From the category archives:

Photos

First Day of School, Part 1: 1st Grade

by Papa K on August 26, 2015

(Presidio Knolls staggered the start for the little ones – so although Maile started today, Lauren doesn’t start until tomorrow. So we get two first day of schools this year allowing each girl to star on her own day!)

So. Long. Ago.

That was 4 years ago. Today it looks more like this…

So. Old.

It was awesome walking back on to the Presidio Knolls campus – the place was buzzing and when we left her Maile was already running around and catching up with her friends. When she came home she declared it was the “best day ever” – that sounds like a good start to the year to me.

Daddy, Maile and Mommy and day 1 of first grade...

Maile is very curious about having Lauren at school. She told Christine that if she needs to come out of class to help, she will. But she doesn’t want to miss too much.

Lauren is very excited for school.

Maile and Mommy

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First Day of School – The Practice Run

by Papa K on August 24, 2015

Hard to believe it’s already here … almost.

Maile starts 1st grade on Wednesday. And Lauren starts preschool on Thursday(!)

On Sunday, the school had a “practice run” play date. It was a really great way for both girls to get acclimated before the start of school. Maile met her teachers and dropped off some of her stuff. And then she ran around all around with her friends.

Lauren checked out her classroom for the very first time and I think came away impressed. She touched as many toys as she could, met her teachers (“Hi, I’m Lauren”) and even made passing contact with some soon to be friends. The teachers did a circle time with some singing, we washed hands and ate snack (Lauren wasn’t a fan of the offering) and then hit the playground outside for some serious sand time. She even told us on the way in that we were supposed to leave now – hopefully, she’ll remember that come Thursday!

Here are the girls on their way in…

Maile and Lauren are ready for the school year!

Notice the similarities in outfits – dress with leggings and fancy sandals. This is not a mistake. I remember the first few months of school we were able to dress Maile how we pleased. That all ended pretty quickly. I imagine the same will be true for Lauren – except will have the added challenge of her wanting to match Maile every day.

Should be an exciting year – we’re looking forward to seeing what it’s like having both girls at the school, how much they’ll interact, etc.

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American Idol Live! Jax! Nick Fradiani!

by Papa K on August 23, 2015

Tonight Maile and I went down to The Warfield to see American Idol Live, featuring Maile’s favorite Jax and the other top 5 contests including the winner, Nick Fradiani. I purchased the tickets for Maile’s birthday and we’d been counting down the days all summer. It was truly a night to remember…

First, we had to make sure we were properly dressed. Maile Girl picked out a great outfit for herself and Christine helped her put on some finishing touches. We spent A LOT of time deciding which necklaces and bracelets to wear.

Initially, I thought I’d pull my old sleeveless jean jacket out of retirement. But Maile had other ideas. When I put it in on, she told me in no uncertain terms that it “wasn’t very Nick Fradiani” and I “should change”. She let me keep my Bon Jovi t-shirt (that was cool enough), but instead put me in a darker color pair of jeans and a sport jacket. Judge for yourself, I think she was right…

Daddy's initial outfit for the concert...

... and the update after Maile's improvements!

Lauren didn't join us this time, but we'll get her to a concert soon enough...

After we were properly attired we headed out for the show. Here’s Maile describing what was about to happen…

Along the way we stopped for some rock star poses...

And there it is - outside Maile's first concert, American Idol Live at The Warfield!

First concert t-shirt - Jax! Never taking it off...

Daddy and Maile before the show started...

And then the show started – basically consisted of the top 5 contestants taking turns singing covers. We had pretty solid seats off to one side, but that allowed Maile to stand on the chair and dance around with me. We were also right in front of a gaggle of 15 or so screaming girls – Maile was almost as transfixed by them as she was by what was happening on stage…

Oh my god! Jax is RIGHT THERE!

Jax came down into the crowd and Maile ran over (and then got run over) with a bunch of the other teenage girls and Jax sang right to them. You can’t see much here, but posting anyways so when Maile checks this out later she can see how close she was to Jax…

We didn’t make it until the very end – around 9:30, Maile started to get really tired. She actually asked me to leave early. It doesn’t matter though – it was an amazing night. Perfect venue and small concert to get Maile started – just overwhelming enough to blow her mind, but still keep it mostly intact.

(Click here for the first video.)
(Click here for the second video.)

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Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’?

by Papa K on August 17, 2015

Maile is at Michael Jackson dance camp at Nagata Dance this week. If the moves she came home with from day one are any indication, we are in for quite the treat!

