Pearly Whites

Abbey loves brushing her teeth. Well, at least she likes playing with her toothbrush and toothpaste and basically tolerates me brushing her teeth. I had an overnight bachelorette party this weekend, so Abbey spent some extra time with Grandma Sharon & Grandpa Don. While waiting to leave in the morning, Abbey found her toys, um toothbrush & toothpaste, in her overnight bag. First we take off the cap.
Hmmm, how does this work again?

See, this is how you put the toothpaste on the brush.

Time to get my teeth clean.

Check out my pearly whites! (No incisors yet, but it's still a lovely smile.) Abbey will now say cheese for the camera, which sometimes results in some perfect, goofy grins.

I had a wonderful time with my friends, and Abbey (as usual) had a blast with Grandma & Grandpa. They went to play, um shop, at Meijer, which always includes looking at the fish and riding the horse and also had a visit with Great Grandma Rose. Great Grandma's house is filled with treasures, and I imagine that Abbey thought she hit the jackpot in terms of new things to examine.

Tea Party

Although Colleen and I can't get together very often for play dates right now with that whole back-to-work thing (ha, ha), Brendan and Abbey still managed to hang out the other day. Colleen brought Brendan over to hang out with Abbey and Grandma Sharon; much fun ensued.

Look! I still fit in the bouncy seat! (Maybe she's keeping it warm for the baby? Colleen is borrowing it while taking care of a friend's little boy for the week.)Shall we have some tea? Milk and sugar for you? After the tea party, Brendan and Abbey needed some real food and had lunch together.

I am sad that I missed such a fun time, but I am extremely happy that Abbey still gets to see her best bud even though I am working now. It is great watching them interact more and more each time they see each other.

Girls' Weekend

Ryan spent Labor Day weekend in Vegas, so Abbey and I had a girls' weekend at home. We visited with Colleen and Brendan and my parents but mostly just spent time hanging out together before I have to really start work again. I know I actually went back last week, but with the kids starting tomorrow, it's all feeling a little more real. Ryan hasn't called to tell me that he hit a jackpot, so I am assuming I will really be starting to teach some 6th graders tomorrow! I'm going to miss her so much :( Can't help the pigtail pictures!

Sitting pretty and waiting for Brendan to come over. She wanted to eat her lunch on her "little chair", so we had a little vacuuming to do after the meal.

Cheesing it up for the camera (and testing limits by kneeling on the chair, my little monkey.)

After I asked her to sit down, she did, then asked me to take "more pictures." She is too funny.

Abbey found her little chair in the basement and really wanted to bring it upstairs. I think it's hilarious that when I really wanted her to sit in it, she didn't really like it. Now that she can sit just fine on her own, she loves the silly thing.

Class Work

Not everyone at my school is lucky enough to have wonderful assistants to help set up their rooms. For the second year in a row, my mom was kind enough to drive down to school with me to help set my room up a little bit. Abbey was such a big girl this year and had fun in the classroom. I'm in a different classroom this year and love it; I'm teaching 6th grade English Language Arts, so I'm actually in a different building than I have been the last two years. Abbey colored a little and chased the "big ball" around the room a lot. Many thanks to the person that left the "big ball" in my room!
Abbey loves office chairs, since they spin around.

Sparty was quite interested to hear about Abbey's day at school.

Zoo with the Wirths

I am back to work as of this week (sob!), but even without Mommy around, Abbey is still having fun! GMa Sharon took her to the zoo with Aunt Karen, Uncle Al, Benny, and Zach. I am a little sad that I didn't get to hang out with them; the boys are getting so big and so cute. However, Abbey really enjoyed hanging out with her cousins (second cousins? I'm not good with these extended family titles).

Abbey and Zach hanging out with the elephant, which is the only elephant at the Zoo anymore.

The cousins riding the turtle near the reptile house.
Standing at the hippo in front of the entrance.

Giddy up turtle!