Soccer and Dance

Well, the regular soccer season has come to an end.  We have been with this team since practice began in July.  It was a very long season with quite a bit of drama.  We were the 2nd place U10 (under 10) team and went to a tournament 2 hours away with other teams from our district.  We knew it would be a tough weekend but our boys did very well.  We won our first game 5-0 and then lost 5-1 and 6-3.  The second team played dirty and called our kids names the whole game and even said stuff about our parents and coach.  The kids got very beat up physically during that game and David almost got a red card because he was so mad about no calls being made when our kids were getting hurt.  7 of 9 kids came off the field at the end of the game crying because they were either hurt or called a name or both.  I am so proud of them for going back out there today and keeping it together to play a really tough team.  Here is the collage I made for Andrew. Each player will get his own collage this week at our team party.  I did this in the spring and everyone loved getting one.

It was a busy weekend as Grace also had her winter dance recital today.  Grace and I left early this morning to drive home and relax and take our time getting ready. She doesn't really like being at the soccer games which makes it not very much fun for me (and the other parents I'm sure) so we skipped today's game and came home.  David and Andrew drove home after the game and went straight to the school to sit and wait to save our seats for the recital. It was a long day for them away from home.  Here is Grace in her tap outfit.  I didn't get a picture of her in her tumbling outfit.  We had plenty of time I just didn't even think of it.  I'm going to see if I can figure out how to get the routines on here so you can watch them.  They all did such a great job and Grace has improved so much!

School is out for Christmas break on Thursday, Grannylou gets here in a couple days, and Andrew starts practice Wednesday for All Stars for soccer. David is going to be the assistant coach for all stars and I am proud of both of them for being chosen.  So we leave one team and join another.....no breaks!  We then go straight into basketball and back to soccer in the spring.

Dogs

Last Saturday we had to put our sweet Carbon down.  We found out on Friday that he had cancer and a huge tumor on his leg.  He limped for a few days and then stopped using his leg altogether.  Then last Thursday he was bawling in pain and I couldn't handle it.  I never, ever want to hear that sound from a dog again.  David took him to the vet on Friday morning and they did x-rays and sent us home with instruction to get a splint to protect the leg and to keep him confined to a small room and keep him comfortable.  The bone was so bad that if he put any weight on it, he would break it. We decided it was time to put him down because there was nothing we could do to make it better.  He was 11 or 12 (we rescued him and didn't have an exact age or birthday) and they said it was very painful and didn't want to put him through anything else that would cause pain.  It was an incredibly sad day but the doctor agreed 100% with our decision which helped a little.  David stayed with him and said it was really hard to watch.  I won't go into details because it is too sad.  He was a mess that day.  Here are a couple of pictures of the kids with him.  He looks so sad and old in these pictures.  It's like he knew what was happening when we took the pictures.  We have always loved our dogs but they are outside dogs and are too dirty to come inside.  The love digging in the dirt and just rolling in it which makes it terrible to have them inside.  I wish we could have had them in but with the kids it was just too much.  Andrew was scared when he was younger of all dogs so it just wasn't possible.  Now that Carbon is gone and it has been freezing this week, Chewee has been spending most of his time in the house.  He is in the laundry room most of the time but today he was roaming around the house a little.  I took him to get groomed today (much needed) and we took pictures of him and the kids today. He has been searching and searching for Carbon so we are just trying to love on him and spoil him.  This afternoon/evening he has been much better about not going out back searching and then straight to the garage to search and then wanting to back out and look again.  Anyway, onto the pictures.  Please ignore that I wasn't really prepared to have my picture taken.  I had a rough morning dealing with what was happening.

Pics of the kids with Chewee.  I wanted to use one of these pictures on my Christmas card but David thinks it's silly.  I'm having the kids pictures taken tomorrow for our card anyway so I guess this one will just go on the blog and in a frame.

Halloween (a little late)

Wow!  I never even put up Halloween pics.  I am still working, my time got extended by 3 extra weeks.  We have a whole week of for Thanksgiving, aka Fall Break, and then I go back for 1 week.

Here is Halloween.....Andrew was Steve from MineCraft and Grace was (obviously) a cheerleader.

We went trick or treating with best friends and cousins.  