A good first Michael Jackson pose...

Pretty good. Mommy noticed something was missing though…

Nailed it.

Word on the street is that tomorrow they learn the Moonwalk. Stay tuned…

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Cape Cod Vacation, Part 3: Go Fly A Kite!

by Papa K on August 16, 2015

One last memory from our Cape Cod vacation before we move on. Maile and I went to a store in downtown Chatham and picked up a kite. I’ve mentioned this before, but I love kite flying. Our Cape Code kite flying was short-lived (apparently there are endangered birds that are scared of kites so it wasn’t allowed on the beach we were on), but we had fun while it lasted…

Getting things setup with my two little helpers...

Great success! We are airborne...

Just a little girl and a string to the sky...

A perfect picture.

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Cape Cod Vacation, Part 2: Family Fun!

by Papa K on August 10, 2015

The best part of our vacation to Cape Cod was that we were joined by Grandma Jill and Papa Mike for the first part of the week and Auntie Elyssa for the whole thing!

Only thing better than family time? Family time + ice cream!

And yes, plenty of time playing with Auntie's old dolls with Grandma Jill...

Swinging with Grandma Jill

All the ladies on the see saw...

Selfie time with Auntie Elyssa!

Family Picture (Maile 6, Lauren 2.5)

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PMC 2015 – A Great Welcome At the Finish Line!

by Papa K on August 5, 2015

(Apologies for the lack of posting this past week – we’ve been on the east coast for the PMC – see below – and vacationing on Cape Cod. Been spending good time away from the computer, but that has messed up my posting schedule!)

This past weekend I rode in my 5th Pan Mass Challenge. Last year, Maile joined me in Boston for the PMC while Mommy and Lauren stayed home. Maile, Grandma and Papa Boston met me in Boston after I took the Ferry home from where the ride finishes in Provincetown. That was pretty awesome.

This year was even better! Christine and both girls, along with Grandma and Papa Boston AND Auntie Elyssa all came down the Cape and were actually there at the finish line when I completed the 192 mile ride. I had never had anyone waiting for me at the finish and it was everything I hoped it could be. I’m truly thankful that everyone trekked all the way out to the very tip of the Cape.

We had a great ride and it was an awesome weekend once again – and even better, this year, we rented a house out in Chatham and have been enjoying some vacation time this week (more on that to follow)…

Knowing I was able to see this crew at the finish got me through the last miles!

Maile and Lauren got a kick out of all my riding gear...

One more - because it was that great 🙂

I ride every year with my best friend, Ryan - and I wouldn't be doing it at all if it wasn't for the guy on the left, Papa Mike!

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Cashing In Her Chips

by Papa K on July 28, 2015

For the past few months, Maile has become very intrigued about money. She has a little purse that her Aunt Suzy gave her and she has it filled to the brim with all the coins she’s collected from various places (around the house, on the street, allowance, etc.) She likes spending her money too – and not just on toys, “Daddy, I’ll buy the ice cream.”

After camp today, Christine decided to take Maile to the bank to teach her a bit how it works and also convert all those coins into cold hard cash.

Some serious money counting going on here...

According to Christine, she went up to the teller and told her what she wanted to do. And in the end she came away with 10 bucks! More than we thought was packed into that little purse of hers.

That’s a lot of Shopkins (well 1.5 packs anyways). What’s a Shopkin? Well, that’s a story for another time…

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Maile, the One (Wo)man Band

by Papa K on July 26, 2015

Last week Maile attended Camp Galileo and the focus for the week was around art and music (right up her alley!).

A guitar art piece that Maile made at Camp Galileo

For their final project, Maile and her campmates made their own one-man band contraption. For those who read this that I grew up with, it totally reminded me of something Pete Sawin would be proud of!

Maile was a great big sister, letting Lauren have a try too...

This is so cool - when do I get to go to camp?!?

As a side note, every day Maile’s counselor sent a little note home with her. They always praised her for her “determination” – I thought it was a nice touch and a cool way to provide praise. Here’s an example:

Maile: You were super determined in science today! You worked super hard on your harmonica even though it was difficult. But you didn’t give up! 🙂 You’re Awesome!

(Click here for the video.)

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Crazy Hair Day

by Papa K on July 22, 2015

Maile had crazy hair day again at camp and the girls in our household turned it into a family affair. Definitely felt like odd man (literally!) out – but it was fun to watch all the girls get ready. I imagine only the beginning and can already hear the “dad, get out!” shouts 🙂