Birthday!

This is exactly how I wanted to celebrate turning 38 this weekend. Lucky me, a few friends wanted to tag along, too. It was a great day in Malibu spending time together on the beach. The sun, ocean, family, and good friends make me happy.

Tyler is so into boogie boarding! It's awesome watching him run into the water and catch the waves. Keeping my eye out for boogie boards on sale - we need at least a couple of our own.

Best picture of these two. Sandy, fun-filled faces:

Teenager Audrey caught sunbathing with phone in hand:

Ended the day with burgers and sweet potato fries at The Habit, put kids to bed, now binge watching 30 Rock. Big thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate! Pretty good way to get ready for 38.

The Week

Soccer season begins! Audrey has a bunch of friends on her team and even practices at our school - wahoo! Her coach is her friend Ava's dad, who played soccer all through college so hoping she learns a lot. She was excited for her first practice and I can tell she's already more confident, this being her second year.

Adam and the cub scouts - they all earned a bunch of award this summer.

Tyler's den planned a carnival for the rest of the troop and the little brothers and sisters. Tyler was in charge of the bean bag toss.

Our favorite was the pie toss... for obvious reasons:

Michalle and Toby invited Cole to this super cute class at the community center. It's called Icky, Wicky, Sticky Time and is basically making goo or slime, sand dough or whatever else they can find on pinterest. Only $5 and the teacher was great. I'm sure we'll go again.

First field trip with preschool to McDonalds.

I'm happy to hang with this cutie - my last year of preschool field trips.

Speaking of school, I also loved Back to School Night at Tyler and Audrey's school. Their teachers seem great. Excited for the year ahead.

So glad it's Friday! Spent the afternoon at the pool with great friends, pizza, and swimming into the evening. It's sooo hot!

I kicked off my birthday earlier this week with friends and yummy treats at Becky's hot tub. Happy to keep celebrating tomorrow at the beach. Nice to have a weekend off!

Photos This Week

Last Aquatic Center trip. We swam a couple times this week and it was so nice. Even though we're back in school, summer isn't over yet.

Shakespeare in Griffith Park has been on my summer to-do list for a few years now and we finally went. So worth it - it's free, and you bring a picnic. So relaxing and in a neat part of Griffith Park I hadn't been to before, the old zoo. The show was great - Much Ado About Nothing. They do two each summer. It will be a yearly summer date night for sure.

First Tuesday just me and my little guy while the big kids were at school. We went to feed the ducks, geese, and turtles:

These three are little buddies after school - Baylee, Ivy, and Cole. Their moms and I trade carpool, so they eat lunch together every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Our church threw an awesome Luau last night. The kids and I went (Adam is working super duper hard on shooting a trailer for a show pitch he has, and he's using some great kid actors - he's excited about it and we are proud of him). The Luau was so much fun, made me miss Hawaii and want to go back! Face painting, crafts, delicious food, hula dancers, music, a fire dancer at the end was a big hit with my kids, and of course wonderful friends.

These three beauties are great friends:

Fun in the photo booth. Smiling shot:

Silly shot:

I finished out Ladybug for the summer, now looking forward to a few weeks off before the fall. Some crazy stuff going on with our house, but trying to see the adventure of it all - hopefully leads to buying our first home. And my birthday is this week! Want to grab a few relaxing days with my family.

First Day of Preschool!!!

Oh man Cole and I have been waiting for this day since pretty much Spring Break of last school year. I love my time home with him, but this guy is ready for school. Today was the big day. Cutest smile:

 And these are a few of the faces I have to get through before I get the smile. They are all so Cole.

He got a little nervous when Tyler and Audrey left for school this morning, but when we pulled up to Grandma K's house and Petey the Penguin was sitting in her front window to welcome the kids Cole got soooo excited and ran right in. He let me grab one more photo before a quick hug goodbye. I think he had a great day, and I'm excited to see how much he grows this year. My sweet boy....

First Day!

We made it! Kids were nervous for the first day of school until yesterday when we went to the ice-cream social orientation. They saw all their friends and teachers, and got super excited.

Audrey's in 2nd grade with Mrs. Forbes and a class full of good friends.

Tyler's in 4th grade (!!!!) with Mrs. Carmichael, and awesome red shoes. Kids are happy with both their teachers.

Cole had to jump in of course (with blankie). He starts preschool Monday.

Tyler's best playground buddies reunited. He and Kaiden are in class together again.

Audrey has the cutest friends ever. If I posted all the pictures it would be a collage of cute little girls, plus all good friends to boot! Ava and Audrey are happy to be in class together for the third year in a row. Hopefully Ellie and Audrey will find each other on the playground now that Ellie's in first grade.

 

Cole contemplating life after dropping big kids off. I'm daydreaming about life after Monday, when I get a few hours to myself after the past almost-four years home with him. Nails and Trader Joe's alone are on my list of to-dos. Or a movie! What's the first showing of the day?

Just the three of us after drop off. Classic Cole face.

Afterward Adam, Cole and I treated ourselves to celebratory breakfast at Panera Bread. I had big plans to clean my house, but I think my brain has turned to mush. Maybe I'll be more productive next week.

 *After school update - they both came home smiling, telling all sorts of stories about friends and how nice their teachers are. Success!

Summer Break's Last Hurrah

Last free day before school starts on Thursday. Went straight to the beach! Gorgeous day for it.

So happy Adam was off.

Borrowed Brooke's boogie boards and they were a big hit - especially for Tyler.

My favorite little almost-preschooler!

Sun tanning boys:

Kite flying!

Lots and lots of playing.

The beach is such a happy place with these four. Had a late dinner at Sharkey's, then drove home. Great way to spend one of our last vacation days.