Labor Day at the Cabin

So, Labor Day rolled around and it was announced that every one of my brothers and sisters were going to the cabin. That is 18 adults and 35 children... Sadly my work schedule is made six weeks ahead of time and I had already been scheduled to work.

But grandpa was not about to let his grandkids be left out of all the craziness, so right after school on Friday I packed everyone up in camp worthy attire and they loaded up in Grandpa's van, I told him I thought he was crazy. But he headed up the mountains with all my kids anyways.

I sent the camera with Taylor for documentation. They all came home and told about the food, so I guess there was something fantastic about the mounds and mounds of food.

My kids all got to sleep inside the cabin, probably to the unhappiness of some.

They told me they pretended they were indians in the trees somewhere behind those trees is a lake that they were taken out in the canoes by adventerous aunts and uncles.

They played and played with new cousins and cousins they hadn't seen in a while. Friendships were made and renewed.

The boys stayed up late into the night telling ghost stories (according to them, according to my father, they stayed up talking about and making bodily noises who do you believe??)

Obviously it wore them out whatever they were doing.

They sat around the campfire and sang songs, roasted marshmallows and were treated to a coyote story by nana and grandpa.

At the end of the day I think they had a wonderful weekend, and they came home as dirty as they could possibly be and stunk to high heaven of campfires. Every one of them in dire need of a good bath.

First day of Kindergarten

What a pain!!! After doing a little jig, jumping through 5 hoops and promising them my unborn child the school district finally let me take McKinsey to school. The state of California wants your kindergartener to have a dental exam, a physical, up to date shots, a TB skin test, a hearing and vision screening, and a lobectomy!!!!! We spent several hours in the district office before being sent to a retarded LVN who wanted to give me the run around cause Kinsey's shot's weren't up to date. I told her I was signing a waiver till I got Kinsey on my insurance and then I would take care of it all and the school had told me that I could waive the medical stuff till then, the LVN says "oh, you can't waive all that, the secretary was just trying to be nice, but she's not a nurse." I wanted to laugh in her face, but I didn't, I was nice and just let her give me her spill and feel important. Then I left and went straight back to the school where the principal personally walked Kinsey to class and introduced her to everyone. I stayed for a few minutes to snap this picture while her teacher read them a story. Then I quietly slipped out the door.

Second day of School for KiKi, First day of bus

Kindergarten starts at 11:30, so it is quite awhile after everyone else is gone. Kinsey was so excited she was up with everyone else at 6:30, she got dressed and inhaled a bowl of cereal.

She kept running to the door to make sure that the bus hadn't come yet. (it's 9:30)

Than she insisted that we go outside and wait just in case. (it's 10:20)

Finally the bus arrives right on time at 10:55. McKinsey boldly runs up the steps and greets her bus driver who remembers her brothers from last year. She sits up proudly in the front seat and waves to me until the bus disappears around the corner. Something tugs at my heart, my eyes glisten, and I feel a little bittersweet about this stepping stone.

Bucka'roo's

I forgot these pictures on my beach post, I just thought they were fun.

Pretty cute huh!

First day of 1st grade

Before school Brendan wasn't very excited, he actually hung on to his dad's leg when Jeremy tried to drop him off at his classroom with his teacher, but when he came home he just gushed, "I forgot how much I love school, I love homework, I love my teacher." I chuckled.

Back to the Beach

I love the beach, for one full day no one is crying, or complaining, or being mean to someone else. For one full day EVERYONE is happy. Today we played in the ocean, built sand castles and sand molds, flew kites, played t-ball, and scoured the sand for seashells (for mom).

I'm not sure what it is, but there is something about the ocean that is therapeutic, I don't know if it is the smell of the salt water, or the feel of the sand, or the crashing of the waves but it is truly a rejuvenating day. I hope that maybe we can squeeze one more beach trip in before summer shuts it's door.

After the beach, we went to one of the local burger stands, it never ceases to amaze me, how it is so warm at the beach, but when the sun goes down we are freezing.

Kinsey finished that whole monster burger... impressive.

Happy Birthday Brendan

Brendan turns six!!! He is waiting for his teeth to fall out now that he is six, that is what happens when you turn six you know. He could probably hasten the falling out if he ate a few more of the oreo's on his cake. He LOVES the Heelies mom sent him.