Math Magician?

All kids were given an award at the end of year picnic on Thursday...and Austin got the "MATH" award! Does that mean a scholarship in the future for this kid? With some mathematics and athletic, he could! :)

We're proud of you, Austin!

First & Last

Another set of pictures...one from the first day of school: And from today...the last day of school:

It's been a great year!

next to last day of school...

First day of school - September 2006

First day of school - September 2007

Today was Austin's last day in the classroom at school, if the weather holds out for the picnic tomorrow (we are crossing our fingers - as it would be so much fun for the whole family!). This was many of the mother's last time picking up their pre-schooler, forever, as this is their last. I could feel their sadness and happiness all at the same time. It's been such a great chapter in Austin's development and we're excited to give Caden the same in the next couple of years. Here's a picture of Austin on his first day of school, over the last couple of years! He's being such a nice young man (really!). :)

long weekend + lots of fun = tired boys

Memorial Day weekend was filled with fun activities everyday, keeping us on the go, go go! Saturday started off with joining some friends on the Willamette river in their boat yacht to celebrate their little 6 year old's birthday! There were 5 adults and 6 kids, all under 6...very well behaved and had a great 4 hour trip! Fun day, which turned out nice and sunny!

Sunday started rainy, without any plans for the day, but by afternoon Dave offered to help my Dad dig a trench to get electricity to my Grandma's new Manufactured home on their property (that's another story). So we headed to my parent's house, had a nice visit, dinner and back home again with the boys fast asleep.

The weekend ended with a dinner date at my best friend's house, with her husband and 3 month old baby (happy 3 months today, Hudson!). Well, the boys behavior was a little less than desirable, but I have to say it's the hardest for kids at a new location after a couple of long busy days before hand. Anyhow, hopefully they will want to see us again for dinner (maybe when Hudson can run with the boys!). :) The boys were in bed and asleep by 7pm last night - with Caden sleeping in until 7:30am...I think they were wiped!

Today was back to our regular routine with a friend over in the morning, school, gym, swimming lessons, shower and now watching Alvin & the Chipmunks. Off to bed here any minute!

My little Mr. Sparrow

This week's theme at Austin's school was all about PIRATES - a very fun theme, indeed! It ended with a full dress up day for the kids yesterday, with a map and treasure for each kid to find! It looked like a ton of fun and Austin enjoyed dressing up in this costume like Jack Sparrow (minus the hat & hair, compliments of our dear next door neighbor friends!).

Happy long weekend too - Austin only has 3 days left of Pre-K...and the last day (next Thursday) is a family picnic. That means only 2 afternoons left with him at school...and then it's summer...full force boy power. I better get ready!

A year later...

A year ago today we spent our first day at Disneyland for the first time as a family! Fun, fun times! We have all changed in the last year, specifically:

*Caden doesn't have his "leash" or stroller anymore! He's a walking, talking almost 3 year old!

*Dave doesn't have braces anymore! Got those off right after this trip to California!

*I'm about 15 pounds lighter! Yippee...Weight Watchers is really great (when it's followed!)

*I'm struggling with a change for Austin...he is pretty much the same...a bit bigger, a lot smarter, and still super fun.

We miss you California...Mickey Mouse...Grandma & Grandpa Lee...maybe we'll be back in the next year or so (I'm hoping!).

Butting heads...

Austin & I have always had a way of butting heads at times. We love each other dearly, but man, yesterday was a rough day between the two of us. Today is a ton better, after we both shed tears over it last night. The picture above was at the Mother's Day "day" a couple of weeks ago at his school - I love this little guy so much (even when his words hurt, and he doesn't even know what he is saying!). :)

sprayed and scratched...

The last couple of days have brought some interesting situations.

First, on Saturday when we were rearranging our garage, the neighbor girl was stocking riding by several times when I heard her say something to me. "What?" I thought, did she just say that Austin peed on the neighbors driveway. Oh no - he did not pee, but had made a 6 inch circle of red spray paint on their driveway. If you know our neighbors, they are the BEST...but the Dad is a bit particular about the outside of their house and this was NOT a good thing. Long story short, the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser saved the day, along with a lot of scrubbing and some gasoline. Just a hint of pink is left. As part of Austin's punishment and lesson, he had to tell our neighbors (who already knew) and was worried about making the Dad grumpy. It turned out okay though.

