Off to School!

The school year is off to a great start!  Ellie was SO ready for her first day!  She was super excited to meet her teacher and get this Kindergarten adventure underway.  She got double hand stamps all week which meant she had fantastic days.  Gotta love those proud parent moments when you can get them!  The day seems to take a lot of out of her because she is pretty quiet after pick up and I can't get much out of her about the day.  Then once we've been home and she's had a chance to wind down I start hearing all sorts of little tidbits about school.  There is a lot of talk of the twirly slide at recess.

She told me to wait for the right pose to snap the picture.

Jack was pretty sad about his big sister heading off to school for the day,
 either that or he was just jealous of all the extra attention she was getting.

First day brought a long walk up to the school.

Jack was having his fun exploring the campus.

Jumping off these ledges are the
 highlight of drop off and pick up.

Meeting her teacher for the first time.

Ellie and her teacher, we think she is pretty great so far!

Jack's 1st day!

He woke up so excited and ready for his chance to be in the spot light.  After we made his sign on Monday and I asked him what he was looking forward to most about starting Preschool and he said, "holding up my sign."  I was so proud of how brave he was.  I was expecting to have a clinger on my hands but not at all.  I got an extra big hug and then he was ready for me to go!  When I picked him up he said, "that was great!"  His favorite part was snack time because he got to eat his chips but I think he's also a fan of music time as he was singing songs the rest of the day.  

He kept telling me he wanted to be a fire truck when he grew up,
 I said you mean you want to be a fire fighter and he would say
 "no I just want to drive the truck." 

They've gotten too big too fast!

Finding his name!

Jack and his teacher!

End of Summer Fun

The month of August brought on some trips before we are tied down to the school calendar.  One more day trip to the beach and some camping brought some relief from the heat.  I have to say, camping in California is much more manageable for me.  I didn't come home with a single bug bite!  We had a great experience going camping with friends, and seeing Shaver lake from a different perspective.  Thankfully our first time camping with kids was a success, we had a blast.  

Pismo Beach

This time at the beach Jack got a little more brave with the waves.

Running from the waves never gets old.

He was loving being buried.

Swinging at the beach is the best!

Camp Edison at Shaver Lake

Our camp site!

Camping buddies!

The boulders on our campsite provided hours of entertainment!

A little camp project for the kiddos.

Decorating fairy houses from what they found on their nature hunt.

Just relaxing with his chips by the fire.

A little dirt never hurt!

Day 2 spent on the water.

One cute little fisher!

Jack's fishing pole didn't last long before he dropped it in the lake!

Trying my hand at catching a fish, no luck!

Home sweet home, and dirt free with their nature creations!

Our month of July

Since I am way behind looks like I'll be summing up our month of July in one post.  I was not the best at breaking out my camera this month.  We had Grandparents visiting which meant lots of spoiling of the kiddos. We had a great 4th of July heading to the circus and then attending a pool party with friends. The kids rode ponies at a Farmer's Market in Old Town Clovis.  We made a trip to Santa Rosa for a family reunion. Went fruit picking for grapes and peaches and headed to the Hidden Homes Nature Trail.

Silly faces were a must while playing
 with our polka dot slime.

The slime was fun while it lasted.

Jack's signature silly face is sticking out his tongue.  

Time for the Circus

Checking out the pre-show action up close and personal.

Grandma Debbie got to join us too!

It was a great show but Jack was upset there were no motorcycles
 this year.  Their favorite part was the clowns this year.  

Pony Rides courtesy of Papa Jack...

Ellie had to have the glittery pony!

They loved it and couldn't stop smiling.

Doctor Ellie . . . looks like Jack is due for a shot!

.. 

Our little family within all the families at the reunion!

My Little Artists...

J&K Farley farms fruit picking

Ready to find some yummy fruit.

Jack was more into cutting leaves then searching for grapes.

Hidden Homes Nature Trail

We needed an adventure last week so we scoped out this fun little stop.

We walked through a mouse burrow.

Ellie was the leader on our nature hike.

Relaxed in a caddisfly home.

And, the final stop was an Eagle's nest.

Trying to keep the kids entertained while I made dinner
 I grabbed some beans and tweezers and said how many
beans can you get in your bowl in a minute.

Jack ended up being the record holder with 9,
he was addicted and kept telling me to put the timer on again.