Moving On Up, Part 2

Another year of school has begun!

It's only been a few days, but so far, so good. The meltdowns don't usually begin until the second week, anyway, when reality starts setting in.

3rd grade! Holy Cow!

1st grade , here I come!

And this is Dexterese for "preschool."

Moving On Up

Natalie and Beatrice have been having a great time at karate, and now they both have earned their next belt - yellow with white stripe. Hooray!

Natalie has already declared her intention to be a black belt. I have no doubt that she (and Bea, too) could do it. Karate suits Natalie especially well, as it is all about rules and preciseness and proper technique. She's got a tad bit of the perfectionist about her ... wonder where she gets that from?

Congratulations, my girls!

Don't Ask What Came Over Me...

...but we have a new addition to our family!

Welcome Peregrin Took Fear!

More commonly known as:

Pippin

Pip

Pipsqueak

Pipperoni (Bea's creation)

Pippers

Oh, who am I kidding? You know we named him that so that I can yell "Fool of a Took!" whenever he misbehaves, which thankfully, is not often.

Pippin was a stray that some friends in our ward found and took care of while they tried to find the owner. When their posters yielded no results, they sent out an email asking if anyone would like him, and my very uncharacteristic-but-immediate thought was, "This kitten belongs with us."

And now he does.