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. 

Carlsbad vacation part 2

While in Carlsbad we saw our cousin at the restaurant he works at. It was nice to spend some time with him during the week. 

More beach time. Having fun in the waves with Johnnie and Grady. 

We spent a day at the races at Del Mar. Didn't win but had fun watching the ponies. 

Enjoyed a nice dinner with a beautiful sunset. 

Yup, more beach. 

This girl is definitely a beach girl like her mama. 

A beautiful sunset on our last night.

It was a great week relaxing and fun.

Carlsbad vacation part 1

In the month of August, we spent a week at a beach house in Carlsbad. It was a lovely week and though not too far from home it was a nice vacation.

We spent the week with grandma and John, along with friends. Lil J was so excited to see her friend. They hadn't seen each other in almost 2 years since she lived in Florida. They were just two peas in a pos the whole week. 

The house wasn't too far from the beach and had a nice view on the balcony. 

Lots of time was spent at the beach. The waves were pretty mild which was perfect for Lil J. 

We spent a day at the San Diego zoo. 

My favorite. 

J loves zebras. 

Last day of preschool forever

So Lil J is moving on to kindergarten in less than a week. It was sad to say goodbye to preschool. She spent the last 3 years of her life there. And it was a very special place for her. 

Her first day of preschool, 3 years ago and her last day. 

We love her preschool. She learned and developed so much in her time there. I do miss that little 2 year old who first started preschool. I love who she is now but miss her little personality as well. It all happened so quickly. 

Lil J understood and talked in class that she would not be coming back like some of the other children. She wasn't very sad but was sad that many of her friends would not be going to her same school. Some were staying and others were going to different schools. I am not too worried about her making friends, she does that pretty easily. I know she will miss her friend tremendously. 

We are excited for kindergarten and ready for it, but this preschool will hold a special place in our hearts. 

July 2014 in review

July was a funfilled month. We kept busy and had lots to do. Beach days, swim lessons, outdoor concerts, and random fun activities. It's amazing how quickly it all went. 

Trips to get ice cream on a hot summer day were in order. 

Concerts at the botanical garden and the park were so much fun. 

Getting her groove on to some Latin music. 

Helping daddy out. 

Working with papa. 

Up early for the Catalina ski races. 

Celebrating birthdays

Heading out to a Porsche car show at the Santa Monica airport. 

Wow, July was pretty busy and there is a bit more to come on July as I try to catch up with this blog. Hopefully I can at least be in the same month.