1st day of Kindergarten

Before school out in front of our house

with his best buddy Bobby.

Poor kid has such crazy hair because we couldn't get into the haircutting place on Monday -- it was too busy. Then I noticed in all of his pictures the right leg of his shorts is turned up and it was like that all day.

I didn't even notice -- oh well!

The sign.

The kindergartners are taken to the library every morning

and that is where their teachers pick them up.

After school in the hallway.

In front of the school with his carpool buddies.

Z's first day of kindergarten was on Tuesday, August 25th. He was excited and scared at the same time. I don't think he was too nervous to start school, but he was scared about having to learn everything in Spanish. We decided to put him in a Spanish Immersion Class (SPLASH) at the elementary school. It is a new program where the kids learn everything in Spanish (it started last year so there is now a 1st grade class). The teacher is from South America as well as a teacher's assistant. The class is taught only in Spanish -- very, very, very little English is spoken. On the way in he asked me how you ask to go to the bathroom in Spanish. I explained that his teacher won't expect him to speak in Spanish until he knows how to. I think that made him feel better :) His school day starts at 7:45 (oh so early for us) and he gets out at 2:45 and there is no short day (actually there are about 3 throughout the year on random days). They have a staggered start day, which means that only 1/2 of the kindergartners go on the 1st day and then the rest the 2nd and then everyone goes the 3rd day.

The whole family went to drop him off. There is little parking and it was a little crazy, but we made it on time. We took a few pictures then dropped him off in the library. They do not let them stay outside, so all the kids are in the building (the K in the library and the rest of the kids in the gym -- all sitting quietly) and the teachers come to pick them up. We thought we would be able to walk him to class, but no other parents were waiting with their kids, so we gave him hugs and kisses and sent him into the library. He sat by a friend from church and immediately opened his lunch to check it out :) Jer, B and I just waited outside the library for a bit and watched him through the window. He was so brave and did great. I only had a few tears as we walked away. I think sending him to preschool last year (which was like K -- 3 hours, 5 days a week) helped me prepare for this year.

He had a good day, but he did say his teacher wasn't like Mrs. Darlene (his preschool teacher). When I questioned him, he just said that he had to be quiet in the hall and had to stay in a straight line. He told me he got a consequence for talking in line which turned out that his teacher just told him to stop talking -- not really a consequence :) In K, as well as in his preschool class, they have colors that they need to stay on ... so green means he is doing great, then yellow, then red is in trouble. He never even went in yellow in preschool (which he was very proud of) so I think he is already worried that he is going to get in trouble in K, because his teacher is more strict. I think he will be fine though :) He loved to tell me about recess (they only get one) and about lunch. He couldn't remember too much more than that :)

Good Job Z -- we are very proud of you!! B and I missed you so much during your long day away from us!

Fabulous Foto Friday

This is Z in October 2005. At 20 months old he definitely knew about soccer and loved to wear Dad's soccer stuff -- even with no pants on :) It's amazing that he can even walk!!

Our kids have no chance of escaping being "forced" to play soccer -- we love this sport in our house. Fall soccer is starting already and Z is so excited!!

Fabulous Foto Friday

We were pretty lucky that Z usually did not use walls or other household furniture as his canvas for his creations -- except this time (September 2006 -- 2 1/2 years old). This is him trying to clean it off -- what a look on his face :)

Already B has drawn on walls, doors, and blinds -- I am not as careful about not leaving pencils/pens/crayons lying around the house :(

Fab Foto Friday

This is Z in November 2005 (he was 20 months old). He has always been one of those kids that goes and goes and goes and will not go to sleep until I make him. He will not go to sleep watching a movie, and except for the car never goes to sleep until he is in his bed. You can definitely tell when he is tired, but he fights it until the bitter end :) In fact he gets crazy and hyper when he gets tired. I loved getting this picture, because it never happens. He was eating lunch and fell fast asleep. So cute! So sweet!

Fabulous Foto Friday

This was one of the silliest, craziest, funniest things that I ever did. My little sister (the one squatting) decided one day that she wanted to go be on The Price is Right. Her husband traveled a lot so she had lots of free plane ticket points, hotel points, and car rental points. When she sets her mind to something, it happens. SO . . . after making matching shirts (of course), we took off for California one day in December 2004. I left my sweet little Z who was only 9 months old. Two of my friends traded off watching him during the day (thanks guys -- 1st time away from him) and Jer took care of him after work at night -- yeah I was still nursing and he wouldn't take a bottle so he didn't have milk (he did eat other food though) for 2 days!

