K-I-N-D-E-R-G-A-R-T-E-N

Wait a sec....wasn't it JUST yesterday he had his first day of preschool? 

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Nope, not yesterday, 3 years ago actually - our boy is now a KINDERGARTENER! 

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 He was so excited for his first day, dinosaur lunch box and folder in hand, ready to tackle this new experience!

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He fit right in and did great - no tears (from either of us, surprisingly), just lots of smiles :)

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What's been a huge blessing is that one of his friends from preschool is also going to his new school. They aren't in the same class, unfortunately, but they spend their lunch and recesses together. 

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He hasn't always wanted to get up and go every morning - after all, he's only ever had 2 days a week of preschool - but all-in-all it was a successful first week. Looking forward to what this new chapter in his life holds!

Camp Grandma!

This summer, both kids got to attend "Camp Grandma" for a few days and nights at Grandma Sandy's out in Menifee. It was so much fun for them - they went individually, Matthew first several weeks ago - he had a blast hanging out with Grandma, playing with baby Emma & baby Shiloh, getting lots of Wii Mario Cart racing time and time at the pool and splash park. While he was having a blast, Josh and I got to spend some quality time with K, something we haven't had since she's child #2! It was so fun to spend some extra time with her :)

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My day I took her out to lunch and a movie - Despicable Me 2 - so much fun :)

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After the movie we made a cake over at Grandma & Grandpa's house  - licking the beaters is always the best part :)

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We left for preschool a bit early one day (amazing how much less time wrangling one into getting ready in the morning is rather than two!) and stopped for Starbucks...I love this pic :)

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That night was Father/Daughter date night - she got all dressed up, purse, fancy necklace and cell phone included :)

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Look at these two, love :)

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Dinner with Daddy at the Spaghetti Factory!

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Just this week, Kaylie got her turn at Camp Grandma. She spent her days playing with baby Cambria & baby Emma, playing with her babies and play kitchen, and one-on-one time with Grandma. This time around we got to spend one-on-one time with M, which was also fun - we don't get to do that often enough any more. Since Josh got to have a Father/Daughter date night, I had a Mother/Son date night. I tried to take him to see Planes in the theater, but he had no interest in doing so once we got there, so I let him choose. He chose Fish House for dinner (we split the salmon, our favorite, that's my boy!) followed by sunset playing at the beach :)

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We'll have to arrange for more one-on-one time, in one way or another. Even coordinated date nights where Josh has one and I have the other, it's just so special to be able to focus on one at a time and really get to know them, as they are right now :) Thanks Grandma Sandy!

Z is for Zoo!

Just a few weeks ago, I got to accompany Matthew on his very first field trip to the ZOO! It was a perfect activity for a warm (not hot, mind you) summer day - and on one of Matthew's last days of preschool :) It was fun to see him with his preschool friends outside of school, I don't really see how he gets along with friends while he's AT school. We arrived a bit late to the zoo because we had a kindergarten evaluation in the morning, and as we walked to the entrance we heard someone calling Matthew's name. We turn around and it's one of M's friends from preschool, Aiden, also arriving late because of his kinder eval, which was great news to me - I'm so happy he'll have a friend in kindergarten!

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M & A

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M & his other buddy, Preston. At least he'll still see him at church!

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Me, my boy and a Koala. It's Koalafornia, dude!!

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CoTtOn CaNdY!!! Yummmm

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The giraffes were really cool, one of them was SO TALL!

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I think it was this guy - they rarely took their heads out of these things, though!

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Yep, this is Matthew :)

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What a fun day at the zoo, just me & my boy (and his preschool class, but still) :)

Dance Recital!! Better late than Never?

I. Can't. Believe it. How did I skip over posting about Kaylie's FIRST dance recital, back in JUNE?!? This was Kaylie's first year in dance, Intro to Dance to be exact, a short combo class of tap and ballet. She always had such a great time in class - And boy did I have fun dressing her up on recital day!! They were A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E. Seriously. This year they performed "Splish Splash" - Hoping for many more dance recitals in her future :)

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