KidFest 2012

KidFest was this weekend so we went on May, 28th. It's in celebration of Memorial Day. Along with the kid festivities there was a short Memorial Day show on the main stage with the presentation of the flag, some songs, Pledge of Allegiance and each branch of the military being recognized. I'm a little bummed the rides were so expensive. The kids only got to go on a couple rides each. I wasn't about to break the bank for just a few rides. There was a shark exhibit/show, but the pictures I got had a glare on the glass and it was too hard to make out what was in the images. On the way to the shark show we saw a little bit of a BMX demonstration. I told the kids not to get any ideas, that they had lots of practice and this was NOT something they would be practicing at home. It was hot, we didn't have enough to eat, but the kids had fun and that's all the matters. And we got a large bag of kettle corn. Yup, it was yummy. 

Jacob finally got to meet one of his childhood heroes, Sponge Bob Squarepants. He wasn't as excited as his dad and I were. He was actually a little nervous, okay a lot nervous, but sufficed his mama and took a picture with the character.

I really don't know if there is a ride made fast enough to be too fast for Shyla. This girl LOVES fast and spinny rides. I used to love spinny rides, but something about my age has made me feel like puking just thinking about them. This one didn't spin too much, but was more tilting and going up and down. It's a little hard to see in the picture, but she was having a GREAT TIME!

Until next year...

Park Day and Jacob VS McQueen

5/26/12 Park Day- We definitely don't get to the park as often as I'd like. I wish I could take the kids every day. I know, wishful thinking. Even once a week would be nice. In any case, we had a park day this day and  it was fun. 

Practicing for her first soccer season that starts in July.

First note, the picture looks worse than the actual injury. Shyla and Jacob were playing around with those little metal toy cars. Shyla tends to get a little, um, rambunctious, when left unattended. You have to know her to understand what I mean. Anyhow, she tossed the Lightening McQueen car toward Jacob and it hit him in the eye. She went to get an ice pack because he got hurt and was crying. By the time she came back his eye started bleeding and was dripping on the floor. You know how head wounds can be. They look and bleed worse than the actual injury. Anyhow, when Shyla came back around the corner and saw the bleeding she freaked. Jacob had also wiped his face because he felt the blood dripping down and saw it on the floor. Somehow he went from the carpeted play room to the non carpeted area of our entryway like he knew the blood was going to drip. I believe the God was watching out as He does and urged Jacob to go to the entryway. I mean, in our house there is only the kitchen and bathrooms that aren't carpeted. We have an area rug by the front door and he was in the space that doesn't have carpet. Divine intervention indeed!

Jake and I were trying to tend to Jacob, but Shyla was sobbing uncontrollably wherever we went. I finally had to put her in her room and explained that accidents happen and she's not in trouble, but she really needs to back off and let mommy and daddy fix Jacob then we can talk to her. Oh man, she felt horrible.

This incident reminds me of a time when I was 8 years old and my brother and I were playing hide and seek, well, hide and jump out from behind a door/wall to scare the other person. I was hiding behind the front door and my brother saw me in the crack where the door hinges to the wall. I remember him saying, "I see you!" and he pushed the door. My mouth was even with the doorknob. I fortunately didn't break any teeth, but my front teeth did make it through my top lip. The split was right at the point where my fleshy lip meets with my mouth, so I needed stitches. My doctors name was Dr. Love. He blew up a surgical glove like a balloon for me to take home. I remember getting home REALLY late, when in reality I think it was like 11 o'clock pm. My brother had written me a letter telling of how sorry he was and that it was all his fault. My mom still has the letter and shows it to me from time to time.

Jacob didn't need to get stitches. After the boo boo was healed, it's only about a 1/4" cut. Man can a little boo boo bleed.

Santa Barbara, California

Took an impromptu short, yet really long, trip to Santa Barbara. We went to a local beach on the day we arrived. We got to see a school of dolphins come pretty close to the shore. The next day, we went to a beach about a half hour away. It started a little chilly and overcast with fog, but turned into a gorgeous day with just enough sun to make it fun. 

Jacob kept yelling, "Dad, watch out!" really loud. He was very concerned that  daddy was going to get hurt by the waves.

We built sandcastles.

We stopped by the Santa Barbara Mission. The mission was founded in 1786, completed in 1820, destroyed by an earthquake in 1925, and restored in 1927 and 1953. Shyla was a good model and I love that her shirt matched the paint.

Making wishes before throwing in their coins.

A washing basin that was completed in 181. The indians soaped their clothes on the sloping sides and rinsed them in the center pool. 

 On our last day we went to Pismo Beach before heading home. Yes, all in the same day. Totally crazy, but that's us! We did it anyway. It was cold and windy. The water was too cold to go in, but that didn't stop Shyla. I didn't want to go in at all so Jake took her in. It was too cold for Shyla, too cold to go in, but not enough to stop her from trying, haha. Anyhow, Jake had to carry her back out of the water because she was so cold. They came running back to warm up only a few short minutes after heading out to the water.

There are a few missing pictures of burying the kids in the sand that are on my phone. When I sent them to email to save on the computer to add to this blog, it was in the wrong format. I'm still working on getting them added in, but for the sake of getting caught up, when I am able to save them correctly I'll add them to another posting.

Easter Festivities

Easter this year was pretty typical. We dyed eggs and used them to make deviled eggs. The Easter Bunny came and brought Easter baskets. We went to church and I sang in the choir for sacrament meeting. I have forgotten how many pieces we did, maybe 5. I thought we did really well. After church we took some pictures and prepped for lunch. Grandma Dottie and Grandpa Aldo came over as well as Candy Grandma, Uncle Bruce, Aunt April, and Chase. We had an egg hunt for the kids and then the kids hid the eggs for the adults. Ours had lottery tickets in them. I got the idea from Aunt April from last year. Jake and I happened to win $1 less than we paid to buy the tickets. I think Chase won another ticket as well. It was a fun time with family and I'm glad we have some around :)

She's In Kindergarten!

Shyla, you have finally finished your third year of preschool. You started in Tiny Town when you were only 2 (almost 3). The only criteria needed was you had to be potty trained, able to handle the academics and be 3 1/2. Since you potty trained early, the teacher let you start the program early. Boy was she surprised at how smart you were. I'm not sure where you get your memory from, but it's photographic and great. In your last year there, only a couple weeks into class you would line up the pile of names tags and read them to me. You'd not only hand them to each child as they walked up to the door, but also tell me which parent belonged to which child. Some of the names were difficult for even me. You memorized them very well. Your buddy this last year was Aminah and you loved her so much. She was happy to have you as he buddy too. She made you the cool necklace for your graduation. You can already read several books, sound out almost all your blending flashcards, you're writing and spelling on your own. You never cease to amaze me! You also amazed your teachers when you were in the Building Blocks Preschool at the water park across the street from Tiny Town. The one you always refer to (and Jacob) and "the one with the blue roof". Remember Miss Tracy (Rising Star) and Miss Nicole (Building Blocks)? Do you remember learning to count in Chinese with Miss Jacqueline (Building Blocks)? You had so much fun these last few years in preschool and from what you tell me you're "super excited" to start kindergarten. You'll be starting in 2 months. It'll be here before you know it. Always keep learning and growing and using your extra smartness to your potential. It will help you go far in life! We love you Shyla and are so happy (and sad) to see you go off to Kindergarten. I've had you home with me for 5 1/2 years, but now it's the start of you developing and growing and becoming who God intended you to be. Go get 'em girl!

Jelly Belly Factory and Dance Like A Pop Star

March 30, 2012- Went with some friends to the Jelly Belly Factory. It was a sugary fun time. We got to take a tour of the factory, but the planning on the planning persons behalf (not I) didn't see that the Easter bunny was only there on Saturday's, and we went on a Friday, and there was no factory production going on, so we didn't get to see the factory in action. It was still a lot of fun and the kids wouldn't have known the difference. Okay, they would have known if we told them, but thankfully I hadn't mentioned it. I've been to the Jelly Belly Factory before, but it's been a lot of years. I can't even remember when the last time was. After the tour and picking out some jelly bellys to take home (we brought home I think about 15+ lbs of belly flops, some for our parents, sugarfree ones for my dad, and some for a friend who was teaching a class for us at our house later that night.) we ate carmel apples! 

L to R: Gabriel, Malachi, Cheyanne, Shyla, Jacob
Below: Always so happy to take a picture :)

Jacob wasn't in a good mood when we went outside to get lunches out of the vehicles. Here Jake is trying to cheer him up with rolling him back into the building. It worked... eventually!

Shyla and her friend Lecia took a dance class together called Dance Like A Pop Star. They both have trouble keeping quiet, but they did enjoy the class. Saturday, March 3, 2012 was their recital. They did great! Lecia's mom Terry made the skirts for Shyla and Lecia. She's a very talented seamstress. Shyla still wears hers and like to hang it in her room with her purses.

After the show. The girls are so proud of themselves.

The next couple pictures were taken at the Antioch Marina just outside the El Campanil Theatre where the recital took place. I couldn't decide which one I liked better. When Shyla wants to be, she's very photogenic. Although, on the flipside, when she's not in the mood, no matter how hard you try, you won't get a single good shot. 

Watch out road!  After the recital we took the girls out for ice cream. They thought they were going to be driving home.

Shyla was so proud of her work. This was on March 10, 2012. She came upstairs and was so proud that she made her, Jacob, and Malachi breakfast burritos. I like to make them, but it usually has eggs, potatoes, cheese, etc in it. These just had cheese. She made quite the mess that the camera doesn't give justice. She only came upstairs to tell us because she said she needed help with the microwave. That girl has got to stop watching my every move. But I love her all the more for it. Her independence is unreal. I've heard it from lots of people from the time she was walking (about 10 months) that she's very independent. I even had a coworker ask for tips on how to get her daughter to be more independent. I must be doing something right!