Secondly, today I went to drop off Austin's paperwork at his new school for Kindergarten and when I came out a couple minutes (literally) later, we were blocked in by a bus. So, I thought I could maneuver our way out - but didn't succeed. I put the car back in the spot, decided to walk home (we are close) to put our $16 of meat that we just bought in the fridge. As we walked back, we were greeted by the owner of the car next to me, as apparently I scratched her car and the bus driver had witnessed it. I'm feeling a bit "criminal" like now...they must have thought I was a hit and run kind of girl, with a (heavy) two year old in tow and a paper bag of meat. I gave the nice lady my information and had to go - as Austin needed to be picked up. Agg - sometimes bad things happen to good people. So, we'll wait and see what happens. I can only hope for a simple solution for the scratch, in a reasonable manner. Man, I just wanted to start off with this school on the right foot as we have many years there!! Never again am I going in that parking lot - no need to, as we are "walkers" and can park on the other side of the fence. Whew.

Anyway, a little too much drama for me. The sunshine is out though, so that makes me feel better. Nice and hot for the next couple of day - woo-hoo!!

Weekend in review...

It's Monday already? My goodness!

From last Thursday to today, it's been a blur. A good blur, but a blur. Here's the run down...

Thursday - first morning of the week without a friend over...the boys and I hang out. I have a cold, so we are a bit lazy. I decide to get ready before taking Austin to school, so we can go to Target and then take Caden to Aunt Sissy's house before the Mom's Day at school. Good thing I was showered and ready, as my car had an antifreeze problem (we noticed it leaking out...a lot...on Wednesday). Car had to be parked at the "Park-n-Ride" on the way to Target...out of commission. Aunt Sissy rescues Caden and I and take us back home. Dana is so nice to take me to school and bring us home. Papa saves the day and get the car home and figures out the problem. It needs a new radiator cap - a $5 solution. Yippee! Papa rocks!! Mom's Day at school is fabulous and we have a great time - I tear up as "teacher" describes the kids as cocoons when they arrived to preschool a couple of years ago and are now butterflies getting ready to take off to Kindergarten. Ahh...

Friday - Garage Sale!! Dave takes the boys to meet my Dad early in the morning - they were out the door at 7:10am. Brings back memories of when I worked full-time and having to leave so early. So happy and blessed to be home with the boys now. I made around $150 off old toys the first day, and finish in time to make it to the gym (my head cold was getting better) and Target...home to shower and have a nice grown up dinner with Dave at Seres. Yummy!

Saturday - last 4 hours of the Garage Sale! Another $100 made. Not bad! My parents brought the boys back in time to get to the soccer game...and to Taco Bell for lunch. The rest of the day was spent rearranging the garage (both cars can make it in a 3 car garage...imagine that??!!) and planting more plants and bushes in the backyard.

Sunday - Happy Mother's Day!! My three boys got me an i-Pod for Mother's Day! Yippee! I got it last week, and have over 500 songs on it from all my CDs. Love it! I know...I'm a little behind the times, but as happy as a clam to have one now! Makes working out so much more enjoyable.

Here we are Monday...hope to have a fabulous week! Hope you do too!

hip hair...

Austin's hair last week...

See more Wordless Wednesdays here!

A day of fun for Papa!

My Dad called me this afternoon excited about his fishing trip at Roslyn Lake (I am not a fisherwoman, but listen)...and then he sent this...obviously it was a great day on the lake (too bad they are currently draining it...).

Glad you had a fun day, Dad!

Finally!

Finally a couple great days of sunshine in the Pacific Northwest...I think I even got a little tan at the park this morning. We had a great couple days, planting plants, flowers, etc., and playing outside until we almost drop. Dave and I both fell asleep last night watching Desperate Housewives around 9:30pm...too tired to stay up after a busy sunny day. My first planters without help - let's hope they bloom and grow!

Today was equally as good, with the boys to the park this morning with Riley, our 5 year old friend...Wendy's for lunch for them and more playing. Even got in a great workout at the gym this afternoon and Caden is still enjoying the daycare, calling it "his school"!

What else? Had a yummy burrito at home for dinner tonight to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! The garage is full of toys that I've been cleaning out of the house since Christmas for the garage sale we're having this weekend...lots that the boys don't play with and I'll so happy to see go to a new home (hopefully!).

TGIF!

Wow, it's already May 2nd! I don't have anything exciting to report - it's been a busy, fast week to visits with friends, great workouts at the gym (including my first step class, which was a disaster...but a good workout overall!), and 49 cent tacos at Taco Bell! The sun is popping out again and hopefully will be here all weekend - that would be great! We've been at home catching up on paperwork and things this morning...and hoping that the sniffles that the boys have will not become another bad cold. I can only hope. Rest boys, rest. Ha, ha! :)

Have a great weekend!