After the boys of summer have gone...

They head off to kindergarten.

But before I let our last summer of complete freedom slip away the boys and I had adventure after adventure...at a glance.

The beach x2




Legoland x3

(oh and do I have a story about this last trip to Legoland and the ride home,
but it is a story for another day.)

Disneyland x2

Being that we are obsessed with Star Wars and Darth Vader at the moment, this was a particular highlight of our trip to Disneyland, as was the two rides on Star Tours. I had to use Mommy Mind Tricks to get both boys up on stage as the Jedi Master was choosing his young apprentices.

Evan using his Jedi Mind tricks.

Contemplative Padowan Ryan.

Ryan taking down Darth Vader.

Evan's turn.

Sea World



WIld Animal Park



This Cheetah Kiburi was in the nursery and we went to visit him several times a month, watching him grow, and running in front of his cage so he could run along side the boys. Ryan in particular, loved the little guy and would want to play with him forever if Evan would let him. He was heartbroken when Kiburi was no longer in the exhibit. This day we happened to be leaving when Kiburi was coming out as his new role as ambassador! Ryan was so happy to see his old friend, and I was really glad our timing was just right to see him.


Soccer started




Birthday party

Ryan requested a Moose Ear Hat, and a lightsaber.

And that was just the last three weeks.



And today we started kindergarten.

But first we had the opening our "cones". (For the second day of school they
would like me to make Harry Potter cones.)

Then we refused to pose for pictures.

We met our new teacher

She showed us where our backpacks go

...and we made ourselves comfortable.

...found some things of interest

"take a picture of me with the butterfly mommy!"

...and then we got down to business.

Culminating in a celebration after school with some ice cream and Legos.

Thoughts on the whole school thing to follow. Both mine and the boys.

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OUR Magic "Tree"house

We had a bit of a construction project out in the backyard a few weekends ago. It started well.


And then a rock got in the way. There was a lot of banging, sledgehammering, and sawing? Eventually the rock gave in.


There was a lot of standing around, looking at things. There were many trips to various home improvement centers. There were lots of laughs. There were lots of offers of help.


In the end there were two very excited boys, and Ryan and Evan were pretty happy too.






There have been dinners in our new magic tree house/pirate ship/hunting cabin/fishing boat.

There will be many childhood memories made.

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Oh, and some T-ball video, just because it is really cute.

Disneyland in 1000 pictures

There is a picture of me, at this age, at this wishing well somewhere in the family archives...I will find it and post it alongside.


Seriously cute boys slept so well in the cozy hotel beds.


Evan was a quarter of an inch too small to ride on the rapids, so Ryan and Mommy took to the raft together.




Evan could not wait to hear about Ryan's adventure.


Ryan recounted every last detail!




Princesses, Smincesses.


We are all about the cars.


I am saving now for my car insurance premiums in 11 years.





There was lots of love for It's a Small World.

First of many family trips to Disneyland! It was so much fun, and such a joy. One thing I found funny is that the boys loved the Matterhorn, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder RR, but did not like any of the "kid" rides because they were too dark and loud. Evan's favorite was the Ferris Wheel, and Ryan loved Space Mountain. Neither can wait to go back.


I still have a few pictures on my iPhone, have to pull them off. Let's just say there was a ton of fun had by all!!!