Holiday Wreath

Yesterday the kids and I ran to Joann's to pick up some stuff to make fourth of July decorations. Here's what we did...

We picked 5 different patriotic fabrics (got 1/2 a yard of each)

Cut them into 6" x 1" strips and tied them onto a wire wreath form

Added a festive pennant banner

Voila! Fourth of July wreath!

Today we are making a banner to go along with our festive windsocks we made with Auntie Lynn!

Our Summer Vacation!

This year we took the kids to San Diego for vacation. They've never been and it has been so we thought it was about time they visited some of the sites that city has to offer. We drove down on Father's Day and made it in time for dinner at Grandpa and Bachan's house. Uncle Denis, Uncle Rick, Auntie Lynn, Lauren, & Ryan were all there and we had a great evening hanging out.

Monday we drove to Legoland, Tuesday went to the Birch Aquarium (great little aquarium if you've never been!), Wednesday San Diego Zoo, Thursday morning we went to Marukai and spend the afternoon at the beach and Friday we hit Knott's Berry Farm. Wheew! Jam packed busy week, but we all had a great time. The kids favorite parts of vacation? The log ride at Knott's Berry Farm and the BEACH! Next year, we're just gonna hang out at the beach all week! :)

Saturday we headed back to Bachan and Grandpa's house and had a great relaxing day. Ryan hung out with us during the afternoon until he had to go to work and we had dinner with Uncle Denis, Auntie Gloria, Uncle Rick, Auntie Lynn, Lauren, Grandpa and Bachan. Chatted and played until 9:30pm and we hopped in the car and came home.

Vacations are fun, but it sure is nice to be HOME SWEET HOME....

Photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

Father's Day Dinner in Stockton

We spent the afternoon (and evening) in Stockton at Grandpa and Grandma's house. The kids had the BEST time with their cousins ~ Lots of swimming, drawing, running around, basketball and tractor driving too!

The water was a little chilly,
but all they all had a grand time!

Emma's second time in the pool this year!
(This time was a lot warmer)

Trying to shoot water on top of the roof

Here are the girls ~

The Little Man speeding down the
driveway in the John Deere
(Yes, SPEEDING)

Driving all over Grandpa's lawn

Lukie's turn -
just got to test out the seat this time -
no movement :(

Happy Father's Day, Grandpa!

Swimming Lessons!

This week the kids are going to swimming lessons at the high school pool. They love it! (even Gregory who didn't want to go yesterday because he didn't have his floaty) Today they were ready to roll an hour before we had to leave!

At first, they had both of them in the same class

Here they are kicking

More kicking practice - now with the teacher

Back float

Bailey in her new class - for 6 year olds

Today was much more organized (yesterday was not), but swimming outside is HOT. BUT they are already working on strokes - this is only the second day - and they are both in the beginning class! I may sign them up for a couple more weeks, but we won't be doing this in August. It was 91 degrees outside at 3:40pm (that's the earliest class)!

Bird Feeders

The squirrels pretty much destroyed our bird feeders. So this afternoon, the kids made some out of 2 liter soda bottles!





















They added paint, stickers and drew pictures with permanent markers

When Daddy gets home, we will ask him to poke holes in the top so we can add a hanger. We will fill them up and hang them outside tomorrow! (Hope the squirrels can't get into these!)

Lunch Date with My High School Girlfriends!

Today my buddies from high school got together - our yearly thing. We missed Christine!

We had lunch, three types of dessert and lots of chit-chat! Fun way to spend the afternoon. AND while I was home with my buddies, the kids and Clark went to see their FIRST movie at a movie theater! RIO! They said it was a lot of fun, but there were only 6 people in the whole theater!

Fun day for all! :)



The newest addition to our group! Introducing Lisa's daughter, Amanda Kao!



The three Geminis! Janice brought us a guava birthday cake to celebrate!



Sherri, Karen, Janice and Megumi

New Journal ~ New Way of Making Ice Cream!

This morning we went shopping for new journals and this afternoon the kids decorated them...








They already entered in their first entry!

~~~~~~~~~

Then, for snack we tried something new!
Homemade ice cream in a bag!

Put some chocolate soy milk in a little freezer bag

Add ice, the small bag of soy milk
and salt to a bigger bag

Go outside and shake away!
OH, and do go outside in case you get a hole in your bag!
salt water makes a MESS!*

Takes a lot of shaking (maybe 5 minutes or so)

And once your arms are tired of shaking and
your hands frozen from the salty ice

ENJOY your homemade ice cream! So easy! And the kids got rid of a lot of extra energy so even better! :) Now they are sitting in Bailey's room coloring ~

Kindergarten Memory Books

Mrs. Van Boening and the kids worked very hard on these Memory Books this year. Mrs. Van Boening said she spent her vacations and weekends putting these together for the kids. They are filled with photos, artwork, writings, stickers and more. They are precious and I'll cherish it forever ~

The pockets are filled with the kids work they did throughout the year

What a great way for us to remember Bailey's time in kindergarten!