Go Defense!

Jarek showed some real talent today in his 2nd soccer game. He played both offense and defense. He got a few good possesions on offense, a great kicker! When he was down on defense, he was very aware of where the ball was and as soon as it started getting close you could see it in his eyes "I'm on it!" He saved a goal that looked sure to go in. In this picture his on the far right, putting some real energy into getting to the ball.

During the game Beau, Jada and I were on the sidelines cheering him on... well, Jada was sleeping, but we were rooting for him.

While laying on the grass waiting for his turn to go back in he said "You want to know what I like more about this game? More kicking, less sitting!" It was cute. Way to go Jarek!

Meeting Mrs. Cullimore

Beau got to go and meet his Kindergarten teacher today. Beau has been waiting for this day for so long. When he woke up this morning, got dressed first thing, in his "special" outfit that he chose it's actually the shirt Jarek had on in his Kindergarten picture. He kept asking all day long if it was time yet.. of course it wasn't until 3:30, so I heard this all day :) We went a little early, and while we waited he read a whole book about bats. Probably the same type of book Jarek was reading at the end of Kindergarten. He got such a great start by going to a reading program at the Literacy Center this past year. Jarek was getting out of school at the exact time Beau had his appointment, so I snagged him before heading over to Mrs. Cullimore's class.

Here they are reading books outside

of Mrs. Cullimore's class waiting our turn.

When it was our turn, Mrs. Cullimore came out and told Beau that she had been waiting to meet him for a while, so sweet! She took him in and showed him his cubby, and where to hang his coat. She took us over and he sat with her, and explained a few things and gave me some paperwork to read through while she did his assessment at a different desk, so that he didn't get distracted. She was amazed at how well he can read. He was telling her about how he lost a tooth, and how another one is loose. I'm sure she loved the randomness, didn't exactly show her that he can stay focused. I found out afterwards that he was trying to not be shy. "I talked to my teacher, I even told her about my teeth", not the greatest timing, but I'm glad he feels comfortable with her.

Beau and Mrs. Cullimore (I love how he has his arm behind her)

It will be an exciting year. He already knows about 7 kids in his class. I hope Mrs. Cullimore is ready!

Jarek's first day of 2nd grade

Jarek was so excited to start 2nd grade. We went to Back to School Night the other day, where he got to meet his teacher Mrs. Harris. He left there so excited. He said that "she was the nicest teacher he has ever had in his whole entire life!" He had only about 10 minutes to make this determination, but I guess he isn't one that needs much time. He's excited because he is out in the satellite building (I would have been bugged by this), but he loves that he can be one of the first kids on the playground for recess. He called the classroom "refreshing", such a Jarek word.

Okay, so we should have had a dress rehearsal before the first day of school. I bought him a bunch of shirts a little big, so that he wouldn't have belly shirts by the end of the year. Well, I should have shrunk them a little first. I had the perfect outfit picked out, but the shirt was too big so we had to go with his pick.. which is how it should have been anyway I guess. I didn't have him ride the bus so that I could help him go and help him find his line out front of the school.

Here he is outside before we left for school.

With his little brother who will be joining him next week.

Standing near the Sego Lily at his school.

In his line, which he had to help me find :)

I love this one!

Getting off the bus. His smile tells me he had a good day :)

Best $3.00 I ever spent

While the kids were blowing through their little savings at the dollar store, I found these cute little dress-up things for Jada, only a buck each! So cute I smile every time she puts it all on.

My Dad's Birthday Party

We got together for a belated birthday BBQ for my dad today. It was a really fun time with family. Both of my grandma's were there, which was wonderful.
Since we had everyone there, we decided to have an impromptu photo shoot.

This is my grandma on my mom's side.

This is my grandma on my dad's side.
All the women of the family:

From top left to right: Mel, Grandma Joan, Mom, Me

Grandma Virginia, Jada JamieJoe!

Mel and Steve
Dad with Blue their 15 or 16 yr old Yorkie

Jada with her buddy Uncle Steve

Happy 8.8.08 Joe!

I love you!

Finally!

