The Night Before Kindergarten...

This past week has been our final week before Grace starts going to school everyday, except for summer breaks, for the next 13 years or so. We have had lots of fun as we tried to fit a few more fun-filled activities into our final days of summer vacation.

We started out by going up to Sacramento to the State Fair. It was lots of fun, despite the 105 degree weather (Claira stayed home with Grandma to keep cool). While at the fair, I paid $1 to see a giant horse named Hercules. It was well worth the money--He was HUGE! So of course I had to pay another $1 to see the giant cow after that. He was not as impressive, but only because he was sitting down. It was all part of the fair experience.

Grace enjoyed riding a pony for the first time ever and experiencing some carnival rides such as the bumpy slide, a dragon roller coaster, and the hot-air balloon ride. When the heat really started to become unbearable, Matt and his dad stayed behind to enjoy some of the shows while the rest of us went back to Matt's parents' house to swim and cool off. What a fun weekend!

On Thursday we spent the day with friends at the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland. It was also a lot of fun, and the kids had a blast. We enjoyed a few shows in the planetarium, and the kids loved seeing all of the exhibits about the stars, planets, astronauts, and space ships and shooting off water rockets outside. I would definitely recommend it for a fun day trip.

On Friday night, we went to the Primary Children's Arts Festival. Grace displayed two pieces of artwork, but was disappointed that she hadn't chosen to perform. I don't think she really understood what I meant when I asked her if she wanted to sing, dance, or do artwork. I know I am biased, but I thought her artwork was awesome. She chose to use two different art mediums-paint and crayons. She painted a family tree then put pictures on it to look like apples. She also drew and colored a magic garden, which was fabulous. The next day she wrote and illustrated a three-page story that went along with her magic garden picture. All three pieces are absolute treasures that we will save for forever!

Our final summer fun was going to a Giants game with our friends Heidi and Brad. (Hey Heidi, could you e-mail me that picture of us?) We left the kids with babysitters (Yes, you read that correctly. Matt & I got a babysitter, and the girls survived without us for FIVE hours straight!) It was a gorgeous day in San Francisco, and the perfect weather for a ballgame. The Giants won, we enjoyed time with friends, and the girls survived and had fun at Heidi and Brad's house-what more could we ask for than that? I think this was my much-needed cue that it is okay for me to leave my children with a sitter to spend some quality time with my hubby.

So it is now Sunday evening, and I am preparing myself mentally, physically, and emotionally for the start of kindergarten tomorrow. Grace is super excited to make new friends, and I know she is ready for school, but I can't help but tear up when I think of her going to kindergarten. I know she will love it, and I can't wait to share her first day of school photos tomorrow. For bedtime we read the story The Night Before Kindergarten. It is one of several stories written to mimic the classic The Night Before Christmas. It is such a cute story, and Grace loved it. I am quite sure that the last few lines from the story will be the scene tomorrow as we get to go spend a little time with Grace in her classroom before they send us away.

The children were happy. They loved Miss Sunrise!

It was she who was in for a giant surprise.

When what to her wondering eyes should appear

but sad moms and dads who were holding back tears!

Their noses-so sniffly! Their eyes-red and wet!

This was the saddest good-bye Miss Sunrise had seen yet!

She gathered the grown-ups on the magical rug,

then sent them away after one final hug.

The children all waved from the door of the school.

"Don't cry, Mom and Dad; kindergarten is cool!"

Here's to kindergarten being COOL! Good luck Gracie!