Park Date with The Tracy Girls

On Friday, we met Amber and Emerson at Kit Carson park for a little pre-birthday park date. Emerson's birthday party is on the 31st and since we will be out of town, Kensington wanted to make sure that she had a chance to give the birthday girl her present. We had to cut our play date a bit short because of how incredibly hot it was, but we still had such a fun time with the Tracy girls!

 We're rocking in our gray shoes!

 Pretending to sleep in the bike trailer

 When I asked her what she was doing, she said she was "relaxing" and then asked for her water

 Swing Time Cuties

 Enjoying some snacks

 Trying to get these two to look at the camera at the same time proved to be a bit too challenging

 Helping Emerson open her birthday presents

 Big hugs for the almost birthday girl!

 Good Job Emerson

Mommy Daughter Pool Date

On Thursday, Kensington and I had a Mommy/Daughter date. We had absolutely no plans and so we stayed home in the morning, enjoying a leisurely breakfast and playing. Kensington announced that she wanted to go swimming so we packed a picnic lunch and headed over to the pool. It was just a perfect way to spend the day.

How did I get so lucky to spend the entire summer playing with this cutie pie?

 Someone was so excited to go swimming in the big pool

 Getting cozy after getting showered off

 Having some "independent" time under Dudley's watchful eye

 Thanks to Wendy's husband Eric, we had fresh Bluefin Tuna that I used to create spicy tuna rolls for dinner

Summer Time Dentist Appointment

On Wednesday, during the potty training process, we headed over to Carmel Valley Pediatrics Dentistry for Kensington's check up. She was so excited to get to walk in the building and ride up the elevator. When we excited the elevator, she realized that she had pockets and that perked her up even more. Kensington was a star patient during her dental cleaning. She even got to pick a treasure from the treasure chest, stickers and a balloon. 

Watching Nemo

Helping her teeth get sparkly clean

Stickers for the star patient

Hip Hip Hooray!

Swinging on the elevator like a monkey

After Kensington's dentist appointment, we hung at home for a bit before driving over to Christie's house for a play date with Cam, Taylor, and Keira. The kiddos played on the playground, explored the basketball court and played "follow the leader."   Then we headed back inside for lunch and "Candyland."

And So It Begins...

We finally did it...we made the jump to underwear so that Kensington could be officially "potty-trained." She picked out  pink Aurora undies for her first choice and we spent the day, setting the timer and putting the "chips" out for encouragement. She had a great first day!!! It's hard to believe how quickly she is growing up.

Bathroom Book of Choice...."We're Going on a Bear Hunt."

This little cutie pie is sure excited to be in "big girl underwear"

Monkey Fun Camp and Time with Miss Megan

On Tuesday, I had my second day of math training so Kensington went to Monkey Fun Camp at school. We were so excited when we walked in and saw her old teacher, Miss Diana in the classroom. Kensington gave me a quick kiss goodbye, said "I love you Mommy," and went off to explore the room. She went to Monkey Fun Camp one day earlier this summer and when I picked her up, they shared that she hadn't napped. So I prepared myself for her to be awake and I tired when I arrived. However, when I got there, she was snug as a bug in a rug sleeping away. This gave me a chance to catch up with one of her teachers before waking her up to go home. We had an afternoon at home before Megan came over to carpool to book club. Kensington had so much fun playing and chatting with Megan while I cooked dinner for her. 

Sweet Dreams Little Monkey 

"Mommy, I'm all packed up for the day."

Preparing something delicious to eat for Megan

Braunds Come to Town

This past weekend, we had some very special visitors come into town. Mike's Dad, Diane, Nick and Travis traveled all the way from Pittsburgh for a week in California. They began their visit up in Santa Cruz with Tam, Eric and the kiddos and then took a road trip down to San Diego to spend a long weekend with us. Unfortunately, the storm of the summer came the day that they arrived. The first night, we were able to BBQ burgers for dinner when the rain let up a little. After Kensington went to sleep, we all headed out to Black Rock for an evening of ping pong and pool. 

Cheers Grandpa

Sharing tea with Grandpa Mike and Uncle Travis

Tea Time

Puzzle Time

Stories before bed

Morning Chats with Uncle Travis

Cheese!

Beach and Ballast Point

On Monday, the sunshine came out so Mike and the family headed to 15th Street while I was at a math training. Kensington had so much fun playing in the sand and splashing in the waves that she didn't want to leave. They made it back at the same time I arrived home from my training. I took Kensington straight up to her nap. Grandma Diane stayed home with her and so Mike, his dad, the boys and I had a couple hours at the pool. Once Kensington woke up, we all got ready and went to Ballast Point Brewery for our last night together. 

Making her hot tub

Enjoying  a little snack

Daddy was so smart and covered her hot tub area with the umbrella

Parents' afternoon out!

Happy Half-Birthday Kensington