First day of Kindergarten

It's hard to believe the day has arrived.  I can't believe our girls are old enough to go to Kindergarten and be gone ALL day long.  Didn't we just bring them home from the hospital and swaddle them up tightly each night at bedtime?  I remember when I thought sleeping through the night was a huge milestone. Going to Kindergarten seems to trump all other milestones thus far.  We woke up early and ate a huge gourmet breakfast.  They were excited to pack their lunch and carry their new backpacks and lunch bags.  I was so excited to get their photos holding their cute little Kindergarten signs.  

Reese opted for the sporty Gap tank, shorts, & her new Skechers.  She is so cute and sweet.  

I could seriously stare at that smile all day long.

Ryan chose the dressier look.  She was excited about her new Gymboree dress and Skechers.  I, on the other hand, was not too excited about the socks w/ loafers look. 

 I know it's so shallow to care, but I couldn't do it.  Those shoes and socks together were killin' me.

 So I made her change her shoes.  This look was SO much better.  I'm crazy, I know.  Please forgive me for being a mom who cares too much.  Ryan always has the best expressions.  I love her sassy smile and laugh.  She is such a sparkplug and I love her to pieces.

 Ryder boy likes to sleep in but he was all up in the action this morning.  He is going to seriously miss his sisters.  I think he's going to be like a little lost puppy without his constant entertainment.

 Our sweet little BFFs.

 I really didn't get any good photos at school because it was a bit chaotic and I was already starting to tear up.  Cory had to push me outta there because he didn't want the girls to see me crying.  I was so sad to leave them but they were doing great, although their faces in this photo below says otherwise.

Dancin' in the rain

We love the rain.  It's so rare that we get a good downpour so the kids were really stoked when it started comin down in buckets.  We partied in the rain for at least 20 minutes.  It was our kind of day.

Back to school shopping & pierced ears

I love this time of year--back to school time.  I have since I was a little kid.  Probably because I am a super nerd and I couldn't wait to get all my new school supplies and outfit for the first day.  Needless to say I was so excited to get to the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and buy new shoes and outfits for the girls. I don't shop at Nordstrom for kids clothes on a regular basis but the Anniversary sale is pretty fantastic and we scored some great deals for the girls.  While we were paying Reese was checking out the earring stand and said that she wanted to get some earrings.  I told her that she had to have her ears pierced to wear those types of earrings.  She then said, "I want to get my ears pierced today".  So that's how it happend.  Just like that.  On a whim, which is not how I envisioned this rite of passage for our little girls.  She was insistent so we headed over to Claire's.  Ryan was on board with it too, but after it was all over she shed some tears and asked me to take them out. Her tears lasted about 20 minutes and then she was fine.  It was a fun day of shopping and accessorizing :)

Disclaimer: all these photos were shot on my phone and are not good but I had to post.

Heading up the escalator to get our ears pierced.  Reese loves her sassy shoes.

Reese goes first.  It was her idea so she has to lead the way.

Waiting so patiently.

Ryan is giving lots of support and encouraging her to hold the bear.  Reese doesn't seem to need much help.  I think Ryan is nervous for her sister.

Here we go!

That was easy.  AND she got a sucker outta the deal. Score!

Ryan's turn.

She's all smiles now, but it goes downhill FAST.

Still smiling, happy to have the crusty black teddy bear.

I wish I would have gotten a photo of the after with the earrings in and the tears flowing but she was a train wreck and I was trying to pay and get outta there as quick as possible.  Glad we have the few grainy photos I took.  It was a fun, memorable day.

Our San Diego trip

Our trip to San Diego this year was very relaxing.  We didn't do too much because Ryder boy got sick on Monday and was down for the count almost the entire week :(  He mad a recovery on Friday just in time for the sun to come out.  We mostly just beached it since Ryder wasn't feeling great.  The girls made friends with 2 kids next door and all they wanted to do was play with their BFFs at the beach.  I always love 4th of July at the beach but we just wished for a bit more sunshine and warmer temps.

 Happy 4th!!

 We were really excited to make a flag cake this year.  Reese was over the moon for this cake.  We found recipes and designs online and spent the morning of the 4th making it.  It was SO yummy with the fresh raspberries and blueberries.

 A vacation is not complete until you roast some S'mores.

 Finger lickin' good.

 When the sun appeared on Friday we decided to rent a paddleboard.  We all took turns riding on it.  It's seriously a great core workout.  The kids loved it too.

 Little Reesie on the paddleboard.

 Our twin surfer girls.

 Ryder was still recovering.  It was hard to get this kid to crack a smile.

 He sure did love Auntie Jess' pregnant belly.

 SUCH a pretty belly.  She makes pregnancy look so good.

I'm so bummed that we didn't even get a photo of the 5 of us.  I seriously spent most of the week on the couch with Ryder.  He just laid in my lap while I read book after book.  (I finished 2 books in less than 4 days).  We are hoping for more sunshine and less sickness when we return to our beloved beach house next year.