first day of preschool

Just as Thomas went back to school yesterday, Meredith went back to school today.  Monday they had a meet and greet hour in her classroom, but since all the kids were returning I figured we could skip that.  Instead, we spent Monday savoring our last full day of summer vacation with friends at Legoland's Waterpark.  It was the perfect way to spend that day.  And this morning she happily went to preschool, excited to reunite with preschool friends and teachers.  I love how much these kids love school at this age.

First Grade

We have a First Grader now!  Today was the first day of school for Thomas and a day he's been waiting all summer for.  Over the last week he's been doing a song and dance (lyrics are primarily "first grade, oh yeah, first grade...") and excitedly talking about the start of school.  Yesterday the school posted the class assignments and we were able to meet his teacher and find his classroom.  It's a big change from K to 1st grade, but as always, Thomas takes it all in stride and loves it.  Mike made Thomas' favorite breakfast (french toast!) and then we all took him to school.  We're all so proud of him.  He had a great first day! 

loved

Greta has always received attention from the kids but not nearly as much as she's receiving these days.  She's not always sure what to make of it and, at times, is very uncomfortable being the recipient of their affection.  Fortunately she's a great dog and will move if she doesn't want the love.  But really?  Who wouldn't want all the love that these two dog-loving kids have to give...?  She's one super lucky dog!

our third child

This old stuffed bear - I got him eons ago for Christmas! - has become a favorite new toy for Thomas.  The kids have been enjoying dressing up their stuffed animals in their own (people) clothes.  Today, this bear whom Thomas has renamed "Beary" was our third child.  He rode around with us in the car and this evening snuggled up in Thomas' bottom bunk while Thomas snuggled up in the top. 

the wild sleeper

Meredith is such a wiggle worm when she sleeps!  She has a bad habit of throwing herself off the bed in the middle of the night while she sleeps.  When we stay in hotels, this is the setup we have to construct to keep her safe -- and in bed.

birthday in the desert

Today is my 40th birthday.  I've known for months that what I wanted to do most was to go to the desert and sit by a pool.  That sounded like a perfectly relaxing and fun way to celebrate my birthday with the family -- and it was!     

Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa ~ Rancho Mirage, Calif.

 Splashtopia at Rancho Las Palmas

water kids

Our kids have been taking weekly swim lessons again this summer.  It's been really exciting to watch them progress from being nervous and uncomfortable in the water to absolutely loving it.  Two months ago, neither would be "swimming" or diving for toys on the bottom of the pool like they are doing now.  It's been amazing and totally worth the $$ spent.  They still aren't water-safe but they are getting there.  And it's made our swimming playdates at friends' pools a whole lot more fun for all of us!

peddle boats on the lagoon



While Meredith is in camp this week, Thomas and I have been having some fun adventures.  School starts for the kids in less than two weeks and next week neither of them have camp.  That was done intentionally because I wanted it to be a relaxed and fun week just hanging out.  But it'll be all three of us so this is my last week of opportunities to just hang out with Thomas.  Monday we went on a hike and today we cruised around the lagoon in a peddle boat.  Thomas loved it!  Not sure what Friday will bring, but I'm sure it'll be something equally fun.  Of course, Meredith has been telling us on the way to her camp in the morning:  "Have fun, but not more fun than what I'm having in camp!" 

She's dancing again!

 

Meredith and I have both been excitedly waiting for dance lessons to start.  About nine months ago she suddenly decided she didn't want to participate in lessons (for anything) unless I was participating alongside her.  There was no rhyme or reason for this change in her.  I was frustrated and decided it would be best for both of us if we gave ourselves a break and resumed only when she was ready again.  I gently eased her back into lessons by having her take semi-private swim lessons with Thomas this summer.  And today, she started a new dance class at a local dance academy.  Her teacher is perfect for her and Meredith was grinning the entire class.  She loved it -- which made me very happy because dance is a big investment, esp. when one has been growing!  New ballet slippers, new tap shoes, new leotard, new tutu, new dance bag...

hula hoop girl

M: hula hoop from cherl willardson on Vimeo.

Meredith has been asking for hula hoop and finally got to pick one out while shopping with Mike this evening. She's pretty good for a four year old!

Pinkalicious!

Annabelle ~ Daphne ~ M ~ Lily ~ Coral



Last year Meredith and I saw Pinkalicious the Musical with a friend and her daughter.  It was a fun outing so when I saw it was playing again in San Diego, I knew we had to go -- and take more friends!  We invited Meredith's preschool girlfriends (and their moms) to join us for a totally Pinkalicious afternoon complete with the musical production, pink cupcakes and a picnic in the park since the theater is located at Balboa Park.  It was a very fun outing for everyone!  During our picnic we saw a couple of cute dogs walk by and had to stop them.  Sweet dogs and pretty, but nothing like our girls.

[While Meredith and I were off having a Girls' Day, Thomas and Mike enjoyed a perfectly boy day -- Fry's Electronics, Boomers! for race car driving and games, Chick-Fil-A for lunch, Pep Boys Auto store...  They also had a blast!]

soccer camp

Thomas totally surprised me last spring when he told me he wanted to try a soccer camp this summer.  He's taken soccer lessons in the past but they didn't go over so well (too young, I think) and he hadn't expressed an interest until now.  I didn't want to discourage him so I signed him up but I was not looking forward to it.  I thought he'd probably like it enough the first day but wouldn't want to go back the second day.  Much to my surprise, he had a great time and couldn't wait for the next day.  The five hour a day camp definitely took its toll and later in the week he was clearly tired, but he finished the week and enjoyed it.  On the last day of camp, they invite parents to join the kids for lunch and games.  I think Thomas really got a kick out of having me participate with him.  At one point, he was raising my hand trying to get me to volunteer for stuff.  Crazy kid.  I love when he surprises me.   