We had a lot of fun and got a lot of candy!  Grace was selling her candy to grandpa and our neighbor.  I never know what she is going to do next.  Check back for the Red Ribbon week pictures.  Each day was a different dress up day.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch but didn't come home with any pumpkins!  We had fun and the kids got to go into the petting zoo, ride the swings, play, and go on a hayride.  It was a good day but couldn't find any overpriced pumpkins that we wanted to take home so we bought them at Target instead!!  The kids didn't seem to mind that we left without pumpkins.  They were tired and ready to go home anyway.  It was an interesting day to say the least.  I don't really enjoy going to the pumpkin patch in shorts.  It's sad that we don't really get a fall season here.  It cools off but it's still warm (75-80) and sunny.  I do love the evenings though when we can sit outside and enjoy the cool air and open the windows.

 Andrew wasn't so sure about petting the pig.  It was grunting and it sounded a little intimidating.

 Grace trying to hold the chicken.  It wasn't thrilled.

 The awkward placement of my hand.  I hate when I don't think about those things and ruin a perfectly good picture.

 on the hayride

Checking in......

Well, not only have I neglected my blog (again)....I've also neglected my house, my laundry, and exercise.  I feel terrible since I haven't been running but with working I don't have time.  Well, that's kind of a lie because I could get up and walk/run on the treadmill but it's hard to convince myself to get out of bed for that.  Kids are doing great in school.  We had their conferences last week and both are doing amazing in school.  We are definitely proud parents  We spend a lot of time doing homework and it has paid off.  Andrew has 100% on almost everything and if it's not then it's 95% or higher.  He is such a smart little boy and is really good in class.  Third grade has really challenged him (and us) but he just keeps going.  Enough bragging about Andrew because Grace deserves it also!  She is reading above grade level and is doing great in math.  She loves reading and almost always has a book in her hands.

I have 4 weeks left with the kindergarten class I'm in right now.  I have to say I didn't think I would like kindergarten but I do.  It's fun to watch them learn so many new things.  We are working on fairy tales and today we drew castles after listening to Rumpelstiltskin to show the setting of the story.  It's a lot of work to be creative with ways they can show understanding besides just doing a bunch of worksheets.  Thankfully Grace's teacher from kindergarten is right next door and has been extremely helpful and shares all of her ideas.  She is an awesome kinder teacher and I'm so thankful she is willing to help me.  As much as I love working full time, I am also looking forward to quiet days at home and getting my house clean and hopefully getting to spend some time crafting and making Christmas gifts.  HA!!  I'm sure I'll be just as busy when this position is over as I was before I took this.

Well, tomorrow is another soccer game and a birthday party for Grace's best friend!  Should be a fun and busy day!

5k

Tomorrow (Monday) I am heading back into a classroom for a short amount of time.  Or a long time depending on how you see things.  I am covering a maternity leave for KINDERGARTEN teacher at the kids' school.  Oh my goodness....you read that correctly!  Kindergarten!!!!  I've barely even subbed in kinder and it's exhausting and ALL DAY!!!!!  I'm not worried though.  After a few days they will get used to my face and I will get used to theirs and we will get through this together.  I just found out this last week because the long term sub that was originally going to cover the class actually got a job in another district after 4 years of applying.  Today I have been cleaning and doing laundry to prepare my house and closet!

The kids are doing great.  We actually ran/skated our first 5K yesterday.  I began running this summer to prepare and David didn't think I would follow through.  So much for my husband being supportive.  I finished and even beat my normal running time but I'm not gonna lie and say how awesome it was because it wasn't!  I was hurting so bad in my ribs.  I can't figure it out because I don't get that every time I run.  I had a peanut butter sandwich about 2 hours before and thought that was enough time but apparently not.  I was so hungry and wasn't sure I could go that long without food.  I still finished in 38 minutes and 38 seconds.  David actually came and found me and ran the last quarter of a mile with me.  He finished in 24.45 and beat his time from last year but about 2 and a half minutes.  I was so proud of him for getting the time he wanted.  I ended up walking a little and at the time was really upset but looking back now I'm ok with it.  I finished strong and David was with me and my friend I've been running with finished just in front of me.  Grace was determined to skate the 5k in her rollerblades.  She fell at least 5 times and slowed them all down considerably.  Andrew chose to ride his scooter.   We didn't have anyone to watch the kids so they rode along with the wife of a guy that David runs all of these races with.  I was a little nervous about it but it worked out in the end although they were waaaaaaaaaaaaay behind.  No pictures of Grace because when she got close to the finish line she found a friend on the street and decided to sit there and wait for the parade.   She was tired of skating....

I also promised to add Grace's picture that I ordered after I got their school pics back.  I decided on her outfit very last minute and felt bad that I didn't go get her anything new.  I prefer school uniforms for the yearbook pictures but Grace didn't want to this year.  I had bought the shirt on clearance at Gymboree for next year and I'm glad I remembered it and had the perfect skirt to match.

