First day of Kindergarten! (oh yeah, 3rd grade too)

It's finally here, the long-awaited day when both of my kids would be in school at the same time, same place even! Wow! I've been waiting for this day for so long, I expected to throw a parade or leave the school skipping and singing while the wind swept through my hair and the diet coke fairy bestowed a fresh, bubbly beverage in my hand and throngs of mothers everywhere would line up on the side of the street and say "Well done! You made it! Free at last!!!"

So I know you're as surprised as I am that I was a little emotional about the whole thing. It didn't help that our morning was a little, well, off-plan. But, when we got out there, and headed on our way, the kids looked good, Stu joined us for his first 1st-day experience, and all was sunny and warm. I felt bad when we dropped Sam, which became sort of an afterthought to the big FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN thing for Kate. He was fine, though, and told his new teacher he was ready to go.

For Kate, I have wanted her to be a kindergartener for so long, and she's been so ready for so long, that over the last week or so it occurred to me that I wasn't giving her first day the same weight that I did Sam's way back when. But once we were there, on the kindergarten play ground, in line to go into class, it hit me that this is a big deal. My big girl is finally where she belongs, where she wants to be.

I am so happy with her teacher, Ms. Consalo. When the bell rang and the kids lined up, she stood on the chair at the front of the line and yelled, "Good morning Ms. Consalo's pirate class. Are you ready for a pirate adventure? If you are, say "Aye aye mate!"" and then all the kids yelled back. It was so fun! She marched them off to the class room, telling them that the big people who were there (Parents) were all soft and weepy about the big day, so she needed the kids to be super strong ("Show me your muscles!" she told them). She read a weepy story (The Kissing Hand), and told the kids to run and give their parents a kiss and say good bye quickly. Kate looked up from her spot on the rug like, "I'm not getting up. You people can go now." She did finally get guilted into coming back and saying good bye, but she was NOT doing the kissing hand thing. See ya mom and dad. Ugh. My heart. Breaking.

I know, I'm proud she's a tough girl, and I taught her to be that way, but geesh. Just a little kissing hand? Please?

Silly faces.

Happy faces.

First day of school faces!

Our Vegas Anniversary

I really wanted to write something pensive, profound even, about our first year in Vegas. Unfortunately, there is just no time. Suffice it to say, we've made it. And now Henderson is truly our home.

I think the picture attached says all we need to say. Look at those happy faces! (Well, except for Sam who was pouting because Kate won more tickets than him.)

Incredible summer of fun

When Sam said he wanted to have Incredible Summer of Fun: Vegas Edition, I remember hoping that it would be as much fun if it were just the Matthews 3-- me, my kids and I.

In fact, I think I started the whole thing when we moved last year, "Sure, no problem, we'll have Incredible Summer Fun in Vegas too. It will be great!"

So, I came into the season with unrealistic expectations. The only thing really in my favor was that everything was new.

Turns out, I had nothing to fear. First, we were gone for a whole month. Second, it turns out I had a passionate partner in crime. In fact, Gabe planned so many good events, I couldn't even keep up!

We swam. We saw the Titanic exhibit. We went to the children's museum. We did things I can't even remember now, and we did them with friends. Lots of friends. And it was incredible fun.

Royals game with the Weirs

Incredible Summer of Fun: King Putt-- What a group, right?

Outside our "party" room at King Putt

Post-water ride at Adventuredome

Water gun fight!!!

Yes, we are making our own pinatas. See. I can be crafty.

Sam and Kate at the Titanic museum