Thanksgiving 2017

We headed back to Virginia for Thanksgiving again this year. The kids did so great on the 5 hour plane ride across country all thanks to the iPad!

We spent Thanksgiving night at the Bahrami's again.

On Friday we took the kids to the Natural History Museum in DC. Caiden was in a bit of a funk the entire time because he wanted to go to the pool and play air hockey at the community area in Fery & Osi's complex but Grace loved it. Every single thing we went by she had the sound of excitement in her voice saying, "Mommy, look at this!".  EXCEPT, for the dinosaur exhibit. She did not want to go near them and made us hold her and she buried her head in our shirt the entire time.

Friday night we went to Farhad and Jill's house for their annual get together. It's always a great time, complete with fireworks!

On Saturday we went to Great Falls Park, just 15 minutes from Fery and Osi's house. It was our first time going and it was beautiful. There are a number of trails that run along the Potomac River and watching the kayakers on the falls is breathtaking. 

Saturday night we went out to dinner with Sule and Katie to a Brazilian Steakhouse. When we left at 11pm we were all so full of food we had to walk around so we went to the National Mall. We walked from the Washington Monument past the WW II memorial, reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial, two-miles round trip. I'd say the midnight stroll was a good choice after that meal.

We stayed super busy the entire time and the kids had fun. The first thing Caiden asked for when he woke up was if he could play air hockey and go to the pool, unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of this even though we did it every day. It was a great Thanksgiving break!

Halloween 2017

Our neighbors came over for dinner and drinks before trick or treating. The kids had a blast wearing their costumes. Caiden was Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Grace was Poppy the Troll. There was a haunted house on our street and the boys had so much fun running through it.  They probably went through it 15 times, it was definitely the highlight of their night! Grace would not even get close. We hit up two streets and then the kids started sitting on the sidewalk and wanting to be held because they were tired. It was perfect!

Ballet, soccer, football...all new activities!

We've had a lot of new activities this past month. It keeps us so busy and I love it!

Grace started ballet/tap class on Friday mornings. She really loves it. The entire class she has a smile on her face. I think ballet will be sticking around for awhile.

Caiden started official rec soccer! He wears cleats, shin guards, they have official games on Saturday mornings and one practice during the week. It is quite the commitment but it's so fun watching him play and improve over the weeks!

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He also started football. It's also twice a week. Practice on Tuesday night and games on Friday evenings. We have quite the action going on right now!

The kids had their first art show at school. Caiden's class painted Vincent van Gogh's, The Starry Night and Grace's class painted Georgia O'Keeffe's, Oriental Poppies.

And Grandpa came out to visit and attended Grandparent's Day at the kids school! He got to participate in a class activity and then we did family Chapel together. He even got on stage and the grandparents did a special song and dance for the kids. 

Loges' in town

My girlfriend, Mickey, and her family came to visit a couple of weeks ago. We had so much fun while they were here. We went to the Del Mar Horse Races, Seaworld and hit up the beach a few days. The kids had a lot of fun together and the day after they left Grace asked where her friends were.

First day of school

Both kids had their first day of school on August 22! They are going to Horizon Prep and Grace is in Preschool going Tuesday and Thursday and Caiden is in Transitional Kindergarten going ALL five days! Their school day is from 8:30 - 12:30.

They both did so amazing on the first day I couldn't have asked for anything better. We dropped Grace off in her classroom first and luckily her teacher is the same one she had during summer camp, Miss Teri. Although I'm not sure if Grace even noticed or cared and just walked in, gave me a kiss and went off to sit in morning circle. I was so proud of her and also just stunned that she didn't even need me a little bit.

Caiden has been pumped to go to school because our family friend, Landon, is also in his class. He didn't even say goodbye to me when we got to the door. It was pretty sweet that he just marched right in there and sat down.

It's been quite a madhouse in the mornings as I've been having to wake Caiden up at 7:30 while Grace refuses to wear her uniform. And I have to make them a lunch and a snack to take with them and try to be out the door by 8am. Marc was able to take Caiden on Wednesday and both of them on Thursday. He called me both days after drop off to tell me how cute they were and I could just tell he was so proud...I love it!