Pink Punk

Only the 2nd week of school and Connor is really getting into it.
This is what his hair looked like when I came to pick him up.
He was quite proud of himself.
His teacher said he kept saying "Mommy Laugh, Mommy Laugh"
and sure enough I did.
What you can't see because this picture is all grainy is that he also used glitter.

Another perfect Sunday evening at the Mission

This Sunday was another perfect Santa Barbara evening at the Mission rose garden with friends.

Be still my beating heart. Chris please don't launch him to the moon.

Connor helping me push Reese. He is such a big boy.

Wow, Sarah look at those guns.

Reese who is always smiling was very serious about this ice cream.

As was TJ & Connor.

Our new friend Jenny and her beautiful little girl 3 month old Margaret.

Connor giving TJ a little push.

The dads in hot pursuit as the kids take off running.

And the race is on.

Busy kids are happy kids.

And Connor screams "Again Daddy Again"!!!!!!

1st Day of Preschool

Wow, I can't believe we are already here. Today was Connor's 1st day of school. Connor has been really excited to go to school for a long time now. Ever since we toured a few preschools months ago and he saw the cool toys to play with and the outdoor playgrounds he was hooked. I was a little concerned about a schedule change. Connor can be a late sleeper at times and it's tough to get him going in the morning. So this morning when the clock read 8:20am and he was still sleeping, I was worried about how the morning was going to play out. He has to be at school by 9:15am, so as not to disturb the morning routine for the rest of the students. I gave him to the very last minute to sleep and yes he was upset when I went in and woke him up. But once I said "today is the 1st day of school, we are going to see teacher Erin." Well his face lit up and he screamed "SCHOOL" and jumped up. He wanted to get dressed and ready right away, which is definitely not the norm. Most days when I try to get him ready he says "ONE MINUTE!!!!!" or "DIEGO!!!!" this was such a change. I'm sure after the novelty of school wears off we'll be back to "ONE MINUTE!". But I enjoyed his cooperative excitement!

The preschool we chose does a home visit before your child starts school. That way when Connor gets left at school it's with someone he has already met at home and he feels like it's a friend of mommy's and daddy's. I think this is brilliant and am surprised to know that ours is the only school in Santa Barbara County, who preforms this service. Teacher Erin came over last night and brought books, puzzles, & bubber (which is like clean playdough). She was very engaging and easy to be around. Connor was very happy and content with teacher Erin.

Chris being the awesome dad that he is came and met us at school and hung out until Connor was comfortable. I left shortly after that and he was fine. No tears, just "Bye Mommy". It felt great! Yet I felt a little emotional and lost about an hour after I had left. But soon enough it was time to go pick up my little school boy & take him home.

Carrying his own lunch bag.

Daddy, Connor & teacher Erin.

Best of Friends

This week Marnia and I took the kids to the Natural History Museum.
The butterflies alive exhibit is still going on and if you haven't been I highly recommend it.

Connor and Bella excitedly ran down the nature path.

A butterfly landed on my foot.

Bella getting a closer look.

Connor looks like a little man reading a news paper.
While Bella snuggles closer.

Then the kiss.

Inside the museum they have a little desk set up for the kids to draw at.
They really got into it!
They look like they are practicing for school.

One more fun thing this week was that Connor had King Crab for the 1st time and he loved it.
Here he is using the cracker on the big legs.
Looks like this guy is a seafood fan just like Mom and Dad.

Saturday

Big things happening.
1st Big Thing: Connor pooped in the potty for the 2nd day in a row. He has taken a big interest in being a "Big Boy". He wants to use the potty and tells us "Connor Big Boy, Big Boy, No Baby". Hopefully we're on the way.

2nd Big Thing: I made homemade pumpkin ravioli with a brown butter sage sauce and I have to say I was pretty impressed with myself. I may becoming a pasta making addict!

Also some cute pictures from our Saturday.

Daddy and Connor with play dough noses.

Sam and Connor being silly goofballs.

How do they get so dirty?

Oh yeah chocolate ice cream sandwiches.
Yumm.

Octopus AKA Okapah!!

Connor enjoyed eating octopus for the first time tonight at our favorite downtown sushi restaurant, Arigato. Connor enjoyed salmon, okapa, but despised Torro.

Our camera is now a toy of Connor's, enough said. We'll be updating shortly with fresh pictures. Stay tuned!