Our 1st Grader!!!!

There comes a point as a parent when you look at your child and think to yourself, "when did you start growing up so fast, where did the time go??". Well I have been thinking a lot about this for the past couple of days with Bella getting ready to enter the first grade. Plus with me being pregnant I can't help but to think about the day Bella was born (which seems like yesterday)...TEAR!! Now my sweet baby girl is 6 years old (she thinks she's 16) and is now in the first grade...HOW DID THIS HAPPEN???

So being the trooper that my daughter is, she had no fear of entering first grade. As a matter of fact, Bella has been looking forward to starting school and having lunch/recess with the 'big kids' (1st thru 6th grade). Pete and I on the other hand (more me than Pete) have been worried about Bella having any friends at school or will the big kids start picking on her OR will I have to go to her school and beat up a 6th grader for bullying my kid (I'm kidding about beating up a 6th grader....at least I think I'm kidding). Well all of my fears have been thrown out the door because Bella told me "mommy, being a 1st grader rocks and I have friends in the 5th grade!".

So I've learned not only does my child adjust well (even though her mother doesn't), she loves getting older....YIKES!!! Lord help me....

Smith/Finch Family Beach Day!!

Every year Pete's family gets together and has 'family beach day' at Hunington Beach. This is our second year attending and we have had a BLAST (especially Bella)!! This year was extra fun because it seems all of Pete's cousins are having having babies or already have young children, so to see all of the kids interact with each other is just so cute...especially because they only get to see each other once or twice a year.

The day started for us at 10am at the beach and eventually the whole family was at the beach. Everyone was getting reaquainted with one another and simply just enjoying each others company. Bella got to see her cousin Taylor and Peyton (the girls are around the same age), they hit it off quickly and played with each other most of the day. Pete and I were happy to see everyone too and we had so much fun hearing fun stories that have happened this past year. It is always good to see the family!!

I wonder what next year will bring??

Bella wasted no time putting her bathing suit on and playing in the sand!!

Here is Kenny with two 'hot ladies' (Auntie Mart and Meg)

Peyton, Taylor and Bella playing in the water.

p.s. the water was COLD!!!

Pete and Connor!! This pic was taken at Aunt Nancy's house the day before the beach festivities where Aunt Nancy fed us a yummy dinner!! Thank you Aunt Nancy!

Visiting Grandma Janet

Last weekend, we all had the pleasure of visiting and for some of us meeting Grandma Janet for the first time. Isabella was very interested in meeting 'Grandpa Ted's mom' (as she refered to Grandma Janet). So we all headed down to San Diego (Grandpa Ted, Grandma Noony and the Khamis') to Uncle Ed and Aunt Sue's house. It was a wonderful afternoon where the kids got to play and visit with Grandma Janet.

Uncle Ed showing Bella his 'fruit garden'. Bella couldn't get enough of the apples and plums!!

Sweet Connor smiling at Grandma Janet.....I think we got a couple of smiles from Grandma Janet too!

Bella posing with Grandma Janet....it was a great day!!

Chopsticks!!

Pete and I took Isabella to a sushi dinner (our favorite) but Bella was more interested in learning how to pick up food with chopsticks! The whole evening she practiced and when she finally picked up giner, it was as though she won a gold medal!! This is why I had to share Bella being able to use chopsticks....isn't she the sweetest???

Bella consentrating VERY hard and intensely....boy, was she determined!!!

It's a Baby......

Well the big day has come and we finally found out the sex of our baby....IT'S A GIRL!!! Bella had the pleasure of joining us in the ultrasound room and when the tech announced it was a girl, we were all happy and shocked!! Of course, I started crying (I'm very emotional these days) and Bella said "Daddy, thank you for giving me a sister"....so now Pete will be surrounded by girls!! Yay...GIRL POWER!!!

Sleeping Twins....

For several weeks now, Bella likes to wear 'daddys' shirts around the house and especially for bedtime!! So the other night I was begging Bella to go to bed (usual routine)....Pete on the other hand was cuddling with her and eventually they both fell asleep on the couch. I couldn't resist to take this cute photo of both of them....aren't they the cutest??!!

We've got Watermelons!!!!

Yes, that is a real life watermelon growing on our yard!!!

This vision all started with our neighbor Jen who thought it would be fun for the kids to grow watermelons and pumpkins....since Pete and I are 'challenged' when it comes to gardening, we volunteered our house instead. The kids had to make sure our soil was nice and moist so they can plant the seeds....obviously, they had tons of fun getting wet and muddy!! Once the soil was ready Jen assisted the kids in planting mini-watermelons and pumpkins.

Bella and her pal Kane watered the watermelon and pumpkin garden for weeks. Yup, we've got watermelons!! The pumpkins are not quite ready to show off yet....so stay tuned!!

At this time, there are about 5 watermelons sprouting.

Pete and Bella posing with another melon....we are so fascinated by the garden!!

Tooth Fairy

Well folks after much anticipation, Bella finally has lost her first tooth (July 30th)!!! Bella has been so excited about this day for months, so it was a BIG deal in our house. Pete was very cute about the whole thing and told Isabella that he called the tooth fairy....so that evening we left a window open 'to let the tooth fairy in our house' and Bella received $5 for her tooth!! Look at those chompers....brilliant!!!