Jaaten's 1st Day of Preschool!! OMG!!

Today was Jaaten's first day of preschool.  My Mama told me a couple years ago this day would be TOUGH and I kind of dismissed it.  IT WAS TOUGH!!  We missed Meet the Teacher Night because we were in San Diego. ;(  Not the best move I have ever made but we had already booked the trip when Lil Einsteins announced the official date.  Jaaten did SO great though!!  She was definitely a little unsure at first which tugged at my heart right when we stepped into her classroom.  We got her settled which took less then 5 minutes.  I said "Bye, Jaaten.  I love you.  I will be back to get you in a little bit."  In her uncharacteristic, quiet voice she said, "O-kaaay".  I could tell in that moment she was sad.  It took everything I had to get out that door before I started bawling in front of her.  ;(  Then I called Jaafe.  I think he thinks I'm crazy.  ;)  Then I called Mom...she cried too.  HA!

Jaaten wanted me to take a picture of her bunny rabbit backpack Grammy got her.  Although I have to get a regular backpack for her because the folder the teacher sends home each day does not fit in the rabbit.  Not sure how that will go!

The blanket came along for the car ride but stayed in the car!!

Jaaten was already over me taking pictures even though I had only been able to take a couple before we got to school.

Every morning the kids have to find a monkey with their name on it which will be at their seat for that day.  They put the monkey on the tree before class starts. ;)

 Jaaten spotted dinosaurs in one of the toy bins almost as soon as we walked in the door.  Of course she had to grab not 1 but 5 of them!!  Mrs. Bridgett, her teacher, let her take them to her desk.  Smart girl that Mrs. Bridgett. ;)

 After we got home from school and Jaaten wanted to play outside.  After 3 minutes being outside, she wanted to swim.  So that is what we did...

Gotta Love Groupon

Groupon had an offer in San Diego for a professional photographer session.  When I purchased the Groupon back in February I was hoping we could get pictures taken on the beach.  HOWEVER, the photographer only offered a couple different park locations AND there was only ONE time slot available the entire 3 weeks we were there!!  Note to self:  Always read the fine print on Groupon.  We got a few cute pictures anyway. ;)

San Diego - Week 2

Who knew so many people visit San Diego in the summer that one needs to book a beach house almost a year in advance to get the days and location you prefer?!?  We booked only a few months in advance (which I thought I was so smart for planning so early) SOOOO, we moved to a new beach house for the rest of our stay.  The house is great...great backyard, games for Jaaten, CLOSE to beach but not on the sand. ;(

Jaaten on the couch of the new place as soon as we get there...."I need to watch a movie!" : /

We went to the Scripps Aquarium in La Jolla our first day.  Jaaten has really been into fish and reptiles lately.  ; / 

We have a new nanny!!  Shannon was so sweet to come to San Diego with us on such late notice.  Jaaten LOVES new friends. ;)

Shannon sent me these pictures of the boys the first day she took care of them for me. ;)  I was glad they were being nice to her!!  ;)

The backyard of this new house has been great for Jaaten.  The owners left tons of toys.  It has a grass area big enough to run around and not to mention the chickens.  Yes, chickens!!

 We went to the Safari Park on Tuesday last week.  It really was not too much different from the zoo....I didn't think so anyway.  It was fun though. ;)

 We were trying to get Jaaten to put her face in the little bat hole...she never came!

 Jaafe didn't go to the SD Zoo with us the week before so I think Jaaten was really excited to have her Dad here.  ;)  Cute!

What is a day at a park without getting your face painted....again!!

 Just before we left the park, Jaaten spotted this carousel.  She picked this animal first which I thought was fitting because we had just seen him live.  BUT....

 ...then she spotted "Dad's Deer"!  And had to switch...

 We went inside the gift shop before we left thinking I would get Jaaten a cute stuffed animal.  We left with 2 more lizards!!

 Grammy is a dedicated Farmviller and Jaaten really likes to look at all the animals and other things she collected on her farm.

 Jaafe and his Mini Me, Steel. ;)

 Hudson and Steel

Ashlee, one of our friends in SD, introduced me to some super great girls here a couple years ago.  We met up for drinks at this great bar on the water.  I'm not sure how long it has been since I have been able to get out of the house to meet just girls out so this was great. ;)

 I bought this sprinkler for Jaaten just before we left for California.  For some reason she likes to be Nakie Baby when she runs through it. ; /

 Jaafe and I met up with a girlfriend of mine from college at George's which is a great place for food and drinks on the water in La Jolla.  We actually met up with two different friends of mine from college and took NO PICTURES....ugh!!  So, Jaafe and my picture made the cut to the blog. ;)

 Jaafe and I have not been able to get out in the evenings too much lately either.  Saturday evening our friends Jarrod and Ashlee took us to dinner downtown.  We stopped at the Marriott for drinks on the rooftop first.  It was a blast!  Love you guys. ; ) 

This was taken just before we left for dinner...these boys are HUGE!!  Their first birthday is coming up next month already!! Wow!!