School Days

We've started to realize, GULP, that our baby girl isn't quite a baby any longer.  Not only is she 4 (and a half!, as we are constantly reminded), but she is starting to do big girl things.  For instance, she started preschool yesterday, and she looks so much older with her newly shorn hair. 

While she is still enthralled with cartoons, she's also becoming a kindred spirit in her taste of movies. Our proof is her new obsession with Anne of Green Gables and White Christmas.  (The latter may have something to do with the singing sisters and their "bootiful" dresses).  I've also started reading the Little House on the Prairie books to her, and it's amazing how smoothly the morning routine runs with the promise of a chapter reading if chores are done on time.  Furthermore, she is really starting to enjoy playing with Lucas and Cody, and not just playing with their toys!

Not to worry, however, there is still plenty of that goofy girl-i-ness that we know and love.  I'm not sure that we'll ever get her out of the dress up stage ("Mirror, Mirror on the wall" anyone?),

and she is always ready for a snuggle with any of her beloved grandparents.

Either way, she remains a happy, go-lucky little girl with a ready smile, a loony laugh and an enviable zest for life.

Priceless

Swimsuits:  $20

Rubber garden hose from the local hardware store:  $35

Cold Water:  free

The look on Annabel's face the moment she realizes Thane is now old enough to exact revenge:

 PRICELESS!
 

Barns and Boats

As elsewhere in the country, Colville has experienced higher than normal temperatures for most of the summer.  It's been in the mid to high 90's for several weeks now, and we will surely welcome the cooler autumn weather.  The heat, however, has only slightly impeded our construction of the barn.  Our progress has been slow, but not for lack of help (if that's what you want to call it!)  As always, Thane prefers to be in the thick of the action.  Here he is digging for fossils, er, helping shovel rock for our concrete.

He also decided to suspend his fear of riding the tractor for this project.  Thane is all Lentz:  two minutes of riding with Pappa and he was practically driving the tractor himself!

 

By the end of the day, Thane was a big, dirty mess!  (I'd show you the rest of his filthy little body, but we aren't that kind of blog!)

Luckily, our friend Tom invited us all out for a boat ride after spending a particularly hot Sunday working on the barn.  Our first stop was a small beach on the Columbia River,

where Annabel got to practice her swimming.  She's been taking lessons in town, and it's great to see her confidence grow along with her ability. 

Later in the evening, we meandered up the Kettle River - a first for me.  The Kettle is still and serene.  We saw lots of wildlife, and the kids had the time of their lives.

We hope that you are beating the summer heat, too!