We got there in the evening (my mom and I took a direct flight on her frequent flyer miles and the other three had to have layovers in Las Vegas -- sorry) and all stayed in one hotel room. We got up really early and stood in line at CBS television studios to get our ticket to even get onto the property a few hours later. I know my sister had to request tickets before we even went to California, but I can't remember what that got us, because we still didn't know if we would get in or not. We walked around and then went back to sit on benches in another long line. We played hand held games and just talked. We got to leave for lunch and then we were back again. We had to fill out paper work and got our cool name tags. When the lines started moving is when you actually found out if there would be enough room for everyone. If you went with a big group and got advanced tickets you didn't have to do all of this waiting around stuff and until all the large groups come, they can't guarantee the rest of you are in (note to self if we ever do this again, get a big group together). We finally got to the interview part -- all this time we were outside under awnings. My littlest sister got her really big smile going and we all noticed that they kept looking at her. They asked everyone a quick question and then we waited a little bit more in another outdoor section and then we went into the studio.

It was so much smaller than it looks on T.V. and it looked a little ghetto :) We were kind of sad because we didn't all fit on one row so my little brother was behind us, but we made the best of it!! It started so quickly after that and it was so crazy. My little sister was called with the beginning 4 and they even pronounced our last name correctly :) We were all laughing so much. It was so surreal!! She got up fourth and won a hammock to get up on stage. She gave Bob a kiss on the cheek and then played "Squeeze Play" where she won an electric piano, which is perfect for her!! She didn't win the big wheel, but got really close. Her moment in the limelight was over. She didn't get to sit with us the rest of the time which was sad. She later told us that she could see Bob's card and knew what game she would be playing if she won the bid and she watched the show enough (my mom watched it almost every morning) she knew it wouldn't be a big prize, but she didn't want to risk not getting up at all. She was cute and fun and did a fantastic job. I was so happy she got chosen -- I didn't want to be! Right after the show she had to decide if she wanted the gifts, because she had to pay the taxes on them. So after a call to my Dad, she ended up getting them :) Even after a really long day, we had such a great time -- once in a lifetime!!

The picture is all of us (me, my mom, my two sisters and my little brother) in the parking garage that we parked in. It was after the show and we have the card with my sister's name on it that they hold up so you know they are calling your name, because you really can't hear well with all of the yelling and also an autographed copy of Bob that my sister got for being on the show. You can't really see it, but the CBS Studios are behind us :) What great memories!!

The show didn't air until February and my whole family got together to watch it -- I have it on DVD if you ever want to see it :)

Fabulous Foto Friday/Happy 12th Anniversary

This was my sweet family on B's blessing day on March 2, 2008. What a wonderful day!! I love my little family so much :) B is so precious and it was wonderful to have special family and friends who shared this day with us!! Thank you to my talented mom who made B's blessing dress. It was so, so, so beautiful and made with love. Which takes us to -- HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JER!! We have been married 12 years today. I definitely married my best friend who is a wonderful husband and father. He cares about me and takes care of me. He listens to my problems and makes me happy. He would do anything for me -- thank you honey!! I could not ask for a better partner.

I love you!

Giveaway

My friend Holly is having a giveaway at her blog Good Morning Sunshine. All you need to do is go and make a comment :) She makes really cute things such as -- bows, earrings, onesies, note cards, headbands etc. Go check out her store blog HERE. Go Holly!!

Getting caught up -- some more!!

Just click on the title :) Eventually I WILL get caught up -- stick with me!

Building stuff with dad

Thanksgiving 2008

Black Friday

NC Zoo -- the day after Thanksgiving?!?

Fabulous Foto Friday

Now that my brother has left us :(

I will post another FABULOUS foto :)

Here is Z -- look at his cute chubby cheeks :) -- over Labor Day Weekend of 2007 at a family reunion in Heber City, Utah.

My parents and my siblings were in charge of the activities and food planning for the reunion. I was pregnant, we had just announced to everyone that we were moving, and we had been working hard at getting our house ready to sell. It was a very crazy time, but this reunion was important to me to spend time with my dad's family! One of the activities was making things with clay and then baking the creations in a toaster oven. A lot of the kids started by making jewelry, Z has on a necklace and a ring, but his dad also helped him make some figures to play with. Can you see the light sabers? Jer is so creative :)

Fabulous Foto Friday

This fabulous foto is in celebration of my little brother coming to visit us next week -- yea!!

This was Z's first Halloween in 2004. Isn't he cute?!? My brother looks great too, even though he wasn't in his costume yet (hehehe)!! I worked so hard at making Z's monkey costume -- I mean my mom worked so hard at fixing all my mistakes and doing the things I couldn't do. My sister-in-law always makes her kid's costumes and even though my worst grade in school was in my Jr. High sewing class I thought I could make my kid's costumes too -- thank goodness for my mom.

We have always said that our kids are monkeys, so I figure this will be the perfect costume for all of them to wear their first Halloween -- especially since this will probably be my first and last costume I will ever make :) B was our second little monkey last Halloween.

