First day of school.

It's been FOREVER since I've blogged & I'm not going to make any promises of a "summer recap" (for heaven's sake, I haven't even finished my Christmas Disney posts...) But, I thought I would at least throw out a few of these goodies for your entertaining pleasure...

My oldest started Kinder this month.  It just so happens that we get to go to the #1 elementary in our school district, she has one of the best teachers (so I hear) and it's like 5 feet away from our front door. Blessing, blessing, blessing.

First Day Eve:  an Open House / Meet the teacher / See where you sit / etc...

Drawing a picture of herself learning to ride a bike without training wheels for her teacher. 

Where she sits.  

First day:  (Kleenex box in hand)...

We captured every family combo imaginable:

Toes painted, braids in and giant (empty) backpack on.  Ready?  Go!  

Mother/daughty pedi's

Ms. C - always squatting down to be at eye-level with the kids.... 

Lining up just before a complete stranger Ms. C took her away from me us...  I was standing next to a very pregnant lady and we were both shedding tears.  To which she stated, "I'm pregnant (sniff, sniff) - what's your excuse (for all the tears)...?" 

It's my BABY - she'll now be in school the rest of her life...!  

Labor Day.

Today was a big day in our household... Lai had her first pedi AND she learned to ride a bike sans the training wheels.

In a skirt, no less... 

The cheering crew

They made a great team.  L maybe practiced 2 times this summer.  Tonight she decided she wanted to do it, and just went for it.  Atta girl!!!  

Rainbow theme.

We celebrated L's 5th birthday a few days ago with a rainbow party at the park.  This girl is a true gift form above.  We're so thankful for this ray of sunshine.  

Working hard or hardly working?

Over the last month I've flown to a few meetings for work.  When I was full-time BK (before kids) I went to some great locations like San Francisco a few times, Chicago (fav!), & Montreal (fav!).  I certainly didn't think I wanted to travel since being back part-time.  However, this last month proved me wrong.  Meeting #1:  San Diego.  Coronado Island to be exact.  Hotel Del on Coronado to be even more exact.  Pinch me!

I flew down early landing at 9:30am.  This meant I had exactly 9 1/2 hours before I needed to be anywhere.  Ready?  Explore!

So, I walked into this famous hotel, 

Checked-in in this lobby, 

And, got a key for THIS room....  Oh, what's behind those curtains you ask?  

BOOM.  I had this view.  Bananas, I tell you.  I was going bananas.  

This tiny morsel of a window had a direct west facing view of all beach.  

Corner room on top floor, anyone?  This is why one should always check-in early & smile at the staff.  I was in paradise.  (Paradise alone, wishing my family was with me but, it was still paradise for about 30 hours.)

At this time I had about 8 hours to do a bike tour of the island, read, lunch, swim, walk on the beach & eat ice cream, MooTime ice cream.

Rented a bike for 3 hours & toured this tiny yet scenic island.  

If you have never been to this island off the coast of San Diego, it's a must see.  It's basically half navy base and half ga-jillion dollar homes with some fancy-schmancy hotels along the beaches.  We usually make it out there on every San Diego trip but, have never stayed longer than an hour or two...

(Lifted this map from internet.)  

This is the Coronado Bridge, (the 2nd most popular bridge to jump, following the Golden Gate & leading in front of our Aurora Bridge...)  Other than that sad fact, it really is beautiful.  

After riding, I hit the pool & read.  But, when you're in such a beautiful place like this, I felt guilty being at the pool & not sitting at the "real pool" 50 yards away.    

So, I hit the beach.  

My room is pretty much in the center of this photo, top corner.  

Sunset.  

Sunrise.  

I will go back someday... 

Meeting #2 was Phoenix.  It was the exact opposite.  Great hotel but, no view, totally boring downtown location.  NOTHING to do.  I mean, nothing.  There were about 2 stores open in each "shopping mall".  I don't know how many times one can walk into Urban Outfitters or Charming Charlies but, I'm sure I set the record.  It was a good meeting but, overall lame location.

Fortunately there was a DDD restaurant here.  This place & it's bacon was my saving grace.  

 Without a minute to spare - I flew home, ate dinner with the fam & was around to give my son his birthday gifts before tucking my big 3 year old into bed.

Happy Birthday sweet Axey Benj.  Mama loves you! 

All grown up.

You'd think I would have noticed...  after almost 5 years living in our home, I never thought of tossing up curtains or laying a rug.  It hit me one day & I couldn't get the idea out of my head, until it was done.  Huge thanks to my mom for helping me shop!  And, huge thanks to The Hubs who didn't freak when I came home with 5 bags of options...

We love our new room.  It's softer, more inviting & suits us well.

Before.  

After (with new lamp, rug, curtains).

Night night.

Ax's turn.

Ax has sat on the side-lines for a few years.  It's now his turn to be in a class.  He chose "gyn-astics-tumbling".

They bring in a teacher from a fancy gymnastics club to teach at our little community center.  Ax is the only boy, probably the oldest & is by far the most skilled (thankyouverymuch) so, he loves it.

Click on pic to zoom in - you don't want to miss this smile.