Aidan is growing by leaps and bounds. She continues to amaze us and those around us. She is being included in the older class during reading lessons at preschool now and her own teacher is working to catch her fine motor skills up to her cognitive skills so Aidan can move up full-time to the older class. She is starting to be able to recognize some sight words. "Is" is her favorite word to read. She can also do "she," "and," and "in" on a pretty consistent basis. Aidan has made some good friends at school and we have, through her, made friends with some great people in their parents. Life in Ellensburg continues to be very good. My job is keeping me way too busy at times but I'm enjoying it most days. Christianne is enjoying having time to get outdoors and do some things, but suffers some cabin fever from working at home all the time. Here are some pictures from various events from the summer and fall.
As the following sampling of pictures shows, Aidan continues to be fiercely fashion forward. She often dresses herself now and enjoys picking out her own clothing. We figure as long as it is warm enough and meets standards of decency, we aren't going to quash her creative side. She LOVES wearing dresses and has finally accepted that in Ellensburg in the winter, this means one has to wear pants under her dresses. At least this means we get longer wear out of those dresses that are beloved, but getting too short!
Aidan loves to Seattle Science Museum. They have a butterfly room, along with many other fun things. Christianne caught this great picture of Aidan and a butterfly there.
Living in an agricultural community means that there are a lot of great festivals in the fall, especially close to Halloween. Here's Aidan picking out a pumpkin. Good thing she is strong! She also participated in her first potato sack race (super cute!) and summersault race - she won that one because she resolutely stuck to doing summersaults while other kids cheated. She was great!
Aidan has discovered a love of cooking. Christianne and Aidan made cookies one night when I had to work late. She was so proud of them! Christianne went to Aidan's school and helped a classroom of 20 preschoolers (ages 3-5) make pumpkin pies from scratch (including the crust) for Thanksgiving. Every child got to take one home. It was yummy!
There is a gym in Yakima that has a subsection called "Kids' Castle" that has a human habitrail for kids to climb around in and slide and all sorts of things. On the weekends, they open up the gymnastic side as well to the kids. Aidan loves to jump in the foam pit! Aidan is taking gymnastic classes here in Ellensburg. She really enjoys them. In October or November, she was moved up from the parent assisted class to the independent class. She is really strong and has some good balance - when she's not checking herself out in the mirror. She is the queen of straddle jumps on the trampoline!
Ellensburg is the county seat so the county fair and rodeo is here every Labor Day weekend. Aidan had quite a bit of fun, especially looking at the horses and other animals. She road the kiddie roller coaster with a friend and loved it for the first 3 times around and then freaked out. Unfortunately, the operator didn't hear her or us asking to stop the ride and she was stuck for another 3 times around, at which point she was quite hysterical. After that experience, she developed a fear of driving over hills. This is a problem when one lives in a mountain valley. It is only this week that she finally seems to have worked it through and understand that the car and the roller coaster are two different things. Poor little girl!
Aidan started ballet classes this fall. They are really creative movement classes with a little introduction to ballet terminology. She really enjoys them. We continue to dance at home and I'm giving her some ideas about steps and skills. She has a great sense of music. Aidan enjoys dancing in the aisle at church and it seems most of the congregation loves it too. Christianne is working on getting licensed in the diocese as well as received into the diocese. She does a bit of supply work at our church here in Ellensburg, which is good for her.
Just a picture of Aidan jumping. The summers here can be hot, but are generally pretty nice. It is great to be able to get outside on a regular basis! We currently have snow, but even it is fun to play in and doesn't shut down the town.
We took Aidan to see The Wiggles when they came to Spokane. She danced in her seat the whole time. This is us playing in the park by the theater. We are practicing our arabesques.
Aidan's school does various special events throughout the year. They had a Hawaiian day this summer. This is Aidan posing for the occasion.
In the summer, we have a great farmer's market. Our local face painter, Len, does amazing work. Aidan would go every week to have her face painted in some new way. This is one of his tamer pictures.
This is just another picture of Aidan jumping 'cause I think it is cute.
We love and miss everyone! I'll try to be better about getting out updates!
