Serafina starts soccer

Serafina had her first soccer practice today.  She was nervous about it, but she knows lots of girls on her team and the coaches are very nice.  She's playing with mostly second graders since the league creates the divisions by birth year instead of school year.  

She was also worried because she hasn't played before but she caught on quickly and declared at the end of practice that it was actually fun.  

 The coaches handed out the jerseys and after a bit of discussion, the girls decided they will be the Green Gators.

Magical Bridge playground

This weekend was Tom's annual backpack trip.  The kids took turns staying with Nana and today we all went to the Magical Bridge playground so we didn't all drive each other crazy.  The Magical Bridge playground is an inclusive playground intended for kids of all physical and cognitive abilities.  

My kids just thought it was super fun.  

First Tap class

Serafina has aged out of the combo classes at the dance studio.  She decided to take a class that is exclusively tap and she really liked the first day.  She's the youngest in the class (I know because she technically isn't old enough to be in the class but they let her in because she has plenty of experience) but she is still one of the tallest.  

Hip Hop Class

Serafina enjoyed Hip Hop Camp so much this summer that she is taking the weekly class this year.  She really enjoyed her first day and there are some familiar faces from the camp.  

Sunday Funday in the pool

Farewell Julia!

Our beloved neighbor Julia is leaving for college tomorrow.  She is a track star and will be attending UC Davis, which isn't too far away.  But we won't be seeing her as much as we are used to and the kids really adore her.  We stopped over this evening for one last picture.  

 Julia was Leo's age when we moved into this house.  She's been a friend and a mother's helper and a babysitter over the years.

Here's an oldie but goodie.  Halloween 2008 - Julia, Leo and Colleen (Julia's little sister).  

Second day of school

First Day of School - First and Third Grade

 The first day of school!  It's bittersweet, of course, because I love our lazy summer mornings and setting out on adventures.  But my kids benefit from the structure of the school day and I benefit from having them out of my hair.

 "Look excited for the first day!"

Oh lordy, our yard needs work.  It will eventually get done but our focus has been the inside of the house.  It was the end of August last year that we moved into the apartment for the remodel.

 Getting ready to leave this morning was so easy - no nagging, no yelling, no arguing.  It was amazing and I'm sure it will never happen like that again.

 Leo is in a 2nd grade/3rd grade combo class.  It's a small class with a very good teacher.  I think it will take a little getting used to, but I'm hopeful that he will enjoy it and do well.  He knows several kids in the class (both 3rd graders and 2nd graders) and he said he had a good first day.

While I was getting Leo settled in 3rd grade, Tom was in charge of getting Serafina to her first grade class.  Here they are lined up to go inside.  Looks like she might be the tallest kid once again.  

Serafina's teacher, Mrs. Moriarty, moved from third grade to first grade this year.  Last year, Mrs. Moriarty's third graders were Serafina's kindergarden reading buddies so she knows Mrs. Moriarty from the weekly visits to her classroom.  

A beach day with the Aldana girls

The kids go back to school on Wednesday (hallelujah) so we have to squeeze in some last minute summer fun.  I wanted to see my friend Jenn and her girls, but I also wanted to visit Santa Cruz one more time.  Luckily, Jenn was up for an adventure so we loaded up my car with kids and headed to the beach.  

 Per usual, we stopped at our favorite ice cream shop on our way out of town.

It was a really fun time and a great way close out our summer.

Sunday in Oakland

Nana took a little trip to Southern California to visit family and friends.  When she asked if we would pick her up from the Oakland airport, I said absolutely.  I love any excuse to hang out in Oakland.  

First stop was to our favorite taqueria.  Tom and I ate at this place very regularly when we lived down the street and it was just as delicious as we remembered.  

 After walking around the neighborhood and seeing the site of our first date (a dive bar), we headed into the Oakland Hills.  We decided to take a little steam train ride at Tilden Park.

 The whistle was a bit loud, but the ride was fun and we got to enjoy some of the beautiful trees.

 Scenic overlook on the way down the hill.

 Then we headed to my absolute favorite place to walk/hike in Oakland, the Mountain View Cemetery.

 The cemetery is filled with amazing monuments and mausoleums, and allows for awesome views of the bay.

And at the end of a great day in Oakland, we were reunited with Nana which was definitely the highlight.

Lunch at Dad's work

I can't remember the last time we visited Tom at work.  I know we haven't had a chance to visit his new job (which at almost 11 months old, isn't all that new anymore).  So today, as summer vacation is rapidly coming to an end, we came to Symantec to join Daddy for lunch.  

He met us in the lobby.  

 And then we headed to the cafeteria.

 There was plenty of outdoor seating and the weather was great.

 Then it was time to see Building B.

 There was a game room on the first floor that needed exploring.

 Then we checked out Tom's work space.  He's currently in an open concept floor plan so he shares his "area" with three other members of his team.

We enjoyed seeing where Daddy spends his weekdays and maybe I'll get a chance to join him for lunch again.

Trying new things

Leo has expressed an interest in skateboarding on and off for a while.  Last week, I took him to his first skateboarding lesson at a skate shop not too far from our house.  

 The guys I grew up with taught themselves to skateboard out on the streets - no lessons, no pads, no helmets.  But this is a different era and I paid a sweet guy to hit the streets with Leo and show him the ropes.  He thrived on the one-on-one attention and enjoyed his first lesson.  I gave him his space during the first lesson so all I have is paparazzi type photos like this one of him returning to the shop at the end of the lesson.

We borrowed a board from his friend Max and Leo practiced at home during the week.  On Saturday, we returned for another lesson.  He spent half the time out on the street and the other half on the ramp in the back of the shop.  

 He really likes skateboarding and we really like to see him excited about something.  He practiced at home.

 Yesterday I got him his own board and to say he was thrilled would be a major understatement.  He wanted to ride it to the park that afternoon but also wanted me to hold his hand the whole way.  How could I say no.  He's not going to want to hold my hand while skateboarding, or any other time, for much longer.

Today we took a little trip to a skate park with his friend Max.  Max has been skating for a lot longer and is much bolder, but I was proud of my timid guy for being brave, shaking off the falls and trying his best.  

This little firecracker is all signed up to play soccer this fall.  Practices will start later this month so I decided I should show her some basics.  I think she'll do just fine.  

Oregon Road Trip: going home

It was hard to say goodbye to Oregon, especially when we were facing a very long haul to get home.

 We pulled over at Cape Sebastian for one last look of the lovely Oregon coast.  The kids weren't interested in stayed in the car.

And then we were on a mission.  Mission: home.  It took us over 10 hours with stops.  The kids were absolute troopers and did a lot of eating, reading, gazing out the window and a little of this.  

And that wraps up our epic Oregon road trip for summer 2016.  It was an amazing experience and I look forward to visiting Oregon again soon.