Jumpin Around

Last week I took the kids down to an inflatable playground place called Jumpin' Jacks.  We met a few friends from school and reserved a private party and it was so much fun.  We had the whole huge place to ourselves.  The kids ran around and I didn't have to worry about other adults or kids being too rough.  I was able to sit and relax and talk to the other moms.  Definitely the way to go when getting a bunch of kids together for that kind of thing.  It may have cost a little more than a pop in play time but so worth it.  Here is a pic of my kiddos going down the huge slide together.

After the jumping part was over, we had lunch in the party room with everyone.  Then we headed to the mall to visit Gymboree.  I had $25 in gymbucks that I had to use by the 29th and since I was down there already I didn't have to pay shipping if I had ordered online.  I got 6 tanks and 5 bottoms.  All but one of them mix and match to make about 9 or 10 outfits.  I don't think I did too bad.  The other pair of shorts  Everything was on the clearance rack and after using my gymbucks, I only had to pay $44.  I bought a size up and am saving all of it for next summer or maybe even her birthday.  I was very excited to get so much.  I love their cute clothes and it's even better when it's on sale.

Here is a picture of the kids at the outdoor mall that we went to.   We usually get to ride the train also but they didn't eat their lunch so they couldn't ride.  Surprisingly they didn't argue with me about it.  They were awesome in the store also thanks to the tv they have set up for kids to watch.  I don't have a clue what the cartoons are but the kids were excited to go so they could watch the tv and then told me to just come back and get them later when I said it was time to leave. 

I wish more stores had something for the kids so I could shop in peace.  Really I'm just kidding but wouldn't it be nice to have cartoons in the carts so we could spend as much time in target as we want!

My Big Girl

Look at that picture!  Oh my goodness she looks so grown up.  We are growing her bangs out and I straightened her hair for the day.  I think she looks so cute this way.  I won't have time to do her hair like this most mornings before school so we'll have to try to do it at night so we can just get up and brush it. 

Speaking of school, it's only 2 weeks away.  I can't believe they start school so soon.  I can tell it's the end of summer because they are driving each other (and me!) crazy!!!!  Grace is really excited for kindergarten.  I'm not so sure how I feel about it.  I'm excited for her but sad at the same time.  It will be nice to not have to worry about child care when I work and if I don't work then I'm home all by myself.  I should have a super clean house and get lots of scrapbooking done then!  HAHAHAHA!!!!!  I am going to cherish those days for a little while b/c when subbing picks up it will get crazy around here again. 

Unsettled

I received a call today from someone representing a motorcycle driver that she is representing from an accident I witnessed.  It happened almost 2 years ago.  I didn't see the whole thing happen but I knew it was going to happen and saw part of it.  I won't go into detail because the case hasn't been settled and I had to give a statement today for the 2nd time.  The funny thing is, the police never asked any of us standing around if we witnessed it and I was talking to the driver of the truck after it was all over and they asked for my name which is how I got myself into this in the first place.  The other side called me about a year ago and it was still easy to recall then but today I had a very hard time recalling whether or not I was driving or the passenger in my own truck.  David can't remember either.  I told the lady I must have been the passenger but really that was 2 years ago.  I remember the specifics about what kind of truck and his actions and the motorcycle but that's about it.  I remember we were driving home from somewhere and we also take the same route home so that part was easy but then she started asking what direction I was traveling and what direction my house faces and I got all flustered trying to figure it out because honestly I am terrible with directions.  Just ask my hubby and father-in-law who try to give me directions all the time.  Now I am sitting here wondering if I told it correctly or not.  They have been trying to settle with insurance for nearly 2 years.  It could go to court.  Are you kidding me?   I never thought I would have to remember this for so long.  I guess if you are a witness to something you should immediately write down the important information and keep it somewhere you will remember in case you get a call nearly 2 years later.  It is giving me such anxiety just thinking about it.  I'm sure I will forget about it eventually and the anxiety will go away but ever since the call I have been anxious.  I told both representatives that I didn't actually see it happen, I just saw the 2 vehicles.  I couldn't see either driver as it was happening so really I shouldn't even be considered a witness.  If they couldn't settle from my first statement then why are they asking again.  I had to say that to the best of my knowledge the information is true and I told her afterward that I really hope so.  I hope this whole thing disappears soon and that I don't get another call in another year.  Now I know why so many people don't stop or pull over when they see something happen.  They don't want to get caught up in this type of insurance battle and possibly court if that's what it takes.

Competition

This past weekend we went to Grace's dance competition.  I was a little shocked at a few of the young dancers (like 5-6 yrs) that dressed and danced so inappropriately for their age.  One of the routines was so shocking several of the dads around us were uncomfortable even watching them.  It is so sad to me that the parents think this is ok and the little girls are learning that this is ok.  Anyway, Grace had a great time and had her best performance yet!  Her group had a high score giving them a 1st.  They also received a special judges award at the end of the day!  We were so proud of all of them and had a great weekend away.  The kids spent about 5 hours in the pool with their daddy while I watched the older age group perform in the afternoon session and then I joined them for a while.  Then we grabbed dinner, Grace took a nap, and we went back to the pool with our friends that stayed at the same hotel.  I'm sad that I didn't get pictures of all of us together that night but it was a fun time!  Someone has pictures of me and a friend in the pool making up our own routine and performing just for fun (and no there was no alcohol involved)! 

