Back to school! Connor started kindergarten last Tuesday. He wasn't too excited about the notion of school every day, and kept telling us that he wanted to go to kindergarten, but just twice a week. I can't believe that my little boy has officially entered the hustle and bustle of mainstream school!


Connor, on his first day of school last year. It's incredible how much he has changed in only twelve months.


I searched high and low for some good looking school shoes with velcro, and I was so thrilled to find these light-up Clone Trooper shoes I knew he'd adore. To make it even sweeter, there was only one pair left and it happened to be in his size, AND on clearance for $8! Score!


Connor's buddy, Cole lives next door and happens to be in the same class! It's nice to be able to trade off carpooling days, but I worry that too much time together may be putting a strain on their relationship. They play off and on all day at home, and I think there may be a little jealousy going on now that Connor has his eyes on a little girl in the class. I believe that all the interaction between the two of them will teach them a great set of communication skills, even if they do pledge to never play with each other again, each and every day.


I could tell that going to school seemed a little old-hat to Connor, since it's technically his third year, but I've seen a lot of growth in him even in just a week. It's funny how when I tell him something, it's in one ear and out the other, but he responds very well to teachers' guidance.


Alaina started preschool a week later (today). The extra six days of waiting for her were torturous, especially since she's been asking to go to school for a year! Anthony was sad that he had to be at school and missed Connor's first day, so he was determined to have a re-do and make Alaina's first day special. He woke up early and made the kids Mickey Mouse pancakes, which they loved.








I was incredibly nervous the first day I sent Connor to preschool two year ago. He was so little and didn't really want to be there, so it was hard on me. Today broke my heart in a different way...Alaina was so excited and ready to go to school and it's moments like these that make time seem so fleeting. After we went to her preschool open house, she even said, "Mommy, you should have just dropped me off." How did she get so big?






<3


Some kids cry when parents say that it's time to go. Do you think she's excited?


We dropped Connor off at the kindergarten door...


...then walked across the playground to the preschool. I think Alaina's nerves started building in the few minutes before the classroom door opened.


When she started to get a little worried, she said, "Mommy, will you hold me?" She's so big that I can hardly pick her up now, so we plunked down in the hallway. I can't help but wonder how many more times she'll say that to me. Hopefully she doesn't ever stop!


When the door opened, we found her seat and she started on her work. She was scared, but I knew she'd love it.




It was a bit eerie to have both kids in school at the same time. Anthony did some homework while I did some yoga. Two and a half hours can really fly! The kids both had a lot to talk about when I picked them up. Connor told me about playing on the playground with Abby (Cole was upset about it) and the food experience to end their Chicka Chicka Boom Boom unit (a palm tree made out of chocolate wafers and apples). Alaina was excited to tell me that she got two desserts for snacktime - juice AND a fruit snack! She informed me that her teachers didn't teach her at all, but I rather prefer their ideology of learning through play. :) We're still getting used to the 7 AM alarm clock, but the kids are loving their new routine!

Upon returning home from Colorado, Grandma called to ask if the kids and I wanted to come up and pick the rest of the plums from their tree. My parents must know me well, since there's probably nothing I'd prefer to eat than these beauties. Connor and Alaina have both inherited the love as well, and for a week afterward, we had at least six plums with every meal. It was simply heavenly.






Grandma also picked some perfectly ripened nectarines off of their tree, and let me tell you, if you haven't had one of these, you haven't lived. They put grocery store produce to absolute shame. I hope my kids will have the wonderful memories that I did of going into my grandparents' yard and enjoying these gems.


Sorry to catch you mid-sentence, Mom, but I love the way Connor is looking at you here. :)


After such a busy summer, there's nothing quite like a good swing on a tire under a willow tree.


(Please look past Connor's mismatched plaids...we were in the middle of trying on some new clothes from the Eyrings! Thanks, guys!) Toward the end of our afternoon, Grandma reminded our kids that her summer Read-A-Thon program had ended. Connor and Alaina don't quite understand the value (and potential!) of earning money for reading books over the summer yet, but I think they'll remember it now! I remember the summer that I earned $40 from Grandma for reading 4,000 pages...I thought I was one wealthy woman! The money must have been scorching since it promptly began burning holes in their pockets. They each earned $8 for listening to stories at bedtime (not that I have to twist their arms!). Connor chose to spend his on a harmonica, a set of metal handcuffs, and a candy. Alaina chose a reverberation microphone, those sponge-in-dissolvable-capsule-things (sooo my child), and a candy. Thanks for a great afternoon, Grandma! We love you!

