First Day of School

Our annual First Day of School photos were big this year with both boys officially in elementary school: Holden in 2nd Grade and Riley in kindergarten.


Riley is in the same kindergarten room at Washington Elementary that Holden had, but he is in the morning with Mrs. Bader. We were doing pretty good, until it got close to the time for us to leave. I knew when the fingers went in his ears he was feeling overwhelmed. When we left, and came back to check on him a few times, he was the only kid off to the side not participating in the songs. Just hoping things settle down in the next few days.
On the other hand, Holden's first day was off to a great start. He knows half the kids in his class and his teacher, Mrs. Frank, who is right next door to his first grade class. His best bud Owen is with him and they seemed happy.

Palm Springs End o' Summer Hurrah

We needed a summer getaway, since summer was getting away from us - fast! Because Kevin and I took a vacation without the kids, we thought we should at least have a min-trip with the kiddos before school starts. Despite 100+ temps in Palm Springs, we figured it would be a good, cheap adventure with the one thing the kids want most: hotel swimming pool.

Our trip began at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up San Jacinto. Riley was pretty scared, especially when the gondola swung as it passed by the towers. We were up on top for a few hours and he kept repeating how he wasn't going to take the Tramway back down. Too bad, sucka. None of us were gonna hike down 11 miles with him.

We grabbed a mediocre, expensive pizza slice lunch at the cafe and set out on a hike. The weather was beautiful and the we got a good dose of forest, which is such a wonderful smell.




About half-way through, Holden and Kevin climbed up some rocks for a better view, leaving Riley and I in a beautiful spot, overlooking the desert, to chat.... about how babies grow inside their mommies and how we'll still love each other when we die. Good times.

An Elephant, A Donkey and A Turtle: Riley's 5th Birthday Party

For Riley's 5th birthday, he opted for a "small" party now and a trip to Legoland later. For us, a half-dozen families is small. Riley just wanted a few special friends, some games, a pinata (which he still pronounces "pinyada") and, of course, cake.
We ordered pizzas and let Costco do the rest. Carly and Hallie:
Vanessa and Dylan:
We played a sponge water relay game that the kids really got into. Lots of running and lots of smiles:
Lorraine (Carly's sister):
Carly and Brenny were neck-in-neck:






Riley really wanted an elephant pinata, but that wasn't in the cards. He thought the turtle was a great substitute:



Evan giving it all he's got:


Owen did some serious damage to that turtle:
Kevin got a little help:


It was like a repeat of Holden's birthday - Riley wasn't fast and thought he didn't get very much. Then big brother Holden came to the rescue.
Another fabulous Jami creation just for the Ra:





Riley and Grandma Bonnie had a quick confab:

After the presents were opened, the kids all went for it and had a great time playing really well together: