First day of school

Last year we had 4 start dates for our 4 kids.  This year everyone started on the same day but just to add to the craziness we returned from California 38 hours before school started with no nanny yet.  Happily, we found a wonderful nanny yesterday who started today and managed to get the kids back to this time zone (at least closer).  It sounds like everyone had a great first day!

We were especially proud of Mr. 4 who said very little last year and cried when in sight of the school.  It was a hard year.  Over the summer he seemed to have a great time at preschool camp and today was ready to start school.  When we got there this morning he was happy to go and "check it out".  He was sad when I left and did try to cling like a monkey but sounds like he recovered quickly and had a great day.  He was doing puzzles with his friends Jack and Charlie when I came to pick him up and told me all about his day on the way home!

California Trip

We returned from Family Camp Sunday night and by Wednesday we were packing back up to leave for California.  David was trying to get one last work day in before we left so I packed everything, ran errands, and managed boys with the plan to meet him at Google at 4pm to take the train to the airport.  It was a little rocky getting out of the house but we made it in time.  It was late by the time we were in the air and even later when we arrived.  Mr. 4 had been grumpy on the flight but then fell asleep.  After picking up our car at 1:30am Boston time, everyone complained about how hungry they were.  We decided a quick stop at In and Out Burger was in order and filled everyone up with hamburgers and fries before trying to get some sleep.

We were up bright and early despite our late night due to the time difference and after a quick breakfast and a stop to say hello to Great Nana, Super Papa, and family, we headed to the beach.  It was fun to be there with my sister and her family and then to have the California family join us.  The older 3 took turns body surfing and then on the boogie boards.  Even David and I gave it a try.











We headed back to the hotel and cleaned up (there was lots of sand to wash off).  The girls went to have their nails done for the wedding and then we all met up at Aunt Joy's for Rubio's fish tacos.  They have quite the backyard and the kids had a blast.  I don't think we could manage a backyard foosball table in Boston!

 
On Friday we were again up early (but a little less early) and headed out to Bates Nut Farm.  I've been going to Bates Nut Farm since I was a little girl and it is always fun to take the boys there to feed the goats, sheep, and llamas and to buy snack.  Mr. 4 had a long monologue about how the big guys get everything and little guys need food to (inspired by A Big Guy Took My Ball!).  He loved feeding the little goats.  Finally it was time to head back to the hotel and get ready for the wedding.







The wedding was only for adults but happily they arranged great babysitters for the kids.  The boys were really disappointed as they had a fantastic time dancing at the wedding in Colorado and it meant a bit of back and forth getting everyone settled before the wedding but it was a lovely evening celebrating my beautiful cousin and her new husband.  We're so glad to be a part of such a big loving family!









On Saturday morning we were up well before our California relatives so we took a little adventure to Frye's electronics