To end our "Summer of Fun" with a bang, we visited Anthony's family during the two weeks in between semesters. There was a lot of "newness" this trip...new house, new city, new people to include in the family, new protocol (it seems to change every trip since the kids all change so much in a matter of months). We look forward to making many more new memories in Fort Collins. I'm sorry if my commentary isn't the best for this post...I was so determined to make the most out of my last summer fling that all of the days kind of ran together. That's relaxation for you. :)

This photo is totally worth a thousand words. :)


One running theme throughout the trip was all of the kids needing more sleep, and Daynarae fighting it tooth and nail. Alaina was happy to take a snooze under the picnic table at Uncle Ryan's neighborhood pool, but Daynarae isn't willing to leave the party before everyone is done hanging.


I was a total wimp at the pool and could only stand the chilly water for a few minutes, but Papa was a great sport and played with the kids in there for over two hours.


I got tired of looking like a scrub on day three and tried my best to look nice, since I sometimes forget what I look like outside of holey jeans and stained whites. It must have taken Alaina by surprise, too, since she had to run to grab my camera and take a picture. I'm proud to cross "maintain a tan all summer" off of my bucket list! :)


After debating whether or not to take the kids to Fort Fun, kind of like a Boondocks, we settled on Chuck E Cheese's instead, since all the kids really want to do is play a million games to earn tickets and pick out little candies and toys. I don't know who had more fun, the kids or Uncle Ray! Look at that concentration!


...after a particularly bad shot.


Papa was the keeper of the coins. I think that's the best job in the house! :)


Wide-eyed with excitement!


Connor takes his driving very seriously.


I did a little happy dance when I saw this electrified ape game. Theresa and I thought that we were hardcore when we'd play it at the Fun Dome (all you do is hold on to it while it vibrates intensely). I knew Ray would love it.


Planet of the Apes

The kids love those little card-making machines.








When Daynarae sat down to make a card, she automatically put on a great smile...


...however, when I told her to "Say Cheese", this is the face I got. O.o


A girl after my own heart...loving the horse ride!


The ban on these two driving in the same car when they're 16 has not yet been lifted.




Time to cash 'em in!






Lovin' their hauls!


Another running theme throughout the visit was the ingestion of too many 5-hour Energies. I've relied on these a lot this summer to stave off the moodiness and fatigue that comes with too little sleep for me (and let's face it, that's pretty much every day for this 9-hr-girl), and they do their job well. However, consider yourself warned that these are not meant to fuel you for ten days. :P Even though I felt terrible after my B12 binge, I will always look back on the memory of everyone knocking these back together and smile.


We had dinner on the patio at Canino's. The light was gorgeous, so it was a photographer's dream.






Seriously, only the Dietrichs show up to an Italian restaurant and bring their own Dean Martin. :)




When the boys all went to play golf, Nana and I took the girls on a "Little Girls" shopping day. We went to an amazing toy store in downtown Fort Collins, then out for a cookie!


Those eyes! Completely unedited!


I think we were all a little intense about "getting ours" at some point on this vacation. We agreed that this is what the 5-Hour Energy ads should look like, not some lady waking up and getting on the treadmill!


Papa had to make an impromptu 20-hour business trip to Texas. Connor was so excited to have the responsibility of making Hannah feel comfortable in bed without Papa.


Twinners!


Ray's new girlfriend, Jen, went out with us on our "Big Girls" shopping day. With the direct personalities between Angela and I, I will happily give a girl a pat on the back for surviving a lunch with us! Even though Jen isn't much of a shopper, she powered through six glorious hours with us!


I would love to say that I took this picture of Papa on his deck, since I love the light, location, and leading lines, but I will give full credit where it's deserved. Way to go, Alaina!


For some reason, I like this one, too. Maybe it's Nana's flowers, or my beautiful Chaco's, or the fact that I have too few pictures of myself and my canine niece.


My favorite part of the trip was hearing, "Aunt Carolyn, watch this!", then turning around to this beauty. I'm still laughing.


Anthony hooked up the computer to the tv to have a huge monitor. Many YouTube videos were watched.


Papa's glasses still have not lost their intrigue.


Ryan asked me to watch Daynare for a second while he ran inside, and she immediately tripped over her foot and skinned both her hands and knees. Worst aunt ever. Don't trust me with your children. :P


My boy just loves those doggies.


Nana and Papa gave him a guitar, which was obviously serious business.


Poor Zoey...always manhandled by the children.


Sneakin' marshmallows.


We got our bubble blowing on with some Disney bubble wands that made the best bubbles ever!








Jen won the award as best grown-up bubble executor.


We took the kids to see the fountains in Old Town. The random nature of these fountains entertained the kids until Nana and I pulled them out, and then we went back the next day, better prepared with swimsuits and sandals.








Once again, a great visit! Can't wait until Thanksgiving!