Soccer!

Soccer with Nyla started right after Labor Day.  We practice on Fridays at 5 and have games early Saturday morning.  We have gotten to know two parks we haven't been to before and have had some fun having dinner in the park after practice.  Nice way to end the week.

My team is called "Blue Sky".  We have been playing great for 4-5 year olds with little practice.

Practice includes "duck duck goose" and then beating a teammate to the goal with the ball.

Since it is my birthday this month, Pepa and Grandma and Grandpa have been able to come to a few of my games.

One of my friends from preschool and also a friend of Nyla's is on the pink team.  We haven't played them yet but she is at the park on Saturday mornings.

Our relaxing Labor Day Weekend

We started out the weekend with a beach morning on Saturday.  The waves were huge.

We had friends over for a barbecue on Saturday afternoon, including Allen's famous ribs.

We went for a bike ride (kids) and walk (the rest of us) up the boardwalk to the skate park.  Gigi (and Jordan) were offered to get on the 4x4 police "car" but Jordan was too scared.

We watched the skateboarders from high up (well some of us did)

On Sunday, we went back to Mother's Beach, both the park and the beach and Jordan saw the Water Bus....of course, he insisted we board the bus, so off we went to Burton Chace Park.  Gigi and Jordan gathered up pieces of the trees in the park (they look like snakes).

Of course, nap time is always part of our day.  Jordan just loves his Daddy.

Today, we made our own bubbles to refill our bubble wands.

Here are pictures of our new walkway in the garden and the beautiful garden in bloom.

We picked and ate many raspberries from the garden.

And, there are some habaneros growing but not quite ripe yet.....we were hoping for some jerk chicken this summer but looks like it will be a fall event.

On Saturday morning, we went to a yard sale and picked up all of these "legos".  We built a few houses with them, including a roof on this one.

This afternoon, Gigi spelled a bunch of words on the fridge, including "Cat", "Hat", "Rat", "Bat", "Fat", "Fit", "Hit", "Pin", "Pink", "Zoe" and "Jordan".  She is learning fast!

A perfect afternoon for some painting...

And more letter practice "Lemonade" for the lemonade stand she painted

Little brother got involved in the fun

And, we ended our weekend at the park for an early evening romp, including dinner at the park.

Fun with Friends

Our former neighbors and good friends came to visit for a week, then went to the desert and came back for an evening.  We invited several of their friends to join us for a fun Friday night.  Here is L and "Aunt" Issy with Jordan.

Drumstick treats after dinner.

The next day, we had an all school play date at the beach.  We swam in the water and built castles and other fun sand creations.

Then, in the afternoon, we went swimming with the "Js" and to the beach a second time.   All that followed by a trip to Islands.  Gigi was in heaven.

Our Kindergartener!

Gigi started kindergarten on Tuesday, August 14th!  Of course, LAUSD moved the start to before Labor Day when we start school.  Ah well....we get out early!

After a breakfast at Noah's, the whole family escorted Gigi to her first day.

Gigi's teacher (Miss P) has been teaching kindergarten for a LONG time.  She was probably teaching kindy when Mama was in kindergarten.  She has a great energy and is well loved by all.  Gigi was giving her hugs on her first day.

This is the classroom where Gigi will spend the next 9 months (or is it 10)?

Our neighbor, I, is also in her class and her sister, R, is in 3rd grade at our elementary school.

Gigi's backpack is the one with the horses and the lunchbox attached.  Mama and Grandma spent a long time researching just the right pack for our first kindergartener.

Blowing Mama a kiss goodbye.

And a hug from little brother.

Second day...

Jordan went with his unusual outfit of mixed jammies and firefighter boots.