I have had so much to blog, but between the busyness of fall and the strange desire to nap and veg all the time in the Alaska fall grayness (and increasing darkness), I haven't. So, let me explain -- no, wait, there is too much -- let me sum up:

• BS started Kindergarten and loves it so much, she'd probably go on weekends if it was open. We had a bit of an issue with attitudes for a while when she first started; I understand it's a long day and she may be tired when she gets home, but that isn't carte blanche for general grumpiness and treating her younger siblings like annoying peasants. She is learning to thoughtfully ask about their day, too.
• LS has decided she might want to grow, after all. She has been eating us out of house and home (at least up until last week), and has already gone up a pants size. I think she sees BS going off to Kindergarten and has gotten into her head that besides the age requirement, there must be a minimum weight/height limit!
• LB chatters nonstop now, saying (or trying to say) everything. Unfortunately, this includes "Um" and "Yeah" rather often. He also has learned that he is very cute and has Mommy by the heartstrings, and often will tilt his head and blinky-blinky at me as he sweetly whispers requests for: "Nack?? Jooos? Peeez?" (snack? juice? please?) However, is also sharing his sisters' knack for overachievement in the terrible twos department. They've already started, and the screaming during tantrums could shatter glass.

Some funny exchanges I've managed to remember...

BS, in Kohl's -- I told her we needed to stop and look in the women's shoe department.

• BS: "Are they shoes for me and LS?"
• Me: "No, we're going to WOMEN'S shoes."
• BS: "But we're going to be women soon!!" (yikes)

LB, after making a huge mess in the living room spilling my drink, couldn't stay out of the way while we were cleaning...

• Me: "LB, get out of the way. You're already in the dog house!"
• LB: "Arf, Arf!" (giggles)

LS is loving her new preschool class, as well. She has a few teachers (that rotate between rooms), but clearly her favorite is "Mr. Wayne." I think she has a teeny crush on him. "Mommy, I hope Mr. Wayne is at school today!!"

BS actually asked me, "Mommy, when are you going to get a job?" Apparently this was not intended as a comment that I'm not pulling my weight around here, but rather a plea to attend after-school care with two of her new little friends. After I started my job, we were standing in the school foyer signing her up and her little buddies came over. BS shared the joyous news and they started jumping up and down and yelling, "Yay!! Now we can be friends forever!!" That is, until they're not anymore. :-)

Still adjusting to life in the Last Frontier...but am enjoying my new job and looking forward to attending Croptoberfest in a few weeks, not only to make a dent in my backlog of scrapbooking but hopefully meet some new like-minded friends. I do miss the sun, though...