Graduation

 

The day has come - GRADUATION! I cannot believe it. The wonderful teachers at the Mount have helped raise our little girl. She now solves her own problems on the play ground- understands how to wait her turn - knows how to clean up and care for her self. We have loved the program and how it has focused on the social emotional aspects of raising children.

 

 

But it has not just been the teachers- also all the families that we now know through the Mount. Parents that have helped us raise this little gal- all looking out for each other's kids. Luckily- we will all stay connected being so close in West Seattle.

 

 

And now- Lilly is ready for Kindergarten. She "can't wait to sit in a desk" and "try out the new centers". She is ready to meet new friends and learning new things. 

Some Like It HOT!

After Disneyland our real "vacation" moved to Palm Desert at Mariott's Shadow Ridge Resort.  Great place- very spacious accommodations and right across from the pool and kids center.  Pool has a great waterslide that both kids love.  The weather has been awesome - started in the high 80s and has moved to low 100s as the week progressed.  We did a lot of fun things in between pooltime- the Living Desert Museum (think of a zoo) complete with giraffe feeding and a wildlife show; exploring Plam Springs and going to a movie (Epic); and lots of quality family time.  On Thursday Dad went exploring Joshua Tree National Park and later that afternoon cousins Jessica & Lawrence and the twins Eloise and Andersen came to visit (they coincidently had a work retreat at a nearby hotel!).  We ended up hanging out all day Friday and did the Palm Springs Tram up to Mt San Jancito State Park.  This was a highlight- takes you up to 8500 ft to a beautiful and mountainous pine forest with hiking trails.  We ended up doing a 1.5 mile hike with gorgeous views of the Coachella Valley followed by burgers and beer when we got back down to the valley.  The Jepson family joined us Friday night nad enjoyed a relaxing pool day on Saturday before reality rearing its ugly head and heading back home Sunday.  Speacial thanks to Bobbie and Larry for taking us to lunch our first day and letting us borrow so many fun toys for the week!!!