School Bus and Kindergarten Thus Far

I just had to be the embarrassing Mom and snap a photo
of Tyler getting off the school bus for the first time!

We had originally planned to have Tyler take the bus to school until we found out that he would have to be at the bus stop at 6:38 am because we are at the southernmost boundary for our school!!!! Keep in mind that the kids don't have to be to school until 7:30 and classes start at 7:45. So Michael has been taking Tyler to school and walking him in this week. Michael's parents recently bought a house near us and are walking distance from Tyler's school. So on Monday through Wednesday Abuelito and Abuelita walk over to school and take Tyler back to their house for a few hours. Tyler has so much fun at their house that he is disappointed when we come pick him up. On Thursday and Friday Tyler is taking the bus home. The bus stops right outside our house and our neighbors get off at the same stop. A few of Tyler's classmates also ride the same bus.

 

We have asked Tyler a fair share of questions every day after school because getting answers out of him is like pulling teeth. Yesterday he told me exasperatedly, "Why are you asking me so many questions?" Tyler seems to be enjoying school so far and is getting to know the kids in his class (well, the boys anyway). This evening the parents got to hear about PTA, and the principal , office staff, and specialty teachers (music, art, PE) introduced themselves during an assembly. Then we got to go to Tyler's classroom and hear from his teacher about what to expect throughout the year. We sat at Tyler's normal spot and finally learned the names of the kids sitting at his table. I told the other parents we have been asking for names all week and they too have been asking the same thing without any luck. I think the kids are so overwhelmed with all the new information that it's hard to remember everything.

Big Week for Daphne

Unlike Tyler, Daphne does not
usually like to pose for photos.
She is also not a morning person!

This week has marked two big changes for Daphne. On Monday she moved up to a new preschool class (still at her same school). So far the transition has been pretty smooth because she gets to see one of her old teachers when I drop her off in the morning and because most of her old class also moved up to the new class. Being in her new class also seems to have renewed Daphne's interest in the potty, but I'm not getting my hopes up yet.

The second big change is that on Thursdays and Fridays she now gets me all to herself while Tyler is in kindergarten. She lived it up today- she sat in Tyler's spot at the table for breakfast and wore his sunglasses in the car. Today was also the start of her new gym class, which she loves. At lunch I asked Daphne if she missed Tyler or if she was enjoying having me all to herself and her answer was definitely having Mommy to herself. With all the big changes the kid have been fighting over me lately and I have to remind Tyler that when he was Daphne's age he had me all to himself.

1st Day of Kindergarten

Tyler's class is wearing name tags all this
week so everyone can learn names.

It is hard to believe that our little guy started kindergarten today. He had on an adorable collared shirt until PawPaw told him that he looked so handsome that all the girls would want to talk to him. Other than that, Tyler was excited and ready to go. Friday afternoon was 'Meet the Teacher' night and so we got to meet Tyler's teacher, visit his classroom, and drop off his school supplies. This morning Michael, Daphne, and I dropped Tyler off in the school cafeteria where he sat down in the line for his class and never gave us a second glance. Walking back to the car Daphne asked, "Where's Tyler?" Tyler said he had a good day but being a typical boy didn't divulge many details. We know there was play dough, reading, drawing their favorite food (Go-gurt, of course), and recess. Lunch was Tyler's favorite part of the day.

Visit from PawPaw

PawPaw came to town this weekend for a visit. We went bowling and visited the Thinkery while he was here.

We won't reveal any of our less-than-stellar
bowling scores but I will tell you that Daphne
came in 2nd using the ball positioner/ramp.

 

Forget you bouncy green donkey, I'm moving on to the red one!

Much better!

Climbing down the rocket ship at the Thinkery

Building an arena for Tyler's Lego monster trucks

Keeping Cool

The temperatures have been in the triple digits lately in the afternoon and so we kept it cool one morning recently at a splash pad. The splash pad was in the shade and the kids would actually get cold every so often and would then run over to the nearby playground to warm up before heading back in the water.

That is Tyler poking out of the middle fountain.

The kids, especially Daphne, loved climbing on this cannon.

Daphne and Grayson

Bathing suit optional; I'm not sure why, but
Daphne decided to take off her swimsuit.

Tyler, with James, loved this water feature the most.

James and Grayson

James and Tyler swinging and drawing out every last
minute we would let them play at the park

Farewell Pre-School

Tyler finished pre-school last week. Often when we pick him up from school, one or more of his friends will play the 'Tyler Don't Go!' game where they try to stop him from going home. If indoors they try to block the door and if outdoors they chase Tyler around the playground and try to capture him and hug him so he can't leave. This usually carries on until one of his teachers breaks it up. Unfortunately none of Tyler's classmates will be going to the same grade school as Tyler. I think Tyler is going to miss his pre-school and his friends.

On Tyler's last day of pre-school a bunch of his friends
barricaded the door in a final farewell.

New Rain Boots

I brought home new rain boots for the kids earlier this week and you would have thought they won the lottery. There was dancing, hugging, and tackling! Daphne has been wearing her boots out and about and even slept in them one night.

Really? I just got tackled by my little sister!

Miscellaneous L.A.

We spent a morning at the Zimmer Children's Museum, which had lots of fun interactive exhibits that the kids liked.

