Back to a schedule

School is back in full swing. Homework, chores, and activities are taking up our afternoons once again. Brandon started soccer (yay), Leah's baton class is continuing on, the girls are still taking piano lessons (with LOTS of whining by Leah about practicing), and band practice should be starting back up in the next few weeks or so. Ashlyn's big "girl" on campus and gets to go on two field trips every 6 weeks. One walking one and one bus one. They just had their first bus field trip and she had so much fun. Nothing's more exciting than getting to leave school campus from time to time. Carter's in preschool twice a week and I'm back to having one morning to myself and the other to go volunteer at school. This past Thursday was my first volunteer day. I went to both Brandon's and Leah's class and really like both of their teachers so far. I'm doing dolch word testing (sight words) for Brandon's class and was really impressed with how many words these freshly new 1st graders know. It is such a huge difference from when I did dolch testing with Ashlyn's first grade class. I'm not sure if it's because kindergarten is full day now, or if there is just a stronger emphasis on reading, but I was really amazed. 

Here's my favorite day time Menchies buddy. He basically only eats the frozen yogurt to get to the M&M's but he still asks me to take him just about every other day. We don't go that often of course. Although I kind of wish I could. Yum yum! 

Another perk to being the only kid home during the day is extra pool time with mom. I love having a neighborhood pool and I love that there is hardly ever anyone there. I just need to plan a little more in advance when we go, so that maybe some friends could come too. I'm a pretty last minute pool person. 

Oh well….Carter and I had lots of fun together. 

And we found this really cool preying mantis. It was a big one and we loved watching it walk across the lounge chair. But seriously those things kind of freak me out. It was totally looking at me while I was taking it's picture. Not many bugs actually look at you when you're looking at them. I don't know, but that makes it weird. haha…

Then this morning we decided we needed to get the kids out for a hike. We stuck close to home and went to Placerita. There are still plenty of trails we haven't gone on with them. We should have gotten off a bit earlier in the morning because it was quite warm today. A lot of the trail was shaded, but the boys still only lasted less than a mile. Paul turned around with them and went to hang out in the nature center, while I made the girls trek on with me for a three mile round trip hike. Suffice it to say that they were NOT too happy with me by mile 2. It was a good opportunity to talk to them about the pioneers and how we can do hard things. I know…they were probably rolling their eyes at me. 

This is the sweetest picture ever! I love that my kids love each other. Even though they sometimes fight or get on each others nerves, they still enjoy being with each other and show affection to each other. 

It makes me happy!

And it helps me get through the times when they spend a great deal whining at me….eh hem…LEAH!!! 

Labor Day

Last Labor Day we were too burnt out from the beach to go, but since we didn't spend tons of time there this summer, we were all really excited to spend the day there. Paul's best friend from High School was out visiting from Iowa, so we got to meet up with him and his family too. So combine them along with some other awesome friends from church and I'd say it was a pretty great day. The weather was perfect for the beach and even though the waves were CRAZY big, the kids still splashed around at the edge and pretended to be surfing. Paul helped the kids build a big ole trench and sand castle. Mostly it was a trench, but that's pretty much what is usually ends up being. I was impressed they actually built any part of the sand castle at all. 

I got brave and went out in the water to swim. I know…shocking, but I do that from time to time. Lol. It was so fun once you got past all the waves. The water was really deep and I couldn't touch after just a few minutes of swimming. It was definitely a work out, but it was kind of relaxing and peaceful in a strange short of way. Getting back to shore was another story. Like I said the waves were huge and there were lots of rocks at the shoreline from all the sand being turned up. So I pretty much got pelted into the rocks trying to get back. It wasn't the greatest way to end my nice swim in the ocean, but oh well. A little trip to the showers to rinse off all the sand and to get my hair back to semi normal looking and I was as good as new!

Don't let the sticking out of her tongue at me fool you. That is a true sign of love from her! 

Paul and Zane. They probably haven't seen each other since their 10 year high school reunion, and since we are only a couple of years from our 20 year reunion (how the heck that happened I DO NOT KNOW), you know it's been a long time. But the great thing about friends like this, is that they picked up right where they left off. Zane isn't LDS, but from what Paul tells me, Zane went with him to all the church sports events, church dances and activities. So he knows all about Mormons. When he sat down, he was like, I'm assuming all these friends of yours are Mormon too. YUP….you got it right Zane. We travel in packs. 

Make shift surfing in the sand! Love these kids. They're the greatest. And nevermind that one random girl in the back. She just wished she was part of such a cool group, so she kept coming over to play. It was pretty cute.

Until next time Zuma Beach. We may not be back for a while. It's been a fun summer. Now to move on to FALL! Yay. 

Callie left for college

I've been dreading this day for years. She's been my kids main babysitter for 5 years. And it was only made more sad by the fact that she actually lived with us most of her senior year. I really don't think babysitters should be allowed to go off to college. It really isn't right. Not until the kids they babysit no longer need a babysitter. 

