First Day of School

My four boys all started school today.  My district had a "cut day" today so I had the opportunity to see them all off for their first day. I have to admit I had mixed feelings - excitement for new adventures yet a touch of sadness as they are all growing up.

Here's the bus line (although Z no longer rides the same bus as the elementary kids) from oldest to youngest.  From left to right - kindergarten, kindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth, and sixth.

K let me take him to school for his first day of kindergarten.  We had to park over a block away from the school due to all of the parents bringing their kids for their first day.  He wasn't too happy about having to walk that far!  Here he is snapping his backpack strap across his chest.

E decided he was going to hop on the bus after our picture taking session so I just snuck by his classroom after helping K get settled.  His class was already seated and beginning to get to know each other.  I even caught him raising his hand to answer a question.

Almost an hour and a half after his brothers catch the bus, Z is the only middle school student at his stop.  He's excited and nervous about the changes that middle school brings.  Today is only for the 6th graders so he has some time to get familiar with his locker, classes, and LOTS of new students. 

I'm anxious to hear how everyone's first day goes, but will have to wait a bit - K gets home at 11:00, E at 2:25, and Z at 4:20.  Then we hit the ground running with fencing, soccer, and football tonight in three different locations at overlapping times.  See you in November???

6 years old already??!?!?!?

First Haircut 7/2005

My baby turned 6 today.  It seems like he's always been around, yet it is also like it was yesterday that he was turning somersaults in my belly.  I was lucky enough to spend the day with him and two friends to watch "Cats and Dogs: Return of Kitty Galore" and have lunch at McDonald's.  Then we shared a birthday dinner of clams (his new favorite food - he ate 3 heaping plates full), corn, watermelon, and pizza (my addition for those of us who didn't want a meal of clams) with Grandma and Grandpa Great, Grammi and Grandpa, Mimi and Papa, Uncle T, Aunt T, cousins S and BR, brothers, and dad. 

We love you K!

6 years old   8/5/2010

Quite a comeback. . .

Less than 12 months after he blew out his right Achilles, my husband participated in another triathlon!  This was his fourth overall and the first since his injury.  We are VERY proud of the work he's put in to his recovery.

Finish Line

Three of his biggest fans

Long Beach

Last weekend we spent time with my parents in Long Beach, Washington.  Sunday was a gorgeous day so we made the most of it.  First we ventured to Oysterville and bought some clams for dinner.  Then we enjoyed lunch in Long Beach to get some extra energy for our afternoon adventures.  6 of the 7 of us took a horseback ride on the beach.  It was then time for some tricycling on the sand, kite flying, and swimming in the pool.  Here are some pictures from our adventures! (Above - my mom trying out the trike!)

My hubby <3

Our oldest preparing for a ride on the beach

Our middle son lying down on the job of kite flying

Our youngest enjoying his second horse ride of the summer - he got to ride without a lead!!

Batting a Thousand

Last week was my husband's birthday and he asked for me to make his dessert.  The deal was I couldn't complain about the poor job I did - usually I can't bake to save my life.  I mean, it was only last summer that my boys found out that chocolate chip cookies could be baked from scratch.  So I decided to try 3 different desserts and hope that one of them would turn out.  Amazingly enough, all three turned out!  From top to bottom - individual peach pies, yellow bundt cake with chocolate ganache and strawberries, and cheesecake with marionberries.

Olympic Bronze

On Thursday, Z's regular fencing instructor was unavailable so he was thrilled to have his private lesson taught by Beijing's Olympic bronze medalist in sabre fencing, Becca.

Old Photos and Great Friends

I thought it would be fun to go back and look at some "old" pictures and then decided it would be nice to include photos of our MC friends.  The photo above was taken on a life jacket day during swimming lessons.  I think it was taken during the summer of 2006.  (From left to right - swim teacher, Z, Emma, Alyssa) Z and Emma are starting middle school in the fall.

These two cuties (E and Tori) are about 1 year old.  (2003) It is scary to think they are now half way to driving age.

Only two years old and already best buddies.  K and Aubrey were hanging out at the MC pool while their older siblings took lessons in July 2006. 

Looking through the old pictures was fun.  Maybe I should actually do something productive with them!