Welcome to Kindergarten and 2nd Grade!

When Jacob started Kindergarten, I had zero anxiety.  No fears that he would do well and no concerns that he wasn't ready.  The decision to have Maddie start Kindergarten now at almost 5 years old (versus a year from now when she will be almost 6) has given me endless anxiety.  Add to that the fact that they had to hire a brand new Kindergarten teacher at her school (whom we later found out is straight out of college with no experience in the classroom) and Mama's got a headful of worry.

I have gone back and forth on this decision so, so many times, but Mark and I are in agreement that Maddie seems ready.  The preschool recommended she move on and in her Kindergarten evaluation last year, they deemed she was ready.  So, we went with it.  I was the youngest in my class as well growing up (darn those September birthdays!) and I truly never felt that it ever made much of a difference.  Other than waiting to get my drivers license...or a legal beer. :)

So, when she walked into that Kindergarten classroom last week, my heart was bursting watching my baby grow up right before my eyes and my head was screaming "maybe we should wait!"  But alas, the year has started and we are not looking back.  I even volunteered to be head room Mom (as if I don't have enough on my plate already!) so I could be more present in the classroom to keep an eye on how she's doing.  Not to mention that new K teacher (ha).

And then this morning, as I dropped her off at the picnic benches where the K students wait to be walked to their class, the Kindergarten aide said to me "Maddie has been so great in the classroom.  She helps out everyone at her table.  I thought she was one of the older students until I looked up her birthday and realized she was one of the youngest.  I couldn't believe it."

[Insert tears of JOY here]

This simple affirmation lightened the weight on my shoulders and made me so, SO proud of her.  Way to go my little girl -- I know you are only 4, but I see so many bright things in your future.

Now, of course this post is not complete without recognizing THIS guy.  The boy who all of my 2nd grade parent friends say "is one of the sweetest boys in the class" (among a group of seriously crazy boys).  I cherish those words as I know he is active and crazy and silly, but he knows when to take things seriously.  And he takes school VERY seriously.  He is eager to learn and to please.  He always wants to be the BEST at everything.  I love that about him.  And as much as I worry about Maddie being ready, I never worry about him.  I know he's always ready for the next challenge and that he will take it on without hesitation.  We love you so much buddy.  You are going to crush 2nd grade!

The day before school started, we had a Kindergarten playdate at the park so the kids could get to know each other a little bit.  Would you believe Maddie fell off of the play structure and nearly knocked out her 2 front teeth?!  Her teeth went into her bottom lip (which subsequently was bruised and swollen) and her top 2 teeth would not stop bleeding and became loose.  A trip to the dentist confirmed that her teeth are fine, but they will be coming out soon.  She may be the youngest, but my bet is that those teeth come out in a few months -- and she'll be one of the first in Kindergarten to lose them!  (sob, SOB)

On back to school night, we visit the kids classrooms and the teachers talk about what they'll be doing during the year.  I always love reading Jacob's notes!

End of Summer and Paying it forward

The Summer just flew by.  FLEW BY.  It seems surreal to have 2 children now in school full time.  Right now, the peace and quiet is welcomed as I prepare for my 8th JBF sale that is coming up in a month.  But I know once the event is over, I'm going to look around each day wishing I could have my little pals with me.  Or maybe I'll just go get more pedicures.  ;o)

Our Summer was filled with movie days, friends, dog parks, Safari Run and Legarza camps, Great America, soccer, flag football and as many outings as we could take.  Even though it seemed to go by quickly, the kids were very ready to start school.  I shared their excitement but knowing that my baby was starting Kindergarten was a very hard pill to swallow.  How is she one of THEM?  The big kids? With homework and hot lunches?  Loose teeth and a backpack full of supplies?  It just doesn't seem right...

For now, I'll just celebrate the Summer.