 

Dr. Daphne ready to give Tia Ludy
a check-up

Tyler played it safe in the ball pit and always checked to make sure it was clear below before jumping in from the boat:

 

 

Daphne, on the other hand, is a wild card (don't worry- she was fine):

Look Mom- I'm flying!

Our little pilots

Walking to dinner in West Hollywood

My new favorite crosswalks

Snuggling with Charlie and Tia Ludy

So exhausted on the flight home! I nodded
off shortly after along with Michael & Tyler.

Zuma Beach in Malibu

We enjoyed the drive along the Pacific Coast Highway on the way to Malibu. We had perfect weather for playing in the sand (low 70s) but the water was a little chilly for my liking. Tyler still enjoyed playing in the waves. When we first got to the beach Daphne went and sat down in the water's edge to play but got knocked over by the next wave. The tide is definitely a lot stronger on the Pacific than in the Gulf of Mexico! After that Daphne steered clear of the water but had a blast playing in the sand. Now Daphne says she is scared of the beach, but I know she just means the waves.

Maybe next time we'll have to let Tyler loose on a body board.

Michael, Ludy, and Tyler

Both kids wanted to be buried in the sand several times.

Michael tried to keep it easy for Daphne to escape.

Sand castle with moat

Douglas Park Splash Pad

This is the splash pad we thought we were heading to in Santa
Monica based on a website we found on splash pads.

This is the splash pad we found on our arrival. Apparently in
the off-season it doubles as a skateboarding rink. The first
photo was incorrectly shown with the park we went to.

Tyler and Daphne had a blast getting wet
and running in and out of the water.

Tyler kept getting wet and then running over
to Charlie to let him lick water off his body.

California ScienCenter

We headed to the California ScienCenter to check out the Space Shuttle Endeavor as well as the many other kid-friendly exhibits.

Ludy with airplane wings

Daphne taking flight in the wind simulator

The kids trying to fly

Space Shuttle Endeavor

Tyler was super excited to check out
one of the shuttle's engines up close

Daphne spread out on a bench underneath the tail end of the
shuttle and declared, "I'm just relaxing."

Downtown Disney

After an action-packed day at Disneyland, we spent a low-key afternoon in Downtown Disney. Tyler built his own remote-control car at Racemakerz. He got to pick out his car's frame, wheels, rims, and accessories. Once a few people are ready to build they lead you in some stretching exercises and then you use a fancy mechanic-style screwdriver to complete the car.

Tyler hard at work making his race car

Our little Hulk in the Lego store

Daphne built Super Puppy at Build-a-Bear Workshop. Of all the pre-made animals in the store, Daphne was most entranced by the My Little Ponies and bulldog on roller skates with leashes near the store's entrance. She pulled a few of them around the store before deciding she wanted to make a bulldog. Michael was relieved Daphne chose a dog because she was first drawn to a pink pony with a hot pink mane and crazy tutu on roller skates. With a little help from her aunts, Daphne ultimately dressed the dog in board shorts, a super hero shirt with cape, cowboy boots, roller skates, and a leash. Daphne named him Super Puppy. We let her pull him around Downtown Disney after she finished making him, which brought smiles to many people.

Performing the heart ceremony
before adding it to the inside of Super Puppy

Giving Super Puppy a bath after he was stuffed

 

Daddy, can I get a hog?

Disneyland

We spent our first day in California at Disneyland. We were there from 10 am to 10 pm, which was pretty impressive for the kids since we were still on central time (noon to midnight). They had such a good time and wanted to stay for the fireworks and so we did. Both kids were pretty wiped out the next morning. Tyler's favorite ride was the Mad Tea Party (aka the teacups), closely followed by the Astro Orbiter, and Daphne enjoyed the parade the most. Daphne is still too short for the more grown up rides. Although tall enough, the more grown up rides scared Tyler a little bit.

Susan, Tyler, Daphne, and Ludy in the minivan
on the way to Anaheim.

Tyler remembered the Astro Orbiter from our
visit last year and wanted to ride it first.

Susan and Michael in flight

Tyler shows us how he is going to drive his
car in Autopia. He couldn't reach the gas but
got to steer while Susan handled the gas pedal.

Toon Town. We are not sure why Roger Rabbit's Car Toon
Spin (shown in the back) is in the kiddie section. We
waited forever to ride it and it freaked out both Tyler and
Daphne because it was dark and had lots of things pop out.

 

 Above is a video clip of Tyler spinning a teacup

during his first ride with Michael and Ludy.

Daphne was so tired by late afternoon that she
actually agreed to ride in the backpack carrier
without a fight and took a much-needed siesta.

Relaxing on the Mark Twain Riverboat
while waiting for our Fast Pass slot for the
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

The whole gang. Daphne really liked Cinderella
Castle but didn't smile for our group photo.

Both kids were excited by the carousel.

Aw! A rare hug between the kids while waiting in line.

Tyler's second time on the teacups. He really enjoyed spinning
our teacup and Daphne giggled along with the rest of us.

It was appropriate that we all piled into the monkey car
on the Casey Jr. Circus Train.

It's hard to get Daphne to pose for photos,
especially when there is so much to look at!

Complete exhaustion on the short drive to the hotel