1st Day of School (2 year class - fall 2011)

Turns out I lost a lot of sleep worrying over Kendall's 1st day of school for nothing. She was a champ! Not a single tear shed all day - and it was a long day to start with too. I was a bit worried about getting ready in the morning since during the two weeks between camp and the start of school I was having to wake her up at 8:30. But she bounced right out of bed at 7 and announced that she was "ready go school now!" The 1st day of school photo session was a bit amusing. This was the best one ...

The first attempts resulted in no less than 10 pictures like the one below ... with Pluto's tail up her nose. And then there was the series of mouthful of donut photos.

Daddy stuck around until we left, which was nice. Kendall really wanted to ride to school in Daddy's car because "there's a tv in there!" But ultimately she had to settle for Mommy's boring, music-only entertainment system.
Soooo serious!

When we got to the classroom, she ran right in, sat herself down with her friend Liora, and commenced to play doughing. Of course, Bo Bear assisted.

Then she played with blocks for a bit.

Then she went to play in the kitchen, turned to me and said, "Bye bye, Mommy. Have fun at work!" I was officially dismissed and practically had to beg for a hug and kiss goodbye! When I picked her up, I had a brief moment of panic. She was sitting very happily listening to a story her teacher was reading ... and she didn't have Bo Bear! My first (sickening) thought was that she had finally managed to lose the 30 something year old, irreplaceable bear. But she told me he was in her cubby ... and he WAS! I'm still in shock that she allowed Bo Bear to be put in her cubby on the 1st day of school!

What a difference six months makes. Here is a picture from her very first day of school this past February:

And here are some pictures from her "Meet the Teachers" visit last Friday. Lots of cool stuff in this classroom! And eleven other children ... ought to be an interesting year. Kendall says she's "SO (ex) CITED!!!!"

"Family Night" - the true meaning is revealed!

Turns out, "Family Night" means but one thing to Kendall .... making and eating ice cream sundaes. As the sole planner and preparer of these events, the weight now taken off of my shoulders is substantial. And most welcome!

Scorecard for the day:

Kid: 1

Mommy: 0

This is how Kendall was allowed to eat her supper: Watching television. Standing up. On a coffee table. Sans pants. I just didn't have the energy to argue or listen to any more screeching. She may be winning a lot of battles lately, but I still intend to win the war. (she DID eat all of her fish sticks and broccoli!)

Saza Visit!

I have to admit that the first three pictures taken of Kendall and Saza during this visit caused me some concern that perhaps they were going to eat and sleep (respectively) their ways through this visit ...

But Saza rallied ... and Kendall stopped eating long enough to have some fun!

It had been a looooong three months since Saza's last visit. Since we are in the midst of a ridiculous (almost) record setting heat wave here (40 + days of 100+ temperatures and no rain), our activities were limited to indoor venues. We made the trek up to Indoor Safari where Kendall played in the ball pits for a while,

played with Nana and a doll house ever so briefly,
then got down to business and played GOLF with Saza! This is what she really comes here to do.

Gotta love her "form."

And this picture is a "repeat," but I love it!

August Birthdays

The first week of August has 3 birthdays in our household: On the 5th, Rehnquist turned 7 and Pippin turned 3. And on the 7th, I turned .... older. We had a party on the 5th for Rehnny and Pippin and Kendall made them (and forced them to wear) the obligatory birthday crowns! They looked so handsome!

And here are the "you better sleep with one eye open" shots of the dogs.

Nana made yogurt dipped, sprinkled dog treats for the 4 legged kids. They said they were deeelicious! (I took their word for it because my one purposeful ingestion of a dog treat when I was pregnant was not pleasant)

And Kendall, of course, got a cupcake.

And then stole MY chocolate pie dessert! The kid was on a sugar high well past her bedtime as a result.

Then on Sunday night we celebrated my birthday at Saza and Nana's house with Pops and Grandmother. Kendall, as usual, took charge immediately directing the festivities and activities of the evening. Here is Saza wrapped around one little finger, and Pops wrapped around the other.
We had a lovely pizza dinner with pizza from Grimaldi's (my favorite!). No Thanksgiving birthday dinner this year - I behaved. Good thing too because the AC in Nana and Saza's house was uncooperative so asking my mother to cook a turkey in 107 degree heat with little to no AC in the house would have ensured that this would be my last birthday ever. After we ate, Kendall helped me open my cards.

Then she helped me open my BIG present! I finally got the Dyson Ball Animal vacuum cleaner that I've been coveting for years. Most people would consider this to be a very lame birthday gift .... but I bet those people have 1 dog (or less) and a housekeeper!

As you can see, Kendall made me a crown too. I think it was her best work yet!
Nana made a YUMMY carrot cake!! Kendall helped blow out the candles after singing "Happy Birthday," 1st in english, then in hebrew. Nana also had to make a chocolate cake for the "daddies" (mine and Kendall's) who consider carrot cake to be more vegetable than dessert.

Here is my most favorite birthday gift ... a wine glass decorated by my little monkey!! (with a lot of help from Nana, I'm sure) It will be well loved and well used!