Life Cycles Musical

Mason was a snake and he was thrilled because they had a very funny line.  They even got to slither across the stage on skateboards.  

Adorable, aren't they? 

Slithering, they also wore cool sunglasses. 

Mason belted it out during the songs.  I've never seen him get into a performance so much. 

Slumber party in the new house

We had a family sleep-over in the new house!  Friday after-school we headed over and had a picnic dinner on the floor.  Caesar salad and chicken ... then we hung out in the front yard for awhile and let the kids ride their scooters/bikes.

Movie time in our bed ... ON THE FLOOR.  I didn't think too much about it, I mean, I used to sleep on the floor all the time during slumber parties ... WHEN I WAS 10.  Oh my, that may have been the worst nights sleep I have ever gotten and I woke up with a backache too.  Won't be doing that again anytime soon.  Thank goodness we have a trailer or I'd never camp that's for sure.  The kids had fun though.

Fun at home ... Glow Jars

While looking at Pinterest, I found a cute project to do at home with the kids.  We made Glow Jars, special night lights for the kids to use before bed.  We took glow sticks that we got from the Dollar Spot area at Target and emptied them out into jars.  Note ... be careful with this stuff because it comes out of the tube with little glass particles in it and you don't want to get the liquid in your eyes either (I can tell you that).  The kids loved them and eagerly ran up to bed.  Win-Win.  

Westlake Open House

I always look forward to Open House at the kids school.  It's a great time to chat with all of the teachers and see some of the hard work they've been putting in.  The kids could hardly wait to show me around.  Bummed that Brian had to work so I had to attend by myself.  We started in the kids classrooms and then went to Spanish and Art.  

Mason did this during the first week of school.  He answered the questions and she typed it.  Loved reading this.

It says ... 

MASON

Silly, nice, tough, rough

Brother of Kyla

Who loves chocolate, myself and Lego's

Who feels weird, sick and bored

Who gives high-tens and high-fives

Who wonders if I'm going to break a bone

Who likes to give hugs

Who is able to play sports

Who dreams about falling in lava

CYR

Standing in front of his ladybug art.

And Sunflower hands.

They grew sunflowers in the classroom ... his was the tallest.

Mason's marlin and diamante poem.

Tadpoles.

More of Mason's work

Kyla is quite the budding little artist.  I couldn't believe some of the work she has done in Art Class.  Seriously, just look at this.  Her art teacher loves her too.

And another one.  Wow, I love all of the colors and how much work she put into this.

Kyla showing me around her classroom.

Over the past few weeks, they've been working on a animals from the safari.  Elephants!

Her classroom was decorated in a Safari theme.  It was so cute, there were animal print balloons, all of their bags with their work were decorated in animal print and the kids even made binoculars and showed us around the classroom with their binoculars on.  So creative.

We're MOVING!!

We recently made a very big decision ... something we don't take lightly and have been discussing for a long time.  We're selling our current house and have bought another one!!  Eeeek, such a scary thing.  New neighborhood, new schools ... a little farther from Brian's work but we couldn't be more excited about it.

Some of the things we liked about the new house ...

It's in an established neighborhood.  The house was built in 1977 but has been completely remodeled recently and hasn't been lived in.  So it still has the charm of an older home but with updated everything.  Our new neighbors are great ... we've already met most of them and they all say what a great neighborhood it is.  Even the Post Office Delivery Woman stopped to say hi and encouraged us to buy the house.

Schools ... let me first say that I'm sure the school is by no means as amazing as Westlake Charter.  It's a regular ol' public school but the scores are good, the people who send their kids there like it and the Middle and High Schools are fantastic and have tons of programs.

Safety.  We have grown rather tired of hearing the ghetto bird (helicopter) at night and seeing spotlights in the backyard.  Brian is gone tons ... I won't miss hearing that.  Brian has a cop friend and he talked to him before buying ... apparently our new neighborhood is very safe.  We live at the top of a hill on a dead-end street.  There are only 3 houses past us so the kids can play outside without the fear of them getting run over or snatched for the most part.  (Still very careful though)

Close proximity to tons of trails, a pond and the American River.  Very active community.  Tons of joggers and bike riders.  The boys can fish within a mile of the house.  We can't wait to buy a kayak.  

We have some space now.  The new house is on over a half an acre which is absolutely Brian's dream but we are still close to everything.  We can park our trailer there.  No HOA's either.  Our neighbors include horses, chickens, a goat, tons of wild turkey and deer.  :-)  Oh yea, and skunk and raccoons.

We'll miss all of the close friends we've made in Natomas, Westlake Charter, The Club and our soccer and baseball teams but can't wait for this new adventure to begin.  Hopefully we'll meet lots of new friends and still see our old ones from time to time.

Click on the picture to enlarge.

Crazy kid

During our yard sale, Mason found one of his old vests and I guess he just couldn't resist putting it on.  He cracks me up.

 

 

 

 

Special Surprise

I came home after a long and exhausting night at work to find this lovely letter from Kyla on my refrigerator and a sweet treat.  Such a thoughtful girl.

Mason - Fullerton Titans

I was so surprised when Mason asked his coach if he could pitch during his last baseball game.  He had a great coach and he went ahead and put him in for a few batters.  Mason has never done it before and did a great job!  It was a proud moment for me.  Definintely.

OK, here we go.

Up at bat ...he had a little trouble this year hitting with the players pitching.  He'll get there.

Team Photo.

Mother's Day 2012

They sure know how to make me feel special on Mother's Day.  The kids made me such cute gifts which to me are the best kind of gifts (the handmade ones) and Brian gave me the day off as well as a few gifts that I'd been asking for ;-).  Completely off, he didn't let me lift a finger and fixed a wonderful breakfast for my mom and I.  

Mason made me this gift in school.  The tag says, "You are tea-riffic."  Boy, he couldn't wait for me to drink the tea.  I wanted to save it but he wouldn't have it.  I think he watched me drink the entire cup and kept saying, "Do you like it?"  He can be such a sweetie.

Kyla made this for me ... cute huh?

Kyla's class had a 'Muffins for Moms' party on the Friday morning before Mother's Day.  My mom was in town and was able to go with me.  Kyla truly enjoyed serving us and cleaning up after we were done.  We had one TEENY-TINY muffin each.  Mom and I got a good laugh out of that and joked that we could have eaten about 10 more!  The kids passed out the gifts they had made and sang a few songs.  Good times.  I absolutely love her teacher this year.

Peace-Out.

All shiny clean after he bath and protesting about taking this picture.  She made this at school.  It has her hand print (which I love).

I am one happy mommy (and wife).

Kyla - Fresno State Bulldogs

Kyla has been loving T-Ball and has turned out to be (I think) one of the best players.  The girls definitely outplay the boys at this level.  With soccer, she kind of frolicked around and didn't seem too into it but with baseball she's so eager and always in ready position.

Absolute favorite.  Loooove it.

Running her bases.

Cutie.

Big swing.

The professional photos.