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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!

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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. 

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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

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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.

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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

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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.