Lemonade anyone?

Ashlyn has been BEGGING for probably two summers to PLEASE have a lemonade stand. I will be honest, I have NO interest in doing one. I know, that's terrible of me, but it's the truth. Luckily, Paul is nicer than me though, and the girl FINALLY got to have one.

It worked out nicely since this past Saturday we went up to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Ventura for a little family get together for Ashlyn's birthday. We met at a great park overlooking the ocean. So we figured, why not bring a few containers of lemonade and set up shop? Paul helped Ashlyn make a poster, while I was in charge of getting the lemonade and the quarters for change.

The surprising (and not so surprising) thing was that Ashlyn was too darn shy to approach anyone to ask them to buy her lemonade. Lucky for her that her sister and BF (Grace) came to the rescue. And they made enough money to each earn 7 quarters(some of which, I admit, came from family purchases, but still). Not bad for their first lemonade stand.

Two short stories

Two little stories I want to remember.

First one comes from Brandon. He has a "slight" obsession with Batman these days. Like can't go anywhere without his action figures (that technically are his cousins, not his) obsession. It's rather cute actually. Unless I'm trying to get him to bed and we can't FIND one of those silly action figures. Anyway, back to my story. So he comes into my bathroom the other day while I was getting ready and he has a pair of the girls black and purple socks on. I said to him, "Brandon, what are you doing?" He simple points at his feet and says, "BATMAN". I take a closer look and sure enough, he has found a pair of Halloween socks with BATS all over them. It was hilarious!

Ok, second story. This one comes from Ashlyn. A few nights ago, Paul was putting the girls to bed. Ashlyn tells him quite frankly, "Daddy, you need to teach me to speak Spanish like you do". Paul says, "Ok, but why"? Ashlyn says, "Because all my friends at school speak spanish AND english. And they keep talking to me in spanish and I keep telling them, I DON'T speak spanish. I only know english. So that's why I need to learn spanish. Okay Daddy!"

I was dying laughing. Kids sure are good for comic relief from time to time.

Preschool Begins

I'm so excited to have Leah in "Youngstars" Preschool this year. And SO IS SHE! Especially after going to the open house last week and seeing all the fun things "Grandma K" has to play with. What a great year she is going to have. Here are some pictures from the morning. She told me on the way there (and I quote), "just drop me off like you do for Ashlyn, Mom. I don't need you to walk me in". Yeah....that's love for ya! I of course, did not just drop her off.

She did great though. Had a fun time and is ready for school again on Wednesday. Love you little Leah Peah. You're years older than your age.

Ashlyn's Birthday Interview

Name: Ashlyn

Age: si...I mean 7

Favorite color: Red

Favorite food: Macaroni and Cheese

Favorite TV show: Hannah Montana

Favorite Movie: Little Mermaid

What do you want to be when you grow up: A scientist (that's a new one to me)

Favorite subject in school: Science

Do you like your new teacher: Yes

Why: Because she's funny

Favorite Primary Song: How Firm a Foundation

Favorite Scripture Story: When Jesus gets baptized

Who's your best friend: Grace and the other Ashlynn

What's your favorite toy: my new camera

What do like about being seven: I'm almost baptized

What do you like most about yourself: That I have curly red hair and that I'm good

Do you want to go on a mission when you grow up: No

Why not: Because I don't want to leave my family

Do you want to go to College: Yes

Where: Same place you went, or probably where ever Grace is going

Are you excited for your new baby brother: Yes

Why: Because I like having Brothers

Anything else you want to add: Nah....

Happy Birthday sweet girl!!! We love you VERY much!!!

Shhh....

Don't tell Ashlyn I posted these pictures. She told me it was "embarrassing" for people to know she played with Polly Pockets and My Little Ponies. But seriously, I think it's adorable and totally awesome that they can entertain her for literally hours. She has such a good imagination.

This is what she did after church a couple of weeks ago.

Then she realized I was taking her picture and backed away to hide.

Nice!

Would have been nice if I actually got some GOOD shots of Ashlyn's first day of 2nd grade. I even took my camera with me to drop her off, but the darn school was so crowded and parking was so bad, that by the time I got her to class, kids were already inside sitting down at their seats. I barely had two seconds to tell the teacher Ashlyn's birthday is tomorrow and was it okay if I brought in cupcakes.

Plus my time was limited because I had to rush home before my babysitter got there, so I could hurry off to my doctor's appt this morning (smart of me to schedule an appt the same day that school starts). Oh well. Ashlyn did great. She walked right in and found her seat and started coloring. She got placed in a 1/2 grade split class this year. Which I'm not totally sure if I'm "happy" about. But at least I hear the teacher is good, is usually a 2nd grade teacher AND she has mostly 2nd graders. Ashlyn was happy to have a few "friendly" familiar faces in her class, and I was glad to NOT see two little stinker boys that were in her class last year. I guess that's one of the benefits of having a split class. They usually put the better behaved, more independent workers in them. At least that is what I hear anyway.