But no, really, we just love Callie and wish her the very best at BYU. She is going to love it and is going to do so well! I'm sure of it. We were just sad to say goodbye.  Thankfully I can text her and bug her anytime I want. Love modern technology!

Carter has a serious crush on this girl. We had to have a discussion about how it's not appropriate to kiss your babysitter on the lips. LOL! Funny boy. She's just a bit too old for you bud!

Our town is AWESOME

Okay, so I realize there are lots of awesome towns out there. And I'm really glad about that. But I'm mostly really grateful to get to live in one of them. This past weekend, Leah had her first ever baton performance at the annual "Healthy Families Festival" here in Santa Clarita. I'm not sure how long they have been doing this festival, but I'm sure glad we know about it now. There was SO much for the kids to do. And the best part was that it was ALL free. There were booths and activities and snacks and races and kayaking and bouncers and more. We came for the baton performance, but ended up staying for 4 hours. Well, Paul did with the kids anyway. I was able to make it for the baton performance and stayed for about an hour, but then I took off for a birthday celebration with my Encino Friends down at the beach. 

Leah's only been doing baton for 8 weeks now, but has really loved it. So even though the routine was super simple, I was so proud of her. She worked hard and doesn't ever seem nervous to perform. We'll be signing her up for the next session for sure.

So while me and my girl friends were at the beach, we got to witness a real life rescue. Okay so the lady wasn't drowing and in a complete life threatening situation, but it was still pretty awesome to get to watch. The waves were HUGE and there was a boogie boarder who got too far out, past all the waves and was not able to get back in to shore. First we heard the lifeguard trying to whistle her in. Once the guy realized she couldn't make it on her own, two other lifeguards from neighboring stations sprung into action and were out in the water in no time. The third lifeguard, threw his walkie talkie down on the ground and then started to go out also, but once the See-doo lifeguard drove over to help, he realized he didn't need to go in. Jackie, being the nurse that she is, jumped right up and grabbed the walkie-talkie for safe keeping. I snapped a picture just for fun. Turns out that piece of equipment is quite pricey, so we're not really sure why the guy just threw it into the sand, but whatever.

We can't leave the beach without a quick photo of the five of us all together.

It was a lovely day!

And what kind of wife would I be, if I didn't give a shout out to my awesome hubby for holding down the fort while I was gone for the afternoon. He was quite the trooper for handling the kids for four hours at the Festival and for getting them all fed, bathed and off to bed. I'm a lucky lady, that's for sure.

A preschool visitor

Carter's preschool teacher is so fun. She met this lady at Costco who was walking around with a pet bird. So she invited her to come talk to the preschool kids. Carter got to come even though it wasn't on his preschool day. He got to feed the bird a little piece of papaya. He was so good with it and super brave.

She also brought a water dragon for the kids to see. We got lucky and got to be the first person to pet it. It had a broken leg from an injury a few years back, so he couldn't walk too well, but Carter still thought he was pretty cool to pet.

I was trying to get a picture of Carter petting it, but it was at a weird angle. But then as I'm loading up in the car, my friend texts me some pictures she took of me and Carter. I thought that was so sweet. And fun to have a shot of us together. 

After that, we headed to the park to play with some friends for an hour or two and then came home so I could start canning the 40 pound box of pears I got from a local farm. I've never canned pears before, so this was a new experience for me. But thanks to pinterest and some advice from friends, I think I did a pretty good job. Too bad the only people in my family who like pears is me and Paul. Oh well….we'll enjoy the 22 jars I canned. At least they'll last us a while after all my hard work. 

Tea party with Carter

Once the kids went back to school, Carter started getting out all the things his siblings never share with him. 

So that's why we are here having a tea party. Leah would never let him play with this if she were home. Is that terrible of me that I let him?? I made sure he was careful. And don't worry, there are still plenty of things off limits to these slippery little three year old hands. 

There's got to be a few perks to being the last kid and the only one still at home during the day right?!

And just a random cute shot of him crashed out on the couch. It's still pretty exhasuting being 3!

BACK to SCHOOL

 We had a great summer, but by the end of it, I had turned into mean mom, so I know the kids were all ready to get away from me.

Leah sporting her new dress from Aunt Dezzie! This girl is FANCY! She got Mrs. Catterson (3rd grade) and is in the same class as her BFF Gracie, so all is right with the world.

Ruler of the school. Big 6th grader here. Ashlyn got Mrs. Ellingson and is with two or three of her good friends so she's a happy camper too.

First grade for this kid. He was super brave. It's a big jump from Kinder to 1st grade. I'm really proud of him. He got Mrs. Fisher. I don't know her too well, but I've heard good things about her and I'm sure he'll do great.

My four cuties!

So happy to have each other!

Leah's teacher is smart. She sat Leah across the room from Gracie. 

I even got a smile out of him.

A few days later this cutie started back at Grandma K's in the 3 year old class. He's an ole pro having gone half the year last school year. So he was all smiles and ready for his new group of friends.