The start of the next 23 years

I have a ton to catch up on, but it can wait.  Today was a big day!!

Today was Kassidy's very first day of Kindergarten! What you say?  You didn't think I was old enough to have a kid in school?  Me neither.  It's crazy but exciting.  Kassidy was so cute and excited for her first day and I know she's going to love this year of new experiences and make tons of friends.  I, on the other hand, had many reservations that I'm sure will take a while to work through.

1.  There are 3 kindergarten teachers at Kassidy's school.  Does she get a Mrs. Anderson or Mrs. Stuart? No.  Of course not.  My princess get Mrs. Throckmorton.  Yes, Throckmorton.  Is it just me or does that name sound like a harsh German marm or a dominatrix? And the teacher insists that the kids say her name and not call her "teacher".  If my name was Throckmorton I think I'd be opting for "Teacher!"

2.  At kindergarten orientation, "Teacher" (he he) tells the kids if they want to go to the bathroom to hold up a pair of twisted fingers.  My smart little cookie noticed right away that it was the ASL sign language letter for "R".  Why would "Teacher" do that?  It's confusing.  Shouldn't they make a "T" for "toilet" instead? Hmmm, not sure why this one bugs me.

3.  The schools here in California are built a bit differently, where the classrooms aren't all connected by hallways and you get to the rooms by walking inside a building.  Nope.  They're all accessed by an outside door and "teacher" says she will not be responsible for our children until exactly 8:10 when school starts.  There's no playground monitor and not nearly enough parking spots.  This means I get to unload Kassidy, Korbin, and in 6 weeks a newborn babe from the car and walk the block to school and wait with them all until the door opens and "teacher" deigns to take her under her jurisdiction.  Sounds fun huh?  What about come January when it pours, not just rains, for 2 months straight? Hmmm.

4.  Today was the longest 3 hours of my life!! Kevin and I kept looking at the clock wondering if it was time to pick up our princess yet.  I couldn't help but worry if she was having fun, making friends, listening and obeying well, and if the "Teacher" was being kind enough and not overlooking my sweet 5 year old.  I'm sure that feeling will diminish on days when I have to shower and feed 2 other kids and clean and run errands and all other such tasks and 3 hours won't be enough.  But for now, I miss my spunky little girl!

I don't know why I worried, when I picked her up Kassidy was bubbling with excitement to tell me all about snack time, recess, and her favorite was how the kids all chanted, "One Jaguar, Two Jaguar, Three Jaguar, Four Jaguar, Five Jaguar!" while someone got a drink of water.  Then their turn was over :)  I love how the little things are cool.  Kassidy is going to blossom this year and I can't wait to watch her.  I just need to put on my big girl pants and buck up!

Camping

Last weekend we took the kids and went camping up the Sierras to the Boy Scout Camp Cole.  Kevin has been up there a few times to help my uncle do projects to improve the camp, so when my uncle mentioned needing help again we decided to make it a family affair.  I need to write myself a little reminder that camping always sounds like so much fun when you are getting ready, and then again after about a week and you've forgotten how much work it is!!  I always wondered why my parents were so ornery when we went camping and why they didn't want to go very frequently.  Don't get me wrong, I love being outside and everything about it, but camping when you are the adult in charge of putting up the tent, preparing a meal away from electricity, over all safety and comfort of your kids, and clean up, it's a different story!  Lol! 

We had a really good time but one night was definitely enough for me and the kids.  Our transmission kept overheating on the way up to camp and about 2 miles from camp we were almost ready to turn around and drive the 2 1/2 hours home.  We had to keep stopping to let the transmission cool down, which was slow going in the 90 degree weather.  We finally made it to camp in the afternoon and were saying frequent prayers that our car would make the return trip home.  

The weather was so warm!  About 90 during the day and stayed comfortably warm at night.  We didn't plan on such warm weather so I feel bad that I didn't bring the kids' swimsuits because the lake felt heavenly!  It's okay though, we just stripped the kids down and played anyway.  

