Meet Murdoch & Sparkles

Yes it is true-- the kids talked us into getting another pet-- or pets. Although in hindsight I don't really think it took much convincing... Mitch may even have initiated the idea. The good news is that they are fairly low maintenance & the kids are really enjoying them. Plus we almost walked out of the pet store with a new adopted puppy-- a chiuaua no less!!! I figured we got off easy & I don't plan on going back to the pet store anytime soon with my husband or kids! Without further adieu....

This is Savannah's fish-- Sparkles. Savannah is thrilled because the fish (which of course is a girl according to its proud new owner) appears to have lipstick on

This is Dylan's fish, Murdoch. Yes, it is absolutely shocking he named his fish after a Thomas train.

Sparkles & Murdoch's lovely new home in all its colorful glory!

Mitch-a-Palooza 2011

We spent Labor Day weekend down on the Central Coast celebrating Mitch's birthday-- this now annual celebration is also known as Mitch-a-Palooza! We rented a house last year in Edna Valley with some great friends to celebrate the big 3-5 for Mitch. We had a fabulous time & decided to go back this year, only this time we stayed on the beach in Cayucos. We were able to come down and leave the kids with Pommy & Papa on Thursday night, then head out on Friday for a fun weekend. We rented a funky little house just steps away from the beach and had a wonderful time. We spent lots of time walking on the beach, drinking good wine & enjoying the company of fabulous friends. Plus we could sleep with the windows open and hear the ocean-- my favorite!! Can't wait for next year...

Molly & Andy joined us for the weekend

Shots of tequila to celebrate!

The birthday boy!

Andy inspired some serious MJ impersonations with his gift

Too funny

Me & my birthday boy

We went tasting on Saturday. We hardly ever go tasting at home, but LOVE to hit up the wineries on the central coast. This is at Dark Star  & Brian Benson Cellars-- our absolute favorite! The lady on the end is Susan Benson (the winemakers' wife & mother) and her dog Gracie.

One of our nightly strolls on the beack

Molly & Mitch with the annual birthday pie

Relaxing on the beach 

Beautiful sunset from our deck

Dylan's 1st Day of Preschool

Dylan had his 1st day of preschool today-- well technically not his 1st since he went to a structured day care for a short time when he was two at the same place-- but this was his 1st day in traditional preschool class :-) He was so excited and proud to go-- if you can't tell by looking at the picture. We were able to go Friday to an open house to see his classroom and meet his teacher and he has been asking constantly since then to go back. Since Savannah goes to school, he thinks it is a pretty cool thing to be like his sissy! He had a great day and was so excited to share all the details tonight at dinner- such a big boy!!

Yvettie's "Baby"

Our babysitter Jenica rescued a 3 week old kitten this last weekend named Teddy & brought it over to the house while she was watching the kids. The kids loved it of course--- BUT Yvette loved it WAY more!!! She completely thought it was here baby and wanted to take care of it. If she didn't have the kitten right next to here she was either pacing nervously or hovering as closely as she could to see it. It was so sweet.... of course the kids are convinced we need to get Yvette a kitten now-- me, not so much!!

1st Day of School: FIRST Grade!!!

Today was Savannah's first day of FIRST grade! It is absolutely crazy to me that my "baby" is in first grade eating lunch at the "big kids" tables & playing on the "big kids" playground.   Her teacher this year is Mrs. Bower and she is absolutely AMAZING-- Savannah has so been looking forward to being in her class. We are so thankful we ended up at such a wonderful school with a very strong sense of community involvement. I love that it is a small school-- there is only 1 class per grade-- which means she will be in class with the same 22 kids through 5th grade... so cool! She had a great first day & is very excited for the school year, as are Mitch & I. Although, the reality of how busy the year is going to be is really sinking in... new job, PTA Secretary, chairing the Red & White Affair (BIG fundraiser for the school) & leading Daisies--- yikes!!! If anyone has any extra hours in the day they would like to donate to me I am graciously accepting donations!

Savannah & Dylan

My BIG 1st grader

Savannah & some of her buddies

Savannah & Lily

Listening to morning announcements

Taking a tour-- moving out of the kindergarten playground & room is  a big step! 

A Day Out with Thomas

A few weeks ago we surprised the kids (really for Dylan's sake, but Peanut had a great time too!) with a trip to the Roaring Railway in Felton for Thomas's Day Out. Dylan ADORES Thomas and was so excited to actually get to meet Thomas and go for a ride. The event had a lot of fun activities & we all enjoyed watching Dylan's delight!

Taking the little shuttle train to see Thomas-- he has no idea at this point!

Savannah was very excited to figure out the surprise

Dylan immediately started identifying the trains as certain Thomas characters and began related everything he saw to one of his favorite Thomas movies

Getting EXCITED!!

THOMAS!!

Dylan & Savannah with Percy

We failed miserably at getting a family shot on the train-- it was SO bumpy. But you can see how happy Dylan was!

One more try...

Enjoying the ride

Beautiful Scenery!

Vacation/Summer Update

We returned last week from another WONDERFUL week at Lawrence Welk in Escondido. It is not exotic or particularly fancy, but we absolutely love it there! We went to Legoland, a Padres game and had some visits from friends and family.  The rest of the time we played at the pool and enjoyed some quiet family time without any interruptions from work--ahhh, so nice! Here are some pictures from our trip...

Dylan & Daddy

Sibling Love

our water rat

Takin' a break

Waiting for the water to drop

Watering the golf course... boys will be boys, right??!

Silly Dylan

Dylan & Coco

Sweet Savannah

Daddy & Savannah

Go Padres

one day Dylan will let us get a good family picture!

Mommy & Savannah

watching the game

Mommy & Dylan

Hit over here!

Savannah's 1st Shirley Temple

Dylan sharing a treat with his new friend Audrey

The Davis & The Walters kiddos!

Savannah posing with the Lego people

Following Sissy's lead

Savannah & Daddy on the Safari Ride

Dylan "driving"

Mommy & Dylan

In the lion's mouth

Again, following Sissy's lead :-)

Riding the train

One happy boy

Dylan earning his driver's license

Savannah earning her license

There was a huge display of Star Wars figures built out of Legos. Dylan was beside himself!!

Silly kids!

Savannah & Chewy

Checking out the Star Wars village with Daddy

The aquarium

"Inside" the aquarium

Summer has been speeding by! Savannah starts school in 3 weeks-- crazy!! I am starting to realize that this next year is going to be quite busy... Dylan is going back to preschool in September, I have a new job, I am chairing the annual fundraiser for Savannah's school, co-leading Savannah's girl scout troop & serving on the PTA board at secretary. YIKES!! Wish me luck!  And I just had to share this picture of Dylan on the 4th of July-- it makes me smile every time I look at it :-)