This was the first full week of school and things are still getting settled. For example, Olivier is now going to be playing the French horn and due to the size one will be at home and one will be at school so he doesn't have to bring it back and forth. This is how big it is and you might say that isn't so big because it is hard to get an idea of the scale.
And this is a better idea on size with the scale of his hand.
We still had paperwork coming home and the middle school back to school night. And Anna started Tuesday night rehearsals and next week she starts afternoon sectional practice also. And they have their first home football game and first parade. Busy busy!
On Friday night Matt took the boys to the paintball park for a blacklight gelly ball event. The boys had a good time for the most part. And while they were away I started hearing this noise and when I realized what it was I had to take a video to capture the noise. Take a listen:
Turns out Olivier's hamster Beans likes to run in the wheel when Olivier isn't in his room and it makes this sound! And he did a lot of running on the wheel that night! Silly Beans!
Today we attended a very special wedding, that of my cousin Julie and her now husband Nick! Julie's family lived about a block from us growing up and we spent a lot of time together. When I started college and our lives started to change, we didn't spend much time together but we still have a very close bond. It was wonderful to see her get married and the joy and love they are both filled with! I didn't take all that many photos but here are a few. Her dad walking her down the asile:
And my brother and his wife, my parents and us (no kids at this wedding).
Us all dressed up!
Me and Julie!
Nick and Julie during the first dance. So sweet!
Julie was having a ball spinning in her beautiful wedding dress and during the father daughter dance there was more spinning and I got this cool photo of her dress.
Very proud and happy father!
Best wishes to Julie and Nick for a lifetime of love!
This week the kids spent some time working on a paint pouring project and made some very cool pieces of art. Some fun combinations! A nice way to end summer break before school started.
And on Wednesday I went down to San Diego for a work meeting. I had a really nice view from my room!
And while out for a walk, I saw this boat heading out from the naval base. Impressive to watch and although it looked like it was going very slow it was moving at a decent speed!
I also went for a walk Thursday night and managed to catch the light from the sunset reflecting off the buildings. It was a really nice site to see.
The bridge to Coronado.
And some of the base.
It was sure nice to be home Friday night. First time traveling for work since COVID hit which made it feel weird and missing the first day of school was really hard.
The boys went to the university soccer game Saturday night and the girls stayed home and played a few rounds of the game of Clue. Nice easy weekend before things get crazy with school activities!
Today starts a big year for each of the kids, the start of middle school and high school! We look forward to the exciting adventure!
And a big thank you to Matt for taking on the first day of school without me. Traveling for work today makes my heart ache and so glad he is there to support them.
This week we things started ramping up getting ready for school to start on the 18th. Monday afternoon Anna enjoyed some time with her best friend and a friend who had moved away but was back in the area. It was nice that they were able to catch up!
Anna started band camp on Tuesday and it kept her very busy this week! On Thursday they all got their schedules and had their school photos taken. Although we haven't gotten the school photos I had to share the photos of the boys before we headed to the school for their official photos. Looking so grown up!
On Friday afternoon the band headed to the sleep away part of band camp. She had a great time and I liked these photos of them setting up to play outdoors. Fun!
The count down to school is on! Let the craziness begin!
This week included a lot of work but we tried to make the best of it, we had to fumigate the house for termites (boo!!). As part of that the last few weeks we worked on getting the food in the house a little as possible, we had to get the animals and plants out, and get us out along with the remaining food and medication. It felt like a bit of a move and when Anna asked if it was like moving since she doesn't remember our move, I mentioned it is like a baby form. And it proved to be a firm reminder that we do not want to move...!!!
We made it a little vacation while we had to be out of the house! On Monday we went on a hike where we have been trying to go for a while but it hadn't worked out in the past. It was a really nice hike but the weather was very muggy so we didn't push too hard.
After lunch we went bowling!
And then we went for some ice cream! We went on the swinging bridge and looked for the chickens.
The next day we went to the small water park in our county. It was nice and quiet since it was a Tuesday. Olivier went on the Stampeed together!
I got some phone photos of the kids and Matt coming off the slides.
This one of Olivier is one of my favorites!
Mason won this race down against Anna!
Matt working on competing with Olivier for best photo!
Wednesday we were able to get back into the house around lunch time and it was nice to unpack and get resettled. And thankfully it is much easier to unpack than to pack! Matt and the kids had the rest of the week to enjoy while I went back to work. He helped get them ready for the rapidly approaching school year and took Anna to get measured for her marching band uniform! Busy times ahead! On Saturday I took Anna to her riding lesson and her boot decided to do this!
Thankfully her instructor had some boots that we were able to make work for the lesson. The cats also came home Saturday (I think Taz was disappointed although he is still desperate for one of them to be friends with him). On Sunday morning I went on a hike with a dear friend and we hiked the hill behind the house. It was so nice out and I got a good photo of Moo With a View.
And a couple other photos from the top.
Today we also got outfits for the first day of school. And picture day will be this week along with picking up their schedules. Count down is on!
