Straight from the heart: September 2012

We have been sailing through a few busy weeks. We decided at the last minute to take a trip to Toronto over Labor Day weekend to see Oliver's parents. I was surprised when I realized we hadn't been up since last Christmas. We usually make a few trips during the year, but this Spring with Sofia's surgery we hadn't been able to. We are lucky they were able to come down several times to see us though. The girls love seeing their Oma and Opa. We were even able to take advantage of my in-laws' babysitting skills and have night out to ourselves (it is hard to remember what that is like!) The great thing about their location in Toronto is being able to walk to see a movie and get some yummy gelato on the way home, and have fresh chocolate filled croissants in the mornings. It is nice to be reminded of what city life is like...don't get much of that around here :) Thankfully, Toronto is a short 5 hours by car and that seems to satisfy the craving.

It has been a rainy morning here, and it definitely feels like fall - my favorite season. This fall is going to be particularly eventful for us. Here's what's going on:

Sofia started preschool last week! I feel like this is a big milestone in her life so far. She had no reservations and seemed to love it as much as we did. I really liked the teacher and feel like it is going to be a good atmosphere and good experience for her. I'm so excited that she doing "normal" activity for her age and that she is not being held back anything health related. She loved getting ready the night before school by sprinkling "magic preschool dust" around her bed, which was supposed to ward off preschool jitters. She liked getting ready and carrying her backpack. She was all talk about her new friend Chloe when she got home. Sofia also had her first night of gymnastics class with her friend Irelynn and her favorite was the balance beam.

October 1st is Sofia's cath to put a stent in and possibly coil collateral vessels. That will be a one night hospital stay. On October 6th, we are taking to the streets for the 2nd Annual Congenital Heart Walk. Very excited to support this cause again and have some fun. It sounds like there are going to be lots of fun things for the kids to do and I know we have a great time supporting our little love, Sofia and supporting the Adult Congenital Heart Association and Children's Heart Fund.

In November, Adelaide turns 2! Actually she will turn two while we are on vacation in London!!! We have booked our trip to the UK for Thomas's wedding. The girls will love to see Uncle Thomas and their new aunt, Selena. Their wedding is in Wales and the from the website, it will be a stunning location. It is hard for me to believe that Adelaide will be 2 soon. She keeps up with her sister and it's hard to keep track of all the things she's doing and learning because it happens so fast. She is my fiery redhead still and I love this still-cuddly, still mama's little girl.

When we return from our trip, my parents will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary, and it appears they are going to let us plan a dinner. Not a party, but a dinner. I know they don't want to do it up big, but 40 years is worthy of celebration! During the week of Thanksgiving, both my grandpa Locke and my dad also have birthdays, and my grandpa's is a big 95th! Very awesome.

There are some exciting thing to look forward to and I feel like it is going to be a great fall!