Okay, so honestly, our boys have been more into video games, than learning to ride a bike without training wheels. We live on a busier street than we originally thought when we built our house here, so letting my kids play out front is my least favorite option. They have been showing a little more interest recently, so Joe has kind of been having them try to coast down the driveway, balancing and stuff. Jarek usually gets frustrated first, as he did yesterday, so he went inside. Beau stayed outside and kept trying. With Joe holding on he went down the length of our block and they came back. He was doing so well that Joe decided to let go, and Beau didn't notice. He did it all by himself for at least the length of one property! I was so excited for him, I started to run towards him, and he ran towards me and when he got to me I just picked him and hugged him and got teary eyed. He had the most genuine smile on his face, pure excitement. I ran in to get the camera and yelled down to Jarek to let him know that Beau had just done it. He came out, with more interest. We were out there until after dark. It is amazing what a few hours can do. One minute they could care less, a few hours later and they are HOOKED. It was so hard trying to get them to come inside.

The next morning, they were up and ready to go out again, bright and early. They both improved even more with the ability to see in the daylight. It was so much fun seeing them concentrate so hard.

Things we learned:

• Wear shoes
• Go fast enough
• Focus

We are in the middle of killing our grass, tearing out a tree, adding sprinkler heads, so we were out in the yard all day.

A little dirt never hurt

Jarek can now get going and ride up and down the street without any help. Beau just needs help getting started, and is even starting to get the hang of that now. You can see the confidence that it has given each one of them. Jarek never seemed bothered before about not being able to do it, but he just keeps saying "I can't belive I can ride a bike now." I told him that if his teacher asks what he did on summer vacation, he can say "I learned to ride a bike". He told me that would be "awkward", since most kids know how already.

Jada's baby also learned how to drive the Corvette ;)

Here's are a few clips from the biffs and successes of the day!

Happy 2nd Birthday Jada!

Here's Jada's cake I made. It took way too long, probably 2.5 hours. I was exhausted, I didn't even get a good picture because family started showing up as I was finishing. I've made it before, for Jarek's 5th birthday so I thought I could do it pretty quick. I forgot how many colors were involved and I didn't leave enough time. It was yummy though :)

Jada LOVES SpongeBob.

She got upset when we tried to get to her blow out her candles, she just wanted to eat the frosting.

She got the cutest little beagle family from my sister, they are part of the Calico Critters collection, very cute. She loves them.
Here is just a super sweet moment We restored my little kitchenette I had as a little girl for her.. it made my whole day to see her with it. Even Jake(12) loved it. Who would have known that boys would like that sort of thing? Even my boys love it. Here she is playing with my Jake and Beau.. cooking them some SpongeBob fruit snacks. She thought they were delicious! Here's all three kids playing with the beagle family, with Jada in her new "Bob" jammies :)

It was a great party, it seems like she's really "grown up" these last few days.. no more baby. I am even getting her some Pull Ups next time I'm at Costco because she is showing so much interest. I got her the greatest little potty from IKEA, one she can't take apart.. that's all she's been doing with the nice one we got her with a cushie seat. Grosses me out, so this one is perfect. I hope she takes to it quickly.

Happy Birthday Jada!!!

Beau's First lost tooth!

Beau has had a loose tooth for quite a while now, probably a three or four months. He was sitting by me, looking at a book, and I noticed it was looking pretty funky, not sitting right in his mouth. I asked him if I could feel how loose it was and he let me. It was way loose. I told him to move it back and forth and he said that when he did he felt it snap. I told him it would come out pretty easy, and he said he wanted Dad to be there. We got Dad, and Beau tried to pull it out on his own, not scared at all. It was proving a little more difficult than I thought so Dad helped him just a little. He barely noticed, just complaining because it didn't come right out. It was out, and he was so excited. The first thing he said was, "I'm excited to get money from the tooth fairy!" He looks so grown up with his little tooth missing, on to the next stage, having the mouth full of different sized teeth :) Speaking of teeth, Jarek also lost a tooth last week, when we were at the hospital to see Aunt Kim after she had Kallista.

Congratulations Beau!!!

A new layout - Our Family

I had to put together a scrapbook page for our ward Spotlight. I was told about it about 2 months ago and decided to do it last night (I'm a slacker). Digital Design Essentials is having a 50% off Summer Splash Sale so I splurged yesterday.

This page was made with papers and elements from the following kits at DDE: Penelope, Snapshot of Spring, Lovey Dovey, Cozy Comfy Fall, Garden Party, Whirly Twirly Spring and Wish Big.