BACK TO SCHOOL DINNER & MOTTO

This year we adopted our Back to School motto

from the Cub Scouts..........

DO YOUR BEST

(nothing less)

Let the Festivities Begin

I had a little helper this year....

Finn was in charge of seating arrangements.

You may have noticed the table is set for six, this year we had a new addition to our Back to School dinner, Tiago is starting school in Oceanside.  We included him in this years celebrations!

Dessert cups just waiting to be used!

(gift from Great Aunt Millie)

While I was putting the final touches on the food inside, Todd kept the back to school crowd busy in the pool.  The weather on Sunday was ideal for outside dining.

On The Menu:

Cheddar Chicken (requested)

Mashed Potato's & Gravy

Paula Dean Corn Casserole

Broccoli & Cauliflower Garlic Medley

Potato Rolls

Italian Lemonade

We chose this years motto based on the level of understanding for Finn & Tiago's age level, but at the same time the rest of us can embrace it fully......be it at school, at work, or for home...."Do Your Best"...."Nothing Less"

Time to Party

Savor Food

Drink & Be Merry

Educational Discussion 

Another reason to have a sit down Back to School dinner?

Practice Table Manners

I look forward to this dinner every year, it is so important to take the time and really listen and ask questions with the students in your family. Kirra & Kayla spoke of their classes, their goals for the year, likes and dislikes....I absorb it all and am excited for them and what they will learn this 2011-2012 school year.

Our Four Back to School Students

Kirra's Goal: 4.8 GPA

Kayla's Goal: Straight A's

Finn's Goal: Master Reading

Tiago's Goal: ABC's & Count to 20

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION

The day before school starts, Magnolia Elementary has the Kindergartner's visit the school for the following reasons:

1.  To meet their Teacher

2.  See their classroom 

3.  Familiarize with Class Mates

4.  Diminish Fear (for parent & student)

The most important of these:  Diminish FEAR!!  I can't tell you who has been more nervous and out of sorts the past few days....Finn or myself. 

I've always prided myself in being spontaneous and adaptable to change.  I've been lying to myself.....I'm not ready for change, at least where Finn is concerned.  It's going to fast, he is growing up too soon....schools & teachers are changing....... Good Grief, stop the clock!  

I picked Finn up from his grandparents and together we headed up to his school for the orientation.  (Another sadness, he will no longer be with his grandparents on Mondays & Fridays.....change, eek)  Do I feel a panic attack coming on?

The orientation was exactly what Finn & I needed.....we met the teacher, LOVE her!!!  Saw the classroom, LOVE IT!!!  Met up with Finn's BFF who is also in the same class, PRAYERS ANSWERED!! 

Life is good again.....

all is right in the world,

we will survive Kindergarten!!

Stay posted....photo's of Back to School Dinner, motto & first day of school to come.

Mrs. T

I had no idea it would be so incredibly hard saying goodbye to Mrs. T,  Finn has been in Mrs. T's classroom the past two years at Carlsbad Montessori. Our school day started and ended with her....last Thursday was Finn's last day at preschool.  He started Kindergarten today!



Finn & Mrs. T

There are so many new beginnings in childhood, I feel it is one of the greatest differences between childhood and adulthood.  Wonder if this is where the mid-life crisis comes from.......not enough new beginnings or fresh starts! 

I will forever be grateful to Mrs. T and all she did for my Finn, her teachings and guidance will be with Finn throughout his life.

LAS VEGAS - PART IV

Finn's First Limo Ride

Our hotel offered us a limo for our ride to dinner Friday night, I didn't think Finn would care one way or the other...boy was I wrong, he loved it.....halfway through our journey, he asked if we could buy one. Dream On!

Kirra & Kayla

enjoying the ride in style

 with fresh Orchids in their hair! 

LAS VEGAS - PART III

Bringing children on any vacation takes planning, going to Las Vegas...a town full of adult entertainments takes serious military strategic planning!  I knew I would need to carefully plan & schedule what we could do with a 5 year old in tow.....PLAN A: POOL!!

A big chunk of time was spent at the Flamingo Pool.....no better way to cool off in 100+ degree weather!

Finn was the first down the slide

I keep telling Todd we need to lock her in the closet, she looks too much like Bo Derek in this photo.  Todd better get his shotgun ready....

I can't tell you who had more fun on the slides, Todd or the children!  The lifeguards gave them some helpful hints on going faster....legs up.

Happy Smiles

Kayla's Turn

All Mine 

LAS VEGAS - PART II

Some people say Las Vegas is Damned.......if you can't beat them, JOIN THEM!  To the DAM we went.....the Hoover Dam that is!

Our current government needs to visit the Hoover Dam, it was built during the depression, employed thousands, provided electricity to millions and was finished two years ahead of schedule.  Can you imagine that happening now?  We need to re-visit our history people!!

Power Plant Tour

500 feet below the surface.

It took almost 2 minutes in the elevator to reach this depth.

