Soccer days

Both Mia and Luke are playing soccer this fall.

Luke is playing through NVYSL, and has practice two evenings a week and a game every Saturday.  Mia is playing through Kidz Love Soccer one evening a week immediately following Luke's practice.  She has been asking to play for quite a while now and is so, so happy to be playing.  Every time we drive past the field where she practices, she says, "Mommy, look, that's where I play soccer!  Can I play today?"

Needless to say, we spend a lot of time at the soccer field!

Luke watching Mia practice

 and Mia watching Luke.

Soccer player Mia on her first day of practice

Mia's first dental appointment

Mia visited Dr. Weatherholt today for her first dentist appointment.  We set it up to be a visit where she could just get comfortable being there and sitting in the chair - Dr. Weatherholt would meet her, count her teeth, and give her a prize.  We had also decided that if she did well that they would just go ahead and do her first cleaning.

Well, she did great!  Thanks to Luke for talking it up (when I told him that I was taking her to the dentist after I dropped him at school he said, "Awww, when do I get to go see Dr. Weatherholt?  I want to go!"  Umm, O-kay - huh?), Mia was excited to go and happily sat to have her teeth counted and cleaned.

As of today, she has 16 teeth.  Yes, that means that 4 are "missing" - those 2 year molars are not yet in.  Maybe sometime before she turns 3?  Dr. Weatherholt did not see anything just under the gum line, so we may have some more time before they make their appearance.

Everything looks very healthy and I was so proud (but not really surprised given her personality) how well she did.

A boy and his dog

I picked Brooklyn up from the dog laundry and brought her with me to pick Luke up from school.  He was so thrilled to have his dog ride home with him, and I think that Brooklyn liked it too.  She seems to enjoy riding along in the car.  Made me think that I should just bring her with me more often.

Two of the sweetest beings I know

Earthquakes!

We met up with the Moores and took the kids to their first San Jose Earthquakes game this weekend.

Yet again, our children's love for sporting events seems to be directly correlated to the amount of cotton candy that they consume.

Luke and Bailey

Just your average Saturday

Buzz Lightyear reads to Mia

Mia's fashion decisions go unmonitored

First week

Luke loved, loved, LOVED his first full week of Kindergarten.

Such a happy little guy.

Turning in for some sleep after a few early mornings (that none of us are quite used to!).

Mia's first day of preschool

Mia started at Mandala Children's House today.  She has been going two days a week over the summer for their summer school program, but today was her first "official" school day in her class for the year.

Since Luke was in their Early Preschool, they have split that class into two:  one for children who are just 2 years old (Cocoons) for two days a week, and one for children who are 2 years + 9 months as of September 1st (Caterpillars).  Mia is just on the cusp, but after attending their summer school program it was apparent that she is completely ready to be a Caterpillar (which means that she attends 3 mornings a week). 

The teachers in her classroom are Miss Denise (Luke's EPS teacher), Miss Tabatha (who Luke had when he was 3), and Miss Sharada (Luke's teacher from last year).  Mia is very lucky - what a wonderful team of teachers.

 

Girl time!

Starbucks date with my girl



Along with a new school year comes...

... SOCCER!

This is Luke's first year playing in a league.  Previously, he has taken weekly soccer classes where they played mock games, but this will be the first time he will play regular games against other teams.

He is on a U6 team through NVYSL, and his team's name is the Sonicks (yes, with a "k" ... I have no idea).  They practice two afternoons a week and have games every Saturday.

The soccer player's sister ... patiently watching the game and waiting for her turn to play

Paw's 60th Birthday

Happy Birthday to one of our favorite guys!

 

We celebrated Paw with a little pre-party at our house that included our favorite parts of any party:  cake and presents.

Very excited to present the cake

 

Paw had a car-themed party this year.  Not only did he have a car cake, but he also bought himself a car (not sure if that was actually FOR his birthday, but it arrived just in time for it), so we bought him some accessories for his new car, and Uncle Todd bought him a crazy-fast adult remote control car.

 

We love you and couldn't ask for a better Paw!

 

 

The Kindergartner

Hard to believe that our baby boy is starting Kindergarten.  We know he's ready.  We know how smart he is.  We know he will do well.  We feel completely confident in the choice of school that we've made for him.  Still, it's hard to believe (and a bit nerve-wracking ... for me!).

I can't say enough good things about St. Martin's.  After touring nearly 25 schools, there really was no question about where we wanted him to go.  From the first morning that I stepped onto the campus, I knew that there was something special about it.  It was joyful.  Kids wanted to be there; loved being there.  It was organized, yet students were engaged in learning, not just sitting in desks listening.  Teachers were nurturing and loving.  They believe in educating the whole child, thus offering Spanish, art, music/band, P.E., technology with specialized teachers.  It had a "feeling" about it, sort of the same way that Mandala (Luke's, and now Mia's, preschool) does.  And so I knew.  We put all of our eggs in the St. Martin's basket and just hoped that we would get lucky.  I can't tell you how relieved and overjoyed I was the day that that letter arrived in the mail to learn that Luke, and someday Mia, would be able to attend there.  I'm telling you, if this is what elementary school is like, I dread the day that we have to apply for high school and college (ugh!).

Our excited Kindergartner on his first day, with his Robot backpack and lunch bag, and sporting his new green shoes that match his uniform

St. Martin's has one class per grade, and Kindergarten has two full time teachers (as well as two aides):  Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Lawrence. 

Mrs. Anderson taking Luke in on the first day

In front of the school

I'm pleased to report that although slightly teary, I did not cry.  However, that might be due in part to the fact that the scene in front of the kindergarten classroom was like something out of a comedy skit.  Literally, it was like paparazzi with all of the parents trying to get a peek, and then a photo, of their child inside the classroom.  Finally, the teachers came out and asked us all to leave! :)

Luke had a great first day - he loved it!  We are so proud of our big boy and his new endeavor!

Luke the Builder

Luke loves his legos.  He received several sets for his birthday and has been busy ever since.  After about a week of practice with us helping him to follow the instructions, he was able to build every set he has on his own.