Cards for a good cause

One of the local radio stations is collecting cards to give out the patients in the hospital on Valentine's Day.  I'm always looking for a reason to get out my crafty stuff and the kids wanted to help.  Here we are getting our creative juices flowing.

Kyla and her friend Isa (our neighbor). 

Mason enjoyed himself too and is very careful with my stuff ... a lot more than she is!  I need to get her a set of stamps and pads of her own! 

All on her own.  "I am very sory you are sick.  I hope you can go back to school rely qick (quick).  Get beter son (soon).  Cute, huh? 

I really wish you were not sick.  Get better SOON!  I love his kissy lips too. 

So, Kyla still sneaks in bed with me on the nights that Brian is gone.  It doesn't bother me a bit, I actually enjoy snuggling with her.  She's only going to be little for so much longer.  She often whispers me sweet nothing in the mornings and this morning she said, "I love your pretty face, Mommy."  Melts my heart.    She is so giving and kind hearted too.  I told her that we needed to go through her jammie drawer and give some of the older ones to the good will because her drawer is so full and she said we should give them to the foster children.  She said she heart on the radio that the Sleep Train stores were collecting them.  We Googled it and sure enough, they are.  They have to be new though.  We'll give ours to Goodwill and get some new ones to donate.  Smile.

Kyla Funny - Not long ago she was getting ready for school and said she was going to dress like Johnny Cash.  I admit, I was a little worried.  She came out in a Black/White checkered shirt, dark jeans and black boots.  She's something, that girl.

Mason has been a Lego Fanatic the past few weeks.  Specifically Lego Ninjago.  He recently found 2 sets that he hadn't finished because we packed them up during the move.  This morning he was up at 6:15 building.

The kids seem to be making more friends at school and I've met 2 friends!!  Hanging out at the park after school has been great for all of us.  Loving this great weather.

Girlie time with friends

Isa and Kyla had a sleep-over last weekend and I let them put destroy my makeup on. (By the way, I'm still trying to get my brushed clean.  They had a good time with it and put on and removed several applications.  

Wow. 

I was outside talking with a neighbor and both girls ran out (pretend crying) with ice packs on their eyes and said they ran into each other!!  Of course, I acted like I fell for it and went running over.  They got quite the laugh.  Sneaky girls.

Instagram

I'm loving Instagram lately ... you can take a so-so picture and with their cool photo filters turn them into amazing photos.  I'm taking a bunch of them because I want to make a huge photo collage for the wall of all Instagram photos.

Top Right - Sacramento Kings Game

Middle - Kyla said her had looked like Abe Lincoln's.

Middle Right - Kyla using her head lamp to read books in wee early morning.

Bottom Middle - Best pals.  As Roscoe is getting older, we have been letting him up on the bed here and           there.  Once he's up there, he doesn't want to get down.

Bottom Right - Bike riding in the Fair Oaks Village.

Rah, rah, rah!

Impact Cheerleaders!

These girls have only had 2 practices so I can't believe how well they're doing.  I think their favorite part is cheering for the boys to come out of the tunnel.

Aren't they cute? 

For some reason, the Coach chose a cheer that they had only ran through twice (the night before) for the half-time show.  It was rocky to say the least.  :-/ 

Let's play some ball!

Seriously ... how cute are they?

They look like twins don't they? 

They play/cheer at a local church and do a prayer before each game.

1st time he got his hands on the ball.  I could tell he was a little nervous.  Go Mason! 

Exciting game, huh?  Too funny. 

Happy New Year - 2013

Wow, it's been months since I've blogged .... I have some major catching up to do for 2012 but I'm going to try to keep up this year (said that before, haven't I).  Kyla loves to hear stories from when she was little and the other night asked me to tell her some ... I don't know if I'm getting old or what but I could hardly think of anything to talk about.  We got the blog book out from 2008 and read some of it and she absolutely loved hearing the stories.  I'm determined to do better.

What's going on right now?  Well we've been busy as usual with school and homework.  The kids have also started cheerleading and basketball.  This is a first for both of them and so far so good.  Kyla has already said that she wants to play basketball instead of cheer next year.  Our practices are on Friday night (BOO) and games on Saturday.  They have only had 2 games are are continuing to improve.  Fun to watch for sure.

The kids are doing well in the new school.  Mason said his Teacher is "mean".  I'm not sure if she's exactly mean but I know she's firm.  Best thing ever for him.  Homework is never a battle and he seems to be learning so much.  They have already learned multiplication and are working on division now.  He seems to enjoy math but absolutely hates writing.

Kyla has 2 teachers - they have been working together for years and it seems the "Good Cop, Bad Cop" approach works for them.  She's doing well also but is easily distracted and often caught daydreaming.  She reads like a champ ... it's incredible.

Brian and I have been enjoying our time together while the kids are in school.  We often go out to lunch and lately have been mountain biking.  Brian bought me a new bike for Christmas and it's been a blast learning how to use it.  He's trying to kill me with these hills though!  He must not realize that I grew up in a FLAT town ... never needed to change gears in Coalinga, that's for sure.  Loving the new neighborhood.  Yesterday Brian dropped the kids off at school, drove his truck down a ways along the American River and rode his bike back.  Once he got home, he walked the kayak down to the river and kayaked down while fishing.  He tells me at least once a week how much he loves living here.  We have new neighbors that moved in across the street and we have really hit it off.  I also have another friend next door.  We've been known to sit outside and watch the kids play while enjoying a glass of wine.  It's lovely.  :-)

And now for a few pictures.

Grammy and Grandpa watched the kids over New Years so Brian and I could work.  Here are some cute snow pictures of the kids that we took when we picked them up.

Awe ... my accessory girl. 

Cutie ... my model.

Mason got a stomp rocket for Christmas.  Notice his sneaky face?  He's waiting for Dad to come out of the garage so he could nail him. 

BIG jump.