After a fabulous trip to Birmigham, we are back to our normal routine. This week is fair week and we kicked it off by going to the parade Tuesday night. I didn't intend to take Sarah Kate because I thought she would be entirely too hard to keep up with. Plus, it was after her twilight bedtime. But I couldn't stand not being there with Ali (who went with her cousins and Nanny), so we headed over there. And while SK was predictably busy trying to pick flowers out of people's yards and wanting to run in the street, it was actually really fun. She danced when the bands came by (Ali danced when the dancers came by) and chowed down on a few suckers. I think starting next year, I might actually be able to just sit in a chair and watch while both girls catch candy.

Ali and I are headed to the fair tonight. I'm really looking forward to it just being the two of us. Next year, Sarah Kate will definitely be into all of it, so this will be the last time the fair will be all about Ali.

The girls and I came to Birmingham yesterday. For a visit and a change of pace. And I wanted my mom to make my birthday dinner. It was not the best drive ever, but many, many puffy cheetos later, we arrived.

And then, after no sleep all day, we thought it would be fun to go to the fair. Because we're optimists. And, really, it was fun. Ali had more fun than Sarah Kate (who has no use for fair rides, but does like fair food), but all in all, both girls had a good time. Sarah Kate's favorite part was the petting zoo. She liked to feed the animals pieces of straw she picked up from the ground, but did not like to feed the animals the small pieces of food that they would lick out of her hand. Ali's favorite part was the bungee trampoline.

Then we all came home and crashed.

And at one this morning, Ali rang in my birthday with a lovely bloody nose. Beating herself up in her sleep, I guess.

The plan for the day is just to play. And maybe shop. Tomorrow we'll have my birthday party. My first 29th.

Snippets

It isn't even light outside and Sarah Kate is already up eating breakfast. She definitely wins the early bird award.

Ali loves, loves her new "school". She has all kinds of friends. When she gets in the car in the afternoon, she dumps the rocks out of her shoes. And her feet stink.

I got an iphone the other day. Wes and I finally caught up with the rest of the world. Giving me one is a little like giving a heroin addict a continuous IV drip of heroin.

Really. What did people do before they were connected to each other 24 hours a day? Do you think it's a bit ridiculous?

The girls and I are going to Birmingham next week. Wes has to work the night of my birthday, so I'd rather spend it there with my family than here alone. We haven't traveled in over three weeks and I'm getting antsy.

Still dark outside. Here comes Ali. But it is 6:30, so I guess it's ok. I'm just not used to it getting light so late now.

I don't know if I've mentioned it, but Ali's made a huge leap recently. She is no longer three. She's thirteen. She's got the attitude to prove it.

But at least when I asked her what kind of birthday I should have she said "a queen birthday:. So she still somewhat acknowledges who is in charge here.

Sarah Kate went to the dr yesterday. She now weighs 24 lb and 8 oz. She still very much hates going to the doctor. She doesn't even like getting weighed. And she's perfected her glare. Everyone who walks in the room gets to see it.

Both girls are still addicted to Dora. This very much works to my favor when I need a few minutes of peace. It's nice to watch the laying together on my bed, blankets in hand, fingers in mouths, quietly watching tv.

It's even better to watch them playing together though. Lately Sarah Kate is much more interested in playing with Ali. She loves to copy her and they have a new game where they throw themselves down on the bed and pretend to cry. It cracks me up.

I spent hours cleaning my house yesterday. Today my arms are sore and my hands are swollen. But the house looks good. At least until 7 am. Then it will all be downhill. Do you ever feel like you clean for no reason?

That's about all that is going on around here right now. It's almost fair season and we are very excited! It might be the end of summer for sure, but it's the beginning of funnel cake season. :)

First Day

The girls started at their new daycares today. It went amazingly well. We had to leave the house at 6:40. Today that was easy. Ali was excited and I was prepared. I suspect as winter draws closer, it will be harder and harder to be ready and out the door so early!

Ali is thrilled with her new daycare. She told me all about her new friends and going out to play on the playground (the lovely playground with lots of gravel We brought half of it home in her shoes). She told me about naptime and lunch time. And anything else she could think of. When she wasn't almost falling asleep in her carseat. She was ready for this change and I'm so happy we were forced to move.

Sarah Kate has new little friends at her new daycare. Our new sitter has a 16 month old son and our 9 month old cousin, Avery, goes there too. So I think since SK will be the queen of the daycare, she'll be pretty happy there.

Thank goodness for answered prayers. And lots of help from the friends who got us all set up in our new spots!

Now I am enjoying the peace that a hard day of playing allows. It is 7:40 and Ali is asleep. Sarah Kate is talking in her bed. Reading to her Dora doll, no doubt.

Whew

I THINK we have a solution to our babysitter dilemma. The girls will have to go to do different places, at least for a little while, but at least I get to keep my job.

Whew.

Here's to hoping our new sitter sticks around. :)