10.28.15: Field Trip | Pumpkin Patch

Today there was a class field trip to the local pumpkin patch with their 'Big Buddies' class (4th graders). Fiona found a snail, Stella had an easy time blending in with the other pumpkins and Daphne made sure to pick out the biggest pumpkin possible.

And then they carved the pumpkins in class!

10.25.15: Monarch Migration

Apparently every year starting in October, monarch butterflies swarm a certain natural reserve area of Santa Cruz.  Walking through nature surrounded by hundreds of butterflies is something that everyone should experience at some point - magical.

Daphne, Stella, Fiona

10.18.15: Pumpkin Patch

A beautiful day to pick pumpkins from an actual pumpkin patch (Fiona, Daphne, Stella).

and visiting some animals

Brant was thrilled when he discovered a wheelbarrow...apparently he wasn't looking forward to juggling five large pumpkins....or three small children

 Fiona

 Stella

Daphne

Our loot!

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....