She’s not shy at all, is she?

All summer I’ve been hearing how my (almost) 5 year old was scared to go to kindergarten.  I know many of my friends were weepy just thinking about that first day drop off, but I wasn’t sad.  I was nervous she would be intimidated by the classroom, her new teacher, her new playground.  We walked her into class, and all the students and parents sat down to read a story together with her new teacher.  Her eyes were like saucers, taking in her new surroundings.  When it came time to say good bye she just waved – no smile, no hug, no tears.  I walked out relieved – she seemed fascinated with all kindergarten has to offer.

Then my husband called today after the morning drop off.  My little one walked through the gate to the playground, turned around and simply said “bye daddy”!  And off she went.

Only then did I become teary-eyed, because my little girl is growing up.  Today, she needs me a little less than she did yesterday.  And that makes me incredibly proud – and a little sad.

We all love the county fair but for different reasons.  My almost 5 year old loves the rides and the carnival games.  My 2 year old loves the petting zoo.  My husband and I like to stuff our faces with all of the fried food options (this time we tried the fried avocado and funnel cake for dessert).

So while daddy went on the rides with big sis, I hit the petting zoo with the little one:

Hello there, llama…

She is afraid of most of the rides, and yet she is fearless when it comes to the animals.

We managed to get them both on this ride – and they both liked it.

No ferris wheel for me – I’m finding the older I get the less tolerance I have for spinning in circles.  That, and my stomach could only take so much after the fried avocados…

I also enjoyed the fair without schlepping around my DSLR – just my trusty point and shoot for this family event.  I need to step away from the “fancy” camera once in a while so I can just enjoy the moment.

My passport is sad.  It’s been over 4 years since it has seen the light of day.  No visa stamps, no handling by customs agents, no action whatsoever.  I’m not sure when my passport will get out and see the world again – it’s hard to imaging flying anywhere internationally with 2 kids under the age of 5.  So passport, this one’s for you – let’s reminisce about our month-long journey to Spain:

Ah, Barcelona – one of my favorite cities on the planet.

Passport, you know my obsession with churches, basilicas, cathedrals, etc.  If I stumble upon a church in any European city, I must go in and check it out.

Loved visiting the mountains about an hour north of Salobrena, Spain.

It’s a good thing I like jamon (ham) – it’s everywhere in Spain.

Beautiful Granada.

The Feria de Abril in Sevilla – talk about some good people watching.

It’s safe to say we ate well in Spain…

La Mezquita – to this day one of the most fascinating places I’ve visited.

Ah passport, until next time.  Perhaps a bride would like to take us to Italy for her wedding (hint hint…)

Post afternoon nap portrait.

Happy weekend everyone!

My girls love to do “art projects” – I thought bedazzling some flip-flops would be a fun summer craft:

Sadly the self-adhesive jewels did not stay on the flip-flops for long – I need to break out the hot glue gun for a more permanent solution.  But it was fun!