This girl seriously impressed me with her soccer skills.  We signed her up for i9 sports and it was her first real league.  She's done a couple of Kidz Love Soccer classes but that concentrated more on skills and drills.  When she actually had to play a game in this league, she was ALL OVER THE BALL!  On her first day, she scored 3 goals and received the sportsmanship award.   Throughout the rest of the Summer, we really just enjoyed watching her play -- getting more and more confident and skilled at the game every week.  I definitely see a little athlete developing in her.

Jacob started flag football this Summer and LOVES it.  We signed him up for a flag football league in the Winter which we've heard is quite competitive so we wanted to introduce him to it before he started that league.  It was a small group, but that just meant that they got a LOT of playing time in.  I unfortunately didn't get any videos of the touchdowns he scored, but he was great and loved getting his medal too. :)

Free slurpee day at 7/11 on July 11th :)  It was a Friday and after crazy hair day and face painting at Safari Run camp.  I don't really know how much better it could have gotten for them that day. :)

Happy Hollow is always a hit.  ESPECIALLY the roller coaster.

And when you go with some of your favorite people, what could be better?  That's Rachel's little girls, Iris and Violet.  LOVE.

And of course we always love our days with Nathan and Owen.  We went to a little lake in Hayward one day and Great America a few days later!

We had to say goodbye to one of our playgroup buddies, the Peppers.  They moved to Portland this Summer.  These kids have all been together since they were babies.  It was a very bitter sweet day.

And the mamas.

And the mamas celebrating Marcia's 40th.

Just Maddie being silly.  I swear, whenever we are in any kind of store, this kid finds something to dress herself up in.  I can't tell you how many pictures I have on my iphone of that girl wearing a superhero mask in Target.

And Jacob when he asked me to "sexy hair" for him.  Sexy Hair is the name of the gel we purchased from his haircut place.  So now, this style will be forever called "sexy hair".  It's fantastic.

As the Summer came to an end and we prepared for back to school, I learned that Samaritan House in San Mateo was collecting backpacks filled with supplies to give to kids in need.  It was their goal to supply all of their clients with brand new backpacks and supplies to have a fresh start on the school year.  I decided to let Maddie and Jacob each take on the task of picking out the backpacks and getting supplies at Target.  We then delivered them to Samaritan House.  They really enjoyed the whole idea and I hope that they learned from it.  I really want to seek out and take advantage of more opportunities like this, so they can better appreciate how fortunate we are.  I am thankful that they were enthusiastic and great little helpers the whole way through. :)

Here's a brief article on the backpack campaign.

Tales from Maui - Hawaii 2014

Right when the school year ended, we headed to Maui for our annual trip with Grandma, Grandpa, Frank, Paige and Tori.  Tori's friend Jessica joined us this year.  As always, we had an amazing time.  I love that we go on vacation at the beginning of the Summer, but I don't love having no other vacations to look forward to before school starts!  So, I vote we bookend the Summer with tropical vacations.  That's not expensive right?

Our trip was similar to years past...lots of pool, beach, drinks, pool, beach, drinks, repeat.  We went to a new place this year called Maui sports where they had putt putt golf (Jacob LOVED), bumper boats and a big trampoline.  We also hit up Warren and Annabelle's magic show again which is ALWAYS a good time (you laugh until you cry).  We also got to check out the Westin this year which was fun because they have the "biggest slide on Maui".  However, that doesn't mean it was BIG.  It just happens to be the biggest (or longest?) on the island.

One of our biggest surprises was that Maddie totally started swimming on her own this trip.  She was tall enough to ride the slides but we were not allowed to wait at the bottom of the slide to catch her (as we've done at other places).  They had to give her a "swim test" and watch her swim from the bottom of the slide to the edge of the pool before they would give her a wrist band. From that moment on, that girl was swimming!  I think she loved her new found pool freedom.



So much thanks to my Mom and Dad as they always take such good care of us.  Hawaii is also getting hammered with 2 hurricanes right now so sending safety prayers their way.  That silly island has brought us so much joy as a family.