The Lyles Life: End of summer and kindergarten reflections

Since Spencer started kindergarten this week, I have been reflecting on our summer and getting ready for new changes that await us this school year. In July, we were fortunate enough to go to Camp Mather near Yosemite for a week. Spencer couldn't get enough of riding his bike at night with LED lights at camp (as well as glow sticks and campfires and pretty much everything after dark), and they both were in the lake and pool almost all day. The place was a blast from the past, with tie dyeing shirts, camp talent shows, and mess hall dining -- and we are likely to return in future summers. We also tried out day camps in SF in between preschool and kindergarten, including outdoors at McLaren Park with Tree Frog Treks and all of their reptiles and adventures.

And on Monday, Spencer started kindergarten! He was definitely ready to be with the older kids at elementary school. But also sad to goodbye to his teachers and friends and meet a lot of new people in a new school. He is doing great, and loves his teacher Miss Alexis, but still getting settled. It's definitely a lot to go from a small preschool to a K-8 school with a lot more going on. Even I am a bit overwhelmed with everything! But it's a welcoming place and I am so glad we are there (even though I am commuting across the city now on a daily basis). Can't wait to see what he will learn this year. Right now, he reports that they "do math" by "counting to 100" -- but it's the same answer he gave all week long, so I am not so sure. And he has "6 friends," so it must be going well, right?

Justine meanwhile is obsessed with doing everything her brother does, and learning new things every day. She can ride her scooter well and loves trying to race Spencer, is still obsessed with books and letters, and loves showing off some yoga and dancing moves when prompted. She also is really into bows in her hair and animals on her clothes :) She'll be a preschooler herself before we know it.

Surfing in our garage