Second day of preschool - with newly purchased shoes (that fit- yeah!)
We went with the Nielsens to Manhattan Beach to try out some new cupcakes where one of our babysitters, Jaime works.

 Girl got another goose-egg, this time from the frame of the couch.




 Belize gave me a makeover!  Don't I have a sweet girl!

 Trying out Mom's glasses.

 Soccer season has started again!  This time she is on the SweetTarts!

 Rio's has been dying to start school like his older sister.  We've had his "Cars" backpack for more than a year.  Unfortunately he has to start it with a cast on his right hand (yes, he's right handed), although that doesn't seem to bother him at all.  And did I mention, the awesome sneaks I bought him to wear on the first day, were TOO SMALL, so he had to wear Belize's shoes on his first day- he is such a good sport!  He is in the same class with Cheznie and Elijah Jager. (Angie and Kelci's kiddos).  I asked him how he liked it when I picked him up and he said, "I want to go to school again- right now!!"

 Largely we've avoided the beach in these last few weeks over summer due to Rio's cast.  But he was due to get a short cast on the next day so we said to heck with it, painted the thing blue and got it all sandy.  He does look like he's having the time of his life, doesn't he?  Brannon also found a quarter he's put down there for safe keeping, when he removed the cast.

Me: I don't feel well tonight so please go to bed.
Belize: Well, don't kiss me on the lips or else I might get your disease.
Me:  It's not contagious, its kind of like an infection.
Belize: You need to get Medicare Insurance.

Several minutes later, after she is supposed to be in bed.

Belize: Mom?  I'm kind of a better doctor than you so you should let me help you.  If its in your stomach area, you might have to have surgery.
Me: It would make me feel better if you went to bed.
Belize:  Well, Dad's a doctor so you should ask him- its worth a shot.

Belize: (yelling from her bed)  IT MIGHT BE TUBERCULOSIS!!!!!

 Wow, class of 2025!!!
 Belize's 1st Day of (actual) Kindergarten!  She was super excited to go to school this year and has only yet to start understanding that she's pretty much going to be learning the same things again.  I still feel really good about the decision to have done DK.  She has been making leaps and bounds in reading on her own though and seems to be enjoying it.  Her teacher's name is Mrs. Kroons (pronounced Krohns).
 Belize LOVES having Zara, our friend next door, in her class! :)

I'm embarrassed to say that sometimes I complain to Brannon that I feel like I'm in a holding pattern.  The feeling like I'm holding my breath until a new stage of life begins or I'm taking the ACT all over again and I am so ready to be done after 5 hours that my legs are twitching and my brain can't think a single thing more.  But right now I am thinking of all the wonderful blessings in my life and I feel ashamed that the words ever left my mouth and entered his ears.  I don't want to end this residency and look back on these years as sweet memories without appreciating them now.  I want to be present.  My life is incredibly rich and full.  Often times when I try to write about how wonderful Brannon is- my eyes get all teary and the words just don't come and that is just because

if I have him, then I have it all.

 Mayan had a "She's a peach" party- cause well, she is a peach!
 Baby girl was NOT interested in her cupcake, she's not much of a baked goods connoisseur.
 She did thoroughly enjoy her peach yogurt Popsicle. :)
 We just couldn't imagine our lives without our sweet little MyMy.  We love you!