Summer Time

It's that time again...summer!  Braison and Lilian started their two weeks of swim lessons.  They are much more comfortable this year than they have been previously.

Time Marches On

Time seems to move at the speed of light.

Braison and Lilian graduated from kindergarten last night.  What a night!

They started off with a dance party..like they start every day of school.

Notice Mr. Grumpy Pants :o)

Braison said that he was very nervous being up there in front of everyone.

They sang a sweet song about moms and presented a flower for each of us.

After a slideshow of the year in review, which brought on more tears, they got their diplomas.

After the diplomas, their AWESOME teacher presented them each with a gift from herself.

The kids loved them!

Lilian has had a little boyfriend most of the year, Cooper.  Cooper told his parents that yesterday was the worst day of his life; because he wasn't going to be able to see Lilian anymore.  So, he asked to stop and get her a bouquet of flowers.  Melted hearts.

Another milestone.  Next stop, 1st grade!

Roller Rink Fun!!

Within an hour, the kids were skating away from the wall and in the "fast lane"

They both even tried to win the prize by playing Limbo!  They have been asking every day since if we can go back to skate some more!

Changes

Braison started his new school today.  Mom was more apprehensive than he was.  Things went great!  He likes his teacher, and told me he made 5 new friends!  They are only identified, right now, by the color of shirt that they were wearing..he'll get it soon.

Super excited!

Waiting in line to go in

MIA

It feels like we have been so busy!

We have news to share.  We found out a couple of weeks ago that Braison was accepted into a charter school.  As some of you already know, we've put the kids on the lottery list for all of the charter schools in the area for the last couple of years.  Last year, Braison's name was drawn to have the 7th seat, should it open up; of course, it didn't.  So, both Lilian and Braison have been attending a private school for kindergarten this year, just hoping to get drawn next year to attend one of the charter schools.

When the call came in, we were very excited!  Of course, I didn't realize at that moment that Braison would have to start following spring break this year.  So, we had a decision to make.  We chose to pull him from the school he is in and put him in the charter school for the last month and a half of the year.  Silly, right?  I would think so too, but by doing this, he is in for next year.  Lilian will also have a seat next year, because she has a sibling who is already a registered student.  Win!  Had we made the choice not to send him this year, we would have just had to wait for the lottery drawing and hope that both of them got in, or that one got in and the other would then be accepted in the 2nd grade.   Having two kids in two different schools, with two different schedules, for a whole year would have been a challenge.

Braison seems indifferent.  Lilian was sad at first (because Braison and her wouldn't be in the same class anymore), but has since realized that it is okay.

I can't believe that they are almost done with kindergarten already.

Future Authors?

Perhaps.

Oh, the places you'll go

The kids celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday in school a couple days ago.  They were reading Dr. Seuss books and coloring pictures.  One of the assignments was to draw what you want to be or where you will go when you grow up....

This is Lilian.  She wants to be a vet and help animals.

This is Braison.  He wants to be a rock star and "Bring the thunder"

LIPS!!

How Do You Make a Kleenex Dance?

You put a little boogie in it!

This is Braison's favorite joke to tell.  He laughs hysterically every time he tells it too.  Typical 6 year old joke.

Typical 6 year old spelling words; bay, it, and, dust, pool, mow, cook.  Braison handed me his schoolwork the other day and I noticed something written on the back.  Normally, this is a picture that he has drawn of himself and his teacher, Mrs. Deming, with "I love you Mrs. Deming" written along the bottom.  Anyway, this was not the case this time.  This is what I found:

When I asked him what they were, he stated that after he finished his work, he just wanted to write some words for extra credit.  Little smarty pants.

Ron said it best; What a stud!!

xoxo

A day to spread the love.

We made cupcakes and frosted sugar cookies for the kids to share at their class love party.

We also made Valentine's for everyone in their class...Lilian gave the mason jars and Braison gave the takeout boxes.  Everyone loved them.  Who doesn't love to get a jar full of sweets?!

And, we made these "boxes" for the kids to receive Valentine's from their friends.  When we got to school though, I was informed that they had already made bags to collect goodies in.  Oh well, maybe we can just save these for next year.

Here's to wishing all of our family and friends lots of love and happiness today and always!

Sunshine in Wintertime

We took a little trip to where the palm trees sway to escape the cold.  Here are a few snippets of our adventure...

Ready to fly away

Bubba Gump Shrimp, Monterey, CA

We stopped at the Monterey Bay aquarium, it was difficult to get a photo.

Being clams

 After Monterey, we took Scenic Highway 1 down the coast, past Big Sur and to where the elephant seals beach....they were just having babies, so we got to see lots of little ones.  Lilian exclaimed, "This is the best day of my life!" Odd, since she had just been car sick not five minutes prior, but after cleaning up and seeing the seals, that was quickly forgotten.

Those are not rocks, but the elephant seals

Lilian and Grandad

Grandad and Braison

 We spent the rest of our time in and around Pismo Beach, California.

Sail boats made from shells, from our friend Val

Looking for whales off the pier 

Braison trying to get a photo with the pelican...the pelican wouldn't let him any closer

Admiring the butterfly pods with Aunt Pam

Can you spot the little people?

 We took a day trip to Solvang and Santa Maria.

I've been taking a photo in this same shoe since I was about 2

Another favorite stop

Avila Beach

We swam a lot.  Both Braison and Lilian got very comfortable in the water and were jumping in and swimming to me!

In front of the big painted Pismo Clam

We had one slightly rainy day, so we decided to go to San Luis Obispo for the day and check out the Children's Discovery Museum....HUGE hit.  The kids didn't want to leave!

Lilian playing baker at the discovery museum

 On the way back we had to stop at the Madonna Inn, Lilian was in love with all the pink!  Braison was in love with the unique restroom.

In front of the Madonna Inn

deja vu...I'll have to find it's match from 2009

Thanks to Grandma and Grandad, we had a wonderful time and were happy to escape the cold and snow for a few days!