A Visit with Uncle Dee and Aunt Ellen

In late February, Uncle Dee arrived to help Chris with his workload during tax season.  We were lucky enough to keep him for six weeks.  I think the kids really enjoyed having him around.  He spent many a Sunday afternoon, with kids on his lap, as he read them books.  He was gracious and wonderful and never refused to play or read to the kids.  The girls would often bother him while he was getting ready in the morning.  They would watch as he took his blood to test his blood sugar levels.  Some people may have been bothered by this, but not Dee.  He thought it was cute that the girls were so interested.  It was truly like having a Grandpa around for six weeks (even if we only saw him after work hours and on weekends). 

Ellen flew to town the Sunday before Dee was scheduled to leave.  Ellen spent a few days with us and she got to see all of her friends/family who live here.  Ellen and I always have such a fun time visiting.  We share many of the same interests and it's always fun to catch up with her and see what she is doing that is new.  I also love sharing all the projects I have been working on.  She is a wealth of information too!!!  Anyways...Dee and Ellen left on Grant's birthday.  They were going to take a leisurely drive home to Washington via the California coast.    We are so grateful that Dee was willing to come and help Chris.  I don't know how Chris could've made it through without his help!!!

Field Trip to the Eco Station

Loren's preschool took a field trip to the Eco Station in Rocklin.  I was really nervous about taking all the kids when I found out what it was.  Our kids are not known to be animal lovers.  Morgan is still scared to death of flies and even Grant and Loren aren't real comfortable around animals (even caged ones).   I prepped the kids and told them what it would be like so there wouldn't be anything unexpected.  Immediately upon entering the place, the kids were complaining of the strong smell.  It was a typical animal smell.  Thankfully, you got used to it quickly and then barely noticed it after that. 

They had a cute little kitchen area that the little kids were playing in.  I'm not quite sure how this related to the whole Eco Station, however, the kids sure enjoyed it!!

Grant and his former preschool friend/buddy, Blase....checking out the animals!

The first thing they did was have all the kids sit down on the floor (adults behind them in chairs) while Brandon (the Eco Station tour leader) brought out different animals for the kids to see up close and personal.  Grant sat front and center with his friend, Jaxon, and was pretty excited to see and touch the animals.  Loren, on the other hand, took the more reserved approach.  She sat back and just observed. 

The Bearded Dragon Lizard.  Brandon would put the lizard on the ground, put a worm in front of it and we would watch it run over and eat it.  Gross!!! 

Here is Grant touching the Lizard.  Jaxon, on the other hand, had no interest in touching the animal!!!

Next up was a giant snake.  I can't remember what kind of snake it was, but it was BIG!!! 

Brandon kept trying to get me to touch it, but I had to pass.  Morgan was on my lap and I knew she would freak and quite frankly, I had no interest!  By this time of the presentation, Loren had become more comfortable and even touched the snake.  Guess she figured that none of the animals had eaten any of the other kids, so it was probably safe.  Typical Loren!  She always sits back, observes, and then decides whether or not to do something.  It's a good quality!!! 

After the up close and personal session with lizards and snakes, the kids had their tour of the rest of the Eco Station.  I had to leave to take Grant and Jaxon to school.  I intended to just leave and take Loren with me, but surprisingly, she wanted to stay.  Mrs. Wright agreed to watch Loren and bring her home when it was over.  Per reports, Loren had a great time.  She loved the giant tortoises and even got to touch one.  She is definitely warming up to animals and I'm proud of her!!!

Grant's 6th Birthday

I can hardly believe that my baby boy, Grant is now 6 years old.  Where has the time gone?  It seems like just yesterday that I was praying Grant would wait til his post-tax season due date to make his debut.  He had other plans and decided to come 10 days early!  We had looked forward to parenthood for so long and it just didn't even seem real.  I still remember holding him for the first time.  I remember struggling to learn to nurse him.  I remember endless naps with him asleep on my chest.  I remember the sleepless nights and him in our bed.  I remember his love of all things soft/silky and his binky (his two loves).  I remember when he started to crawl, talk, and walk.  These memories feel so fresh in my mind, yet it is amazing to think that he is no longer a baby...but a 6 year old.  Where did the time go?

You have been such a miracle and a blessing in our lives, Grant.  We have loved watching you grow up.  You have such a wonderful spirit about you.  You are sensitive, yet strong.  You are extremely smart and creative.  You are developing your own sense of style and have definite opinions about what you should and shouldn't wear (anything camouflage is perfect).  You are a definite Daddy's boy and look forward to anytime that you get special quality time with him.  We have seen you grow up so much this year as you started kindergarten.  It has been wonderful to see you grow to love learning.  Your reading is excelling, your math as well.  You are so curious and always trying to do more than is required.  For example, you started trying to write your name in cursive.  You also, without the teacher asking, began writing your full name on your school papers.  Your handwriting has improved so much, as well as your coloring and cutting.   You love math too!!

