Back to school, back to school (*Sung Adam Sandler style)

Summer is over.  Alas and alack.  Here's how we ended it in our neck of the woods.

We attended a CNIB Year end Picnic and had lots of fun at Rundle Park.

Because the facility caters to people who have disabilities, there are a lot of cool features at the parks, these swings included.  Claire's having more fun than it appears....at least I hope.

Madeline stuck to Dizzy the Clown like glue.
She followed him around as his self-proclaimed assistant.
He was a very good sport and they got to be good friends.

Ryan and I at The Stewarts' house celebrating Brandon's birthday.

Just another example of how Claire can fall asleep any time, anywhere. 

Happy Birthday to Auntie Olivia!
Carrying on the Layton tradition of Shirley Temples and quarter chicken dinners at Swiss Chalet!

Madeline's newest interest is going for rides on the motorcycle with Ryan.
Here she is, all geared up for a drive.

Madeline and Ryan also had a fun daddy-daughter date where they had a yummy breakfast, played at the park and looked at fancy new motorbikes.

Madeline at our favourite new park.

I just had to include this.  Madeline can be a very creative dresser and sleeper.
We'll often find her asleep amidst a pile of pillows/blankets/toys/books.  She'll most often be wearing something other than the pajamas we put her to bed in.  Here's an example.  A sparkly gold sweater paired with sequinned pink spandex.  She also insisted on wearing that outfit several times afterwards.
Maybe those pants will have to be lost.   By accident.  Soon.

The girls and Ryan went on a walk to visit Auntie Steph and Uncle Brandon one day and got caught in the rain.  Luckily Claire helped Madeline out.

A major adventure of the summer was Ryan's trip to PAX in Seattle with a couple of his friends.  

Super cool scenery.

Meeting a Nintendo legend.

And a gaming legend, Morello.

And some pretty crazy stuff along the way.  

He brought home lots of swag, lots of stories and lots of fun pictures.  He was able to see some pretty cool new games and try them out.  He even tried out a new Dance Central Kinect game in front of a large crowd!
We're glad he had such a fun time.

While he was having his adventures, we had a few of our own.  Claire got a fancy new hair cut, courtesy of Grandma and Auntie Natalie.  We also celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Patterson in Wetaskiwin as they marked 30 years of marriage!

We got to see Uncle Rob's band, Pants and Animals play at the agricultural fair in Wetaskiwin.  They did SO well!

Grandma and Claire took in the music from a slight distance in order to maximize enjoyment.

Madeline found a dance partner and they boogied almost the whole set.

While both our husbands/dads were gone to PAX, we had a quick visit from the boys and Kate.  

We had some good fun playing together.

FREEZIES!

Liam and Claire jammed together on the piano.

It was really good to have Daddy home though!

Before school started again we had a few playdates, lots of fun with Lisa,  a swimming trip to the awesome new Terwillegar Pool (which included a fire alarm being pulled!), a final Stake Presidency family party at my parents' house before my dad and his colleagues were released after 10 years of service, Ryan sorting out his classroom and teaching a PD session on iPads, getting taught how to use the sling lift at Claire's school and meeting with her teacher and aide to get prepared for the year, organizing the Malmo Preschool AGM and getting the classroom technologically caught up and all the other little things that come with a new school year in this house.

Claire was extremely happy to start school again.  I couldn't get her to stay very still for a photo!  It's very surreal that my little girl is in Grade 1 this year!  Luckily there are a lot of friends from kindergarten that moved up with her.  It's good to see familiar faces!

Here are all the things we sent to the school for her!  She's got a great teacher, a great aide and a supportive administration.  We're lucky to be where we are.

Ryan's school year has begun and he hasn't had time to catch a breath.  Between working at the Apple store a few evenings a week and Saturdays, getting a new grade organized and planned, being the technology guru at his school and being a great dad and father - he's pretty exhausted!  We're so grateful for all he does.

I've been busy with transcriptions, school meetings, parent meetings and home stuff.

I'm looking forward to hitting our stride, getting in a schedule and buckling down for a great and productive year with only happy surprises in store.  It's worth hoping for, right?!  :)