City Beautiful

A few weeks ago we headed to Nauvoo to meet up with my oldest brother and his family.

After 8 hours in the car and just after Keokuk, Iowa we were happy to find this little cabin on the hill that overlooks the Mississippi. Easy and I stayed in this cabin 8 years ago while traveling through Illinois. It brought back memories of kayaking in the river, exploring Nauvoo, and working together in the Midwest.



The girls were troopers all smashed in the back of the Accord with promises of ice cream and a powerful air conditioner.



Nauvoo was incredibly hot and muggy for my pregnant state, but we still enjoyed wagon rides, sno cones, the Pageant, and a few days away from our hectic schedule.



Most things are enjoyable with this little peanut around.



A highlight for me was searching for William Hyde (my 5th great-grandfather's) property and running across his actual home - still standing - since 1843. William traveled west with the saints and was a military man.



Highlights for the girls included pioneer games, sawing wood, making dolls, braiding fabric, watching a puppet show, etc.



Blondes was all about playing the part.



So much that random people took pictures of her...and with her.



My three sweaty sweaty chickies wanting to take off to The West.

The End.

Off She Goes

Today our lives changed.

All of ours did as our first little chickie made her way to Kindergarten.

She is ready. She is ready. I keep telling myself over and over. She is ready.

Her mother, however is not so ready.



But we did it anyway - even if we were a week late (school started last Monday while we were in Utah).

I walked her straight in to meet her teacher this morning where we also found her classroom and cubby. Outside in the hall the other children sat along the wall with their chosen books. Her teacher was warm and spoke right to her. I felt confident leaving her in this woman's hands.

I then abandoned her there with those wild animals in the hall - some picking their noses, a few jumping around wildly, one crying her little eyes out, and the others chatting incessantly. I kept looking back at her lost face, wondering if I should go and sit with her, but instead I pressed forward with my heart hanging behind me the whole way. This will get easier. Please tell me it will!



The other 2.5 and I did errands and tried to keep busy while she was away. Sissy drew her a picture. I imagined her eating her lunch and playing on the playground and hoped she made a friend. Gigi asked "Where Vava?"



Then at 2:55 we strolled out to the corner and waited. And finally, after what seemed like 30 minutes went by a bright yellow bus turned the corner in the distance.

And as it grew closer I saw the most beautiful little blonde head popping up from the very front seat. My heart beat a little faster as her tiny body wound down the huge steps. I thanked the driver and probably hugged and kissed her a little too much for her new big-girl status.

But come on, she did it!

We did it!

She told me she was tired and wanted to take a nap. I told her how we thought of her all day. She sat on my lap at home (that is getting to be less of one every week) and told me all the details.

My favorite was how she met a little girl on the playground. The girl told Blondes that she was "very sick." Blondes said that she should go home then and the girl simply replied, "But I have to go to school so I can learn!"

Hiking Arkie