Last Day Of School

They did it! 

They made it through another school year!

Kale made Honor Roll for the Third Trimester!

Here's what his teacher wrote on his report card for this trimester. . .

"Another great trimester for Kale! He has been one of the most determined student I've had in years. I'm so proud of him. Congratulations for making the honor roll. I've really enjoyed working with Kale this year!"

Here he is with all his buddies after the assembly!

Here is Kris with his Amazing Teacher this year!

Don't get me started about the red eyes. . .

Maybe this will explain them!

And for those of you who know me pretty well, knows it takes a lot to get me to cry. I have become really good at holding emotions in. . .

but I was crying today at the end of kindergarten.

Not because it was the end of kindergarten.

I'm excited for Kris to move up in this world,

but his teacher got down on her hands and knees and went to each child in the circle and talked to each one of them individually (I have no idea what she said) and then hugged each child!

It was really touching!

We had a great year!

And are ready for a great SUMMER!

I have PROOF. . .

that this girl really can be HAPPY!

See. . . she does smile!

And when she does it lights up her whole face

and everyone around her!

Maybe it had something to do with these two coming for a little visit!

She hosted an amazing "tea party" for Nana and Papa

who were very good sports for sitting in those tiny chairs!

She had the time of her life spending the day with them!

I think she was trying to convince them that it won't be so bad living a little closer to us!

We love you NANA AND PAPA!

Memorial Day 2010

We decided to head downtown yesterday and take the boys to the Vietnam Memorial they have in Capital Park.

The boys actually took to it a little better than I expected.

They were very touched when an old man was leaning over one of the statues representing the fallen soldiers and was crying. It led to some good discussion about war, freedom, and being thankful for where we live.

Then we headed over to the Rose Gardens.

They were so pretty - probably due to all the rain we have had.

This is the best picture I got of this gal.

At least she's standing still - we are making progress on the picture taking front.

However, she is clapping her hands at me saying,

"I don't want to say cheese."

We walked through Capital Park

and the kids were fascinated by the Cops on Horses!

I was fascinated by these trees!

I love Magnolia Trees!

Can't you just imagine one of these in my front yard?

I wish!

Then we headed inside this building. . .

Our State Capital!

Kale is learning all about California History this year and even took a field trip (which his dad went on with him) to the State Capital earlier this year so. . ..

He was our OFFICIAL TOUR GUIDE. . .

And he was right in his element

telling us every story about the building,

what the rooms were used for,

who's office was whose,

and

of course where the bathrooms were!

And if that wasn't enough for our Memorial Day,

we headed over to Old Town Sacramento,

where we were smack dab in the middle of the JAZZ FESTIVAL!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY EVERYONE!

HIDE AND GO SEEK

I'm about sick of this game. . .

Here's why.

I keep losing my daughter.

She hides and hides and hides.

And thinks it's really funny.

It's not.

The first time was at Kyle's parents house.

It was night time.

It was dark.

The kids were all getting in the car and I realized I couldn't find Kara.

I'm running up the dark street trying to find her.

I searched the entire house - looking in every room. . . 

except for Grandma and Grandpa's closet which she happened to be in kneeling quietly on the floor with the lights off.

Grandma found her.

And she laughed (Kara not Grandma).

Now it's like a game to her.

When she hears me calling her - she hides.

Sometimes she doesn't even hide - she just stays where she is and doesn't make a sound.

It's killing me.

Take for example Sunday Morning. . .

I got her dressed then got distracted with one of the boys.

I needed to put her shoes on her.

I call her name.

She doesn't answer.

I'm looking all over the house.

I get panicked thinking she thought she was ready and walked out the door to go to church.

Turns out she is laying in the middle of the playroom floor just waiting to be found.

I wasn't happy.

BUT,

the other day when I couldn't find her

I asked Kristopher,

"Do you know where your sister is?"

He answered,

"Oh, she's hiding in the jungle."

"Huh" I said.

"Come here mom, but be very quiet and I'll take you to our jungle."

He took my hand and led me outside to the side of our house

AND THERE SHE WAS!

HIDING IN THE JUNGLE!

This time I did laugh!

Out loud in fact!

We don't need a playhouse in our yard, we've got a jungle!

Best Note Ever!

DO NOT ENTER

except Mom

Maybe I am valued a little more than I give myself credit for. . .

Fathers and Sons

It's that time again. . .

Where we send our boys out to the woods to do a little camping!

While me and the Girl do a little Shopping!

For these BEAUTIES!

She loved them in the store.

She told me in her two year old talking that

"she had to have them!"

And she loves them even more on her feet!

She walked around the whole store telling everyone who walked by that she was "getting new shoes!"

And I'm proud of myself because after an hour of walking around Target looking at everything we walked out with just her pair of shoes!

It was fun spending some one on one time FUN time with Karalyn.

We went shopping, ate dinner on my bed watching Mickey Mouse, and even went to bed wearing her new shoes!

And just because I think she is so fun and cute,

here's some pictures of what she has been up to lately!

She is going to be the best mom someday!

She loves babies and loves to change their diaper. . .

She had fun on this particular day using every wipe out of the container!

I went in to wake her from a nap the other day to cart the boys off somewhere and this is how I found her.

She has to have her babies in bed with her. . .

And does she ever love her sippy cup!

(For my brother in law who is a dentist and for my brother who will be a dentist THE SIPPY CUP IS EMPTY!)

And I don't know what's better in this picture. . .

the hair or the look!

LOVE HER!

Mother's Day

This is my mother's day picture we captured right before we left for church.

At first glance I thought it was a horrible picture.

I'm slouched over like I'm old and tired (oh wait I am)!

Kristopher looks awnry!

Kale is cheesing it up!

but, Kara actually looks really cute!

Then I realized the picture actually portrays my life quite nicely.

I am a little old and tired, but I'm smiling because I wouldn't change a thing!

Kristopher is awnry sometimes, but we have a special relationship  - we have a wink that we share that's our secret way of saying I love you! Sometimes when I can tell he is frustrated or mad I give him the wink - he usually smiles for a second and then realizes he is supposed to be mad at something and goes back to being awnry!

Kale makes being a mom so easy!

(I often joke that Kristopher was born to humble me into realizing that I was not a perfect parent - Kale is just the perfect child)

And even though Kara looks perfectly content and happy in this picture - the only reason why is because she is standing next to her big brother and not next to her mother!

The more I look at that picture. The more I love it!

Since I fully believe that Mother's Day should last an entire weekend, I spent my weekend taking it back to "before we were MOM'S!"

(who knew my hair could still CRIMP like that?)

Once again we hit the roller rink,

dressed in our 80's attire,

and skated the night away!

It's nice to know we

STILL GOT MOVES!

MOM'S ARE GROOVY!