Countdown to Kindergarten

Preschool ended a few weeks ago, but I still wanted to share some photos from Anna's last week. She loved preschool and looked forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays for the past year and a half. Last year she was in the Pooh Bears class, and this year she was a Cute Kitten. On the last day of school we took a picture with all of her teachers. She also celebrated her birthday at school on clown day - hence the pictures with her face painted.







Top 10 things Anna loved about preschool:

1. The monkey bars
2. Field trips! To the dentist, the grocery store, the nature preserve, the pizzeria, etc.
3. The share can
4. Taking home the class mascot, Pepper the cat
5. Painting. Lots of finger painting.
6. The Halloween, Christmas, and Easter parades.
7. Special teachers who love their students.
8. Being special helper.
9. Lunch bunch (staying after school for lunch once a week - which Anna begged for every day)
10. Time away from the twins to make new friends


Adam and Isabel are signed up for the Fall, and the teachers already know who they are since they were always there for Anna's drop off and pick up. The first thing Isabel asked on her birthday this week was, "Are we going to school today?" Now that they are three, they can't wait.

California Girl

Anna danced in her first recital today! We weren't allowed to video tape or take pictures inside but I have some of the rehearsals so I'll try to upload a clip soon. She did great and remembered most of the dance, which was to the Beach Boys, "California Girls."

Swimming Superstars

The kids have been taking swim lessons for the past month or so. They loved it and I hope they will be able to take more lessons before the end of the summer.

Anna can swim pretty well unassisted now, and can swim the long length of a pool. She can also float on her back and is starting to learn to use the correct swimming strokes. And Adam and Isabel have come pretty far too. Plus, the lessons gave them a jump start on their summer tans. I'm jealous - I was in the sun during every lesson too, but no tan for me. Here are some pictures...

Mommy

Today was Anna's last day of preschool. She's getting so big lately, it almost breaks my heart. I was looking through the big folder of stuff her teacher sent home, and this put me over the edge. What a cutie.



She's got it right - being a Mommy is the best thing in the world!

When I get big I want to play an Angels game

Ben and Grandpa Butch took Adam to his first major league baseball game last week. Ben held the camera, which means all of the pictures are of Adam and his Grandpa. I love them though - you can tell they have a special bond.

From what I heard Adam spent most of the game eating popcorn, but I guess it had an impact since the next day he said, "Mom, when I get big I want to play an Angels game."

So Long Diapers

I am pleased to announce that after 4.5 straight years of purchasing diapers, our household is currently diaper free!

We potty trained Adam a few weeks ago, the last of the bunch. His 16-year-old self would hate me for posting this picture, but I'm gonna do it anyway.

How to Smile With Your Whole Face

Making the Blog Private

I know, I hardly ever update our blog anymore anyway - but I decided it is time to make it private to invited readers only. You find the blog when you do a Google search for my name and I need to make my personal and professional life more separate.

So when you get a chance, send me an email (acarland at hotmail dot com) or leave a comment here with your email address if you want to read our blog. Don't be shy, even if you are a lurker :). I probably won't make it private for at least a few weeks.

And I'll try to update more often!!

Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Anna has a present for you...






She is such a delicate little flower.

Hello out there

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I updated the blog. We moved, and that always puts a kink into things. We've been doing all kinds of Spring Break things lately - Disneyland, the Zoo, trip to IKEA, playing outside, etc.

Work is busy, kids are cute, life is good. Still amazed at how fast time is going by - the kids birthdays are coming in a few months and I'll have a FIVE YEAR OLD. Crazy. So, until I find the camera cords and get back into blogging mode, here are some impromptu pictures John took of us a few months ago at a family party.