 She is on the left with the black and pink.

 Perfect lift.

 Hard to see because my camera couldn't focus fast enough but that is Grace doing her cartwheel.

 Pretty little girl.  She looks so grown up here with makeup on and no bangs.

 Checking out her trophy!  She is so proud of it!

With one of her best friends.  Belle actually danced 3 times that day.

Another week

Grannylou left today and we just jumped right back into our little routine (or lack of) today.  The kids did some school work.  They groaned about it a lot though.  We will definitely be hitting it kind of hard this last month before school starts.  I want Grace to know all of her sight words before school starts and she is half way (or a little more) to knowing them all.  Of course she could have know all of first grade also considering how long I've been attempting this!  I didn't do any school with her during my long term sub job so we got very behind and of course then summer came.  So today we start again.  They have books to work in to prepare them for their new grade levels.  Grace is already reading some small sight word books and picking out words when I read and she knows several word family words such as hit, sit, bit, hot, cot, not, lot, can, pan, fan, tan, cat, hat, sat, mat, and some others but I can't remember which word families they are.  I hear her practicing sometimes when she is eating at her little table that is by our school wall.  I can't wait to see how she does in school.  Everything comes so easy for Andrew and I hope it's the same for her.  Speaking of Andrew, that boy needs to get back in school mode!  He needs to read, read, read!!!  He reads to himself every night while trying to fall asleep but I want him to do more reading during the day and challenge himself.  He practiced fractions today and will do more math tomorrow.  He uses an online math site that his teacher set the whole class up on and they can pick the standard they want to practice. 

We are also in the middle of swim lessons. They already completed one session and they both passed their levels.  I put them in for another 2 weeks for more practice and because they love it this year!  Andrew is repeating level 2 for more practice and Grace moved up to level 2 and will repeat it again next year.  Andrew probably could have moved up to the next level just fine but this gives him even more practice and I asked the teacher to focus more on his breathing this time.  They actually have the same teacher that Grace had last year.  He is really good with the kids and truly enjoys (or is very good at pretending) what he is doing.  He even remembered Grace from last year and immediately started calling her Gracie.  He was also our lifeguard for Andrew's party this year and possibly last year as well.  I really can't remember but it seems like a lot of the lifeguards remember us and tell us we look familiar.  I hope that we are making a good impression and that's why people remember us!  I know it's not because my kids are really outgoing although Andrew has been in this class.  He wasn't with the teacher he just had the last 2 weeks but this one makes him feel very comfortable and Grace is speaking up also!  I love when my kids are around people that make them feel comfortable right from the start.  It's not easy for them but we are working on it.

We head to competition for Grace this weekend.  Not a lot of pressure for her age group though.  Just a fun time and they get a trophy for participating.  She is excited to get her trophy and I am ready for a break for a few weeks from class.  It will start again when school starts and life will be crazy all over again.

I guess that's about it for us.  I have so much more but I feel like I've bored you enough for today!  Hope everyone is staying cool.  It is really heating up here.  We are in it for the long haul.  Everyone else will cool down and we will stay hot for quite a while. 

Cars Land

We braved Cars Land before our passes were blocked for the summer.  It was very crowded and long lines but we still had fun.  That's the joy of having passes because we can go and just ride 3 rides and go home not feeling like it was a complete waste.  We didn't plan on doing anything else while we were there except explore the new area.  We didn't do as much as we would have liked but there were so many people.  We'll go back when it's not as new and try again. We did get to ride all 3 of the rides even though the wait times were long. 

 

 Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.  We only had to wait about 30 minutes for this and it was our first ride.  The detail in this entire area was awesome and this ride was no exception.  If you enlarge the picture you can see David in the tractor on the left taking a picture of me at the same time!

 Here is a pic of Radiator Springs.  It doesn't look super crowded because everyone is in line for the race cars!

 The Cozy Cone Motel.  We had our picture taken with Lightening McQueen.  I guess that picture is still on my camera.  Now that I have a new cell phone I use it for my pictures so much that I forget I have a camera. 

 Radiator Springs Racers.  Awesome ride.  Grace didn't like it though.  Once again, details!  I didn't appreciate the beauty of the desert but I do wake up to it every morning and look at it all day long.  It's not pretty at all!  I remember going with a friend to her parents house in the desert (this was before I lived in one) and I thought to myself, how can someone choose to live here?  UGH!!!  I'm here now!

 A girl and her daddy!

 I took a picture of the picture the ride took of us on Radiator Springs Racers.  Andrew and I are in the front row and David and Grace are in the back.  You can't even see Grace.  She was clinging to her daddy and leaning over on him!

 Hmmm, where should we go?  My kids have become very good at reading these maps. 

 Luigi's Tires.  You sit on a tire and the whole ride uses an air compressor to move around and you throw huge beach balls around or try to.  They are really hard to catch.  You lean in whichever direction you want to go.

Superheroes

This is from June 24th when we went to Grace's tumbling recital.  The theme is superheroes and I only have pictures from her before we checked her in.  We weren't supposed to take pictures inside and we weren't sitting close enough anyway. 

It is a cute performance and the do cartwheels, front rolls, and back bends.  In a few weeks we'll go to a competition.  The little ones don't really compete and they all get a trophy but it's for the experience.