Working Mom

I thought it would make sense to post something about why there have been no posts here in many years.  I loved doing this blog, detailing all of the adventures I had with the kids but with me going back to work in 2013 there just hasn't been time for this hobby anymore.  When there is time, I post to Facebook like everyone else, but it isn't nearly as fun as the blog where I could tell more elaborate stories.  I still love looking back at all of the fun things we did!

Serpentarium!!

With both Thursday and Friday off for 4th of July I knew I wanted to do something really cool with the kids. So was it fate that I just happened to come across a Groupon for the Serpentarium in Lodi 2 weeks ago?  I think not!  I told the kids we were doing something special but I never told them where we were going or what we were doing. Boy were they surprised!  Talk about a great place.  Entry includes seeing all of their cool bugs and reptiles and you get to hold some as well.  For a small fee you get to hold their 9 foot Albino Burmese Python and watch them feed a live mouse to one of their reptiles.   A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

Family Roller Skating Day!

First of all, Kennedy had been asking to go roller skating since I took her for her first time last year.  So when I decided it was time to head back there I did a poll and all of the kids wanted to go. Family roller skating day! Kennedy and Brooks were off on their own as soon as we got there - all thanks to those ice skating sessions we have once a year and Kennedy's recent roller skating experience.  Brooks is hilarious - it looks like he is running when he skates.  Mitchell gave up after about 5 minutes (with assistance of course) but I was able to coax him out again later and he had a good time.  Mackenzie was the big surprise.  She skated from the time we got there until we left.  She didn't even stop for popcorn and soda.  She would fall and get right back up and never complained once.  It wasn't until I went to blog about this that I remembered she was exactly the same way when we went sledding at the snow park.    When she puts her mind to something she is 100% committed!  I have to say that there was one point where I had Mackenzie holding one hand and Mitchell holding the other.  As you can imagine they were bending forwards and backwards just trying not to fall down - and at the same time.  I was picturing what I must look like with these rubber band children going back and forth at random intervals and I started doing the ugly laugh.  You know the ugly cry?  Well this was the ugly laugh.  I couldn't stop laughing at the thought of what we must look like.  My face was contorted and in pain but with no sound coming out - just tears.  And I couldn't stop.  We had a great time.  :)

Cabin Trip!

We had such a great time at my sister's cabin last year that we decided to both rent cabins in the same small town this year.  So many good memories - watching The Princess Bride with the kids for the first time, Brooks and Kennedy's first ski lesson, game night, the kids dancing with their cousins, and sledding all day at the snow park.  Mackenzie was an animal at the snow park - she sledded non-stop from the time we got their until we left!  Can't wait to go again next year!

4th Annual Christmas Cookie Decorating

Our yearly Christmas cookie decorating with the cousins!

Whoa - sprinkle overload!!!!

Nice star cookie Mitchell!

Kennedy's 6th Birthday

Happy Birthday to a very special girl whose caring and compassion makes me want to be a better person. Kennedy - you are an amazing girl.  You are funny, thoughtful, loving, and kind.  You love the Lord and are genuinely concerned about others - so much in fact that your school asked you to be a member of their Peer Mentor Program!  You are always looking out for others in need of a friend or a hug -and I love that about you.

This year was a big year for you.  After 2 months of kindergarten the decision was made by Mama, Daddy, and your school to move you to first grade.  It took me only a few weeks to realize that the classwork in kindergarten was not going to be enough to keep you busy so we had meetings with the school to see what would be best and the decision was made to make the change immediately.  You were assessed at almost 2nd grade level!  So far the move has been excellent for you.  You miss your best friends Adrianna and David from kindergarten (since the kindergarten play area is separate from the rest of the school you never see them at all) but luckily Adrianna lives right down the street from us so you guys are still able to play together!

Last year was all about ballet and tap but this year we have decided to mix it up and have enrolled you in Hip Hop.  You have some pretty impressive dance moves and LOVE to dance, so I am curious to see whether you end up liking hip hop or ballet/tap better.  You have also shown an interest in performing as a singer.  At church you have sung both Jesus Loves Me and Happy Birthday Jesus.  I am so proud of you - especially since being in front of crowd is Mommy's least favorite thing in the world.  :)

You continue to love everything and anything arts and crafts!

Indoor Rock Climbing!

Talk about a cool birthday party.  My friend Erica's son Lucas had his birthday party at an indoor rock climbing facility!  Kennedy was one of the first one up (no surprise there!) but I enjoyed watching Brooks' comfort level increase the longer we were there.  In the beginning he was only willing to climb up about 6 feet and then he was done for a long while.  Then much later, when everyone was singing happy birthday to Lucas in the birthday room I saw Brooks go up to one of the instructors in the climbing area and ask if he would assist him to a higher ledge.  That's my son.   He likes to do things on his own terms and without an audience.  :)  

Decorating the Christmas Tree

I realized something this year- that decorating the tree as a family is so much more fun now that Mitchell and Mackenzie are three!  Everyone put in a lot of work to make our tree beautiful.  And of course there was a lot of fun to be had. :)

 

Operation Christmas Child

This is a cause that I truly love to support with the kids every year - Operation Christmas Child.  It is so easy, so fun, and gives you such a great feeling knowing the joy that will come to a young child when they open your box.  Every year we get a large box, head to Target and the Dollar Store and start looking for all of the things we think should go into our boxes.  Toys, candy, games, gum, crayons, paper, toothbrushes, etc.

Miss Melissa's Wedding

What a privilege - to be asked to be the ring bearer and flower girl at a wedding.  Not only was it their first wedding ever, but they got to be in it!  And who you may ask would ask our kids to be in her wedding?  Miss Melissa - the kids' caregiver!  It was a beautiful wedding and the kids truly enjoyed participating.  :)

Halloween 2013

"Kissing Pumpkins"

2013 Pumpkin Patch

There are certain yearly activities that we do as a family that I look forward to every year and going to Smith Family Farms to get our pumpkins every year is one of them.  It is always a great time.  Pumpkins, a hay ride, animals, a magic show - they have it all.