Bring on the snow

On Sarurday, Lil J and daddy had a daddy-daughter date to Wrightwood for breakfast and then went to get their season passes. 

Ready for the snowboard season to come. Season passes. 

Sunday Lil J went to her friend's birthday party. It was nice to see her friends from preschool like a preschool reunion. 

We miss her preschool friends. It was so great to be able to spend some time with them all. 

The first Back to School Night

So daddy and I attended our first Back to School night. We learned about what Lil J was in store for and got to see some of her artwork that she has told us about. We really like her school and she has a well season teacher with 21 years of teaching experience, 15 of those in kindergarten. It is nice knowing she has a great teacher. 

Lil J had told me about this project and made sure to tell me to look for it on the bulletin board. I love it. 

I love her family picture. Why we only have one leg, I'm not quite sure. But I love that it is such a happy picture. I love that she is so happy. 

It will be a good year. We are learning about all this along side Lil J. I love it. 

Labor Day Weekend 2014

The weekend got off to a great start with a win by Desert Willow in her maiden race. On Saturday we celebrated daddy's friend's birthday. 

Lil J had fun taking a bunch a selfies. 

On Sunday we headed to Vail Lake for some fun. A dip in a cove. 

A ride in a rhino. 

On Labor Day, we simply relaxed and did not labor much. A nice weekend to end the summer. 

Desert Willow wins!

Lil J got through her first week of kindergarten. She had a wonderful week. We ended the week by going to Del Mar after school on Friday to watch Desert Willow run her maiden race. 

Once Lil J got out of school, we head down to Del Mar. We were all very excited and anxious to see Desert Willow in her first race.

We had a great jockey riding her in the 3rd race with a 5pm post time. The she is in writing. 

At the paddock, ready for race 3. 

Desert Willow at the paddock. She's looking good. 

We are ready for her to win!

The jockey. 

She's ready to go. 

We headed to the box to watch her run.  Out the gate Desert Willow was dead last. She had a bad start. We all just wanted her to catch up to the back to the pack. She did that and ran her heart out. Next thing we knew she came around the corner and ended up winning! She won with 16 to 1 odds. A come from behind. It was an amazing race. We all got up and went to the winners circle. 

Once we got photos taken they brought us up to the winners bar and we toasted and celebrated the win. 

What an exciting day. It was a great way to end the week and begin our Labor Day weekend. Definitely a day we will never forget. 

First day of kindergarten

It's finally here! The first day of kindergarten. I can't believe we are here. 

Ready for school. 

Walking up to the school. Parking was crazy!

At drop off, the teacher welcomed each student. She have her an apple to give to me and say one last goodbye. A very thoughtful idea and a nice touch. I'm going to like this teacher.  

I handled it all pretty well, no tears just some misty, watery eyes. I took the day off and ran errands as I waited for pick up time. I was so excited to hear about how it all went. 

At pick up time. All smiles. 

It was a success. 

After school, we headed off for lunch with Papa. It was a good first day. Lil J had lots to tell us about her day. She made a new friend but didn't remember her name. She also commented that the teacher talked a lot! Haha, we're not in preschool anymore. She was happy and it was a success. A great start for the year and years to come. 

Kindergarten Corientation

We had kindergarten orientation today (or corientation as Lil J calls it. She says she calls it that because she likes corn and because it's like coronation kind of like Frozen). We got a little gift and some drawing ready for the teacher.

Lil J has been really excited about it. She woke up this morning, ran into my room, and jumped up and down. "Today is the day!" She couldn't wait to see her classroom and meet her new teacher.

We got to check out her new classroom and meet her teacher. The teacher had a little activity for the kids to complete and we found her cubbie.

Grandma came with us and from a retired teacher's eye really liked what she saw in the classroom and liked the teacher. That was nice to get her perspective. We really liked her new teacher and it really helped to alleviate my anxiety. I've been a bit anxious about this all. I know Lil J will do just fine but I just can't believe we are here. The time just flew.

We are ready for tomorrow. A snack is packed, backpack is ready, photo sign is printed.

Just a good night's sleep is in order. The teacher have the kids some "jitter glitter", a very cute idea. So we sprinkled some on Lil J's head before bed. I think it worked!

Kindergarten here we come!

Last weekend before school

The last weekend before school starts was funfilled. A play date, beach time, and a birthday party. Lots of fun to be had!!

We spent time at a beautiful beach, Three Arch Beach, with my very good friend. It was tons of fun. 

 

It was the perfect way to spend the last weekend of the summer before school starts. 

Getting ready for school

The week before school started mama went back to work. Luckily, we had done all our Back to School shopping while I was off for 4 weeks. It was hard to know exactly what we would need but I bought most of the basics and figured if we didn't need it I could return it. 

We began getting letter from school. That was really exciting. Lil K really enjoyed getting a letter from her new teacher. 

 

To prepare, I made an evening routine chart for her to help make evening smoother and hopefully mornings too. She already had a morning routine so this was not too new for Lil J. 

Grandma took her shopping too. 

Between that and the clothes I bought for her too, Lil J should be pretty set up for the entire year. We are ready!

August time off

So I took a few weeks off while Lil J was off of school. It was nice to have some time off to hang out with my girl before she becomes a big kindergartener. We did our back to school shopping, cleaned and organized the house, had play dates, and visited with some family. 

We went hung out and went swimming at Lola and Nono's place. 

We visited with great Lola and grand aunties. 

So glad we had time to do some fun stuff before I went back to work and school started up.