Wee-Ones Wednesday:

Dan and I are back at work, Lilly is loving first grade, and Iris is losing her patience waiting for her first day of pre-k to start. It seems like summer was a lifetime ago. Today when I got home, she asked me if I brought her any homework. She loves to do left over pages from my class while Lilly does her homework. It's so sweet to see those two, heads down, mouths closed & concentrating. Hendricks is as crazy as ever. He is go go go, but he always has time to cuddle Mama at the end of the day. I love these three!

Wee-Ones Wednesday: Balboa Bars

 

 

 

One of the things we do EVERY summer is go to Balboa for frozen bananas and Balboa Bars. Hmmmn, I think I may be the only one now who gets the banana... Last summer, Henry did a little tasting and sharing. But this year, the boy was ready for his own. Nothing could stop him, not even our traditional family photo!

Misc. Monday: First Grade

Here she is! Our first grader. Longer days. Lunch at school. Recess with older kids. Book reports. Dioramas. So long, Kindergarten playground & short days. I will miss you...

After school treat!

Sew Crafty Saturday: School Days

Those are my crayons from when I was little!

Guess who starts first grade on Monday?

Wee-Ones Wednesday: This Guy!

 

Man oh man, this little guy is such a boy! Yesterday, he busted out his first 4 words: "cracker, milk, water, and hi" all at once. He never calls Dan or me, "mama or dada." He tells us what he wants by pointing, screaming, and dragging us around. He eats like a grown man, runs really fast, climbs up everything, tears things, throws whatever he can get his hands on, jumps, pushes everyone out of his way, does motor boat on my chest (not in a dirty way - get your mind outta the gutter), and can destroy our home in a two minutes flat. I never had to move things higher or put things away for the girls. I only had to tell them "no" a few times, and they left my pretty dishes and decor alone. Dan says I have made the house too cute for a little boy. You really can't take your eyes off of him for a second. I report back to work next Tuesday. I sure hope his grandmas can keep up with him!

 

Misc. Monday: Girls' Trip

One of our summer adventures was a girls' trip to Big Bear with my mom. We had a blast, crafting, playing games, reading, learning how to cast fishing line, watching "The Brave Little Toaster" (one of my fave movies as a kid, which "Toy Story" totally stole its plot from), visiting the Village and eating candy and yummy Mexican food! Our Favorite spot was this little park in the town of Fawn Skin. We actually went there 2 days because the kids loved it so much. You can't miss it because you drive through the town as you drive around the lake. They have horse shoe pits complete with real horse shoes, funny statues and a playground. These girls didn't want to come back home!

Misc. Monday: Legoland

We went to LEGOLAND the first time with Dan's sister's family. It was super fun and definitely geared to little ones. Lilly and Iris got to go on a ride alone together for the first time. Henry missed his nap and managed to lose his shoes, which Dan had to convince a 4 year old that yes, they were too small for Dan, however they did belong to his son. Hilarious! We had a coupon that was only good for park hopper tickets, so we got to visit the aquarium as well. On the way home, the girls got to experience In 'n Out for the first time too, to which Lilly exclaimed, "This is the most amazing cheeseburger ever!" I told her McDonald's is gross, but she I'm pretty sure she thinks I don't know what I'm talking about. Ha!

Misc. Monday: Splish Splash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swim lessons were a friendly affair this year. We had to stay through two sessions to accommodate the needs of our 3 person crew. Lilly's friend from kindergarten had a class at the same time, so we got to visit with her family. Iris had 3 friends from preschool in her class, which means we basically dominated the tadpoles, and my sweet friend, Ruthi took the "parent and me" class with Henry and me. All three kids really enjoyed their time in the water, although Hendricks was much slower to warm up to it.  He screamed with joy and with terror (sometimes it was hard to tell which). Lilly's stroke became much more defined and Iris is a little fish, with no fear at all. I was so proud when I overheard her teacher tell the other kids to "watch Iris." We are lovin' summer!