Fall is here

Fall:  my favorite time of the year.  So, I can't resist making sure that we get out to pick pumpkins and apples, regardless of the fact that California weather hardly is cooperative (I'm thinking sweaters, crisp air, cider ... and it is usually about 80 degrees around here).  This year was no different, but we did try a new location (Clearview Orchards) that offered organic apples and pumpkins.

Lots of photos on this post because I can't choose just a couple.

Scarecrow faces

Apple Cider pops

Fun Horse swings made out of tires

Mia loved "reading" with this little girl statue

Apple picking

Taste testing

Selecting pumpkins

The best we could do for a family photo

A fun fall day!

Sold!

Very exciting news this week - we closed on a piece of land where we will build a new home!

As many know, we have been keeping our eyes open for a potential new home for a while now.  After a few different opportunities that fell through, one with a new construction and another with a large piece of land, we are so excited that we have found the perfect spot for our new house.

We celebrated tonight with our friends who also represented us in the real estate transaction, Ellen and Gary.  They surprised us with a sushi dinner celebration on the lot.  The kids had a great time running around as we sipped champagne and toasted to the next step.

So excited for this new adventure for our family!

Mommy's Birthday

The kids treated me to a very special birthday celebration this year.  We celebrated on my real birthday and then had an adults-only night out the following night.

My favorite part of the evening might have been my card from Luke.  Clearly he has a good understanding of my likes and preferences based on the stickers he used to decorate the card (which he got from my mom ... and might tell you a bit about what she likes also!).

 Special art projects were presented.

And candles were blown out on a gluten free cake that Luke could enjoy with us.

A New Year of Dance

Mia started dance class at a new studio this year.  As much as we loved Studio 10 last year, we were not able to return because they were no longer offering Mia's class time and the other class time conflicted with Luke's soccer practice.

So, I went on the hunt for a new dance studio and discovered Dance Theater International (DTI).  Although they do offer other dance forms, their main focus seems to be on ballet technique.  Given that Ballet is the foundation for all dance forms, I decided that this would be a good place for Mia to be if she is to start out taking just one class per week.

Miss Alyssa, Mia's ballet teacher, is wonderful with the girls.  I think it's going to be a great year of dance for Mia.

Lego KidsFest

Lego KidsFest came to San Jose this past weekend.  Obviously, given Luke's love for Legos, we had to go.

It was actually pretty impressive and entertaining for all of us.  The kids participated in nearly all of the exhibits and loved seeing the life-sized Lego creations.

With Lightning McQueen

With Buzz and Woody 

Mia shows off her Lego art

Our Little Lady the Ladybug

Mia attended summer school at her preschool in July, but we opted for her to continue in the Early Preschool (Caterpillar) class for the summer.  However, the time has come for her to move on up to the "big girl" (Ladybug) class.  It is a larger class in a larger room for 3 and 4 year olds, but still meets just three mornings per week.  She is excited about this new endeavor, but a bit tentative about leaving her beloved Miss Sharada behind in the Early Preschool.  Needless to say, Mia will have another amazing team of teachers this year in her new classroom, and will be placed in Miss Veronica's small group, which Michael and I feel is a great match for Mia.

Here she is on her first day!  

Happy first day, little Ladybug!

Happy Birthday, Paw!

Helping Paw celebrate his birthday at his favorite place:  La Milpa!