Snapshots

I'm finding myself sitting with Aleks watching the Democratic debates and while I care very much about the world I live in, I'm not as passionate about politics as my husband. So, I think I'll use this time to catch up on the blog and share a few recent moments from our lives.

1. The girls had dentist appointments two weeks ago and Maia ended up with a hygienist who probably hates children. She scrapped the tartar off of Maia's teeth without much concern for the ongoing whimpering. She also didn't seem to care that Maia was gagging because she didn't like the taste of the toothpaste. The only thing that would calm her was Ruby's hand.

During that trip, I managed to bang my thigh on the corner of the hygienists desk because I was embarrassingly sore from working about a few days earlier. wearing heels, and hadn't had my usual amount of coffee. It's been ten days and the bruise has now faded to green and yellow, but there is still a rather hard lump beneath the skin.

At least the girls have sparking, clean teeth and no cavities!

2. My mom was here to watch the girls while Aleks and I went to Maryland for the Ironman. Womp womp. We didn't go. So instead we went to the zoo and enjoyed a beautiful day outside.

3. This past weekend we participated in Wichita's Buddy Walk to honor our friend Blake. We love this family and are so glad they moved to Wichita!

4. Tonight is the last night of our Fall Break. While it was short, it was surprisingly refreshing. Aleks and I went out 2 nights in a row (!), I took several naps, and Ruby got to watch Spooky Buddies. It was just what we needed to get through the rest of the semester.

5. Maia has continued to take piano lessons this year in a more formalized manner. It's an ongoing exercise in focus and discipline for her, but she's really starting to make progress. She joined me on Sunday for a prelude piece.

The girls are growing in leaps and bounds. Already the toddlers years are a distant memory and I'm amazed to find myself with school age children. Ruby is continuing to express her opinions, but in a way that makes you want to be around her. She still gives the best hugs of anyone in the family. Maia is as talkative and excitable as ever, while make gradual steps toward maturity. She is motivated by success and likes to do well in school. I love to watch my daughter's friendship develop. My heart soars when I see the two of the whispering together.

Aleks' life has slowed down a bit since training for the Ironman has ceased. He's still busy with work, but he loves it and is good at what he does.

After a rough start to the semester, I'm beginning to find contentment and a better balance of the many roles I play. My outlook has considerably changed now that I'm able to more regularly workout.

Fall always reminds me of places we've lived, like Connecticut and it's outrageous foliage or Washington and the delicious apple varieties locally available. October in Wichita is funny. Some days are crisp, but every now and then we'll have a day where we are back in t-shirts and flip flops. Soon we'll be able to pull out our sweatshirts and the hot humid summer evenings will be a memory.