Thanks Mags!

"Mom, I know you are great. Love, Magnolia"

It's the little things that remind me how truly lucky I am to be her mother. Like when she dashed off to write this little note and then with a huge smile slipped it into my hand. Then with a quiet little whisper..."I sounded out all the words all by myself Mommy!" 

Oh Miss Magnolia...

I know you are great too!

Love,

Mama

Life These Days

We've been taking on a lot these last few weeks, hence my lack of time to blog.

I was asked to do some work on the Idaho Child Care QRIS. Exciting?...yes, but this led to the first week in about two and half years of mommy working full-time out of the house. In addition, we were battling with stuffy noses, upset stomachs and fevers, and Maggie also started a few full days of kindergarten

. 

And for all of you that listened to me gleefully describe my light schedule this last semester...well let's just say I greatly underestimated the amount of time and work it would take to wrap this degree up!

So here we are...A bit frazzled, I will admit. A bit antsy as we feel a transition for our family approaching with my completion of school, and a bit tired as we continue to adjust to this new schedule of ours.

I'm not sure that anything will really slow down over the next few months, but with each day we are becoming a little more confident about this new faster paced and more independent rhythm our family has transitioned to.

Since I know many of you have probably been a bit disconnected from us in the last few weeks, here's a few glimpses of some of the beautiful moments I couldn't help but capture...

Lots of music making.

So much drumming!

Some quiet moments busy creating.

Some exploring and experimenting.

Did I mention drumming?

LOTS of pretending.

Lots of building!

And of course, just being cute.

A very special "thanks" to Grandma Crist. Who came to Moscow and jumped into this transition right with us to help care for Maggie and River...AND THEN, returned home sick as well.
Good thing she loves us;)

A Little End of Summer Hoorah!!

We celebrated the last of summer with one more weekend in Sandpoint before towing Red the camper home from her permanent summer spot (Sara and Brad's driveway).

The weekend went down a bit like this...

A little bit of Funky Junk....

Some dancing, hooping and napping at Schweitzer Fall Fest...

And last, but certainly not least, some swimming at Goose Creek Falls!

Magnolia braved the cold water with Mommy and Daddy all the way to the top!

She was not so sure about the "water slide."

Aunt Sara and Sagey watching Mag's big, brave adventure.

River stopping for a "cheeeeesseee" between throwing rocks and pretending to build a fire.

We are now ready for fall.

Kindergarten Has Come!

Nothing says "GREAT DAY" like a big, huge smile. Which is exactly what we saw on Maggie's face when we picked her up!

If any of you are interested in learning more about expeditionary learning you can take a peek HERE.

Check out the Palouse Prairie page HERE.

Co-op Kids at Phillip's Farm

I couldn't imagine a better good-bye (at least for the school year) to co-op kids for Magnolia then a morning exploring and hiking at Phillip's Farm. 

I am frequently reminded how lucky my children are to be growing, learning and playing in such a wonderful community alongside such amazing friends!

Goodbye Summer

We've had an amazing summer, but it is quickly coming to an end. It's undeniable with the first days of school quickly approaching.

I'll be finishing up my last semester of graduate school and Maggie will be starting Kindergarten. There are big changes coming for the Crists!

These last few days I've been really focused on just being with them. 

So often now though they shoo me away from their independent play, or their play together. 

So I sat back, watched, snapped a few photos and simply enjoyed being with my children today.

Thought I'd share that joy with all of you...

Magnolia, busy building a home for her fairy.

River busy fixing a flat on my bicycle.
"I fix your back tire mommy!"

"This my favorite tool!"

The most amazing yoga, hula hooping, paper dancing girl EVER!