A Good Beginning and End

Well, it hasn't been the best of days. I've been mad enough to spit nails at all the idiots in Congress who can't behave like adults and actually do their jobs. And my big plan to get some particular work done didn't happen quite as I'd hoped. BUT...there were some highlights. First, after many months of planning and hoping and waiting, the Little School of the Redwoods -- Del Norte's new preschool -- opened for business. Despite the fact that she'll start kindergarten in about a month, Darcy wanted to go, so go she did:

She's carrying the backpack she and Michael made from two bubble-wrap mailing envelopes and blue duct tape, and proud of it. It's loaded with some of the many books she has made recently. Many of you might receive a book or two in the mail soon because there are about a dozen sitting on the coffee table right now.

She did not want to pose under the sign outside the door, even though that was my plan for the picture of the day. I promise that it says "Small Avenue/Little School of the Redwoods".

Inside, there's no doubt where you are!

Dropping Darcy off at Little School was a morning highlight. The evening highlight was supervising Darcy in the bath with the bubble machine spitting bubbles at her non-stop. It was FUN. She had tricked me into taking her to the beach earlier and when I wouldn't let her swim (in her clothes), she suggested a "just play, no washing hair" bath and I was happy to oblige.

I just took her a glass of water in bed and she asked what I was doing. When I told her that I needed to finish the dishes, she told me that it's late and I should be going to sleep. I couldn't agree more. Good night!

Photo Day Tomorrow!

Darcy's first class photos are being taken tomorrow morning and she is very excited. I foolishly asked her (on Monday afternoon) what she wanted to wear for the picture and she said, "Fairy wings!" I dutifully asked her teacher if she strongly objected to fairy wings for the individual picture (not the full class!) and she gamely replied that if we didn't mind, she wasn't going to object.

So today, Michael asked Darcy what she wanted to wear, and got the same response: "Fairy wings!" He pointed out that she had to wear some clothes with the wings and she named her rainbow striped pants and her "cake shirt", a peach shirt with various petit fours and cakes on the front. I think they go together reasonably well in terms of color, but the pants alone are busy on the eyes and a decorated shirt seems over the top to me. I am, however, willing to let her wear what she wants as long as it is weather appropriate.

But it doesn't jive with Michael's idea of good fashion. He is mulling over choices and is prepared to use the wings as bargaining chips to get his choice of clothes on our small fairy. In a few weeks, when the picture "package" (seven 8 x 10s! sixteen 5 x 7s! 49 wallet size! circles and arrows on the back of each one!) arrives at school, you'll get to see the results. Stay tuned!

Day Two Has Followed Day One

I am packed and ready to head off to Washington, DC, for a USDA adventure! Ok, so probably grants-management training won't be all that adventurous, but driving to Medford at 3 o'clock in the morning will be!

A few weeks ago, many of you were kind enough to sponsor Darcy's spins around the Trike-a-Thon course at her preschool. It was complete madness -- 20+ preschoolers on bikes, trikes, and scooters! Here's a small taste of the fun:

Darcy is styling in her Very Hungry Caterpillar helmet. She (YOU) raised a lot of money and she had a blast cycling around with all her friends. They spent the week before the event learning safety rules for riding. I'm not sure that they listened very well to the "watch where you are going" rule. I know Darcy didn't! I have very cute video, but I have to figure out how to massage it for Blogger.

Thank you all for your contributions!