Fancy Day

Sending Sydney off to kindergarten for the first time this past fall was a lot harder than I anticipated it was going to be. I was so unsure of sending her out into 'the world' without me around or without people I knew around. It was really one of those times, one I am sure I will have a lot more of, when I have to just trust in the girl God has created her to be. Trust that she will love others, forgive others, invite others, observe first, think first and know no matter what she is loved and accepted just as she is.
Over and over again I have kicked myself for doubting that she was going to be just fine in her class. She has the greatest teacher who treats his students with love, respect and individuality. We are so lucky that she has Greg for a teacher.
This past week Greg invited the class to an 'All things Fancy Day'. I love that this was his idea and that he was the one organizing it. Stella and I were able to be in the classroom as helpers all day.
We all were fancy!

Sydney really wanted Stella her and ME to wear our wedding dresses. Sydney begged and pleated for me to PLEASE PLEASE wear my wedding dress. I did not win the mom of the year award this round. They decided to wear fancy dress ups. Phew!
Sydney told me the Greg was even going to wear a 'Torpedo'.

 They had extra fancy crowns to wear the whole day, decorated with jewels, feathers and sparkles.

 At snack time they had extra fancy sparkly juice.  Ooo Laa Laa were they ever feeling fancy. I heard so many sweet things throughout the day. One girl said, " Fancy day is just so special my eyes are getting wet."  All the kids were on their best behavior and used french words and wonderful manners. I loved serving them drinks and receiving a, 'mercep bokoop'.

 This boy just kills me. His personality fits this look to a T!

 Stella loved being a kindergartner for the day. All the kids invited her in like she was part of the class.

 They had special letterhead paper with their name printed extra fancy at the top. They even went on a small parade to the principles office and sang the office staff a beautiful song.

I am so thankful for the school our girls get to go to. So thankful for the thought and preparation Greg puts in to helping shape our precious kids. And I am thankful that I got to be a part of the fanciest day of the year!

Sydney- "What can we do with all these clothes pins?

Me- "Hmm, lets see how many we can put on our face?"

Sydney- " Yea! FUN!"

Sydney

Sydney loves to write. She writes notes on large pieces of paper, on small scraps. We find them all over the house. Taped to the wall, the fridge, on the bookshelf, under the table, etc.
She also loves to make cards for others. This was a card she made for a friend .We missed his birthday party. She has not forgotten that we missed it. It was in January. So, she wrote a letter to Khenya , his sister.
She wrote this all by herself. Love reading the thoughts in her head.

Hwy 1 turn-offs

This spring and summer, I want to drive north on the 1 and explore all the little turn-offs. Each of them lead to an adventure waiting to be found. They are so close and I am sure each beautifully different.

 This day it was WINDY!!! So windy that we weren't able to stay and explore. It practically blew Stella over.

 

We will have to come back on a less windy day. Lots of beach to comb and rocks to explore.

Another day we went with my dear friend Suzy and her kids. They love an adventure as much as we do. So they were up for finding a new place too.
This turn- off had a fun sand dune down to the beach. Steep, sandy, fast, and screaming. Perfect!

 

 

The views were beautiful. There was an inlet that led to hours of imaginary play and exploration.

 

 

 

We are so blessed to be able to live so close to so many beautiful places. Each new beach we have gone to have brought a sigh of peace and thankfulness. Till the next hwy 1 turn- off adventure!

Insta-gram Monday- ish

We love this climbing structure at a near by park. 

We explored a river that has this sweet pour over. It felt like a true fall day. The wind was blowing and it was a bit brisk. Funny, now that it is weeks away from spring.

Since it was feeling 'colder' outside, I decided to have a campfire with some friends in the afternoon. Afternoon s'mores are the best!

Then the weekend came and it was 'summer' temps out. We hit the beach on Saturday. ALL DAY! It was great. Great company, hot sun, and lots of playing in the sand and waves.

Everyone except Stella had our first bout with poison oak this week. It is horrible. So itchy, blistery, oozy, just GROSS! OK, enough about that.

One day after lunch we heard a strange noise in our neighborhood. So as any 6 and 3 year old would, we went on a 'mystery solving hunt'. Stella made sure to wear her special mystery solving glasses and magnifying glass and Sydney had her cape and hard hat on. That was no one would know who they were. They were under cover.

It was a great week, minus the poison oak. Lots of playing outside soaking up all that is around us.

love

Stella- "I love you more than the whole wolwold."
Sydney- " I love you more than the whole university."

Insta-gram Monday

I missed last weeks Insta-gram Monday. So,this week is a double whammy. 

Valentines cards made by Nate. "I mustache you a question? Will you be my Valentine?" Very clever. We loved it.

Stella's first Valentines party at her preschool.

Car wash fun.

Do you remember these. I loved these as a kid. We had one night of fun with them due to STRONG chemical fumes from the bloonie. More like Bloonie make you Crazy.

This was posted at one of the Malls in San Jose. Thought it was so funny and can only imagine the state of the economy in the NW if this existed in the Malls there.

 The girls are loving piggy back rides. It helps when your big sister is a lot bigger than you. This is Stella's form of transportation quite often.

 While both girls were in school one morning, Nate and I were able to go on a little date. Coffee and a stroll along west cliff. I love my husband!

 The girls and I drove up Highway 1 on Saturday and stopped at a super windy beach to have lunch. Popped up the back of the car and had lunch in the back. It was perfect.

 Beach treasures

Happy Monday!