Random, random and SWIMMING...again

Way back in August a monumental thing occurred.  Something that I do not want to forget, and will be faced with for the next 5 years or so.  Yet, I forgot to put it in this, my family journal.  So I guess it's time I brought everyone up to speed.  In August, the end of August my two wonderful children were entertaining themselves in the bath which they love to do.  While I was getting Kayda dried off and dressed I heard a "bang" and suddenly had a screaming little boy.  So I stood Kayda up out of the way and rushed over.  Dillon had chipped his tooth, his front tooth, on the drain lever thing.  Of course I didn't know if there was something I should do so what do I do?  I call Grandma G, she's my mom so of course that's where I'll go but I was being somewhat logical in that she used to be a dental hygienist.  Since I couldn't tell if there was a nerve exposed Grandma and Papa G came over around 9 pm (late for them) to check on the little munchkin.  Fortunately the nerve is still safely tucked away inside his tooth.  We went to the dentist the next day to see if they could smooth it off at all.  Unfortunately Dillon wouldn't cooperate so it will wear itself down with time. So for the next 5-6 years he will have a chipped front tooth.  Charming isn't it? 

 

Now for more recent events.  Yesterday Daddy was mowing the lawn.  I was back with kiddos in the "eventually will be a nursery again" room, which we recently repainted and moved a bed into (the kids are FASCINATED) with that room now.  I heard Daddy yelling so I went out and what did he need to show me?

Our best guess is that a rock was kicked up by the lawn mower.  If you look carefully you can see where all the cracks started just a few inches from the handle.  The kids thought it was pretty cool so we sat and looked at it.  As we watched we could hear the glass crackling and see, right before our very eyes, new cracks forming.  Fortunately it just shattered the one pane of glass.  Here's Daddy taking it down.

So we now have another lovely, unexpected job, that goes along with being a home owner.  Considering it's starting to get chilly we'd better get it done quick!

Now on to the fun stuff.  Today is the second to last swim lesson with Kyoko.  The kids have loved it!  I'll probably end up with a few more pictures Wednesday since it's "safety day"  but I'll overload you again then!

 Launching for a front glide. 

 Attempting to roll over onto her back from a front glide.  It was a new skill for the class and neither Kayda nor Dillon were able to figure it out.  Kayda kept trying to roll over as she was pushing off the table like you see below.

 What a lovely front glide!

 Kayda's the blurr on the right under the water.

 Barbells!

 It looks like Kayda and Brianna are sharing a secret or something.  The were kicking and randomly looked over at each other at the exact same time, then looked away at the exact same time. 

 Dillon was rolling the barbell on the top of the water, he did this for a good couple of minutes waiting for his turn.

 Jumping!  No fear!  Of course it's great form, looks like she's going for a dive, just to land on her back! They are trying to learn to jump in, push off the bottom and move into a back float.  She goes straight from the air to her back float.

 High fives!  The kiddos get a kick out of this, they "miss" several times then when the get a good high five Kyoko goes flying backwards into the water.

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: