Disneyland Countdown Chains

Daddy did awesome at work so he got a bonus which means WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!  We're all super excited.  Especially the kiddos.  Kayda is very excited to sleep in a castle (the hotel we're staying in looks like one) and meet Belle.  Dillon is hoping to see Lightening McQueen though I'm not sure that they have him there.  He'll love the Buzz Lightyear ride even if he doens't see Lightening McQueen.  We picked up a couple of umbrella strollers because they're easier to lug around than our huge double stroller and they are one of the things the kids are most excited about.  Grandma G is going to be coming down with us and we are going to visit my family in Bakersfield again.  Since the kids are so excited for this trip I decided to make "Disneyland countdown chains".  Here they are!

Unfortunately they're not smiling, that one came out blurry and the rest are silly faces with their tongues sticking out but they ARE excited believe me!

Kayda's First Day of Preschool!

Kayda's preschool class started today.  She was very excited to wear her new school clothes.  It was a little difficult getting her ready this morning because Dillon was sick.  Fortunately Grandma G was able to come over and snuggle with him while I brought Kayda to school.  Before we left Grandma G got Kayda all excited about taking pictures out in the front yard.  Kayda bounced around from plant to plant posing for pictures.  She kept asking "Go to school now?"

Finally it was time to go so we loaded in the car.  Now Kentridge is all of 10 minutes away and all she could say was "Are we at my school yet?"  She was SO excited!  When we got there Daddy was waiting for us, he worked around a hearing in Seattle so that he could be there for her first day.  What a great dad! When she got out of the car she started dancing all over the place, before we even went in the building!

In front of the preschool is a little outdoor play area, she entertained herself while we waited for the doors to open.

Walking in...

They had a little scavenger hunt for the kids to find important things around the room.  She thoroughly enjoyed collecting the stickers from each place.

Very first day and she gets to be "line leader".  She told me about it when she got home.  She apparently got to have everyone line up behind her to go to the playground for outside time.  She even had Grandma G, Dillon and I line up behind her when we were going outside at Grandma's house.

Decorating her name tag.  She only wanted to decorate ONE side though. 

Here she is on the "magic rope".  They line up along that wall, we grab their art for the day and then we head home.  She loved it and it very excited to go back.  She says she made some friends but she can't remember their names.  Maybe that will change on Thursday.

Play Time Pals for Dillon!

Since Kayda has such a busy schedule I decided to find something for Dillon to do. I was fortunate enough to find a program called "Play time pals" for kids 20-36mo on Thursdays while Kayda's in preschool! So Dillon gets some special play time hurray! Kayda starts preschool next week but Dillon's class started today. I get to stay and play with him so I got lots of pictures, they played with toys, sang, did art (today it was placemats which they laminated for the kids), had snack and played outside. All in 1.5 hours! Dillon loved it and is excited to go again next week. Kudos to him: we didn't have a single problem with him sharing or following directions!

Making his placemat:

Circle/singing time:

Dillon and his teachers, Kathy on the left, Peggy on the right.

Outside time:

Yes there are MORE swim lessons

Today we started swim lessons back over at Lindbergh pool. Still weird being there as a patron despite the fact it has been four years since I've worked there. We got signed up with Kyoko which I'm super excited about because she's an awesome teacher. This was Dillon's first ever swim lesson that didn't require Mommy or Daddy or Grandma in the water with him (mostly Mommy). I'm glad to be done with that part, I've pushed him as far as he's willing to let me. Kyoko is gone this week so they swam with Nicole (another old coworker). The kids had a great time! I was very impressed with how well Dillon was listening to the directions and taking turns. It's nothing new for Kayda but it's a whole new experience for him!

Nicole was having the kids "hide their ears" as Kayda is demonstrating in the background. When she first introduced it Dillon complied by putting his hands directly over his ears...well, he hid his ears! He upgraded to the position he is in below. Arms covering his ears and hands spread wide.

Kayda's turn but Dillon is still ready to go! Kayda's got this move down for sure!
Dillon's kicks are a little less dramatic.

Floating, Kayda did a great job, it's fun to watch her because she thinks her legs should be spread out like her arms.

At first Dillon thought he needed his mouth open to look back at Nicole.

He learned quickly. Of course as soon as he closed his mouth he thought he should be kicking.

It was really nice to be able to actually watch Kayda AND Dillon swim. I've been swimming with Dillon all summer and Grandma or Daddy have come to swim with him a couple of times so I could watch Kayda but even then I was going back and forth to watch both. Now that they're in the same class I can actually sit and absorb their awesomeness. Be prepared for more swimming pictures and videos. They'll be in classes from here on out and since they're in someone else's care it's prime picture taking time!