Kindergarten Field Trip to Jubilee Farms

Mommy was lucky enough to tag along on Clara's Kindergarten field trip to Jubilee Farms.  I only have the opportunity to volunteer in the classroom once a month (not very much so far) so getting to attend the field trip was a great way to learn about the class dynamics and all the kiddos Clara comes home chatting about.  I was impressed with Miss Davis' management of the group and all of what good listeners most of the kids were. 

Clara & her pal, Morgan buddied up together on the adventure!

The kids got to go on a hay ride behind a tractor, checked out pigs, turkeys and runner ducks, picked out their own little pumpkins and had fun running through a hay maze!  It was a chilly afternoon, but these sweeties had a lot of fun!

Pumpkin Patch 2013

 

While we have several awesome family farms near our home to visit during the fall, nothing quite beats getting to go to the pumpkin patch in my home town.  It just feels more like a farm experience without the thousands of people and traffic getting in and out.   It is so much fun for the kids to tromp around with their cousins, trying to pick out the coolest pumpkin.  For Taylor, it was finding the grossest rotten one, for Clara, the scariest and for Janie, the biggest. 

 Of course, I always love a family outing like this on a beautiful day for the photo opportunities!

We love making memories like these with our wonderful family!

Gem Baby is THREE!

We have created a fun tradition of letting the girls have sweet treats for their birthday breakfast.  Janie thoroughly enjoyed her donuts.  Daddy stayed home for the morning and we let her open some of her gifts.  Look at that sweet smile!

 

Once of the big hits for our Gabba obsessed three year old, was this musical boom box and DJ Lance hat Mama got to model.  We capped off the day with Janie's request of having dinner at Chuck E. Cheese.

A few days later we welcomed our family and close friends to celebrate with us at a Yo Gabba Gabba themed party!  Our sweet Janie Bug had a wonderful day and looked so stinkin' cute in her new Yo Gabba Gabba dress.  In typical fashion, Mama goes a little overboard with the crafts but loves getting to be creative in doing it!

Some days it seems absolutely impossible that Janie has been a part of our family for three whole years, but now it becomes harder and harder to remember family life without our little spunky girl.  She is such a gift and we are so darn proud of her!

Boo hoo hoo... We now have a Kindergartener!

 

Our sweet little "Scout" the reason we started this blog over 5 year ago is headed off to Kindergarten!  NO WAY! 

 

No doubt about it, this girl was ready for school and SO excited that her best pa1 Davis is also in her class. 

 

 

I love this shot of Clara on the bus.  She was so excited that she rushed on once the bus arrived and grinned ear to ear from her seat.  Behind her is her pal Cole who is equally excited about his bus ride.  We lucked out that there is only one class of PM Kindergarteners and all the kids that are bussed from the Highlands ride the bus together.  I remember how intimidating my first bus experience was because of all the older kids.  Clara continues to enjoy riding the bus and opts to ride even when I am going to be volunteering in her class and can take her.

 

Honestly, it was Clara's enthusiasm about it all, and complete lack of attachment to us that had me sobbing as the bus pulled away.  With all that we do to prepare them for this day, I know that she handled the transition beautifully, and yet somehow it still stings watching her let go with ease.

 

Clara starting school is also a pretty big deal for sweet Janie.  She just misses the pre-school cut off date and will be home with me another year.  While the weather has been nice, we have been spending a lot of time in the park before and after we drop Clara at the bus stop and she has a great time playing with the little siblings of Clara's classmate.  Above, Janie is hanging out with her friend Dylan. 

~ Just a fun opportunity to take some shots of our BIG GIRL ~

I didn't think that we'd be "those parents" but we followed the bus and were there to see her into the classroom.  The teacher explained that they would all turn and wave to us and it would be our cue to go.  It isn't a great photo, but it was a monumental moment in our life.  And as I walked out of her classroom, the flood gates opened again.  At least Clara never saw me cry.

 

Kevin worked from home that day so we both got to greet her when she got off the bus.  She was happy to see us and appeared pretty tired.  She said she loved it, but wasn't convinced she wanted to go back the next day.  After only a few days, she changed her tune and now LOVES school so much she's like to go on the weekends!  SUCCESS!

 

Our newest friend... Jensen

 

One of our favorite families welcomed their newest addition this August 26th, 2013. 

 Mr. Jensen Danger Keddington!  With as much time as we spend with the Keddington Family, this is a pretty exciting transition for our family as well.  Jensen is such a sweet baby and we love getting to snuggle him! 

 

To help big brother Davis with the transition we held a BIG BROTHER party for him instead of a shower.  It was simple but incorporated some of Davis' favorite things like orange pop and Star Wars fruit snacks.

 

Celebrating Ken Griffey

This year the Cozen summer party was held at Safeco field and the girls were excited to go to the game.  We have found that going with the firm in the suites is the best way to take kids to sporting events.  They have room to run around, other kids to interact with, a full spread of food and beverages, a visit from the Mariner Moose himself, suite parking and really the best part of all is that the firm pays! 

This year the game just happened to be the day where Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted to the Mariner Hall of Fame.  Growing up Kev & I both were big fans of Griffey and so seeing him celebrated in the presence of so many other Mariner greats was a lot of fun! 

The Mariner Moose showed up right before we snuck out and we left with some pretty happy little girls!

Manzanita in August

The girls & Mommy had a nice long stay at the beach house this August.  We were lucky to have Daddy for most of the trip, were joined by Peter, Christina & Jackson at the beginning and Grandma & Grandpa Stevens at the end.  We had decent weather for the Oregon Coast that allowed us many of our favorite Manzanita Adventures as well as a few new ones.  It was our first time taking the Steam Train from Wheeler to Rockaway and back.  Mr. Jackson is all about trains and our girls though it was a pretty fun trip as well.

It has almost become a tradition to be at the beach house on or around our anniversary each year.  This year we had Grandma & Grandpa babysit and enjoyed a romantic dinner at the Wayfayer in Cannon Beach.  It was the perfect way to celebrate eight wonderful years of marriage and all the fun we have to look forward to with our sweet family.

Another highlight from the trip was Clara riding her bike all the way from the beach house to the bay and back.  She complained at first, but really became a lot more comfortable pedaling and going fast.  We bought her a new larger bike thinking it would be easier for her to ride but she has such a cautious personality and still hasn't taken off with it.  Next year she will be on fire!

We love Manzanita.  It was where we vacationed when we were in college together, where we brought our friends when we were first married, where we have shared some super special memories with our extended family through the years and now where we get to experience the wonder and pure joy that the beach brings to our sweet girls.  Can't wait to get back down there!