Being at a boy scout camp provided some nice perks that we wouldn't have had camping elsewhere.  The four-wheelers used to make working all over camp easier provided hours of scenic rides for our little family, the shooting range was great, and having running water nearby was a definite perk!  All in all, we had a great time, but were very dirty and exhausted by the time we got home Saturday.  I feel so much more appreciative to my parents who roughed it through MANY family camping trips with 5 small children.  I'm sure it was so much work, but it left me with very fond memories.  

Here are some pictures/proof of our trip so I can one day receive the same thanks from my kiddos :) 

 The pants came off and the kids just played in their undies.  Wish I could've joined them :)

 Kevin worked very hard putting together this dock for the boy scouts to use all summer.

 Proof that I was there with my 7 month belly bulge.

Blackened hot dogs for dinner.  Is there anything better? 

 The kids found a box which entertained them for about an hour.  Tell me, why do we buy toys again?

 Helping daddy work.

4th of July

We had a fun 4th of July here in Fairfield with some friends and family.  Although it just makes me more excited to go home to Utah for the 24th of July and celebrate Pioneer Day.  It's a huge holiday in my hometown and I love all the festivities :)  

We started the day off with the parade, which was fun albeit short.  The kids got tons of candy so they were happy.  Kevin and I were left wondering where all the service men and women were, the Smoky the Bear, marching bands, actual FLOATS, and tractors.  These are all things we have become used to seeing in parades in Utah that were missing out here.  Oh well, at least they had their Mexicans on the dancing ponies :)  Just what every 4th of July parade needs! Lol!

 Patiently waiting for more candy.  You can see his blue stained face from the previous treats.

 After the parade we went back to our place and went swimming with Kevin's sister Kelli and crew.  The kids had a blast and the water felt great.

 Following nap time (yes!) and a delicious tri-tip bbq with all the fixings, we headed over to Vacaville for the firework show.  The kids had a blast playing in the dirt for 2 hours while we waited and the glow sticks I brought were a huge hit.  The fireworks were impressive too with a great finale, ending a very perfect and not too hot 4th.  I feel so blessed to live in this free country and love celebrating it with the ones I love!

Six Flags Day

One of our favorite things to do in the summer here is spend part of the day at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.  But this year we didn't buy passes because I can't go on the rides with the kids and Kevin is very busy with school.  Luckily, some friends bought passes and they had a "take a friend free" day, so we had a very fun, hot, and free day with our friends!  We saw Shouka the killer whale, the elephant show, and did a handful of kids rides.  But the favorite of the day was the water fountains.  Thanks for the passes Jen!

Sara and Kassidy striking their "roller coaster" poses....funny kids :)

 Korbin is so glad to be big enough to do some rides with his sister!

Blueberry Thief

Korbin just couldn't wait for me to put the groceries away and get him a snack, so he helped himself to the blueberries on the counter.  I sure hope the floor was clean :)

**ANOTHER NEW POST BELOW

Father's Day photo shoot

A little late, but I wanted to post these pictures so I'll remember one day :) 

For Father's Day last year I took photos of the kids holding the letters to spell DAD and put them in a 3 picture frame.  He loved it so I decided to make it a tradition.  I guess my kids were just the right age last year because this year was so much harder!  Here are the ones I ended up with, which are the least bad of the bunch!

(All of Kassidy's were great! She's very photogenic and cooperative.  Keep reading for the bad ones )

Here comes the bad/hard ones.  First we started by just not looking at the camera.....

 Then Korbin pulls out a skateboard from his pocket and eats it....

 Oh, I'm gonna lie down and then let's start a grass fight!

 And the little stinker starts the tackling...

 This one was actually kinda cute in a silly way :)

 More tackling...

 And I got smart and gave up.  These pictures make me smile and realize how blessed I am to have these two sweeties in my life.  Sorry the pictures weren't more perfect Kevin, but your kids sure are!! Thank you for being such a wonderful father to our children and husband to me.  We are very blessed to have you!