Baby Bear Visits Preschool

Yesterday, we all went as a family to tour a preschool. We've known from the very beginning that we wanted Baby Bear to attend this preschool and we placed her on the waiting list shortly after she was born. We received an email last week that she had a spot so we made an appointment to take a tour. I had been to the preschool before since it is located at the college I work at. The school has a wonderful reputation in the area and is child-centered and developmentally based which was something we really liked about the program. I also happen to know the director there so it was nice to tour the place and be greeted with a hug while we were there.

We really liked the school. Papa Bear like what he saw and really liked how it was all set-up. Baby Bear was ready to stay there and play with the kids. They are play-based and don't force the children to do anything. As a developmental psychologist, I think that play and the developmental approach is very important for a preschool so I really appreciate that approach. All the children looked very happy and they seemed to be enjoying their time there. The 2-3 yr old class has 18 students and 3 teachers, with college students who work there as well. So an excellent student to adult ratio. Actually, one of my own students happened to be working in the class as we were touring. So wonderful to see so many familiar faces. I later spoke with her and asked her perspective and she had glowing reports. I had also spoken to a colleague who has her daughter there right now (who we saw when walking through the older kids class) and she had good things to say about it as well. It is not for everyone, but I have heard mostly positive things about it. The negative things I have heard are not ones that I feel would impact my decision. No school is perfect but we feel this is a right fit for us.

So without hesitation we placed a deposit to hold our spot. Although we should probably look at other preschools, this just felt like the right fit for us. Maybe I will look at one more school just to have a frame of reference, but when it is right, it is right. It is very similar to how we selected our current daycare. I did look at one other place and liked it but was hesitant for several reasons. When we found our current place, I wasn't as hesitant and when Papa Bear visited we knew right away that was the right place for us. And it has been perfect and we love it there.

I can't believe my baby is getting ready to go to preschool in the fall. After our tour, I brought Baby Bear to daycare and spoke with our wonderful daycare lady. We both got teary-eyed at the thought of Baby Bear going to preschool. I cried... My baby is growing up too fast.

Weekend River Trip

It has been some time since we had gone to the river for a little rest and relaxation. We went this weekend of the Desert Dash 5K. Well, it poured the day of the race so I opted not to run in the mud and rain. We had a good time with friends and Baby Bear made a new best friend, Cornelius. She can even kind of say his name. Baby Bear loved Cornelius.



Sunday it cleared up and was a beautiful day.





Baby Bear got to "drive" Uncle Dave's terex.





What a fun time.

A New Hair Cut

Baby Bear had a little hair cut last week and I am not so sure it was the best idea. On the bright side she no longer has her hair in her eyes and she can see. We trimmed Baby Bear's bangs and she moved and it ended up being a little too short.

As Papa Bear likes to say "You know the difference between a good hair cut and a bad one?..... 2 weeks." We in a couple weeks it shouldn't be so bad. But it doesn't matter since Baby Bear is adorable no matter what!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cooking in her own kitchen

More on a Sunday afternoon

Hanging out on the front porch.



Isn't she beautiful.



With Grandpa Bear

A Sunday afternoon

It was a beautiful day on Sunday and we spent part of the day outdoors enjoying the beautiful Southern California weather.

We decided to go for a walk to the downtown area for lunch.



Walking down the bike path near our house.





Walking around downtown.





Stopping to do some window shopping.



Stopped at the local bike shop to check out some bikes.



Someone might be getting a bike for her birthday.

Running around

Just a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Southern California in the front yard.

Sitting on our front steps sporting the new flip flops Grandpa Bear bought her and planning her get away plan...



Bye bye mommy and daddy.



There she goes...



Baby Bear doesn't really walk anymore, she runs.... and there she goes again.



Finally sitting still for a picture or two...





Hmmm, where to run off to next...

A red retro kitchen

Baby Bear got a play kitchen from Christmas from Auntie Joni, but with all the hustle and bustle of moving into the house 2 days before Christmas we didn't have a chance to put it together. Until today...

Baby Bear and I got home from our day to find a new red retro kitchen in the living room waiting for Baby Bear. Daddy put it together!!!



It is an adorable little kitchen, just the perfect size for Baby Bear.



I think she likes it. She wouldn't even look up for a picture. She played with it all evening while I made dinner and not once did she come into the big kitchen. She was occupied the entire time.



I think lots of fun will be had with this kitchen. Thank you Auntie Joni.