We had a family barbecue in Anchorage with Peg & family, to celebrate the birthdays. We picked up Nanny from her assisted living home and enjoyed the sun while the kids ran around a park off of 36th Avenue. It was a little awkward because Nanny didn't want to get out of the car. Alzheimer's is winning.
Ballet finally started the second week of September, the same week I started babysitting Taia's best (Wasilla) friend's brother two days a week. That weekend we had the birthday parties WOOT WOOT! I always do so much prep and then TWO kids show up. Seriously, handmade invitations, homemade cake & frosting, snacks, decorations, not to mention facility rental. Ugh.
Taia's was an ice skating party - she had a good time and she was grateful and sweet. Kira's party was at the big city park followed by an hour in the party room of a local ice cream shop. I missed out on it completely because of another ER visit for pneumonia. The sky was cloudy, the rain was coming down, I was figuring out the logistics of rescheduling her party during the drive to the hospital... but Kevin decided everything should go on as planned. They had so much fun at Scoops!!! 
I wish I could have been there. Thweet.The following week, Kevin left for three weeks on the east coast and Taia started XC running. More power to all you runners out there, I don't understand you but I admire the dedication. The MatSu Family Fun Run was that weekend, with age groups from preschool through 5th grade, and tagalong parents too. I didn't last more than 25 feet following Remy. That was just fine with him - he'd already expressed his desire to run "withOUT you, MAMA!!!". K & T both ran the mile (yay Kira!) and stayed together on the trail. Sweet sister moments, they're rare.
We took our tired selves over to a local you-pick farm later that day for their big Harvest Festival. There were fun kids' games, a hay-ride, an Air Force band, leaves to throw around and lots of good memories. There was a huge turnout too, so I was pretty satisfied with my early self that day...Aside from all of the fun September stuff, I followed up with my pulmonologist about a week after Pneumonia Number Three. I had an echocardiogram done to check my pulmonary arterial pressure - it's 50mmHg. That's about the best I can get, so the doctor says, so I try to convince myself. I may work up the courage to set up a visit with the PH specialist in Seattle... eventually. I'm in WHO class I, which means I can function just about like a non-PH person can. Class IV is the worst-case scenario, turning blue in the face after taking a few steps. Yep.
The rest of September we spent settling into the No-Dad routine and getting used to babysitting our friend. He's a year older than Remy, so they play great together, with their moments of maturity-disparity flaring up now and then. Altogether it's been a really good thing and I'm just happy to be able to help.
Taia's XC meet was on the 30th. Out of about 70 girls running the 1.6 mile race, she came in 21st I think. We're so proud of her!! I've probably over-scheduled her but she's a trooper and she gives each activity her best.
September. Goodbye summer.
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