Summertime...

We are almost done with our 5th week of summer with only 5 more days to go and the kids will be heading into a new school year! (Remember we are in a year-round school). Their days have been filled with so many parks, pool time, beach days, library, movies and just lazy days. Here's a little recap of our summer...

The first weekend of summer we headed to Griffith Observatory and the Train Museum in LA. I can't remember the last time I had been to the observatory and the hubby and I haven't ever been together so it's been at least over 15+ years. The kids enjoyed learning about the stars and planets and were so intrigued and asked so many questions about everything. Then we headed to the Train Museum and of course they enjoyed looking and climbing aboard all the trains. It has been a few years since we had been there so they were excited to be there again, and the best part is it is FREE! It was a fun filled day trip to LA.

We had little Logan's birthday party in June and the kids were very excited to ride the horses. Of course Ethan wanted to ride the horse so bad but Taelor wanted to go on the train and wanted nothing to do with the horse (yes she is still timid around animals, getting better, but very timid at first). They finally both decided to ride on the horse and after all the talking from Ethan, he ended up making his horse WALK because he was galloping too fast and Taelor was having the time of her life on her galloping horse and wanted to continue riding him. So I guess Taelor found her love for horses and has asked many times when we can go back, Ethan just liked to stroll and pet the horse. They couldn't be any different could they?

4th of July this year we did something different. Our community pool had a "Mardi Gras pool party" that we bought tickets too and had a GREAT time at the pool with our friends. The pool was PACKED with kids, music, fun activities, ventriloquist shows (those people are so weird, I don't get it, but the kids thought it was hilarious). It was a perfect day, probably one of our best 4th of July's we have had in a while. After hours of being in the sun we all came home to rest and nap up and then after being SO tired we headed back out to dinner with the same friends to Ruby's on the lake and walked to see the fireworks after dinner. The fireworks were disappointing this year but the kids still had a great time. By the end of the day we were ALL exhausted and we were out the minute we got home. And after thinking of my day, I did not take a single picture!!! What?!? So.not.like.ME! Guess I was enjoying my "sweet tea" and sun too much to worry about grabbing my phone. Well there is always next year!

We have had many pool days and beach days, soaking in this warm HOT weather (which by the way I am already over and the hot month is still to come!) But until then I will enjoy this last week of "summer" with the kiddos and looking forward to some time off of work.

Ethan can ride his bike...

After months of asking Ethan to take his training wheels off, we finally got him to take them off and of course it didn't take long and he was off. Such a determined little guy he is with his oh so serious face. So proud of him!

Good Bye Kindergarten....Hello 1st grade!!

Really has the school year come to a close already? Seems like it was only a few months ago I was shedding tears because my baby girl was starting Kindergarten and now she is heading off to 1st Grade. Each month brought so many different activities, projects, school parties, homework, etc. which made the year seem to fly by. I enjoyed this year of school. Taelor made some great friends and I got to know and meet some wonderful parents. It was such a joy watching all these cute little kindergartners grow up over the last year and literally it is just 1 month shy of a year since we are in a "year-round" school.These kids went through 3 teachers, Mrs. Vose started the school year out until mid September and then had a full time job offer at another school so she headed there to teach. Then Miss Muranaka was their teacher until April after Spring Break when Mrs. Wang was able to return to teaching. I loved them all and could not have asked for better teachers and teachers aids.

Taelor, you have grown up so much this last year. You are becoming such a sweet, caring, respectful, little girl. You received many compliment slips this year and were able to bring Mighty the Mustang home quite a few nights. You learned to read and write which is such a joy to see you do (and to sometimes decipher the words you are writing). This year is your first year of many years to come and yes mommy will shed a tear each and every year. May your life of school be filled with many friends who only better you, who stand by your side and you do the same for them. I pray that school work comes easy to you, that you enjoy school, even when it seems hard. I pray that God uses you to touch other people's lives and that you are a blessing to everyone you meet. Your teachers had all great things to say about you and it fills our hearts with so much joy hearing how kind and thoughtful you are. Continue to do good and always try your best and remember Mommy and Daddy are always here to support you!

You and Mallory met on the first day of school and remainded Best Friends all year! 

A few days before school ended you were given an award for "Compassion", and yes you are certainly a compassionate young girl and I hope you will always hold that close to your heart. We are so proud of you.

The last day of school you had a little performance which my eyes were filled with tears as you sang the song "It's a Wonderful World"....yes it sure it! The 1st Grade, 1st Grade song (to the tune of New York, New York) was so cute. All the kind words your friends said about you that Mrs. Wang read off made us so proud and melted our hearts. The day was filled with joy ( a little bit of mommy sadness, only because I am selfish and I don't want you to grow up, just not ready for it yet). You are ready for 1st Grade my sweet girl! So here's to new beginnings on your next chapter in your life, to your time to shine because I know you will, to all that you will learn this next year. Here's to the girl you are becoming! May you be blessed, cover the world with your quiet, yet beautiful smile. You are our world! Good Bye Kindergarten....Hello 1st Grade!

Father's Day...a weekend away

This year we celebrated Father's Day in Palm Desert with my family (only 40 something of us...and that is only half of my family...hehe). My dad turned 70 this year and he wanted to celebrate it this weekend. So we all headed out to the hot desert and had a blast. The lazy river was perfect, the kids enjoyed themselves SO much, swimming, relaxing, playing with their cousins. It was a perfect weekend. Not to mention on Sunday we celebrated daddy! I mean sitting by the pool by 9am in the hot sun doesn't get any better. Saul we love you and you ARE the BEST daddy ever! Your kids are so lucky to have you home with them as much as you are. You are nothing but extraordinary, loving, fun, funny, good looking and all around the greatest dad ever! Thank you for all you do for our family. We love you SO much!! And to my dad, who has always been the greatest dad to me. He is so loved by all of us and is the best Papa! We love you dad/Papa!

Oh I wish I was floating on this lazy river! See you soon LR, I promise we will be back in the near future!

Preschool Graduate...

How did this year go by SO fast?!? How is my little boy ready for Kindergarten! I am so sad yet happy to be moving onto this next chapter in his life, but these moments sure tug at my heart like no other! I will miss his little preschool along with all the great friends he made...Trey, Sadie, Alyssa, Grayden, Ivanna. He had the best time this year, learning about Jesus, learning all his basic numbers, letters, shapes, made me a ton of arts and crafts but most of all he was a great student as Mrs. G said he was one of the best, always helping out, listening and good manners (this make a mommy very proud). I will miss Mrs. G and Mrs. Kilduf. It's hard saying goodbye, but he is now off to Kindergarten with a full heart and a mind that is eager and ready to learn. Just don't grow up too fast Ethan, you have an entire life ahead of you, kindergarten is just the beginning. Sigh. Tear. My little graduate. End of the year. Ready for kindergarten!