Miss Christina

Meredith has always enjoyed dance and has always done very well.  We've taken classes at several different studios, some better than others.  Last August a preschool friend asked Meredith to take dance classes with her at San Elijo Dance & Music Academy.  At first, I hesitated.  Meredith was in a phase where she didn't want to do anything without my participation, too.  She was beginning to come out of it, but I worried that the first class would be great and the second (and subsequent) classes would be a downward spiral.  I felt like it was a gamble.  This studio requires a specific leotard and tutu, neither her ballet slippers nor her tap shoes fit anymore, and there was a 9 month contract with the studio.  It was a very costly gamble!  However, it paid off.  She absolutely loved this last year of dance and I think a big part of it had to with the other girls and her dance teacher, Miss Christina.  Meredith adores this woman.  She's a gifted teacher and incredible dancer.  I'm so pleased that this studio's experience was such a positive one for her.  Today's class was the last one.  We will both miss it terribly! 

beauty salon

This afternoon Meredith set up a beauty salon shop in the playroom.  Grandma was her client for hairstyling, a pedicure and a manicure.  She did such a nice job, esp. for a 5 year old!  Thomas took it upon himself to make a sign for the door of Meredith's salon.  The sign reads: Free Pedicures.  He sounded out pedicures and spelled it correctly!

K1 Speed: our favorite racer

#49 is revved up and ready to race

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 champions demonstrating their driving skills ~ headsock (worn under helmets)

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Thomas wishes his license was valid for this racecar

our camera people & why we don't have many photos...

K1 Speed: his first race

Several months ago I purchased a groupon for K1 Speed Indoor Karting. The deal included 2 licenses and 4 races for $44. This is half price! I knew it'd be something Mike and Thomas would enjoy doing together and that was our plan. Unfortunately, it didn't work out for Mike to go so this afternoon I drove go-karts with Thomas. It was SO MUCH FUN. No, let me rephrase that: It doesn't look even half as fun and thrilling in commercials as it really is. Seriously!

They have a pretty good system that keeps racing moving. Adults and children are raced separately. Adults have a faster go-kart (up to 45 mph!) and each race is 14 laps. Children race 12 laps in go-karts that can reach 20 mph. It sounds like that would be monotonous to drive the same track over and over, but it isn't. It goes by much faster than it feels (approx. 10 minutes per race). Upon completion each driver receives a print out of their results, lap times, position, etc. and they are stored electronically so drivers can access their results online and improve on subsequent visits.

Thomas LOVED it. I LOVED it. He's asked to go again. I'd love to say we'll go again soon, but they don't have a location in Oregon.

Grandma!

My mom flew in this afternoon to spend a few days with us.  We hadn't seen her since January.  !!!  We've had a lot of uncertainty this year and there was never a good time to have her visit.  Fortunately for us, this weekend is a perfect time, esp. since we'll be leaving Southern California very, very soon.  The kids have been super excited for this visit and tonight I heard non-stop giggling and happy voices.  There's no question she's #1 in their book.  Lucky lady!

birthday party

This afternoon the kids attended their friend's birthday party.  We carpool with Kaitlyn so both kids know her very well and they are all friends.  They enjoyed the Kaitlyn Bingo game, constructing things with toothepicks and gumdrops, and all the party food.  But, most of all, they enjoyed playing at the park with their friends and Grandma.  Yes!  Grandma is here.  We picked her up this afternoon and headed straight for the park.  She'll be with us for a few days.  Yay!!

water play

After school today we met up with a friend and her kids at the Legoland Waterpark.  I was afraid with the typical June Gloom we might not make it there again before moving.  However, the forecast looked great last night so I texted my friend and asked her to join us.  These four kids always have the best time together.  In fact, they have so much fun just being together that there were probably only six trips down the slides/rides between all four of them!  They just played in the water, making up their own games and swimming with each other.  So fun!

When we first arrived, I saw a man playing with a little girl about Meredith's age.  She also had dark hair (I was seeing her from behind) and wore the exact same bikini.  For a second I thought it was Meredith and wondered just who the heck she was playing with.  After that scare, I made sure to keep my eyes on her for fear that someone might accidentally try to take her home or play with her again!   

Cub Scouts: the Bank tour

Meredith was the only girl with 12 Cub Scouts

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Late this afternoon we joined Thomas' Cub Scouts den for a tour of a local bank.  It lasted about an hour and the boys (plus Meredith) were shown around the bank.  They got to walk into the vaults, both the safety deposit boxes area and the vault within that one where the cash is kept.  It all looks very secure and the boys were impressed.  They met some tellers and learned how tellers do what they do.  A few of them got to count money using an automatic paper money counter.  We were shown some counterfeit $20 bills and learned how they can recognize a counterfeit bill.  Last, they heard about the importance of saving their money and they were given some things to help them do that.  After the tour they all enjoyed some treats and drinks on the sidewalk outside the bank.  Overall, very informative and interesting tour today for everyone!

last weekend

 mmmmmexican food ~ so cute how she dresses herself!

