10.16.15: Popsicle Man

At a park minding our own business and a popsicle truck drives up.  This was the girls' first experience with such a truck, they weren't exactly sure what it was all about but knew they needed a popsicle - clearly we had to oblige.

Daphne, Fiona, Stella

10.16.15: Our Special Person - Fiona

Every week in class one kid is selected to be 'Our Special Person'.  While Nene was here, Fiona was selected.  This meant that Nene was able to be Fiona's special guest.  Fiona was very proud to bring her Nene.

We had to sneak in one last visit to the beach before Nene returned home.

10.11.15: Nene's in charge

Due to some unfortunate double booking of work trips, Nene came to the rescue to watch the girls while Brant and I travelled for a few days.  The girls were more than thrilled to show Nene around our new town especially the beach (Daphne, Nene, Fiona, Stella)

We even found an ice scream place named after Nene - so we had to partake.

10.4.15: Climbing Trees

Where there are trees...they need to be climbed. You would never know these kids were raised in the desert given their tree climbing skills.

Fiona, Daphne, Stella

10.2.15: Bed takeover

When you live in a very small apartment, there are few places to go.  Sometimes Stella, Fiona and Daphne take over our bed.

10.1.15: Award Ceremony

Fiona, Stella, and Daphne received an award today along with a few other first graders for being an exemplary classmate - showing kindness.   The best part was that the girls' teacher told us they were getting the award so I was able to be there, without the girls knowing.  Seeing the genuine surprise was priceless.  So proud of our little ladies.

9.27.15: Hiking

Fiona, Stella, Daphne and I found a hiking path down a main street near our home.  It has seven bridges, tons of trees and our pets (fish) that we visit frequently. Leaves, pinecones, sticks, nature galore....

9.26.15: Boardwalk

Santa Cruz has an amazing boardwalk.  As newbies to the town, it is a very exciting place to be - I imagine it gets old to the locals given the high number of tourists attracted.  With season passes in our hands, we are able to go on the rides whenever we'd like.  After several visits, the girls have built up enough confidence to go on rides by themselves.  Sometimes I think I scream more than them on some of these rides.  You would never know their first amusement park ride was less than a month ago.

Daphne, Stella, Fiona

9.18.15: Field Trip - Farm

UCSC is a big agriculture school.  Given its proximity to the girls' elementary school, we were able to walk to our first field trip - at the farm.  We got to pick (and eat) food from the earth, decorate our cheeks with beet juice and enjoy homemade tortillas and apple juice.

9.16.15: Bear pancakes at school

Brant volunteered in the classroom today and ended up making some pretty fantastic bear pancakes for everyone.  Rumor has it, most hand chocolate chips on them.

9.10.15: Portraits

The girls' teacher is amazing....absolutely amazing.  Less than two weeks into the school year and the girls' classroom is covered with personalized creations.

9.9.15: Dinner on the beach

It is hard to resist eating dinner on the beach....especially when it is five minutes from your house.

8.31.15: Take our picture

The girls have started requesting we take their picture when they are all posing, sometimes it is just too hard to resist sharing...even when in the bathroom brushing teeth.

Fiona, Stella, Daphne

8.26.15: First Day of 1st Grade

After a substantial amount of saga (overcrowded school + late enrollment) we magically got into our home school.  Stella, Daphne and Fiona can walk to school everyday in the beautiful weather.  They are even in the same class (our preferred scenario).  Often with multiples, kids are separated into different classes to foster independence.  Thanks to a substantial focus on individualism over the past few years, the girls have their own personalities, friends and styles.  The girls did fantastic in the same kindergarten class so we thought having each other as classmates in a brand new school made sense.  Having three different teachers, sets of field trips, class activities, homework, 75 different sets of friends and parents also seemed a little overwhelming.  We are thrilled and extremely lucky to be able to go to this school.  Already Brant's connections + small city are working to our benefit. 

8.24.15: Natural Bridges

Enjoying a beach just five minutes from our house.  Always finding time to jump over waves.

8.15.15: Making friends

Adventuring to Doug's house with a pool and treehouse...no complaints...not a one.

Stella, Fiona and Daphne enjoying the pool)

A ridiculous treehouse complete with attic and slide

8.14.15: Needed: Bunkbeds

We weren't sure of the exact dimensions of the girls room - yes they are sharing one in our spacious 800 sq. ft apartment.  We assumed we'd have to get bunkbeds but waited to order them, just in case.  Once the three twin beds arrived and we saw that the three beds covered the entire floor in their room, we ordered bunkbeds.  I suppose an entire room of mattresses could have been fun too.

8.10.15: Waiting

Waiting for everything you own to arrive in an empty apartment 1/3 the size of the house you left is tough.  We tried to make the most of it and enjoy the spacious living area (given there was no furniture).

8.9.15: Aquarium

Today we (Stella, Daphne, Fiona) adventured to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for the first time.  This aquarium is amazing and coming from desert living - the girls hadn't seen anything like it before.  We found the sea otters especially entrancing. Personally I found the jellyfish area mesmerizing. I am confident we will make many trips to this Aquarium in the next year.

  

8.7.15: We made it!

We finally arrived at our new home in Santa Cruz.  First stops burritos and the beach (Daphne, Stella, Fiona). We accidentally discovered a bakery that had a chair in each of the girls favorite colors...yes, girls approved - this will be our new home.