She's still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen...

the sleepover

The kids wanted to have a sleepover in Meredith's bedroom last night.  The last couple of times we've had guests stay at our house, there has been someone who has slept in Thomas' room.  Logan, Kai, Franny (??), Jeff... it's been very fun for Thomas to share his bunkbed with friends and cousins.  But poor Meredith, no one has ever slept over in her room -- until last night!

soccer is fun

 Thomas' biggest fan ~ kicking balls alongside the coach

This morning Thomas started soccer camp and had a great time.  I was a little nervous with how it'd go since he hadn't expressed an interest in soccer camp until this summer (earlier soccer lessons were not successful) and this one is a full week, FIVE hours a day.  That's a lot of soccer and activity outdoors.  However, as always, he proved me wrong.  Despite not knowing anyone, Thomas jumped in with confidence, smiling and laughing with the other soccer campers.  The program is called Coast 2 Coast and is run by Irish soccer players.  These guys were a hoot and entertaining for both the kids and myself.  Yes, I sat in the grass and watched the first 1.5 hours of camp today.  Fortunately the sun didn't come out until much later or these little kids would have cooked on this soccer field today!

final summer camps

Our kids like to lay out their clothes.  They do this when we are packing to go somewhere or if we have a special outing planned.  They also do it when they have a big day coming up and they know the morning will be busy, such as what we have going on tomorrow.  Both will be starting their final camps for the summer.  Thomas is starting a week-long, 5 hours a day (!!) soccer camp.  Meredith will be in a two week (3 days a week, 4 hours each day) camp offered at her preschool.  Both are super excited and couldn't wait to figure out what they are going to wear, get their new backpacks and lunchboxes ready, etc.  We'll have a full week of nothing before school starts again the very last week of August.  I hope they are just as excited when that "First Day" comes!

Thomas goes fishing!

Have you seen a more excited six year old on his first fishing trip?  Thomas loved this adventure with Mike, our friend Stefan and his two boys (not sure who the boy in the striped shirt is -- another curious kid at the pond, apparently).  All three boys had a very successful fishing trip!  Thomas caught 9 fish total and all the fish caught today were Bluegill, with the exception of one small catfish that one of our friends caught.  Talk about an exciting trip for these boys!  Thomas went to bed telling us both that today was the best day ever.  He thought releasing the fish all by himself back into the pond was pretty awesome.         

step two in the playroom update: new wall paintings

The kids kept busy this morning and early afternoon working on some new paintings for the playroom.  Three years ago we did the same project -- a set of 6 canvases that they painted themselves.  To update the space (and their developing painting skills), I painted over the 6 canvases with a neutral color and now the kids are creating new paintings to hang in their playroom.  We've increased the color palette a little so it should be fun to see their new work all bright and lively, hanging in the playroom. 

Thank You

I didn't snap photos today of our special visit to the veterinarian's office, nor did I snap photos of the cards the kids put together.  It wasn't an easy visit and one I avoided all day.  However, we really wanted to say Thank You to the great staff who took care of Bela.  The kids each wrote a note and we tied them together, along with a photo of Bela, with a pink ribbon.  It was hard for me to back into the office, but I'm happy we did it and so proud of our kids for wanting to do it.  They are so awesome. 

playroom updating

The kids' playroom is an awesome space where their things can be stored and the door closed.  However, a playroom only works really well if the kids actually use the space.  This has been happening less frequently lately so I thought we should address that and update the space while we're at it.  First on our to do list, paint!   

Thomas' "cursive" writing

missing B

Greta has been having a tough time now that Bela is no longer with us.  She doesn't eat like she used to.  She doesn't lay and play in the backyard like she used to.  She's fast asleep when we are home, which leads me to believe she's not sleeping when we are out.  She is wildly happy to see us when we return home after being gone.  And she cries.  It breaks my heart to see her miss Bela as much as the rest of us do.  We understand why Bela is gone, but Greta doesn't.  She just knows that her best pal is missing.  And she misses her. 

paint a pet

Our favorite local toy store offers fun crafts twice a week all summer long.  Every single day is a different craft and the cost is $5 per child.  Meredith has done two already this summer (stepping stone & popsicle crafts) but Thomas hadn't done one due to camps keeping him busy.  This morning both kids enjoyed picking out a set of pets to paint and take home.  Of course Thomas chose the dinosaurs and Meredith chose the kitty and dog sets.  They're so predictable.  

more Legoland adventures

Yesterday we enjoyed a full day at Legoland's Water Park.  The girls floated along the lazy river and couldn't get enough swimming and practicing their skills.  It was fun to watch both of them have such a good time.  The boys also had a great time trying out all the fun stuff on the other side of the park.  This included raft rides in tubes, tunnel slides and other special things for the bigger kids.  Everyone had a blast!

This morning we headed back to Legoland to enjoy a quieter morning at the Sea Life Aquarium.  Again, the cousins enjoyed exploring the exhibits together.  They left just before lunch today to fly back home -- and they are already missed.  There was so much excitement during the days leading up to their visit.  I'm really happy the visit proved to be exactly what they were all hoping for -- non-stop fun with their cousins!