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 their favorite, VG donuts ~ the Cardiff Kook NOT dressed up (rare!)

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Thomas meets some new best friends (the bearded dragon, R, is what he wants)

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Fiesta del Sol, Solana Beach ~ lost tooth = silver dollar

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Our last few weeks here are going by so quickly.  Last weekend I took a quick overnight trip up to Ventura (30 miles south of Santa Barbara) to run a marathon with my running pals.  I'm going to miss them terribly so it was awesome to get one last destination marathon trip in with a few of them.  However, it also happened to be Mike's last weekend here before our big move.  Although I was gone for roughly 30 hours, I'm happy the three of them got to spend all that time together -- and without me.  I love when we're all together, but I know the dynamics are different, just as they are different when it's just me with the two kids.  I'm glad they got to have this special time together. 

What'd they do?  The better question is "what didn't they do?".  From the Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach to a reptile & lizard show at a local pet store to a morning in Cardiff at their favorite donut place to Thomas losing a tooth.  What a weekend!  We kicked it off Friday evening with awesome Mexican food at Casa de Bandini (another thing we'll miss: great Mexican food!), they enjoyed their time together, and we ended it with the kids and I taking Mike to the airport.  His new adventure has started and the kids and I are counting down the days until we get to join him.  We can't wait!

America's Funniest Home Videos

. . I think the two of them are more fun to watch than the show America's Funniest Home Videos.

Academic Achievement

Thomas and his pal, Portia ~ there's a sweet crush going on here

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I love when the kids are recognized for their achievements.  This morning Thomas received an Academic Achievement award during his school's assembly.  We couldn't be more proud of him!

little M

I always carry as little as possible.  If I can get away with not taking a purse, I'll leave it behind.  I don't like being weighted down with lots of "stuff" so when I saw Meredith get herself ready for preschool this morning I had to chuckle.  She didn't need the boots on such a warm day, or the jacket.  She could have gone without the hat since they are indoors most of the time anyway.  The backpack was totally unneccessary.  She is, afterall, in preschool.  And the bracelet and ring she's only wearing because I wear a bracelet and a ring.  She's got a lot of "stuff" on that she doesn't need.  Also, before we left the house she grabbed her sunglasses and put them on the brim of her hat.  Silly, silly girl... 

Open House

Thomas and his teacher, Mrs. Hogg

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Thomas' school held their annual Open House this evening.  It's a nice opportunity to hang out at the school with his friends and their families.  There was food, drinks, raffles, a few exhibits, live music and nonstop running around the playgrounds.  Thomas gave us a tour of his classroom to show us some of the things he's been working on.  It was a fun evening and a nice way to begin to wrap up his First Grade year.   

 our monkeys

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 writing sample - interesting style, right?

SD Botanic Garden, one last time...

We enjoyed a final trip to the San Diego Botanic Garden late this afternoon.  We realized once there that we hadn't been in almost one year exactly.  It was easy to remember because it was with the same friends (the blonde kids) and during that visit Sophia fell and fractured her wrist.  Nothing like that happened today -- thank goodness!  Instead, it was perfect weather and a very empty garden so the six kids were free to run wild and have a great time.  A perfect afternoon!

Memorial Day

we're on an aqua cycle, trying to avoid the jet skis

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The lagoon turned out to be a very busy place today.  We had planned for us all to take a peddle boat out for an hour.  Sounds simple and easy enough, but the peddle boat was difficult to operate.  We think there was something wrong with it, actually.  We all went out but didn't get far.  Meredith wasn't having a good time so then Thomas and I went out but, again, didn't get very far.  For our third and final attempt, Thomas and I took an aqua cycle out for a little spin.  It was easier to manuever than the peddle boat but still required a lot of leg power (mainly mine!).  Thomas had a blast and really enjoyed the aqua cycle ride.  Next time we're going to try a kayak.

not us, but this is what an aqua cycle is

What I woke up to this morning...

#1 beach in America

Coronado was named the #1 beach in America this week.  No surprise for us.  We love it down there and as we're making the rounds of all our favorites, Coronado was definitely a place we needed to go just one more time.  This afternoon we ate at a popular pizza establishment on Orange Avenue, picked up sweets at the Hotel Del, played in Spreckels Park and strolled up and down Orange Avenue enjoying the beautiful day.  Coronado, we will miss you! 

BBQ with friends

Maya's birthday party

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Today was a fun but busy day for our family.  I did my usual run in the morning with a friend.  Then we dropped Mike off at a friend's house for an all day brewery crawl (don't worry, they took a limo so everyone could enjoy the outing safely!).  The kids and I zipped over to a birthday party for our dear friend, Maya.  We had a short hour or so at home so I could whip up a salad and then we were off to a BBQ that went well past bedtimes.  Lots of fun for everyone today!

Mike heads out to enjoy North County's best breweries

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scooting around at the bbq

hand clapping with Meredith

Tonight we started learning the hand clapping for Eenie Meanie Sassaleeny. She picked this one up quick! We just need to speed it up and add the rhyme.