The First Day of First Grade

This is Emily on her first day of first grade!

Below is Em on her first day of Kindergarten. Look at how she's grown again! She looks like such a little lady in today's picture.

She was a little nervous, but I think excited to see her friends and get back into a routine. She only has seven kids in her class this year and they were all friends from last year.

And then, not to be outdone....Here's Ethan on the first day of...the week!

He picked out (and put on) the headbands himself. He'll be so proud of this some day.

Our Big Girl

On the Shores of Lake Michigan

Gymnastics

Emily has just finished her first 6-week session of gymnastics! I haven't written much about it, but Miss Em has some motor planning issues (along with a host of other subtle, mild forms of things) and so, at the suggestion of her developmental pediatrician, we decided to sign Emily up for gymnastics to help her with her coordination and balance skills.

Doesn't she look so tall and mature?

Em, practicing "the pretzel" on the balance beam.

Emily and her teacher. She's very focused. This is tough stuff for her. Tougher than it is for the average kid. She's the oldest one in her class by at least a year, yet her skills are somewhat...lacking....so she needs this work to help strengthen and coordinate her muscles and teach them to balance.

Getting some help with her headstand.

Working on a headstand on her own. Bless her heart, Emily works harder than anyone else in that gym. When all the other little girls have quit trying and are just standing around, Emily is still trying. She often doesn't have as much success as the other girls, but where they only try something new 5 times, she tries at least 15. She's a hard worker and determined. It will be interesting to see how she develops. We just finished the summer course and since she enjoyed herself, we signed her up for a nine-week session that begins just after school starts again. So we have about a month-long break and then we'll be back at it again. Ethan calls it her "flip" class.

Help Me Decorate!

I've repainted my little half-bath in a soft blue-green (with some grey undertones) and for the life of me, I can't decide how to decorate it. I've bought pictures....I've already returned some. These are the finalists (unless I see something else that I like!)

So I need some opinions. I need at least two. I have zero decorating ability. If you've seen my house, you know this. If not, my decor is best described as "toy store", "book store" and "Clutter heaven". Someone please tell me what to pick (or tell me to keep trying!)

Option #1: The squares are shades of brown (not orange, like in the picture) and a nice bluish aqua). The frame is dark brown.

Option #2: Shades of tan, brown, aqua and cream/white. Same frame as above.

Option #3: Brown, deep cream, tan, deeper aqua shades. Same brown frame, but only seen from the sides, if that makes sense.

Option #4: Shades in this picture are pretty true to life. Dark brown frame.

Option #5: There would be two of these. They're maybe 12x12 and a little smaller than the other pictures. The only difference in the second one is a different medallion in the middle.

One picture (or series of two) needs to hang above the toilet. The other will be on the wall (about 2 feet wide) facing the toilet (the door is also on that wall). The trim is light cream and the actual paint color is Sherwin William's "Rain", in case that helps!

So please, give me your opinions. I need help! And remember, I need two. I have no idea if any of these coordinate or not. If not....suggestions are also welcome.