I'm on a Boat!!

Last weekend, our good friends Matt & Carly invited our whole FUSE table to spend the day with them on a trip to Catalina Island. Only 3 couples ended up being able to come, and we had a blast! I had never been to Catalina, but had researched it some when Kim came to visit in February. So I knew some of what there was to offer and was excited!!!!! We weren't sure if we were going to be able to go b/c we couldn't get a babysitter, but Lindsey and Joey lent us theirs, so the kids were in good hands. A whole day on a boat, sightseeing, and spending some quality time just the grown-ups together... now I was SUPER excited!!! Carly's dad, Brad, took us over on his boat (it was about a 2 hour ride I think). I was a little nervous about getting motion sickness, but after taking a Bonine, drinking lots of water, and eating some ginger snaps, I was good to go.

We docked at the city of Avalon, and spent the day there. We took a tour on golf carts, ate lunch, then did a little shopping in all the cute touristy stores. Brad was very knowledgeable about the island we learned some things we had never known (like, the island was owned by the Wrigley's and the Cubs did their spring training there every year for awhile). Next time we go, I'm doing the Zip Line Tour!!!!! I would've done it this time, but I think the guides and Mike would've looked down on a pregnant belly flying through mid-air :)

So THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU again, Matt & Carly. We had an excellent time and can't wait until we get to do it again!!!!! ;)

The girls

Matt, Carly, and us on our golf cart tour

Brad, Kathleen, Joey, and Lindsay

The view of Avalon traveling into the harbor

The harbor with "The Casino", a movie theater

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Today, we started on a new adventure. We enrolled Lucy in a dance class! We did it through The Little Gym. They have a class that is a combination of dance and gymnastics. She does 15 min of tap, 15 min of ballet, and 30 min of gymnastics. The class is for 3 and 4 yr olds, but the girl told me we didn't have to wait the 2 weeks until her birthday.

The night before, I told her what she was going to do the next day. She was SOOOO excited!!!!! She immediately said, "I have to wear my ballerina costume". She was full of questions (that I was not prepared to answer), so I just had to tell her we would both find out tomorrow what the class would be like.

She was excited all morning and when we got there, not as shy as she usually is. We borrowed tap and ballet shoes from the gym. Me being as cheap as I am, I didn't want to buy any if this didn't really work out. Well, looks like we're going to buy some now! She LOVED it. She was smiling the whole time and so engaged in the teacher. I was so thankful that she was not only participating, but loving every minute of it :) Watching that class was probably the cutest thing I've ever seen! I think I enjoyed it as much as she did :) Here's a quick video that I took with some pictures put in there too. The quality's not too good, but you get the idea.

Bear crawl on the bars

First position

Tap Shoes

ABC, Easy as 1,2,3!

So Brooks had his first day of "real" school on Wednesday, August 10. He started Kindergarten!!! The Kindergarten here is a little different than what I was prepared for in LA. The age cut off is 5 by December here, and 5 by September in LA. So that means he started a year earlier than I was anticipating! But to help me out a little, it's only half day, not full day.

He was so excited. He woke up in the morning and had his new Starwars shirt (which he picked out), shorts, socks, and new tennis shoes on about an hour before it was time to go. And for awhile he sat with his booksack on just waiting!

Something else different about this school is that on the first day, the parents stay the WHOLE time!!! So I got to see what his days would be like (roughly) and how his teacher interacted with all the kids. He likes his teacher and I think she's going to be great for him. The day was a little unorganized and chaotic at times, but I'm sure once they get into a routine, it'll be smooth sailing. I think being able to go the whole time the first day helped me too. To my surprise, I didn't cry at all, despite my pregnancy hormones and the fact that my first born is old enough to start school!!

Brooks' school bus he made!

waiting in line

He's ready!!