Hope you have a great week!  I know it will be interesting for me!!!

School Pictures

Here is a sneak peek at school pictures.  Last year I ordered a cd and never printed them out.  This year I did the same thing but I liked the one of her standing so much that I just went online and ordered it as well!  As soon as I get the download in my email, I will share it here as well.

1st grade

3rd grade

September Update

I know it has been a while and I'm sure my mom (and my aunt since she reminded me to update) are the only ones still reading....if there is anyone else then I'm glad to still have you along.  We have been really busy since school started.  Well, at least since homework started!  Andrew is now in 3rd grade and has a LOT of homework.  Sometimes I wish I would just home school but we wouldn't last long in this house.  The kids love going to school and seeing their friends and I would hate to take them away from that.  Seriously though.....50 triple digit math problems a night and/or 20 rounding to tens or hundreds place!  I feel like if a kid can do 10 of the subtraction problems then he can do 100.  Same with the rounding problems or any math problem for that matter.  He also has to read for 20-30 minutes a night and then complete a reading response in his journal for each night.  I like that those really make him think and I'm sure we will see a lot of growth in his responses throughout the year.  I hope these continue so I can compare the first month's journal to the last month.  Anyway, that is what keeps us busy along with tumbling, dance, soccer, and mommy subbing 2 or 3 days a week!

This weekend I am going to Women of Faith in Anaheim.  This is at least my 5th year in a row to go.  One year when David was out of work my neighbor gave me tickets and my mom went with me. I haven't even looked at who is going to be there this year but through facebook I saw that Anita Renfroe will be there and I'm excited because she hasn't been there in a few years.  I also saw one of my friends post that MercyMe will be there.  Maybe I should take a peak and see what all I have to look forward to.  I'm sure the girls I'm riding with will be talking about the speakers so I won't end up surprised anyway.

Grace lost another tooth this past weekend.  It was her first top tooth to come out.  For those of you not on my facebook, here is a picture.  She looks so cute!  My friend took this picture right after it happened.

She lost it at her BFF Emily's house at a sleepover.  Emily actually pulled her tooth just a few minutes after Grace!!  The tooth fairy had double duty that night!!  Such a fun memory for those girls!

Also, Andrew got a new haircut and it made him look so much older all of a sudden!  David cut it and I think he did a great job!!

They are both growing up WAY too fast!!!  Stay tuned for a sneak peek at school pictures!  I'm going to schedule those to post on Monday!!!  They are great pictures!

1st Day of School 2013

Well, we all survived the first day of school!  The picture of Andrew makes Andrew look like he grew a lot from last year but it is actually the angle of the picture.  The kids are very happy in their new classrooms and I think it's going to be a great year!  I'm a week late posting these pictures....we started school on the 12th.   I already worked 2 days this week and still have a half day tomorrow.  I'm enjoying being at home getting the house cleaned up and organized.  I missed getting the kiddos ready and off to school last year.  I'm getting some much needed organizing done while I have the house to myself and it is making me a happier person.  I am also running 3-4 times a week and am up to 3 miles at a time.  I've never been a "runner" and someone recently accused me of not being a "real" runner whatever that means.  I'm thinking that getting up at 5:30 a.m. to go out and complete 3 miles would make me a real runner.  I don't love doing it but I feel great when I'm done.  Anyway, here's what the kids looked like the first week.

 I didn't get as many pictures of Andrew.  Apparently he is "too cool" for pictures now that he is 3rd grade.

Week 2 Grace was chosen as the Star of the week.  She was super excited!!!

School and Anniversary

This is our last week at home before school starts.  I have been cleaning and cleaning today as well as washing uniforms and everything else that needs washed.  I haven't very good at doing laundry the last few weeks so I'm making up for it today. Andrew has a check up tomorrow and we are going to discuss the obnoxious nosebleeds he has had this week.  Someone kicked him in the nose at soccer practice last week and it bled then, again that night, Sunday night (for almost 40 minutes), and again Monday evening.  We have been using saline spray but it seems like a lot of bleeding. We'll just get it checked out and make sure it's nothing we need to worry about.  I'm not really that worried about it but since he needs his 8 year check up we'll have that checked as well.

Tomorrow (August 7th) is also our 9th wedding anniversary.  We are going to go eat dinner before David's softball game.  Originally he wasn't going to the game but the place we want to eat is across the street from his office so I decided to meet him there instead of making him drive home (which is not only 20 minutes) and then go right back.  Usually I don't meet him and make him drive me to our dates but oh well.  I guess that's what 9 years will do ;)  I might even go watch the game.

