Are You Smarter Than My First Grader?!!

The day I've been secretly dreading - the first day of 1st Grade. Jack isn't my baby anymore. He is now sitting in his first grade classroom. All day school. Maya and I will miss our companion. I'm selfish and will miss my guy each day.

We visited his new classroom this morning, met his new teacher and got excited to see that Jack's best friends from Kindergarten are in his class this year! This sure helped ease his nervousness. I can hardly wait to pick him up from school this afternoon and hear all about his first day. I know he (and I) will be learning so much this year!

Boing!

Jack and Maya popping out!

Me and My Kids

Russell took this picture of us in the backyard this morning.

Fun in Carson City

We took a short trip up to Carson City this weekend to visit with the Johnson Family and to spend time with Julie and Cody - here on a visit from Rhode Island. The time passed way too quickly, but I think we managed to squeeze in some fun! Jack and Cody had a great time and Maya bonded with aunt Julie!

Gotcha Day!

Friday, July 18th was the one year anniversary of the day Maya was placed in my arms at our hotel in Guatemala. We celebrated the day at a River Cats baseball game with all our family that evening. Earlier in the day, Jack and Maya snuggled on the couch together.

Looking back, it seems like we just left Guatemala and then it also feels like a lifetime because I cannot imagine life without Maya. She means everything to all of us...Jack has the little sister he wanted so badly and Russell and I have a daughter who is sweet, loving, funny, strong-willed and very independent. We love you Maya.

Jack did it!

Today, Jack jumped off the diving board in the deep pool! We are so proud of him!

Maya is 20 months old

My Beautiful Daphne

My wonderful chica, Daphne is 13 years old now. I love her so very much. She became my sweet companion in 1995 at the age of 2 months. Always gentle, loveable and happy...

Jack n Hal

Our Tuesday

While Jack was at swim lessons, Maya was talking on the phone and pointing out the arrival of friends to the pool!

This is how we beat the heat!

Tita, Maya, Chandler and Hal
Mommy and Maya

More Cousin Time!

Drew and Jack get silly this week while grooving out to the Hipwaders! The Hipwaders are a kid-friendly rock group that even the adults can enjoy! I especially enjoyed their rendition of the Scooby Doo Theme Song!

Cousin Time

Ryan, Maya, Jack & Hal enjoy playing at the park together! Who knew a bike rack could be so much fun! The kids start out on the play structure, but always seem to end up on the bike rack!

School's Out For Summer!

I cannot believe the school year is finished and Jack will go on to 1st grade! Seems that time passes so quickly now and I'm happy and sad at the same time. I lament the day Jack is "too grown up" to enjoy time with him mom. He's been such a great little guy and friend to me for 6 years now. We've had so much fun together on our many adventures, including this year of Kindergarten. He is still such a sweet, funny and friendly kid and great big brother, I should add. Maya and I will miss dropping and picking Jack up each day at school and seeing his teacher and all his friends. The girls all loved to play with Maya each day and she ate it up, as if she was one of them! I hope everyone has a terrific summer, with lots of fun, good health and adventure. School starts again in August and will be here before we know it!

We love vacation

Normally, we love warm weather vacations, but after our hot spell at home last week, we wanted a cool vacation on the North Coast and this weekend has been just what we needed. We've combed the beaches for shells and rocks (at Wrigth's Beach, where my grandma Elsie loved to rock hunt), took a drive up past Jenner on the windy Hwy 1 - we all felt a little car sick it was so curvy - but the view made it worthwhile! We also found a great little place called the Dog House for burgers and homemade fries.

Quail at the Coast

I have never seen a live Quail so up close!

Bodega Bay

Googlie Mooglie

Another one gone

Jack lost his second bottom tooth yesterday! Hooray!

100 Degrees in the Shade

To combat this early heatwave, we spent the evening in the pool. Sure did feel good!

Glamorous

We attended the Mother/Daughter dinner at the Moose Saturday night and Maya had great fun trying on sunglasses and hats!

Friends

Jack, Oscar and Maya enjoy an afternoon at the park! Jack is a great playmate for the two little ones. Oscar is a few months older than Maya and we were fortunate to meet his parents through our journey of adoption. Oscar is such a cool little guy and the kids have a great time at the park during our weekly outing!

Big Shoes to Fill

Maya loves shooozz (as she says) and if I tell her to bring me a pair of shoes, she can find a matching pair for me to help her put on. I find this pretty impressive for an 18 month old (and she's been doing it for 2 months now :) Although she loves her shoes, Jack's shoes are the bestest of all and she can put his blue Crocs on all by herself. Sometimes she wears them over her shoes and sometimes she takes her shoes off first. Here she is, helping Mommy clean the kitchen floor. She is such a big help!

Hello, Tooth Fairy

Jack lost his first tooth this morning after a week of wiggling the loose tooth. Yesterday, he told me he was sure the tooth would come out tomorrow and he was right! He came running out of his room first thing this morning, excitedly yelling that his tooth fell out! He woke up and felt something strange at his lip and reached in and it was his tooth! Painless...thank goodness...cause he was worried we'd need to pull it out!

Cake Walk

Maya enjoys the cupcake she won at the tea party and cake walk today at our Moose Lodge.

Hanging Out!

Russ Maya & Jack hanging out and Joshua hanging upside down!

Chopsticks

Meet the Muckdogs