Big Girl Bed

I started looking around last month for a good deal on a big girl bed for Claire, knowing her time in her toddler bed was growing short. Combining a few good tag sale finds with another Craigslist find and some new butterfly bedding from the store (though much to Claire's dismay I overruled the Disney princess sheets), we have a whole new bed. As with most of the transitions with this child, she didn't bat an eye and loves her new bed. I, on the other hand, faced a bit of mixed emotion packing up the crib-turned-toddler bed that she's slept in since she was six weeks old. We also stored away the glider that's been in the "nursery," so her room now seems to fit the little girl she's too quickly becoming.

Fall Routines

Can it be this is the start of our fourth week of a fall routine? Leaving the house at 7:15-7:30 AM isn't seeming quite so early anymore, and Claire has stopped asking if it's still summer and whether or not I have to go to work each day. We are settling into a routine with our afternoon time of combining "must-dos" and fun activities like going to the museum, park, playdates, or, Claire's new favorite, swim lessons.

Last week was the first lesson, and I wasn't sure how she'd respond to having to go into the pool without me (as is required for these lessons). However, true to her independent and adventure-loving personality, she forged right ahead, loving every minute. I think she asked me every day last week if it was time to go back, and, finally, today was a swimming lesson day again! I love seeing her have such anticipation and watching her grin from ear to ear the entire time. It's also a good mommy moment to step back and observe how she listens to other adults and reacts to her peers when I'm not around, since I don't get to see much of that when she's at daycare in the mornings. She's making her mom proud so far!

Caught one of the big grins!

A Stringer

Fall weather in Montana can be squirrelly. Snow has already dusted the mountains we see out our windows, so our hikes and big mountain adventures are probably over for the season. As a closer and milder alternative, we've spent one day in each of the past two weekends fishing Crow Creek in the Elkhorn Mountains (those closest to our house). Though the trout aren't big, they are eager and catching fish is always fun. Claire fishes with her rod a little, plays with sticks, splashes in the water, eats peanuts, and watches us fish as we take turns. We decided to actually keep a few for dinner the other day--something we haven't done since we've been together (ten years this fall!).
Claire and I fishing one of the deeper holes. The dry fly fishing has been great practice for me.

We actually took Hem the first time and he did remarkable well restraining himself as we reeled in the fish. However, it wasn't so easy to wade in a freezing stream with a dog right next to me.

The final product...pan fried trout, fresh Hutterite green beans, and cheddar buttermilk biscuits--a final summer meal.