52 : 40 (part 8)

Mama was away for a few days so we got to have a lot of fun with Daddy. On Saturday he surprised us by taking us to see Jumanji : The Next Level... he said he was just going to pick up coffee at Philz but I saw the ticket pop-up on his phone so I knew he was lying!

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After weeks and weeks of wiggling Darby finally lost her front left tooth! The tooth was hanging on by a thread, she could literally spin it around... disgusting! Darby actually lost the tooth in her sleep - she came out of her room in the morning and her Daddy noticed it was gone - they found it in her bed!

52 : 39 (part 8)

For Daddy's birthday we went to Yosemite. We stayed in a cool cabin that had bunk beds and a fire pit. It did not snow while we were there but there was snow on the ground that was really fun to play with. Yosemite is really pretty, I want to go again in the spring/summer to hike.

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One of the great holiday traditions at Highlands Elementary is that the Kindergartener and 4th grade buddies make gingerbread houses - Darby's buddy is Sienna. Darby thought this activity was really fun, her favorite part was making a snowman out of marshmallows, pretzel sticks, and chocolate chips.

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This weekend Darby saw her first opera, Hansel & Gretel. She really enjoyed the performance, especially the ballerina and when the lady tried to cook the kids. 

52 : 38 (part 8)

We went to the opera this weekend, we saw Hansel & Gretel. I thought that the house would be made out of candy but it was not. Before the performance we did a scavenger hunt and I earned a gingerbread man cookie.

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We have created quite a village in the Highlands and were so happy to join our friends, the Lambs, for Thanksgiving this year. We ate yummy food, including far too many fruit snacks that Jordy smuggled for Darby, and the kids watched The Angry Birds Movie 2.

52 : 37 (part 8)

I went to my friends' house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was fun and we watched The Angry Birds Movie 2. The food was great and the chocolate lasagna that my Mom made for dessert was so chocolatey.

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After ballet this afternoon Darby and I went on a dinner date. I let Darby choose whatever she wanted and of course soup dumplings won ---luckily a quick yelp search helped us find a new spot!

52 : 36 (part 8)

Soccer season ended this week AND I had my piano recital - my Grammy and Uncle Jon came to see both. In my soccer game I scored 2 goals, I was so excited because I really did not want to end the season without a goal and then I got 2. I also did a good job at my piano recital, Mrs. Lisa was really proud of me.

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The soccer season is coming to an end. The Volcano Ladybug Parrots had their team party this week and Darby got her first trophy ever, she was very proud - and her buddy Jordy was proud of her too.

52 : 35 (part 8)

Darby and I trade-off taking Cheese to school with Mama. This week's class was Puppy Preschool where she learns some and plays some. Cheese can be shy with the other dogs so we give her treats when she plays with them.

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Darby really enjoys hiking, especially the neighborhood hike that typically takes her to the grocery store or the produce stand for a snack. Next year Darby wants to be a Cub Scout (with Ewan) but I do not think she understands that the uniform may inhibit her ability to accessorize.

52 : 34 (part 8)

Wednesday was dress like your best friend day. Mama got Darby and I matching Mario Kart shirts to wear - Race Ya.

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Darby was resolute that she was going to be Megan Rapinoe for Halloween this year, she loves soccer and the purple hair was definitely a motivator. We got her the home uniform for Halloween night and the away uniform for the rec halloween party and school... we figured white at the festivities would be a risk. Darby was also thrilled to win the costume contest at the rec for the second year in a row!

52 : 33 (part 8)

For Halloween this year I really wanted to be Dr. Strange. We could not find a kid costume for him so my Dad made one for me. My favorite part is the Eye of Agamotto necklace that he made light up with a battery pack.

52 : 32 (part 8)

On Saturdays we play soccer and Cheese comes to watch. Darby played early this week so I got to watch her game with Cheese before I played my game.

