The Outdoorsmen

Blake's Webelos Den was getting together for a camp out to pass of their Outdoorsman Badge this weekend.  We went just up the road to a little campsite only ten miles away.  It was perfect for an overnighter.  Blake had a great time with his friends.  We let the boys sleep out in the tent alone for the first time.  They were really excited about that even though it cooled down to 35 degrees at night.  They really are a good bunch of boys and they all get along so well together.  Blake invited his friend Hunter to be a part of den and he fits in just perfect.  I am so proud of Blake for being such a great example.

Blue and Gold

Tonight was Blake's Blue and Gold Dinner with his Cub Scout Troop.  The boys are so supposed to decorate a cake for the dessert.  Blake made an army tank using a big and small rectangle cake.   He as very proud of his cake.   He had the flu earlier in the week so he was happy to be feeling better so he could go on Thursday night.

Bye Bye Mickey and Minnie

Today was our last trip to Disneyland for awhile since are passes are expiring.  The kids had Friday and Monday off of school for President's day  so we started off our four day weekend at Disneyland.  Aunt Lisa and the kids met us there to play for the day.  I wish I would have taken a picture of Madison, Abby, Ruby and Kate all sharing a stroller.  They were inseparable. 

 While the other kids did some of the bigger rides Abby and I took some pictures with Minnie and  Mickey.  Abby decided to kick up her foot for a picture which the crowd and Minnie loved so they started posing together.  It was really pretty cute. Minnie was having lots of fun with Abby and Abby loved it too. 

We have had lots of fun this year with trips to Disneyland. 

The Secret Service. Mission Possible!

I am now Hailey's Activity Day leader and I am so excited!  I have been working with Blake in Scouts for the last two years and it is time for a change.  Although we had some great boys in there and I loved working with Toraye.    There are five girls in the group right now and they are all super sweet.  It is super fun to do some cute crafty things with them and they love cute handouts! It is a perfect calling for me!  This week they were Secret Service Agents and they had an official assignment to do service for others.  We did five random acts of service at our meeting and then they had to go home and do some more and report back next meeting.  They loved serving others.  They pulled someone's weeds,  made two frozen dinners for two families, and cleaned out a busy Mom's playroom.  Way to go girls!  They had a blast in their disguises.

It's Broken

It is officially broken.  Todd wipeout skateboarding and broke his arm below his elbow.  Luckily it is a small break and should be a quick recovery.   Every night he has been icing it and almost always falls asleep during the process.  He is pretty bummed out that he is stuck with a broken arm during good surf and snowboard season.  He is convinced if he was younger it would not have broken.  I think he is feeling the pains of turning forty this year.  I don't think he needs to worry though, must men his age would love to be as in shape and active as he is.  Poor guy! I am sure he will be back to himself in no time!

Hailey's School Talent Show

 Hailey and her Friend Alexia tried out for the school talent show and made it.  They made up a dance to  a Shake It Up song.  They did a great job and had a good time together practicing.  It was fun to see Hailey and all the other kids at the show supporting one another. 

Skinamarinka Dinka Dink Skinamarinka Do I Love You!

Abby's Valentine ballet dance for the parents.  Tutu cute!

Valentine's Day School Parties

 Abby is off to deliver her Valentine's at school, she can hardly wait!

 She sure does love Mrs. Lisa and Jema.  She has been telling people Jema is her white friend.  She really was interested in  Martin Luther King when they discussed it in preschool.  Every night we have to explain to her why he died, and if anyone else is going to die, and if Grandma Di is going to die becasuse her name says it.  She is way too smart of a three year old.

 I also got to pop in on the other kids at school and see what was going on during their class parties since I was taking yearbook photos.  As Hailey would say she was "feelin' the love!"

Wait, did I see Blake actually smiling and talking to a girl.  Amazing!

Valentine Morning Surprises!

The kids woke up to their rooms decorated on Valentine's Day with hearts on their doors with things we love about them.  Todd and I got away the night before to go pick up some things to decorate with  after we attended the Growth and Development preview class for the 5th graders.  I got the uncontrollable giggles as soon as we got there.  So embarrassing!  I would like to think I am mature enough to handle the simple subject, but the minute we sat down Todd had me going.  He immediately leaned over to the guy next to him and said things like, "I thought it was about time for me to learn this stuff" and then right in front of us was a lady with literally 3/4 of her butt showing.  1/4 I get it,  it happens to all of us, but 3/4, really!  All I had to do was look at Todd, , then I had to leave and have a good laugh in the teacher's lounge to compose myself.  Looks like everyone got showered with love this Valentine's Day!

Making School Valentines

The kids all had valentines to make for school this year.  This was Abby's first year making valentines, she was so excited.  We found frog prince suckers that she attached to cards she made with gems and crowns that said "I hope you have a Royal Valentine's Day!"  She wrote her name on every one of them and talked her Daddy's ear off about each and every kid at school.

 Hailey made candy kiss rings that said "You are a real gem!"  Her friend Alexia and her Mom came over the night before to make Valentines but we weren't very productive.  We cut the pipe cleaners too short so we started again the next day and they turned out adorable.  Hailey is a pro now!

Blake's were nice and easy store bought Valentines; spy cards with decoders.  You can't beat that for a fifth grade boy!  He did get into making his box for school.  This will be his last year since he is going into junior high next year. Crazy! Blake and Hailey also helped out Madison make 24 puppies out of hearts I had pre-cut for her.  She had so much fun putting them together and knew just who she wanted each on to go to, because they were all a little different.  She spent like two hours on those things.  She was so proud of them!

 She also made a giant puppy box to collect her valentines in; so dog gone cute!
 Blake and Hailey made robots.  I called them love-bots!  They weren't so into that!

Abby's Princess Valentine Ball

The dance studio was doing a fundraiser for a local charity by holding a Valentine Ball for anyone two to six years of age.  It was only $8 to go and the girls could wear their princess gowns.  Abby was beyond herself when she got the invitation to a ball.  Friday could not come soon enough for her!

Here is our little Rapunzel all ready for the ball! 

We invited Trinity and her Mom to go with us. 

There were over fifty little princesses there.  All kinds of cute princesses everywhere!  I could not get enough of this adorable Snow White eating her apple right in the center of everything. 

 

 They danced around for an hour.  Abby loved every minute of it and moved along to the songs the whole time.

 Mrs. Sarah, her dance teacher, was there helping to lead the girls in their dances.  They all got cookies and lollypops after they finished dancing.

Abby had a wonderful time at the ball.  The other day in the car she asked me to make her Daddy a  "knight in shining armor cake" for his next birthday.  I asked her why and she said "because I love him and he is my knight in shining armor!"  Such a sweet little princess!

Happy Valentine's Day!

100

This is Madison 94 years from now!!  Today is the 100th day of school so the first graders dressed up like they will be when they are 100 years old.  Those big brown eyes are irresistible!!!

 At first Madison wasn't too hip on the idea until I showed her pics of Blake and Hailey who had done the same thing when they were in first grade. Then I bought a walker I picked up from the thrift shore and that sealed the deal!  She loved scooting around with it. 

 She really hammed it up at school that day.  All the teachers got a kick out of her cute little personality!  I can't believe how outgoing she is.  Last year she wouldn't even talk.  She really had a lot of fun that day!

 I went in to get some pictures for the yearbook.  Such a cute group of Grannies and Grandpas.

 Here is Madison showing me what a 100 year old would do at school.  She also wrote about if she was 100 years old she would read and sleep!  I love how much Madison loves to read!

Happy 100th day of school!