Kindergarten

Today was Dylann's first day of "Kindergarten."

If you're wondering why I put the word in quotations, it's because she's in a class called Discovery Kindergarten. It's geared towards children who may be ready for kindergarten academically, but not emotionally or socially. They must also be turning 5 sometime between July and December. It's held at a typical, public elementary school and her class socializes with the other kindergarten classrooms, but instead of the 25:1 ratio, it's 20:1 and the children learn more hands-on with less worksheets to take home. She's also at school for a full day (7:55 - 1:30), 5 days a week. So, it's Kindergarten, but geared towards the younger set.

So here she is, my little 4.75 year old, with her big girl backpack on, heading to her first full day of school.

She kept telling me how excited she was to be going to "high school." I suppose that's how it must seem to her though - being 4 years old, going to the same school as 10 year olds.

hanging her backpack

I tried hard to hold back the tears, but as I gave her that final kiss and told her to have a fantastic day, the floodgates opened.

waving goodbye to me

I can't wait to pick her up later today!! I think Logan misses her too.

Rides and Candy and Toys - Oh Boy!

Don't ask what I'm doing on the first Wednesday in August for at least the next 5 years. It's opening day at the Ventura County Fair! And it's only $1 to enter (for me since kids under 5 are free). Added bonus this year - Ray stayed home with Logan so that Dylann and I could stay as long as we wanted (didn't have to go home to put Logan down for a nap).

This year we met up friends which not only made it more fun for Dylann, but less nauseating for me. I don't know at what age it happened, but just the sight of all the spinning rides makes me queasy. And just about everything spins. Some even float in one direction while spinning in another - ugh, just the thought of it is making me sick.

click image for larger view of spinning rides

Dylann did go on one ride that didn't spin, but as you can see

this ride goes up 20' and drops in 5' increments

it wasn't a hit.

Don't worry, the day ended on a high note - Dylann won a stuffed panda bear and got to have some cotton candy!

what? your kid doesn't hug their cotton candy?

And since we're heading out of town this week and won't be able to hit the fair for the next $1 day, we went again on Sunday - with Logan, Daddy and Grandpa - Yippee!!

Logan looks so excited, doesn't he?

Looking forward to next year when I'll have to buy double the ride tickets because Logan will want to go on the all the glorious spinners too!