RACE Day

Today was RACE Day at the girls’ school. RACE stands for Run Around Crossroads Elementary.

Rose’s class at the start.
Us all at the finish.
Lucia running.

Lucia and some friends.
After RACE Day we went to Menchies with some friends.

Pine Tree Island

Our house is on a corner that is structured like a cul-de-sac. In the center of the cul-de-sac is a big pine tree that the neighborhood kids have fun playing in.

Rose climbing the pine tree.

Rainy Saturday

Rose’s first soccer game of the year. It was 60 degrees and raining. We were saved by one lightning at halftime – the only lightning of the day.
Staying dry after the game.
Mari had two games today, both of which were cold and rainy.
In other news, Lucia is going to start playing the cello this fall. She will take lessons at school.

Late Summer Happenings

Lucia’s first time going off the diving board.
Susan and Shelly in Shelly’s classic car.
We went to a Des Moines Menace playoff game. They lost on PKs.
We went to a car show.
We decorated the sidewalk.
We went for a walk along the Des Moines river while Mari was at soccer tryouts.
Making bracelets was a popular activity this summer.
I was a referee at Keeper Wars, a goalie competition.
The kids made our foam float into a slide for the pool.
The girls played in the creek on a walk with Susan.
We got a cool volleyball net for the pool.
We went for a hike at Greenwood Park.
Rose, Lucia, and I went to the state fair.
Andrew and Susan went to Eatery A for a final meal. College departure is close.
Boy Cousins. They had a final weekend together, spending the night and doing some fun activities.
Mari’s soccer season started, with a new club. She is in the white.
We got a new couch.
8/16 – We had the Liesses and Reagens over for one last dinner before Andrew and Ian head off to college.

Rose 7th Birthday

Today we celebrated Rose’s birthday, a day late because yesterday was a busy day.

Rose at 7 is a lot of fun. She and Lucia still spend 99% of their time together and get along extraordinarily well. Rose’s ideal schedule is waking up at 8 and going to be at 10. She likes waffles and bagels for breakfast, mac and cheese for lunch, and walking tacos for dinner. This past year she did dance and soccer, and loved the 2nd grade.

Andrew, Mari, and Rose
Elliot lounging after dinner, on Rose’s new sloth.

Lucia and Rose First Communion

Lucia and Rose celebrated the sacrament of First Communion this morning at St. Francis. Lucia is in 3rd grade and Rose is in 1st grade, but the church allowed them to attend Faith Formation together this year.

This is the cake they made with Mari.
First Communicants