So here are a few pictures that I did get. She had an outfit all picked out, but after I took pictures, I noticed it was quite big on her and kept falling down in the front. So I had her change into a Hello Kitty shirt she got for her Birthday.

Birthday Girl

Ashlyn has been talking about her Birthday "party" since before the summer even started. She kept planning different ideas and things she wanted to do. Drawing pictures of various themes and who to invite. Thing is, and I told her this MULTIPLE times, that I am trying very hard to stick to a family rule of not having a BIG party every year. So, when the time finally started to get close, say July, I buckled down and told her she could invite TWO friends over and we'd do something fun with them and her sister. She decided on her two friends, but we still couldn't decide what to do. Then I got a flyer in the mail. The musical "Annie" was going to be playing close by us. Ashlyn was SO excited. How could she not be? It's about a little girl with curly red hair. RIGHT up her alley.

She sat right down to make up invitations and wanted SO badly for this to be a surprise for her friends. And it was...for one of them. But the other....not so much. I need to work with Leah on how to keep a "secret". I felt so bad for Ashlyn because she was SO excited for it to be a surprise and it got spoiled. Ah...oh well. Ashlyn got over it, and with only a few hundred times of her asking me how long before her birthday party, the blessed day arrived. Her friends came over and we headed out for the musical. It's so funny to listen to little girls in the car. They all chatter non stop about what they have and what they're getting and what grade they're going into and how many teeth they've lost, etc. It's pretty darn funny. I guess it's their "pre" gossip.

Anyway, we got to the musical, had a quick snack before the show started and then went to get our seats. The show was super cute, a bit long, but the girls didn't really seem to mind. Afterwards, we headed back home for some dinner (mac and cheese, chips and applesauce with root beer to drink, by request of the birthday girl), let the girls play for a short time, then had cake and ice cream, and opened presents.

I think she had a really great day! I can't believe she is 7 (well on Friday she will be). She's such a sweet, wonderful and obedient little girl. I'm so grateful to have her as my daughter. She may have been one hard/sick little baby, but she has more than made up for it over the years. I honestly didn't even understand what the "terrible two's" were with her. Happy Birthday sweetie! I'm so proud of the girl you are growing up to be, and I love you so much!

Camping Results

SO, it's morning time and the kids actually all lasted through the night in the tent. Brandon took a while to fall asleep. The girls slept good but at one point they ALL came inside to get more blankets and warmer jammies (and take a potty break). Paul got about NO sleep. Maybe a little. I guess Brandon is quite the squiggler at night time and kept rolling all over Paul. Anyone have a pack and play we could possibly borrow for the night? But the kids had fun and slept until a whopping 6:30 am, when they all came inside to watch a cartoon and wait for their pancakes.

But at least we learned something. BRING LOTS OF BLANKETS. Because if it's cold here, it's gonna be colder at the campsite. I think the elevation there is 7,000 ft. Now I just wish there was a bathroom in our tent. I already have to get up at least once a night to go. And if the girls do also, whew....that's gonna be a lot of visits. And there is NO way I want to pitch our tent close to the port-a-potties. YUCK!

Test run

Being the avid (haha) campers that we are, we thought it might be a good idea to actually set up our new tent at home and give the kids a chance to sleep in it. Ya know, to see if they actually SLEEP, or if they all end up in the house at some point in the middle of the night.

So after Paul got home tonight, we had dinner and he went to setting up the tent with the "help" of the kids. Which, of course, always means it takes at least TWICE as long. But that's one of the good things about Paul. He's always patient enough to let them help. He's a good Daddy. They were SO excited.

Once the tent was set up, which as you can tell, it was dark by the time that happened, we blew up the air mattresses and got everyone snuggled inside. Me, I'm sleeping in my own bed. I only "rough it" when I have to. Haha. Plus, I'm pushing my 3rd trimester here. I need comfort.

I'll let you know how the night goes come morning time. Ashlyn has requested pancakes for breakfast. I guess that is a traditional camping food (at least in her mind).

One last outing

...before school starts that is. This time we headed to Noah's Ark at the Skirball. My girls always ask me to go. And it's probably been at least a year or so since we've gone. So we were definitely due for a trip down there. And as usual, we had a great time. We went for a playgroup event, so there were plenty of friends around and lots to do. It was a good day.

Definitely Different

The girls decided to decorate their crayon boxes with puff paint this afternoon. I think their personalities shine right through here, don't you?