Happy 9th Anniversary Hubby!!!

Excuse the quality of the pictures.  I had to take a picture of the pictures.  We had such a fun wedding.  For those that don't know, we got married on this boat in the Newport Harbor.  Our first date was at Newport Beach and this was exactly what we wanted.  It was a small wedding with our closest friends and family that traveled from Washington, the Midwest, and Florida to attend our little wedding.  I was so happy and relaxed that day.  Took a nap at 1:00 in the afternoon and got to the boat 20 minutes before the ceremony was supposed to begin.  Well, we started late and had a shorter reception because of that but it was so much fun!  Just another memory to have of our wedding.  David cried the whole time and I laughed.  Such a fun, fun night!! Here's to another 100 years!!!

Heavy Heart

I've been trying to come up with something to write about but I just have a very heavy heart today.  I miss my home (in IL) and a friend just found out her dad has cancer and it is aggressive and just not good.  They will know more next week but for today it doesn't look good.  She just lost her mom a year ago and I'm just incredibly sad for her.  I think things like this make me homesick.  I can't go give my family hugs and be thankful we aren't going through this because they are too far away.  It has been a year and a half since we were back in Illinois and it makes me sad.  The kids talk about going all the time and try to remember different things about going but they are little and especially Grace has a hard time remembering.

On a happy note, we went to a bounce house place today and the kids got to burn off some energy.  Then we got to have a couple of our best friends over to play.  I love that we have a couple families that also have a boy and a girl and all the kids get along.  Today Joey and Isabelle came over and I love that they feel at home here and are excited to come over and play with my kiddos.  My kids thought they were still on vacation so when I told them Joey and Isabelle were coming over they were jumping and yelling.  Love that they have these friends.

David started his job at the new office and is getting adjusted.  It took him 18 minutes to get to work! Crazy!!!  It used to take him an hour or more to get there and sometimes longer to get back.  Thankful he isn't driving in the pass anymore and going that long distance.  Soccer practice started a few weeks ago and pictures are this weekend and the first game is next weekend.  I can't believe how fast this summer went by.  We have had so much fun, I'm sad to see my kiddos go back to school.  They start on August 12th.

It's funny how I had all these ideas in my head of how our summer would go.  I would plan days out, go somewhere fun once a week, have a schedule so we didn't sit around too much, blah blah blah.  Didn't happen.  We just did whatever we wanted.  The kids probably played too many video games and I probably played too much candy crush!!  We read books, went to the library, swam, played with friends, and just enjoyed being out of school and together (most days).  I started working out and running.  I never thought I would start running.  I still don't love it but I'm getting better and I love when I'm done!!!  Especially when I can go a mile and not quit.  The furthest I've gone so far is 2.5 and I may have been able to keep going if I really tried.  I'm not super fast but getting better.

Wish I had a picture to leave you with.  Nothing new but this is my favorite picture from this month......

I'm back!!!!! with a LOT of pictures

Computer is fixed and almost all of my files were saved!  A few pictures here and there didn't copy but I'm sure I'll never miss them!  So here is some of our summer in pictures.

 Swim lessons (first session) Grace level 2, Andrew level 3

 Andrew working on diving

 Grace swimming across pool

 Daddy's birthday

 They passed!

 Huntington Beach

 Father's Day at Chili's

 Silverwood Lake with Papa Wayne

 Skipping rocks and giving Papa a high five!

 Minecraft with friends

 dressing up for the movies

 dance recital

 summer reading program at the library

 swimming with friends

 bbq with new friends and neighbors

 Andrew's birthday

 learning how to rollerblade in a swim suit

 lots of lego building

 4th of July

 painting (like Rapunzel)

 movie day at home with mommy (watched Dolphin Tale) 89 cent icees from the gas station and popcorn

 another session of swim lessons and the both passed

 dance competition

 dinosaur exhibit on the way home from competition

 bowling day with lots of friends (about 20 actually)

 reading books at barnes and noble

This is a little of what we've done this summer.  We've had such a great time with friends and family.  I've started running with a friend and getting ready for my first 5k in September and trying to work out and improve my diet.  The kids have been playing and reading and enjoying their time off from school.  This is probably one of the best summers we've had in a long time.  Only a few more weeks until school starts.  Andrew started soccer practice a couple weeks ago and Grace starts her new dance season the first week in August.  She has added tap and ballet to her tumbling that she already takes.  We will have 4 practices a week between the 2 kids and Saturday games start the 2nd Saturday in August.  Life is about to get really busy so I am trying to take in the last couple week with nothing on the calendar!