Halloween 2015

Here it is... The annual installment of the the Garcia Family Halloween blog post (about a week late). Almost identical to last year's, this year also included a trip to the fall festival at Sutherland Farms, reverse trick-or-treating with Eva's class at school, and having fun with friends on Halloween night. 

We were invited to trick-or-treat this year with friends on what can only be described as a street right out of a made for TV movie. The street is blocked off at each end to traffic and the kids are free to run from house to house collecting candy while the adults stop to warm themselves by fire pits and collect adult beverages. It was awesome! And we continue to be thankful for such cool friends! 

In case it's not obvious, I was a bearded lady and Magan was my strong man. Maia wanted to be a witch. And Eva wanted to be a "princess fairy butterfly". Nailed it! 

Hasta...

Eva Starts Pre-School!

Another first day in the books for the Garcia's - Eva started Pre-School! After watching Maia go to the same school for the past 2 years (The Methodist Christain School) that Eva now attends, Eva was beyond ready for this next step in her own life. She was so excited to pick out her own backpack and school supplies and get this party started! Lucky for Eva, she is in a classroom and with a teacher that Maia never had so this journey feels different and all her own. 

This "first" also feels very different for me and Magan. Although we are back to rookie status with elementary school, we've got this pre-school business in the bag! This "first" was significantly less stressful in terms of getting prepared and knowing what to expect. But...Eva is our baby and so this "first" is also our "last" and as much as, Magan especially, hates to admit it, we are feeling a little sappy about our baby growing up. Luckily, Eva will only go to school 2 full days a week so we still have plenty of time to keep her all to ourselves. And secretly I'm not ready to give up the park and ice cream dates and middle of the day movies quite yet. So slow down the growing kid...I still need my playtime partner in crime! 

I think they missed eachother.

Hasta...

Maia Starts Kindergarten!

Big day at the Garcia household! We officially have a kid in elementary school! Check out these pics...she's 5 going on 15 it seems. 

She might as well have been going to a meeting instead of kindergarten in her "power suit" blazer. She picked it out herself and loves it! All business this one. 

There were no tears. There was no drama. I barely got a hug and a "Bye" before she was off on her own. She had an awesome first day. She has some old friends I her class and already made a couple of new ones. She loves her teacher. She informed me that she will buying "hot lunch" tomorrow and she knows how to do it. So I guess kindergarten is in the books! 

At least I still have Eva at home to keep me company...until next week anyway...when she starts pre-school. I guess I better find another hobby in the near future because showing up at library for toddler story time without a kid might be frowned upon! 

Hasta...

Colorado Road Tripping

Magan got clearance from her doctor to make the trip home to Durango from Denver (post surgery) this week. He cautioned us to take it slow and stop frequently, so what would normally be about a 5 hour trip turned into a 10 hour journey. We decided to hit up a few road-side attractions that we are normally in too big of a hurry to visit. 

First stop Tiny Town. The girls thought this perfect replica of a mini town was about the coolest thing they had ever seen. 

Second stop Treasure Falls. What we thought would be a very short and easy "hike" to the base of the water fall turned into a torrential downpour complete with a lighting storm literally the second we reached the base. Barely enough time for the worst family selfie ever before a full sprint down the mountain was in order. 

My wife is pretty awesome! She has been battling a torn spinal cord for 3 years now and she hates to miss an opportunity for an adventure. In all fairness, her doctors encourage her to try and stay as mobile as possible and she feels better when she is active. The only concern I have now is that Maia and Eva will expect this type of road tripping every time we "commute" to Denver! 

Hasta...