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Darby turned 5 and a half this week! We celebrated with a rainbow cake and some princess goods - a necklace making kit and an early reader book set. This girl really loves celebrating and is so excited to say "5 and a half" versus "5" when asked how old she is!

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The kids have 2 weeks off for Fall Break - we took a week to be home and take local adventures and then the kids went to art camp and sports camp for the second week. While Cheese is not fully vaccinated yet we are trying to take her to a lot of places and Darby really wanted her to see the ocean... somehow we did not get a picture Cheese with Darby!

52 : 31 (part 8)

It's fall break. Last week we stayed home with Mom and Dad and Cheese, and this week we are going to art camp and sports camp. I was jumping in the bounce house at sports camp and split my shorts so dad had to bring me new pants - when they called Mom to tell her she thought I split my lip.

52 : 30 (part 8)

Pizza and juggling are pretty cool and I get both when we go to Pizza My Heart on Tuesday nights. Ben lets me participate in some of his tricks and I really like his poems.

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One of the things about Kindergarten that had Darby very excited was that I would teach her art like I have for Ewan. This week we learned about Mondrian and she did a great job on her project and was so proud to show it off.

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Darby has a new best friend! This weekend we surprised her with a puppy that we named Cheese, she is an Australian Labradoodle. Darby loves Cheese so much and we keep hearing her say, "I will always be here for you Cheese!" while she pets her.

52 : 29 (part 8)

We got the best surprise this weekend, a surprise is different than a secret. We were going for a drive and then Mom and Dad stopped for water and gave me a book to read to Darby, it told us we were about to meet Cheese - our new puppy!

52 : 28 (part 8)

On Friday night we went to see Captain Marvel in the park. I really love this movie and made my Mama and Darby wait until the very last minute to see the post-credits scene with Goose and the Tesseract.

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If we offered Darby pesto it would be a big no but when Francesca offered her "Pesto Pasta" she eats a ton and requests seconds. The good news is that she loved the pesto so much that she requested it at home so we have another Darby approved meal in the rotation.

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We continued our appreciation of the San Mateo Parks and Recreation Team this week with Incredibles 2. There was a bounce house, a happy meal, Emily, and a HUGE screen, so Darby was basically in her version of heaven.

52 : 27 (part 8)

Friday was school spirit day and we were supposed to wear our favorite color. I went all red and Darby went with purple sparkle.

52 : 26 (part 8)

I turned 7 and a half on Sunday. I forgot so my family really surprised me. We had yummy chocolate cake and I got Just Dance 2019 for my Nintendo. We had fun dancing and they sang happy half birthday to me.

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I volunteered to make Darby's soccer banner and regretted it almost instantly, and then they picked the name Volcano Ladybug Parrots... we spent some good family time designing the banner, buying the supplies, and putting it together. We also got our friend Caroline to sponsor the team! The VLPs had their first game this weekend and it is safe to say Darby loves soccer and we have some fun Saturdays in front of us.

52 : 25 (part 8)

I had my first soccer game this weekend, my Dad is my coach and the team is called The Fireballs. I am excited to play soccer and hope I can make a goal.

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With the return of school comes the return of dinner fundraisers. All of the kindergarten teachers were attending this one so we promised D we would go... and then she elected to sit with the Lambs and took her brother with her, so Mom and Dad got a dinner date!

52 : 24 (part 8)

This summer I read 6 books and wrote 6 book reports to practice my reading and writing. My award was a video game - Super Mario Maker 2 is SO FUN!

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Just a typical Sunday with Darby - her Aurora dress, fairy wings, and legos!

52 : 23 (part 8)

Andy Warhol is an awesome POP artist, I went to his show at MOMA this weekend with my Mom and our friend Rebecca. I got the audio tour and enjoyed the A to Z tour of the art, U = urine.

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This weekend we went to Sea Bowl with Emily and Nathan. While we initially started these playdates for the girls Darby (and Ewan) gets more and more attached to Nathan with each visit... she really loves him like a little brother, which includes cheering him on while he bowls.

