Once in a lifetime

So, I know that the first day of Kindergarten and/or school is sort of the blog post du jour right now. And while the topic may not be that interesting to most of you (because your kid going to Kindergarten wasn't really that interesting for me), I just have to say that this time it's just not about you! :P This is about documenting the little moments that are a really big deal to a precious little 5 year old. This is his first day of "real school", and that only happens once!

Absolutely no tears and no fears for the Kindergartener or his mother! He has been anxiously awaiting (to the point of driving me crazy) starting school, especially this past week because he had to stay home for the first week while most of his friends already started. (Sadistic school district messing with kindergarteners, anyway.)

Mrs. Barlow, is an intern this year, so she was probably more nervous than Gavin. I told him that she's bound to be cool because she is a red-head like me. (To which he replied, "your hair is yellow right now Mom." No, it's highlighted yellow, but still red. I mean, come on, what Kindergartener can't understand the nuances of hair color and highlights. Guess he'll be in Resource Styling this year. ;)

Okay, it wasn't the TOTAL truth when I said I had no fears. The only anxiety I felt was when school let out, because the neighbor boys were supposed to pick him up and walk home with him. I just kept picturing my son being the only Kindergartener left behind on the first day of school. BUT, he wasn't. They found him and delivered him, not only in one piece, but with a great big smile and an orange Costco donated backpack that now matches the entire student body!

Fire & Ice Cream

Nick turned 3 on Sunday, and we had a firefigher themed birthday. Yes, Nick is supposed to be the star of this show, but his cake was pretty awesome, and I think Nick's Daddy is a superstar for the creation he pulled off! I think Mike even surprised himself with this creation. I was amazed by his vision and his execution of this thing--fire truck cake complete with house on fire, and firefighters. My brain doesn't even work like that!

We took about 10 pictures of this cake, but I totally forgot to take pictures of Nick actually blowing out the candles. Oops. (I think we got it on video, maybe.)

Nick also got a little tent shaped like a fire truck.

Also, for the birthday we took a trip to the fire station last week. Nick and several of his friends got a tour of the Orem fire station. Here are the highlights:

It was great, free entertainment for a bunch of little boys. The highlight of the trip of course was when they turned on the lights and sirens of the fire truck. It might have been a budget birthday--but, Nick was thrilled!