Dillon Gets Real About the Tooth Fairy

I always sort of dreaded Dillon losing her baby teeth--such a visceral reminder of her growing up, shedding her little kidness more each day. Well, it finally happened. She swore us to secrecy, so I can't reveal how, but let's just say dinner time was quite bloody!

We had to triage with some cotton balls.

Here she is with her missing tooth.

By the way, Dillon lost another tooth about a month later. And was quick to point out that the tooth fairy wasn't real. Neither was Santa or the Easter Bunny. I guess that makes things easier...

Hotel Transylvania 3--Quinn's First Movie

Remember Dillon's first movie with BFF Millie? We decided to take Quinn to see Hotel Transylvania 3. While probably still a little young for a full-length feature, we'd watched the first two at home quite a lot so she knew all the characters. Plus there was A LOT of popcorn.

Spot the Dillon.

A LOT of popcorn!

First Day of School 2018

This year the first day of school was a pretty big deal. Not only did Dillon finally emerge from kindergarten, but Quinn actually joined her on campus at the preschool. We love a single drop-off and pick-up!

Had to get two signs this year!

Good luck hugs.

Showing off her new dress.

Quinny stoically walks to her preschool.

Capitol Reef Road Trip (2)

On our way to Utah we stopped in Las Vegas for the night. Oh, did I mention it was Quinn's 3rd birthday too? She put on her fancy skirt for dinner at the Venetian (thanks, Aunt Julie).

Ready to par-tay!

The skirt has good twirl!

Birthday gelato.

The Beatles on her shirt and on the building behind her.

Sisterly...

...Love

Double Haircuts

Back to our favorite hair stylist for some updated 'do's. The only difference is that this time Quinn also got in on the action. Almost three and she finally got her first haircut. She wasn't into the cutting and definitely not into the drying. So basically you can't tell we did anything. Dillon, on the other hand, looks super cute with her bob.

Enjoying some pre-cut cake pops from Loretta!

The finished product.

Her first cut!

Quinn's face is priceless.

Looking very "summer" here.

Enjoying some post-cut popsicles.

Dillon's PJ Bday

To celebrate turning the big 0-6, Dillon wanted to have a big pajama party. And when I say big...let me tell you it was total chaos! Which means I don't have a whole lot of photos. But everyone had a good time. Dillon even hosted her first sleepover with Millie.

There was a waffle bar for "brinner."

Preschool pals on the hammock.

The cake weighed about 7 lbs.

Dillon and Luna in princess PJ dress-up mode.

"The morning after" with sweet Millie.

The whole family had matching PJs.

First Day Hooray!

As quickly as summer vacation came, it went and Dillon is off to kindergarten. She has the same teacher as she had for TK and seems to be having lots of fun. Her reading, writing and math skills are excellent and she's also taking choir and jr. engineering. Here's to another great year!

A fresh haircut and a new dress!

Sunglasses...she loves to accessorize!

Quinn and Goggy wanted to be in the picture too.

Meeting up with preschool pals Luna and Kiersten, plus Nolan.

Mini Quinny Party: Zoo Edition

After taking a slight detour through Dillon's last day of school, we're back to Quinn's birthday festivities. We know Quinn loves her animals, so we went to the zoo where she picked up a cute stuffed koala bear she decided to name "Granola Bar." Reminds me of the time Dillon wanted to name unborn Quinn "Stop Sign."

Monkeying around.

Birthday selfie.

Put ya hands up, put ya hands up.

Hugs!

Dinner at Lazy Dogs.

There Will Be Blood...But Not Too Much

Dillon handled her first blood draw like a champ. She was a little nervous but not a single tear in the end. She looks justifiably proud:

Last Day Hooray!

Seems like only yesterday was Dillon's first day in elementary school, but suddenly her entire first year is over! No big deal...just learning to read, multiply and run miles...there was a last day ceremony where the students got certificates and sang songs about community workers. A very cute morning!

New sign needed!

Recognition for running miles.

Certificate of achievement (everyone got one).

With best bud Olivia.

With fave teacher Mrs. S.

And, of course, the song about the postal workers of America:

Wordless Wednesdays (87)

Taken Fall 2016

Quinn in Motion

A quick video of Quinn going from stationary to crawling to walking. ["Paris in Spring" by Michel LeGrand--that's right, his name is MICHELLE GRAND!!!]

First Day TK

Dillon has blown past another big milestone: elementary school. We have successfully launched our oldest into the academic stratosphere, otherwise known as transitional kindergarten, TK or just kinder. Dillon accessorized her dress all on her own and I think she looks great! The sign was a quick craft project that is now hanging up in her room.

Like many comedians, Dillon's motto is "Anything for a laugh."

Best dressed TKer in San Diego!

A Year in Photos

It seems like it was simultaneously a really long time ago and only yesterday, but when Dillon turned one, I made a little video compilation of her first year. Now it's Quinny's turn. Swapped out John Mayer for The Who, but a lot of the toys and clothes will look very familiar! The pictures of Dillon and Quinn together are my favorites. They love each other so.

1 Year Old!

As of July 22:

Happy Birthday Quinn -- and America! (Part 1)

My parents wanted to come out for Quinn's birthday, but decided to come a few weeks early so we could also celebrate the 4th of July together. So Quinn got an early birthday this year, complete with festive balloons which flew away into the sky before the evening was through. First, some photos:

We call this the mutual admiration society.

We call this goofballing around.

In case you were wondering about the family dynamic...

Dillon helps Quinn take a few steps!

The Graduate (Part 2)

Here are some more pix of the graduation festivities, including what I think are the first pictures of us as a family of four!

Class of 2016

We're outta here!

Family.

How cute are these kids?

Here is also a graduation art project. We actually gave this to Loretta--and she cried! Dillon now states she wants to be a hair stylist...for princesses!

Stylist to the stars.