4th birthdays and First days of school

Mo's birthday this year was on the day before school started for the older kids.  Kind of a bummer.  We had meet the teacher night and so many things to prepare for the 1st day of school.  She doesn't know the difference yet, but someday it might bum her out a bit.  In fact, next year the first day of school for her and for Paige is on her very birthday.  Kind of exciting for your first day of Kindergarten....also could be overwhelming.
 

She was super excited to open her gifts.  A vet kit, and a Bolt Dog from the Disney store.  Her favorite pal to cuddle with at night now.

 

Cotton candy ice cream from Water and Ice was must.

 

A new outfit and Barbie from Grandpa Har and Grandma Barb. 

 

 

And as soon as the big #4 birthday celebration was over...it was off to early bedtime to prepare for the first day of school.  They're seasoned veterans of the routine.  No jitters this year.

Paige 3rd grade

Tyler 6th grade

 

 

Morgan's little mom-swap preschool started a month later at Miss Angie's house.  Morgan was a little nervous, but she warmed up to the idea quickly and jumped right in on the alligator craft.

 

"What does the Alligator say?  AAAAA!"

 

 

She also learned about circles....

 

A is for apple...

 

the number 1 and the color red.

 

4-year-old pj party!

I can't believe she's 4!  She can't believe she's 4....she keeps telling others that she is 3.  The pajama party was a huge hit.  The girls loved it, and now Paige is asking for a similar party for her 9th birthday. 

 

 



 



The best part was the living room tent complete with twinkling lights.

 

 

The first thing they did was find the Barbies to bring into the tent

 

 

 

 

 

Breakfast cupcakes...vanilla with blue frosting as requested by the 4 year old

(the bacon is fruit stripe gum,

the egg is a candy melt with an m&m in the center

the pancakes are fortune-like cookies from World Market

the syrup is real )

 

 

 

 

 Little miss here in the pink nightgown would have nothing to do with the sausage.

It all evened out.  The little one in the blue ate both portions gladly!

 

 

 

Beauty sleep masks... more entertaining than anything.

 

 

 

Fruit loop necklaces

(Don't they just look like they're engaged in the most girly conversation!)

 

 

 

 

Mom, please can we open the presents????

How can I say "no" to that cute face.

 

 

 

OOOOH!!!   Isn't it pretty!

 

 

 

Little miss in pink was so proud of the gift that she brought...how cute!

 

  

 I think little miss in blue wanted to take this one back home with her!

 

 

 

Fort kits for party favors.

 

 

We told her that the bacon on the cupcakes was real.  Ha!

No sausage or bacon for this little one.

 

 

 

 

 

mmmm...good!

 

 

 

The summer road trip continues....

From Idaho we venture on to California by way of Reno.   Remember when you were a kid and Circus Circus was the coolest place to stay on your way through.  Shane and I decided to revisit our childhood fantasies and take the kids there for a night to break up the drive....

Let me just say that the childhood memories did not compensate for this nights' stay.  The kids had a great time, but I think as you get older, your vision changes in more ways than one.  As kids, maybe we didn't notice how old the rooms were, how worn the paint and carpets were and how dirty the casinos were.  All we saw were lights, games and toys to be won.  I'm sorry, but I could not look past it this time around.  That will remain the kids' one and only visit to Circus Circus on my watch.

We pulled in to Cali on the 4th, just in time to swim and barbeque before heading to the park to watch fireworks and light a few of our own.

The next day we hopped on BART and found our way to good old San Fran.  We prepped the kids for a fabulous day on Alcatraz...

Tickets were sold out for 3 weeks!  We almost had tears, but they were held back with promises of Ghirardelli ice cream and chocolate.  It was such a nice day in the city, a bit chilly and perfect for walking, and walk we did.  We found ourselves on Market Street for a little shopping before hopping back on BART. 

We may have hopped on the wrong train on the way back.  We car hopped for a good hour before we were headed back in the right direction.  Our feet had taken all that they could by the time we reached the station where our car was parked.




We ended the trip with some good old fashioned family photos.  Always an adventure.  I think they turned out so nice!

 

 

summer fun

We went on one long trip this summer.  Idaho then California.  2500+ miles of summer goodness.  Girls camp ended on the 23rd of June, a Saturday, and we were set to leave on our roadtrip on Wednesday the 27th.  When I rolled in from camp on Saturday night, around 9:30, Shane was in the driveway, ready to detail the trailblazer to sell it the next day.  He found a used Tahoe in great shape and we were off to put the money down on Monday night.  Best decision ever.

A picture of the kiddos on the way...

Do you see what is happening here?
Silence and separation is what is happening here.  Pure bliss. 
Note the antagonist there in the far back seat...the perfect place for her. 
Note the smile on the boy's face and the earbuds in his ears....what he has been dreaming of since he was 3. 

The trip was a huge success, in part, because of this decision. 

She's a Composer



The first part of this little video just makes me giggle as she's at the

 

 

 microphone.  Our little Paige is so cute.  All I can picture is this baby giraffe with it's knobby knees, bending over to take a drink of water.

photo found here

I'm so proud of her for writing her little song.  It's called "Playing Outside"

She performed it like a champ, even though she was nervous beyond belief.

Can you believe that?  Our Paige....with the most uninhibited personality I know....nervous.