Tahoe - a few quick pics

Just returned from yet another outstanding trip to Tahoe ... Wow, it was beautiful and we enjoyed every second with my family.  Lots of beach time, as well as some biking and paddle boarding. Plus an evening boat outing which was a riot. I even got to eat weight in breakfast Danishes one morning. So, perfection. 

A few quick pics from my phone (which was declared full on day 1). 

Annabel's First Day of TK

Today was Annabel's first day at her new school, George Hall Elementary. She is officially a new TK (transitional kindergarten) student, starting her journey through the rigors of a 5 day/week schedule in the school she'll attend through 5th grade. Woah!


I'll admit that sometimes I take a moment to recognize that if she were born just 5 days earlier we would be sending her off to Kindergarten. TK - fine.  Kindergarten? Seems like I'm the one not ready for that.  The saying continues to stand true - the days are long but the years are short.

Annabel was excited for the day waking early and ready to run out the door. We met up with Quinn who is also in her class and we all walked the two or three blocks to school together.  It was nice for Annabel to have a friendly face in the classroom and made this transition easier (for all of us?). 

The school is very cute pulling kids from our little neighborhood.  The teacher, Mrs. S., is young and enthusiastic. She had a bin of stuffed animals by the door and encouraged kids to take a "friend" since first days can be hard.

As the school bell rang (at 12:25pm) we collected the kids and they had big smiles on their faces. For Annabel, meeting the librarian and being responsible for escorting kids to the bathroom were highlights. (Yeah, not sure about the second one). Playing with the dollhouse "wasn't as fun as I thought it was going to be" and there weren't any art projects like she was used to, but she enjoyed recess outdoors.  At her table she asked the little girl next to her who was fighting back tears in her eyes as her mom was getting ready to leave if she wanted to be friends. It was very sweet and I was really proud of her. She said she was a little nervous about approaching new friends but always seems to come around.

At pick up she declared, "this was the best day ever!"

Now let's see if we can make it on time to school tomorrow...

Annabel - Swimming and Swinging

A couple videos of Annabel these days - she's gotten taller, sassier, and smarter.  This summer she's also getting to be a decent swimmer and an even better monkey bar-er.  We have been so wrapped up in traveling and moving this summer I have had very little time to post, but while cleaning up my phone I found these two videos and had to share.

After swimming with the Guenther and Drennan kids she loves diving and has started to swim across the pool.  She was already a fish, but they got her excited about reaching and trying new things in the water.


And she has a deep love of the monkey bars right now.  Could do them all day.  ALL DAY.  Her hands are getting callused and blistered but she cares not. No pain, no gain.