Mason being Mason

Mason has been showing a lot of interest recently on his letters and realizing that the letters make words.  On Sunday the kids made thank you cards for Grandma Linda and he asked me how to write Grandma.  I spelled out the letters and he wrote it all on his own!

On Monday he made himself a beard at school.  He was rather proud of himself (despite the lack of a smile).

And today he wanted to work on his writing at school and wanted to write "Love Arnold Family".  This is how it came out (Love Family on the top line and Arnold under).

Needless to say we are very proud of him!

Swimming at Grandma Linda's Castle!

Yesterday we were blessed with another chance to swim in the Neptune pool at Hearst Castle.  We have taken Anna two other times (http://mattandtania.blogspot.com/2008/08/swim-at-hearst-castle.html and http://mattandtania.blogspot.com/2010/09/castle-swim.html) but I didn't think she really remembered what it would be like.  

The weather was beautiful (even at the bottom of the hill!) and we had a picnic dinner.  The kids never complain about that!  

Here is Olivier pretending to check out the view.  

 After dinner we took the bus to the top of the hill and it was swimming time!  The water was about 74 degrees, it felt cold but not nearly as much as previous years.  The air temperature started in the 80's which made it really nice once we climbed out of the pool.

Matt and Olivier:

Anna was happy, can you tell?

Having fun.  The kids were very hesitant to let go, float, or bob.  I have a feeling the fact they couldn't touch the bottom made them a bit nervous.

  Mason and Daddy!

 All five of us, with a overly excited Anna.  Can you tell the sun was bright?

And Grandma Linda joined us in the pool.  Yeah!  

 A bit closer (although Mason turned around).

 The boys were the first to get out (Olivier), so they went for a walk.

 Look at that view from the terrace.

 The kids next to a statue.  And Anna made bunny ears on the boys.

 Being very careful on the very slippery marble.

The kiddos and Grandma.  And no, they were not being very cooperative for photos!

 One last peek at the pool before we left.

1st Day of Kindergarten!

The big day arrived, Anna's first day of kindergarten!  On Tuesday we went and saw her classrooms and teachers, as well as getting information on how things run.  That help calm Anna's nervousness and made for a great morning drop off!  

At home before we left.  Decided to take it by the front door so as the years go by we can get an idea of how tall she is!  We will see if I remember next year!

And her sign.  In case you can't read it, here is what it says:
August 22, 2013
1st Day of Kindergarten
When I grow up I want to be a Librarian because I love to read!

In front of her class room!  We arrived at a perfect time.  Enough time to get there, do what she needed to do and then it was time to line up!  When we went inside her class room she had to put on her name tag and her teacher and teachers aide both asked her in Spanish to write her name on a piece of paper (if she was able).  She was a bit confused but figured it out!

Then outside we went and almost as soon as we were out it was time to line up!  My apologies for the sun in the background, I didn't have many choices on where to stand!  Big grins while in line.

Her teachers, Mrs. Collins holding the red flag (Anna will be in her class next week) and Maestra Hernandez (Anna's teacher this week, she has the purple flag).

The teachers sang a song and asked them to say goodbye.  And off Matt and I went.  :-)

Can't wait to hear how her first day went!

Fun Saturday!

Yesterday was a busy day!  We had a typical morning with gymnastics but after rest time we washed our cars (the kids at various times "helped" or were "lifeguards").  Then it was time for a good game before dinner.  Anna wanted to read the instructions of course, I am beginning to think she doesn't trust us to follow the directions.  If only she knew (well maybe now she will!) that we don't quite follow them, to her advantage!

 And after dinner we had a special treat for the kids; we went to the drive in to see the movie Planes.  We thought the kids would enjoy it and given it was the last weekend of summer we should take advantage and have some fun.  They all had fun but if you ask Olivier if he liked the movie he will tell you "no".  He got very disappointed when Lightning McQueen wasn't involved (after seeing the Cars logo early on).  He loves his cars!

A couple photos of them in the back of the car.  Couldn't get a good one of all three, they were too distracted/excited!

Fun afternoon!

This afternoon we wanted to get out of the house so we headed to the library.  Anna turned in her summer reading program information and got to pick a book as her reward for all her summer reading.  I think she picked the longest chapter book she could find on the cart!  :-)

We then headed off to the store to get Anna's backpack to start kindergarten!  It will be here before we know it.  She still says she is a little nervous but I hope that by the time August 22nd rolls around, it will be more excitement than nervous!  

After our trip downtown it was off to an early dinner out (a rare thing for us!).  On a whim we went to another restaurant for desert followed by a trolley ride through downtown.  They had a great time and didn't want to get off.  :-)  Can you tell?

Another park trip!

Today we took a trip to another park.  The kids had a lot of fun (although we were close to the beach in the morning so it was much cooler than last week).  The boys were so excited to hear that I would let them wear their long sleeve shirts with the capes attached and Anna had her cape on.  Three super heros!  

Happy 2nd Birthday Rhys!

Today we had a great time celebrating Rhys' 2nd Birthday!  I do have to wonder if Olivier was more excited about the birthday or being able to play with Natalie's Jeep again!  Ha ha!  Another beautiful day to celebrate a very happy little girl!  

Saying "cheese"!

 Being very good while everyone sings!  (And yes, the candle is not lit, the wind would not cooperate.)

 She did a great job opening her gifts and cards.

 And her favorite gift was this baby which is nearly as big as she is!