Kayla & Todd

If you get to the Hoover Dam, take one of the tours.  I bought our tickets ahead of time online which made it easier once we arrived (less wait time). 

Kirra - Finn - Kayla

Underground

Finn - Me - Todd

We are still beneath the Earth's surface in the PowerPlant Room, standing on marble floors that were laid over 80 years ago...they still have a high shine and I didn't see a single chip.  The workmanship was evident throughout the entire Dam Tour.......not to sound like my grandfather....they sure don't make them like they used to!!

Kirra - Kayla

The end of the tour drops you off on the Observation Deck, the new Visitor's Center provides a more extensive view of the efforts that went into making the Hoover Dam what it is today.  It truly is amazing what was accomplished before computers and modern technology and during a DEPRESSION! 

View of the Memorial Bridge from the Dam

Standing on the Observation Deck with the Memorial Bridge behind us.....this might look good on our Christmas Cards this year, I can photo shop in the snow!

The Memorial Bridge is part of the Hoover Dam bypass and dedicated to Pat Tilman (NFL Football player who gave up his NFL career & his life to join the military after 911).  We headed here after we completed the Hoover Dam tour....we wanted to walk across the bridge to stand in two states at one time!!

There goes Finn....no fear, I had enough fear for the both of us.  The view was incredible from the bridge, you could look back and see the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Colorado River....all at the same time.  I couldn't help but think of Pat Tilman and of the sacrifice he gave for his country, for my country, for our freedom! 

Gus taking it all in,

you didn't know where to look first!

All of us standing in Nevada & Arizona at the same time! 

Can you guess which foot belongs to who?

Grandpa and his girls!

BACK TO SCHOOL - VUSD

School districts throughout the county have already begun the 2011-2012 school year, this includes Vista Unified School District.  What this means to you and me?   

The Girls

First Day of School

Finn hasn't missed a first day of school with the girls since birth. This was the earliest one to date, we were there at 6:30AM.  Can you believe I had Finn out of bed at 5:45?  I can't believe it and I was there!!  It was totally worth seeing the girls off to school in their new school clothes even if Finn didn't want to pose for photos. 

Angie now has a Freshman & an Eighth Grader enrolled in school,  Kirra is attending Angie's Alma Mater......Vista High School.

Go Vista Panthers!

Can't wait to hear about their first day of school.

LAS VEGAS - PART I

Yes, it's true....I brought my child to Las Vegas.  I have always said Las Vegas isn't for children, I broke my own rule in order for our entire family to attend Michael  & Jenny's wedding.  I knew other children would be attending, including Finn's cousins and his BFF Memphis which is the main reason I didn't follow my own rules.

We arrived Thursday

for the Bachelorette Party.

5:00PM Pre-Party Cocktails in Room

7:00PM El Segundo's

Cocktails & Dinner

(lots of cocktails)

Mindy enjoying the round of shots!

You know what they say......
what happens in Vegas..

10:00PM DIVAS

Drag Queen Show

(Rhiannon)

Single Ladies

(Beyonce)

Jennifer & Me after the show!

I never expected to be at a DRAG Show in Vegas for a Bachelorette party......it was so VEGAS, over the top and FUN.  Most of the drag queens put me to shame!

Jenny - The Bachelorette

Chris - Mother of the Groom

Jennifer - Sister of the Groom

Time to brag about the men folk.......while I was out partying with the girls, my husband and father-in-law watched over Finn, Kirra  and Kayla.  They took them out to dinner, walked the strip and ended up at M&M World.....three stories of M&M's at $13.00 a lb, there goes Finn's college education.  Violet and I were able to relax and enjoy ourselves without worrying about the children, priceless! 

Stay Tuned....Part II - Hoover Dam

JENNY'S BABY SHOWER

Jenny and I have known each other for fourteen years.  I knew her before pregnancy, marriage and college and still can't believe she is grown up and having a baby of her own.

She is due in October...know what this means?  BABY SHOWER!!  I love going to baby showers, boy or girl it doesn't matter.  I enjoy the multi-generational group of woman that congregate at Baby Showers, it always leads to entertaining conversation......not to mention yummy food and silly games!

The Baby Shower took place in a  beautiful beach home in Laguna,  I wanted to take this floral arrangement home!

The attention to detail was evident throughout the party; porcelain china, sterling silver and crystal goblets, I never wanted to leave.  See what I mean about baby showers?   I wish you all could have tasted the Cold Cucumber Soup...we tried to figure out what was in it....still working on that, will keep you posted.

I wore pink in honor of Baby Edwards.....

if I haven't mentioned, Jenny is having a girl!!!

Jenny & Me

I loved how the china pattern

matched the floral arrangements.

 

Remember what I said earlier about the woman at Baby Showers?  This photo says it all, you have Jenny's Great Aunt from Pasadena, she was adorable and in her 90's, there is Jenny who just turned 30 and then Mary who barely turned 40.  

I  absorbed all they had to say, enjoyed being in their presence......and knew I was fortunate to have had this time with them together,  Womanhood at it's finest!