In A Year's Time

Today was the last day of Kindergarten for Nathan.  As I look back at the first day, so many things are the same, but so much has changed.  When we went to Kindergarten orientation last August, Brian and I weren't sure what we had gotten ourselves into by immersing Nathan into Spanish, but like with most things, he charged ahead and proved our worries to be silly.  To hear your child read is amazing in and of itself, but to hear your child read, write and converse in a foreign language at the age of 6 is incomprehensible at times.  I'm glad we held out and waited for a spot at Longfellow because this has truly been a remarkable year.  The school is such a great community and besides the academic piece, Nathan has made many great friends this year.  Beyond that he has really embraced the school's running club and went on to log almost 100 miles run this year.  His hope is to be one of the elite runners in the 125+ mile club next year...I think he can do it!  I can't wait to see what first grade and beyond holds for you Nathan!

To Be A Kid Again

This has been yet another crazy week in America with the Boston Marathon and MIT explosions and the explosion of the plant in Waco, TX and all the Media crap that goes along with tragic events.  Another senseless death of a child left me wanting nothing more than to turn off all TV, unplug from social media and just play with my kids.  Today was a great day in San Diego.  The weather was in the 80's and not a cloud in the sky.  We started with a play date with one of Nathan's friends from school, which ended up a playdate for Kira as well because when we got to the park one of her classmates was there, as well. We came home for lunch and nap time, which never occurred, so the kids put on their swimsuits and launched water balloons and had a water fight.  We went out for ice cream and then we played outside some more riding bikes, playing baseball and just having fun. It was just what I needed after this horrific week.  

Nathan Turns 6

And just like that my baby boy is in the second half of his first decade.  This has been such a big year for him.  He left the comforting walls of his small preschool and started kindergarten.  I was worried because many times last year in pre-k he would cry when I dropped him off and my mommy heart worried that kindergarten would be much the same, especially since 100% of his instruction is in Spanish.  However, Nathan went off to kindergarten and never looked back.  He has taken the bull by the horns and surprises us daily with what he has learned.  Nathan has a math brain that he most certainly did not inherit from me, but it must come from the Davies, since his Aunt Julie is a math teacher after all.  One of Nathan's favorite things about school is the morning running club.  To date he has run over 50 miles!  Our year is much like others with lots of trips to the beach, river, desert and mountains.  Nathan and Brian did their annual father/son/cousin "man camp" camping trip. They also did an all guy Southern California skatepark/camp trip together.  As usual we did our many river trips, but have not yet convinced Nathan to get up on a wakeboard.  He did enjoy a lot of SUP (stand up paddling), though.  We did many trips to the beach this past summer and having his friends Tobin and Nathan with him most weekends, really helped to make him comfortable in the water.  He became a pretty good boogie boarder and eventually at the end of the summer popped up to standing on the board, so hopefully surfing comes this summer.  Nathan continued to love riding his quad at the desert, as well.  Although his daring demeanor out there does scare me a bit.  We were lucky enough to squeeze in two snowboarding trips this year, as well.  Nathan tends to be shaky then first day on the mountain and then by the end of a trip he is off and running (which makes me happy, since this is my favorite of all the sports). Its been a fun year and I look forward to what year 7 has in store for this little guy.

My Three Year Old Kira

Kira Turns 3

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Today we celebrate 3 years of Kira Nicole!  Seriously how have three years gone by since we first met this little girl.  Who is 3-year old Kira?  She is a gigantic paradox, this girl.  Kira is one of the funniest little people I know.  She has a sense of humor that goes beyond her years.  Yet, she is so serious for such a little girl.  Kira is fiercely independent in some regards (which make her mama proud), yet at other times, she clings to me and won't let go.  She enjoys clothes and sparkly shoes, but is content to run barefoot in the yard and doesn't mind getting dirty.  However, she will freakout if her hands are dirty.  Kira loves all things girly (obviously this did not come from me.  We joke it skips a generation since her grandma always longed for a pink loving girly girl), but will climb, jump and run right alongside Nathan.  Although she enjoys pretend play, princesses and baby dolls, she will also spend time kicking a ball in the backyard, playing with all of Nathan's toys and do whatever he does.  This year Kira started preschool and really enjoys it.  She has made friends and has become (mostly) potty trained, though after our winter break has regressed a bit.  She still enjoys swimming, coloring and reading books.  After a recent trip to Mammoth, she decided she wants to learn to ski...we'll see come March when we go to the local mountain resorts.  Although she still needs us in so many way, she has grown a lot this year too.  Although she often hangs back (and clings) in new situations, it is often not long before she is off and running with all the rest of the kids.  We all looking forward to what year 4 has in store for her.