Think, think, think.

When we weren't riding rides at Disneyland, or catching sand crabs on the beach, or exploring Hollywood, the children played chess.

 

[Lorelai Leigh, SoCal vacation, 2014]

The First Day!

May I present to you...

~ Alexandra Louise ~ :::6th Grade :::

 (middle school!)

~ Lorelai Leigh ~

 :::4th Grade:::

~ Elsa Lelise ~

:::1st Grade:::

~ Elisabeth Elva ~

:::1st Grade:::

Sisters!!

Today was wonderful!

Alexandra had the "best day ever!" and absolutely loves middle school! Plus, she ended up getting assigned to an 8th grade locker (which is enormous compared to the 6th grade ones). She can't even wait for tomorrow so she can go back.

As for Elisabeth, I was extremely nervous about the full-day school schedule, but she did amazing! When I walked in her classroom at three o'clock she looked alert and happy, with a definite sparkle in her eye. As soon as I started talking she began flailing her arms about as if to say, "Mom, today was spectacular!"

Something tells me it's going to be a great year!

Back-to-School!

T'was time to introduce Elsa to another fine Sorenson tradition:

Back-to-School Caramel Apples.

 

Once the apples were dipped and decorated, the girls delivered them to their favorite classmates to wish them luck in the school year ahead.

Tomorrow is the first day of school. Alexandra is entering middle school and she is sooooooo excited! I remember the night before I started middle school - I was a nervous wreck. But not Lex, she's confident and cool.

Also, Elisabeth is entering the first grade and it will be her first full day of school. I admit, I am feeling some anxiety about having her gone from 8:30 - 3:00. We will give it a try for a week or two - I might put her back on a half day schedule if it seems to be too much for the little queen.

Happy Learning!

Venice Beach

My uncle, Alan, lives in Venice and we enjoyed an afternoon at his amazing home on one of the canals.

 

Then we strolled a few blocks down to the beach where we were greeted by this glorious sight:

 

And by this not-so-glorious sight:

 

That's Muscle Beach for ya.

Speaking of Muscle Beach, Lorelai took the opportunity to show off her skills:

Then she scaled the rope in something like 10 seconds. The young man in the bottom right corner just stood there, dumbfounded. She is pretty incredible.

   

Then Donald showed all those Muscle Beach guys a thing or two:

 

And a few more snapshots of the day:

 

My brother, Michael, and my uncle, Alan.

The girlies.

 

Us.

Elsa, meet Elsa.

Elsa moved here a week before Frozen was released into theaters. Talk about perfect timing! She has enjoyed every second of the Frozen craze that has taken over America.

When we were planning our trip to Disneyland I kept telling Elsa, "You're going to meet the real Elsa!"

Oh, she was giddy with excitement! I was too...until I learned that the line to meet her and Anna was 3+ hours long.

Wha??????

So finally, on our last day at the park, Elisabeth and I took one for the team and got in line. The plan was for us to hold a place while Donald and the other girls went on rides (Elisabeth's magical E-ticket pass didn't work for this). However, because Elisabeth's wheelchair wouldn't fit through the queue, they let me sit at a shaded table off to the side to wait it out. That was a stroke of luck!

And then - at long last - the moment came:

"Elsa, I'd like you to meet Elsa."

And that, my friends, is how you do that!

Another highlight of the day: front row seats at the parade. 

 

As soon as Simba went by I thought about a blog post I wrote nearly four years ago. 

It's worth a read. I promise. (Click here.)

“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.”