week. Although officially a "summer camp," the girls just attended on Monday and today. They had done a camp together at the East Portland Community Center awhile back, but this time they were separated into different groups based on their age and didn't see each other most of the day (so was perhaps Kate's first real "camp" experience). The girls got to do crafts and use gymnastics equipment, as well as play outside at the Buckman School playground and do some climbing and bouldering at an indoor rock gym, both of which were nearby. Today, they both had open gym at the same time, and were very excited to see each other and play together.

Serpentine sisters

Audrey and Kate strike a pose.

Reading buddy

Audrey practices her reading by reading a Barbie story to Kate. As often happens with the girls and books, they spend a good chunk of time negotiating which of the characters in the book they wish they could be.

Stroller pusher

On a return trip from the neighborhood frozen-yogurt shop, Audrey wanted a rest. Kate helped her out by pushing her in the stroller for a bit.

Seesaw sisters

While at the park this afternoon, Audrey and Kate see-sawed together for the first time. It was a little nerve-wracking to watch, with Audrey's bigger size and aggressive pushing-off from the ground threatening to catapult Kate off her seat, but Kate seemed to enjoy it (mostly).

Keep out!

After a sisterly squabble, Audrey made her feelings known with a note on her door.

Kate's cave

Kate was not happy when Mama chided her for scratching the dining room table with her spoon, so she decided to create a "cave" that was just for "people who scratch tables." Audrey thought it looked fun and joined her.

Audrey's salon

Audrey tests out her new nail-decorating set she got for Christmas on Kate.

Tacoma trip

Audrey and Kate headed north to Tacoma this weekend to visit some of Mama's friends and their kids. After a stop for lunch in Olympia, they headed over to Margaret and Ryan's house, where they got to play with Nathan and Sarah and see the new babies Anna and Jessa. Curt and Rachelle and their three boys were there as well.

The girls spent the night in a hotel, where they shared a bed. After lots of giggling and whispering they finally fell asleep. It wasn't the most restful night, with Audrey waking up several times to complain about Kate being on her side of the bed.

In the morning, Audrey and Kate had breakfast and then spent time in the hotel pool and spa with Benjamin and Bradley and Jordan. Then it was off to visit the PLU campus, where they got to have lunch in the student commons and try out some Lute gear at the bookstore. Then they said their goodbyes to the Mulders and headed home.

School picnics

Audrey and Kate both had school picnics today. Kate's Heartwood Preschool picnic was at 11:30 at Normandale Park. She's already pretty familiar with the school and teachers from Audrey's time there and her own trial run this summer, but she got to meet some new classmates and their families.

Audrey got to meet her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Davidson, and some of her new classmates at her school picnic this evening at Wilshire Park. She'll have a couple of kids who went to preschool with her -- Charlie and Cecily -- in her class, as well as a new friend, Hannah, she met recently through swimming lessons. Kate, as usual, got right in the mix with the older kids, even giving Audrey and Cecily and Hannah a ride on the merry-go-round.

Uppy uppy!

After a visit to the Rebuilding Center today, Audrey and Kate both wanted to be carried.

Audrey's salon

Audrey's been practicing her styling skills this week, mostly on Kate, who's been a good sport about it. On Tuesday Annalise came over for a playdate, and among other activities they played hair salon. Yesterday, Audrey helped get the family ready to go out by wetting and brushing Kate's hair.

Kate's first day of preschool!

Yesterday was Kate's first day of preschool. She's trying it out one morning a week (Fridays) through the summer; she'll go more frequently starting in September. Teacher Amy said she did great. It probably helped to have big sister there, although apparently they didn't play together a whole lot. Kate played a lot with her friend Finley, impressed Amy and Karma (the other teacher) with her drawing skills, and ate all of the lunch Mama packed for her. Seemed to be a smooth transition; in fact, when Mama dropped her off asked Kate if she wanted Mama to hang out with her a bit before leaving, Kate said no (she was ready to start).

Sticker mayhem

While Mama and Dada were distracted trying to unpack and re-organize after we got back from our Sunriver trip yesterday, Audrey and Kate took it upon themselves to cover Kate and a doll in some of the stickers they got from Grandpa Dave in Sunriver.

Mall moves

Audrey and Kate held an impromptu dance party while shopping with Mama at Macy's in the Lloyd Center yesterday.

Yoga poses

The girls brought home from the library a book called Sleepy Little Yoga. Audrey, who learned some yoga at her first preschool, helped Kate get into some of the poses.

Mic check

The girls test out the Grover microphone Audrey picked out for Kate as a Christmas present. They're wearing some of their dress-up clothes they got as gifts (Barbie princess for Audrey, "twinkle fairy" for Kate).

Snuggle time

Kate and Audrey enjoying--for the moment--each other's company. Like any young siblings, they cycle between competition with and compassion for each other. Audrey watches with an eagle eye to make sure that Kate does not get a larger food or drink portion than her--they argue about who's drink is "deeper," i.e., whose glass is more full. Audrey will get frustrated with Kate if they are playing something together and Kate doesn't precisely follow the script Audrey has in her mind for how the activity should proceed. When riding together in the bike trailer, Kate will scratch Audrey and pull her hair, seemingly knowing that she can get away with it for a few moments until Mama or Dada can pull over and make her stop.

On the other hand, they do take an interest in each other and seem to miss each other when they are apart (although maybe it's more out of a concern that the other is getting to do something more fun). They also show small kindnesses towards each other that can be quite touching. Kate will, unprompted, share her food and objects she's playing with with Audrey. Audrey will often make two of whatever art project she's working on at preschool so that she can give one to Kate. They also conspire with each other, giggling and egging each other on to make mischief. They can also keep themselves entertained for short periods, giving Mama and Dada a few moments of rest, although with ears perked in case things get out of hand.