You are loving Taekwondo also, especially your sparring class!  Where else are you given permission to actually kick and punch people?  This year, you joined the Black Belt Club and have committed to earn your black belt over the next 3 years.  And, you just tested for your green/blk stripe belt...which will be your 6th belt.  We love seeing you excel at something you enjoy so much!! You have made us so proud.

We hope that this coming year is filled with great joy and happiness as you continue to grow and develop!  We love you so much!!

Here are the questions I asked Grant for his annual birthday interview:

Favorite color:  Red, Blue, Green and Yellow (I asked him for one color but he just couldn't choose)
Favorite Food: Cheese Pizza
Favorite Movie:  Scooby Doo
Favorite TV Show:  Scooby Doo
Favorite Thing to Do: Play Wii
Favorite Thing to Wear: Camouflage T-shirt
Favorite Game: Connect 4
Favorite Person: Zachary Giles (a friend from school)
Favorite Toy: Scooby Doo Stuffed Animal and his new Star Wars Lego Slave I
Favorite Song:  The Star Wars Theme Song
Favorite Book: Scooby Doo
What you want to be when you grow up:  A miner (have no idea where this came from???)

My New Love - KICKBOXING!!!

I did it!!  I actually found a form of exercise that I LOVE!!!  I've been wanting to recommit to lose weight/get in shape, for quite some time now.  I know that Weight Watchers works for me and I have been successful at it before.  Exercise, on the other hand, has always been  a thorn in my side.  I used to be a pretty dang good swimmer in my highschool days and didn't seem to mind that kind of exercise.  But ever since then, I haven't really been able to find anything that didn't feel like a chore.  I've done the treadmill and exercise videos (and still do), but often get bored with them after awhile.  At the encouragement of a good friend, I decided to try the Kickboxing Class at the kids' Taekwondo school.  I could attend for free since we are already enrolled in a "family plan" at the school.  I really had not excuse!  I encouraged a couple other friends to come as well.  I was completely nervous.  My girlfriends and I joked about how we would take care of one another's kids if one of us had to be taken away by ambulance.  To my surprise, I LOVED the class.  I love that you can go at your own pace, work as hard as YOU want, and that it wasn't your typical exercise class.  There were women of all shapes and sizes and I did not feel uncomfortable. There is something liberating about punching/kicking a bag as hard as you can :)!! I kept up way better than I thought and was so proud of myself.  The added bonus is that my kids can go and play in the back while I do class (no fees involved).  After that first class, I couldn't wait to go back.  I've been trying to go to class 2-3 times a week and I am really enjoying it.  It is fast paced, quick changing and you rarely get bored.  And...I am always sore after so I know I am working hard.  Hopefully, the positive changes I have made in both exercise and diet will be evident on the scale.  For now, I'm going to stay off of the scale and focus on other things...like how I feel and how my clothes feel.  On the days I don't do kickboxing, I am either doing my treadmill or an exercise video.  My goal is to exercise five days a week and so far I've been doing it.  I'm going to pat myself on the back.  I am proud of myself and am so happy to have found my new love, kickboxing!!

Cow Udders?

Loren came home from preschool and said to me, "Mom, did you know that cows have something up their butt that they can get milk out of?"  I couldn't help but laugh out loud.  I explained to her that the cows udders' were not in their bum, but rather on their belly.  Oh I just love how her mind works!!

Sports Day

One Friday, Grant got to dress up for "Sports Day" at school.   Grant doesn't always want to participate in these type of spirit days, but he was definitely excited about this one!!!   He decided to wear his Adidas soccer clothes and Daddy's Adidas visor.  He looked so cute.  My cute friend Maria's little girl, Sydney, went dressed as a referee.  Of course, Maria just whipped up this outfit the night before using a white t-shirt and electrical tape.  That girl is too creative for words...LOVE her!!! 

We are already talking pre-arranged marriage!! Don't Sydney and Grant look so cute together!!!  I love this picture!

And here is Grant and his buddy, Zac, in their sports clothes!!  Handsome boys!

Tiny Tiger Morgan

It seems like we waited forever to get Morgan's Taekwondo uniform.  She had been wearing an old pair of Grants with a Robinson's t-shirt, and she was SO excited to finally have her official "Tiny Tiger" uniform.  And the other bonus is that it fits.  I no longer have to roll the waistband or the cuffs of the pants.  She loves her uniform...you can totally tell by the smile on this girls face!!!

New Friends

We've been spending a lot of time lately with our new, very dear friend, Maria and her daughter, Sydney!! Sydney is in the other PM kindergarten class.  She is a good friend to Grant, but if you ask Loren, she will tell you that Syd is HER friend!!!  One Saturday morning, Maria and Syd came over.  Maria and I messed around with our Cricut and Gypsy while the kids played play-do!!  Good times and never a dull moment with these kids!!

Another night, we had pizza and just hung out together!! Maria's hubby works some evenings so it has been fun to have friends come over during the late afternoon/evening!!!

Silly girls!!