Heat Wave

I know we live in California………….but should it really be 111 degrees on September 28th? (this was taken on my car dashboard at 2:30pm) YUCK!!  Looks like Grant will get a little bit more bike riding in after all. (refer to previous post)

Grant's First Bike Ride

I think that today is the "official" last day of summer, so isn't it fitting that Grant finally got the hang of riding without training wheels--TODAY!! Maybe we can squeeze a few family bike rides in before the weather turns bad. Way to go Grant!!

Photo Shoot Sneak Peak

Don’t you LOVE it when you get a picture of your kids that makes them look like they actually like eachother?  Well, we had a photo shoot yesterday with Erin Langstraat, and she worked magic.  Check out more of her awsomeness at:  http://erinnoeldesigns.blogspot.com/2010/09/emma-and-grant.html

Thanks Erin!

  

My New Life

Um, WOW!! That's all I can say about this video. I was feeling a little "blah" one day....you know, a little boo hoo for me, and then I happened to come across this video. After I picked my blubering self off the ground, I told my self to "buck up" and raised my chin a little higher and went to kiss my family. ENJOY!!

Kindergarten Readiness (aka Preschool #2)

Today was Grant’s first day of Preschool #2.  The parent participation preschool that both Emma and Grant attended closed down last year due to budget cuts—thank you California!!  Anyway, sad as that was, I think we have found the perfect fit for Grant this year.  Even though Grant is going to be 5 this year, he missed the cut off date to start kindergarten by 28 days.  So he will be doing this Kindergarten Readiness Class 2 days a week, and one day at “home preschool” with me and Mrs. Dana.  (yikes, mommy is a little scared about this part-I have never felt like I could be one of “those” moms who can teach their own kids, so we’ll see how it goes.  The things we do for our kids, right!!?)

Grant-First day of Preschool-2010

He was a little nervous leading up to class, but then jumped right in.  Of course we had to do the customary photo shoot before going into class:

There were so many fun things to do.  I was SHOCKED when he first tried out the tracing station:

Then it was off to circle and time to say goodbye for the day:

Class is only and hour and a half, way on the other side of town.  So the mommies had to fill the time somehow:

But we finished in enough time to catch the last part of a shape memory game:

Then it was time to pack up:

And say goodbye to Mrs. Laurie:

I’m sure it will be a GREAT year Grant!

Last Day of Summer Fun

This week Grant and I went out for ONE MORE adventure of fun before he went back to school.  We called up his best buddy, Pierce (and his mommy too), and we all headed out for the day.  Our first stop was lunch at a yummy burger place:

Then we were off to Funderland:

This is a fun little place that we haven’t been to in a couple of years.

Grant and Pierce got unlimited ride wristbands and literally RAN from ride to ride!!

 

I think they had a pretty good-last day of summer fun!!

Before & After

Do you think it was time for a haircut?

Don’t they look handsome?

Jack’o lantern Emma

Halloween has come early around our house.  Emma has BOTH front teeth missing, and just lost another on the bottom.  We are going to dress her in orange and sit her on the porch soon!

Corn Starch & Water Fun

Do you remember playing with “slim” in preschool or kindergarten?  The one that could be squishy, or hard.  Well, my kids decided to play mad scientist and make their own version.  After about and hour of fun, this was the final results:

 

 

Soccer Jamboree

The season has “officially” begun.  We will be spending our Saturdays on the soccer field.  Emma is playing with the same team that she just finished indoor soccer with.  So hopefully they will have a great season—Go Cheetah’s!!

 

Before the game:

(Jamie is going to ref this year-so he got a cool whistle and t-shirt)

 

Practicing her smile for pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

Playing her favorite position-goalie!

 

 

After the game-they won 5 to 0!

Daycare

This morning as I was dropping Emma off at school, we were in the line of cars to get into the school waiting at the crosswalk.  A group of about 8 kids walked across the street with one adult.  Grant says, “Mom!!  Are ALL those kids’ that lady’s?”  I said, “No, she runs a daycare and she is walking them all to school.”  His response, “Oh, I’m glad I don’t go to daycare………..” (here is where I thought there was going to be some heartfelt comment about how much he loves staying home with me-think again)……. “Daycare is mean.  Like in Toy Story 3 when all the kids are beating up the toys.”

Wow, warms your heart right?

Emma’s First Day of 2nd Grade

Emma started 2nd grade today!!  We have had such a fun, and busy summer, I thought that she wouldn’t be excited about going back.  But she laid all of her stuff out last night, and woke up bright and early this morning.

Emma-7 years old (2nd grade)

We drove to the O’Donnell’s house to park, and walked to school with a few friends.

Paused at “our tree” (meeting spot after school) for a few quick pics.

The boys had to get in on the action too!!

And Daddy went into work late.

In the FRONT ROW of the class!!

And Grant found the teachers pointer in the corner-and pretended he was THE KING!! (this will not come as much of a surprise for those who know Grant well). 

We hope you have a great year Emma!!

July Recap in Pictures

Front tooth #1

 

Summer Drive-In Movies (Toy Story 3)

 

Fourth of July Neighborhood Fun

 

 

State Fair

 

Swimming Lessons