September 2013

Our weekend in Nevada City continued.  I don't know all the details but there's a private lake at Grandma Jo's house.  At first the idea of a lake scared me.  Once we got there, I didn't mind one bit.  It was like being at a zero entry pool with built in toys (rocks and sand).  We could all relax while the girls played.  Love!

We're a movie watching family.  We watch movies everywhere we go.  Movies while you travel = break time for grown ups.

Ella loves Crockett too.  It's my worse nightmare.  Ha!

AYSO soccer.  Ruby loved it.  She loved her playing with her friends.  She loved her purple uniform. She loved the Purple Unicorn name.  She loved that Adam was her coach.  I don't think she kicked a ball the entire season.  She loved it =)

We tried drop off and car pool at the start of the school year.  Both were easy but meant Ella was in the car extra time every day.  The morning wasn't a big deal but it mucked with her nap at pick up.  Our neighbors and some friends raved about the bus so we gave it a shot.  Ruby might just have loved the bus more than school.  And, it meant Ella could actually nap longer in the afternoon.  Win, win.

The next big milestone...Ruby lost her first tooth.  We knew it was coming.  The dentist showed me her X-ray and pointed out that the two bottom teeth were actually growing in without pushing out the baby teeth.  Apparently that is extremely common.  In many cases, the baby teeth need pulled.  In Ruby's case, they fell out.  

When the dentist showed us the loose tooth, I told Ruby she wasn't allowed to play with it.  I explained that I wanted one school picture with all her teeth.  Ruby laughed at me and played with her tooth.  Guess what?  It feel out the week before her Kindergarten school pictures.  

Thanks to a school friend, I knew the tooth fairy had lots of great ideas involving glitter, pictures and money (wink, wink).  I also had a great tooth pillow pinned on Pinterest.  I'm sure I pinned it months earlier anticipating the big day.  Too bad I didn't actually make or order it.  Luckily it was a day off so Ella and I got everything we needed and I made the pillow during nap time.  Tooth fairies are amazing.

Ella misses her sister while she's at school.  She loves to pick her up from the bus stop.  But, she also loves all her fun activities while Ruby is away.  She goes to the library, gymnastics, Tot Time, my school, etc.  For the first time in her life, she has her own social calendar.  Poor second kid =)

August 2013

Still trying to get caught up =)

We're lucky ducks.  Our great friend Scott (aka Uncle Scotty) has a beach house in Pajaro Dunes.  We go two weekends a year and love every single moment of it.  Last year, our great friend Carolyn (aka Grace...haha) bought a beach house in Sea Ranch.  It's a longer drive but is equally as beautiful and relaxing.  Like I said, lucky ducks.

The girls were up earlier than the rest of the house so we explored Gualala.  There's not much going on at 7 AM.  Donuts it was!

We go to the same bagel shop every Saturday after swimming.  We've been going for years.  The girls finally noticed the chocolate donut holes.  I tried to buy two.  They were three for some amount of money.  They each at one and then I surprised them with one to share when they were finished.  It's so easy to make kids happy.

My step sister got married in August.  Since Ohio is HOT in the summer, there were going to be a lot of grown up only activities and the wedding was four hours from where I grew up, my sister and I went to the wedding and left the girls and the boys (Adam and Uncle Kevin) behind.  I don't really miss Ohio but I do miss the people.  It was great hanging out with my dad, step mom and step brothers and sister, going to the wedding (GREAT fun) and seeing my friends.  Every time I visit Ohio, I like it.  Then I get back to California and I like it even more =)

While the cat's away, the mice will play.  Adam and the girls do just fine without me.

Ruby's school did an amazing job getting the incoming Kinders comfortable and ready.  There were play dates over the summer, an ice cream social and a meet 'n greet.  Unfortunately, I had to be back at school for the meet 'n greet so Adam took her.  Fortunately, it was the one and only thing I had to miss because of a conflict in our schedules.  She was so excited for school to start!

And finally...the big day...Ruby's first day of Kindergarten!  Thanks to my fabulous job share partner and schedule, I was able to be there for it.  Just like pre school, she didn't skip a beat.  She was in line and in the classroom without a care in the world.  It's kind of Ruby's style.  Plus, she's been in and around my school her entire life.  I hope she's always so excited about school.

We were lucky to get a visit from Adam's sister (aka Aunt Maria) for a night.  She lives in Michigan so we don't see her often.  That's about to change since she finished law school and is moving to LA.  Her daughter is also about to start school at UCSC.  We're already scheduled to see her later this month.  Ruby is tickled to meet her "big girl" cousin.  She hopes they can sleep in the same bed.  Poor Thura.  Hopefully she's a good sport.

We moved our annual block party to August this year so most people would be back from vacation.  As usual, it was great fun.

Date night!  Adam got tickets to see Chris Isaak.  I'm not that into him but am into wine and nights out.  I also like to know the back story on things so I was sneaking a peak at his Wikipedia page when he walked right up to me.  Woops!

Family photos for 2013.  Ella was not into it at all.  She was perfectly happy when she didn't have to sit with us, stand near us or hold our hand.  Thankfully photographers can capture a few good moments in between the two year old ones.

BTW, I hate having my picture taken.  I have as long as I can remember.  Someone told me I would regret not getting family photos when Ruby was a baby.  I do.  I wish I had gotten over myself and had some taken.  Blah.

Over Labor Day weekend, we went to visit Grandpa Tom and Grandma Jo.  The girls love Grandpa Tom...and his dog...and his swimming pool...and his big bath tub.