52 : 22 (part 8)

Second grade is great so far! I am in room 9 with Mrs. Garrett and the class is full of kids I know and a bunch that I do not. Mrs. Garrett seems really nice and her class is really warm and comfy.

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Darby -

You started kindergarten today and I don’t know that there has ever been a girl more ready. All summer you’ve been in camp with Ewan counting down the days and then today it was finally time to put on your pink and purple cheetah backpack and take on Highlands Elementary.

At kinder orientation yesterday you realized a bunch of your preschool friends are in your class, and that you have Mrs. Radsliff in the same classroom brother was in, and any nerves you had were gone immediately. And then this morning you hung your backpack on your hook, lined up behind your classmates, and marched on in without looking back... Mrs. Radsliff said, “it’s like she’s been here a month!”

When Ewan started Kindergarten we thought everything would be good but didn’t realize all the adjusting we would do as parents - we didn’t know what a Thursday envelope was or the expectations around phonics or where the lost and found was. With you we know all the things and your teacher, and can just enjoy watching you flourish.

The note I snuck in your lunchbox wished you a day as magical as you are... I hope the entire year is magic and that your new world embraces all that you have to offer it and encourages you to be what we know is quintessentially Darby; you are smart, kind, hilarious, and authentic - and we are just so proud.

All my love,
Mama

52 : 21 (part 8)

My mom is being sappy these days about how big we are getting and how quickly time is going - we went to Sonoma to celebrate the end of summer this weekend. I am excited to start 2nd grade next week, I don't know who my teacher is yet.

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This week Darby started her ballet career! Each class she has to wear pink tights and shoes with a black leotard and a ballet bun (thank goodness for the miracle bun maker that Mama got on Amazon). Darby really enjoyed her first class and is already practicing her positions around the house.

52 : 20 (part 8)

Every month we have a playdate with Jake and Ellie, this month was my parent's turn and they took us to see The Lion King, we also got pizza and popcorn. The movie was good and I love spending time with Jakey. 

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San Mateo has a great Parks & Recreation Team and they host a lot of great events in the summer. This week we went to "Music in the Park" with Darby's bestie Emily. The girls enjoyed dancing and eating in the park while they countdown to the start of Kindergarten!

52 : 19 (part 8)

We went to Seattle for my Mom's birthday. We got a book about all the things to do there and my pick was getting an icy cold white one at the original Starbucks. The line was pretty long but we waited and it was the best frappuccino I have ever had!

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This week we went on a mini-break to Seattle, there was so much to see and friends to visit! We saw a lot of sites - great museums, the space needle, a hike on the coast, and more. We also ate really well and Darby realized her love of soup dumplings (Din Tai Fung).

52 : 18 (part 8)

This summer we are going to lots of fun camps during the day. We also started a tradition of having picnic dinners on Fridays. This week we went to a concert in the park, there was an ice cream truck.

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Darby is loving the outdoors, she likes to hike and learn about the trees from her Dad. This weekend we went to brunch and explored a new trail without enough water and a little too much competition about who could get up the hill fastest.

52 : 17 (part 8)

I love going to the movies. This week we saw Spider-Man: Far From Home. My mom got me my favorite movie snacks and took this picture that she said shows I am all knees these days.

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When your Mom has been obsessing about accordion glass doors for almost 2 years she makes you model with them when they are finally installed so she can text the picture to everyone and anyone that might care.

52 : 16 (part 8)

For 4th of July I was in our neighborhood parade with my Cub Scout Pack. The theme of the parade was "California Dreamin" and we all created our own surfboards out of cardboard and wore our swim clothes.

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It's a jungle out there... and on the dance floor! Darby danced her heart out at her animal themed recital this weekend. This was her last performance with Small Fry Dance Club as she is graduating to their older program, Principal Creative & Performing Arts.