Fabulous Foto Friday

This was Labor Day weekend of 2006. My dad had rented a party boat that my family played on all day at Jordanelle Reservoir near Heber City, Utah. We fished, played games, played in the water, talked, ate, and had a great time. My brother (my only brother not pictured) had his boat for water skiing and then my dad had his little fishing boat. This picture really makes me laugh and yes, I know that there is a post through the middle, but what can I say I didn't take the picture :) Let me set up the scene. On the float (I'm not sure what to call it) is my oldest brother, me, and my younger sister. We were all trying to stand on this together without falling off and it was quite a feat. And then my youngest brother decided to get on also. He couldn't :) We tried for a while to get us all on. We teetered and tottered and stumbled and fell. We laughed so much which made it even harder for him to get on. My sister-in-law took video of all this and I really want to see it one day because it was so, so, so funny -- at the time anyway.

I don't think my little brother ever made it on :)

Fabulous Foto Friday

Here is my cute little boy! This picture just makes me giggle because of the funny mistakes of first time parents. The shininess in Z's hair is gel baby oil. He had some scalp issues and the doctor told us to put some baby oil on his head and rub it in and it would help his cradle cap (I called it something different, but that is another story!) Anyway while he was in the bath one day we used some baby oil that was in the form of gel -- we thought it would better to control and work into his scalp. Hum, we used a lot. We started laughing really hard and then tried to wash it out -- it wouldn't wash out. Poor little guy had shiny, sticky, and wet looking hair for days. We took him to church the next day and one of Jer's young men asked what was wrong with Z's hair and why we would put gel in a baby's hair (Z was 10 months old). Not one other person asked or said a thing which made us laugh even more, because it was bad and we know that people were wondering what the deal was. Too funny!! Wow we had a lot to learn and still do :)

Fabulous Foto Friday

We have always been terrible at taking pictures and especially in doing anything with them. I don't know how many film rolls we have never developed (I just found about 9) and how many boxes that just hold random photos. Now with digital cameras and having kids we take a lot more pictures, but still never do much with them. I love looking at "old" pictures and so I have decided to each week post a picture from my stash of digital photos that

have never seen the light of day --

so come walk down my memory lane with me :)

Jer, J and Z (in the backpack) in front of Exit Glacier.

In August of 2004 we took a short trip to Alaska. Jer had worked on a neighbor's basement who worked for Delta Airlines. Payment for his hard work was a few buddy passes. Jer couldn't take much time away from work, but we really wanted to go to Alaska so we ended up taking a long weekend trip. Of course we invited my parents. My dad had lived in Alaska when he was a boy and we still have relatives that live there. We flew into Anchorage and drove down to Seward where my dad had lived. One of the places we went to was Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park -- so beautiful and enormous. It is an active glacier where you hike right up to the dense blue ice and can listen to it crackle. What a great experience and what a fun trip!! Exciting with a 6 month old, but so worth it. The sad part of the trip was not only that it wasn't very long, but Alaska was having horrible forest fires. The fires made the sky dark and smoky. So we will just have to go back and experience Alaska again :)

What a fabulous "foto" :) Come back next week for a new one!

Swimming

Here's the group -- B was not cooperating!

B not happy to be restrained for the picture :)

I tried to get a good picture of the two of them,

but B kept walking away.

And this was the best we got -- not so good huh?

Time to go? Z was not so happy about it :)

On Tuesday the kids and I were invited by a boy that had been in Z's preschool class to go swimming at their club. It was a nice swimming pool and we had a great time. It was a million degrees outside and the water was cold -- it felt so nice. The pictures are not the best and I didn't even get any of the kids in the water (which would have been hard because I held onto B the entire time), but they loved playing in the water. We are grateful for nice friends who not only took us to their private club, but even bought us lunch -- Thanks :)

Trying to get caught up :)

I really want to get caught up -- so here are some past posts. Just click on the title. Check back soon for some more! :)

Z Fall Soccer

Z Soccer Party

UNC Soccer Game

USS North Carolina

Happy Birthday Z!!

Our cute little boy is 5 years old today! I can't believe that we have been blessed with this sweet kid. He is so smart and caring. He always wants to do his best and thinks of others' feelings. He is fun to be around and he keeps us on our toes. He loves his little sister and is a wonderful big brother.

You sure make our family complete -- We love you buddy!!

USS North Carolina

While my parents were here we traveled down to Wilmington. One of our stops was the USS North Carolina. Our little family had seen it from the outside when my sister and her husband came to visit this summer, but only Jer had ever been on it and had taken the tour. The battleship was huge and amazing. It was really, really cold the day we went, but as we toured underneath it was very pleasant. We had been warned never to visit during the summer, because it is so hot so I guess going in the freezing cold was OK! Z saluted when we got on and Z and my dad saluted when they got off -- that is what the sailors did :)

Poor little girl

Day One

Day Two

The day after my parents left B woke up with hives and a swollen eye. We took her to the doctor and he wasn't sure if she got something in her eye or what. He said it didn't look like allergies or a strange virus that had been going around. He told us to give her Benadryl. The next day in the morning both eyes were puffy and then by afternoon the hives were gone and the first eye was better, but the new eye looked worse. How frustrating!! She got better soon after that and we never knew what it was. Poor little girl -- she looked so awful and sad!! Oh how I can worry as a mom! :)