Kyla's Preschool Graduation

Kyla had her graduation ceremony for preschool last week.  She was super excited and had been talking about it for months.  Kyla started going to Tendercare 2 days a week when she was 3 and moved up to 3 days a week when she turned 4.  It has been wonderful, she looked forward to going each day and met some great friends there.  She has been out for less than a week and this morning she already said, "I miss Teacher Michelle.  Maybe I will still see her in stores or something."  After the ceremony, Teacher Michelle and I laughed about how lazy she was when she first started school.  Michelle said Kyla would often say she didn't want to do something because she was too tired.  Finally, Michelle asked me one day if Kyla gets enough sleep.  Sleep?  Oh yeah, my kids get plenty of sleep.  I put them down no later than 8:15 EVERY DAY.  Unless it's a holiday or something... even then, I'm not happy about it.  ;)  Well, after she found out that Kyla couldn't possibly be tired, she wouldn't let her get away with any shenanigans.  I can't believe how far she's come, she is so ready for Kindergarten.  I don't anticipate a difficult time transitioning at all.
I have to warn you, the next several posts are going to have tons of pictures.  They are big events ... graduation, vacations and 4th of July.

The kids marched in carrying pinwheels.  Kyla was so serious.

All smiles now.

The Pledge of Allegiance.

They sang several songs and boy did she get into it.  It was adorable.

More singing.

A group photo of the kids.  Aren't they all so cute?

"Slippery fish, slippery fish, sliding in the water."

After their performance, they changed into their cap and gowns.  Absolutely my favorite photo of the night.  Am I going to be in trouble with this girl or what?  I love how she is sitting, legs crossed and both boys are looking at her.  Priceless.  To make matters worse, she is boy crazy too.  Most of her friends are boys.

Waiting to get her diploma.

Woo-hoo!  Go Kyla.  I'm so proud of you little girl.

A group photo of the kids in their cap and gowns.

She blew us a kiss on her way out.  She can be so sweet sometimes.  I bet she tells me she loves me 15 times a day right now.  Yesterday she told me, "I love you just the way you are."  Melted my heart.

Good friends.

A so-so family picture.

A great one with her Daddy.

LOVE IT!

Teacher Michelle.

Teacher Marissa.

Teacher Beth.

My mom couldn't make it so she sent Kyla a stuffed animal and a flower arrangement.  Kyla said she had never gotten flowers delivered before and that she felt so special.

Congratulations, baby girl.  I couldn't me more proud of you.

Kyla's Photo Shoot

It took a bunch of pictures of Kyla with her new haircut the other day (before her preschool graduation).  We had a great time with it even though it was SO hot outside.  She's growing up right before my very eyes.  She is a great age right now ... I don't want her to grow up!  I took her to get her hair cut last week.  We went really short with it because her hair had become broken and dry and always seemed to look scraggly.  She absolutely loves it and at first I wasn't sure ... I kept thinking, how long is it going to take to grow back but now I am used to it and am so thankful we did it.  She has the most beautiful face and her new cut really shows it off. 

Here are the pictures, I narrowed them down the best I could.

Stay tuned for photos from Kyla's Graduation as well as our recent vacations.

Cruise - Part 2

Our second port of call was to Ensenada.  We decided to spend the day at a local resort and then do a little partying/shopping.  We had such a relaxing day ... they had a swim up bar, an authentic mexican lunch and a gorgeous pool.  I wish the weather had been a little warmer.  I hear that July/August are better months, weather wise. 

Lacie and I.  Hanging out at the poolside bar.

My sister ordered shots of tequila.  I was too wimpy to do any more than one but they had a couple.  Yuck.  By golly, I think I've finally grown up ... I now realize how crummy I feel the next day when I drink too much and that just because everyone else is doing shots, it doesn't mean I have to.  It's taken me a long time and many, many hangover's to learn this important life lesson.

My momma and I in Ensenada.

Ok, so even though I didn't do anymore shots, I had a few more cerveza's at Papas and Beer.  We were having a blast but my mom was miserable in there and couldn't believe how wild some of the young girls were being.  We kept telling her to stop looking but she couldn't help herself.  She looked like she was getting a root canal, so we got out of there.

Back on the boat ... ready to watch the evening performance.

Mom and I at dinner.  Love her.

I'm gonna get caught up with this blogging thing, I promise.  Now that the kids are in school, I have so much more time.  :-)

Cruise - Part 1

My sister and I took my mom on a cruise for her 65th birthday.  My niece was able to come along as well.  We went to Catalina Island and Ensenada.  The R & R and being able to hang out with the family was absolutely wonderful. 

We were on the Carnival Paradise, a little bit older ship but still very nice.

Day 1 - enjoying cocktails on the Promenade Deck.

Fun in the sun.

We went parasailing in Catalina Island.

My sister and niece.

A before picture of my mom.  Happy Birthday.

Waiting for my turn.

And we're off.  I didn't realize that we didn't even have to get wet.  It was such a great time.

It was so peaceful, I could have spent all day up there.  My mom got to go up a second time.  There was a super nice guy that didn't have a partner and asked my mom to go up because it was here birthday.  She absolutely loved it.

Such a cool picture of my mom in the air.  She rocks!!

Hanging out at a pub in Catalina.

A good group portrait.  No, we didn't coordinate our colors ... I promise.

Take 2.  I like them both.  The original photos are much clearer.

Farm Field Trip

While Brian and I were on vacation, Mike and Carol (Brian's Parents) took the kids on a field trip with Kyla's Preschool.  They went to a farm.  Here are some photos.

Mason pulling an onion out of the ground.

Berries.

Teacher Michelle.