Routine

I have always said that I am a "fly by the seat of my pants, kind of gal" (Pretty Woman, for those who don't know).  Well, as it turns out, I might not be so much. 
School started yesterday and I am so happy! Really, really, happy!  We are back to routine were I get to run in the morning, have breakfast, make the kids lunch, take them to school, and getting stuff done. I got so much done.  I'm looking forward to working in their class rooms, and going on field trips, because, after all, I love my kids. But it's nice to have them back in school.
As part of this new time on my hands, I can put more time into blogging, and scrapbooking, and baking, maybe some sewing.  Things I have not done ALL summer long.  Well, baking, I'm always doing that. 
I also see that after my kids have been apart all day at school, they play together more in the afternoon.  I'm not saying there hasn't been fighting... but this is what they are doing right now. 

Back to School

 Today Morgan started 1st... how happy does this kid look?  Mommy was happy too.  ;)

Hayden is going into 3rd grade (she skipped 2nd). Another happy, yet nervous kid.

Happy Birthday, LOVE

Today was Josh's birthday, he turned 33.  He went to work this morning, and came home for lunch, where I had tacos waiting for him.  Then we loaded up pool stuff, and dinner and headed to the pool house.  We swam for a couple hours and then we ate dinner... Jon BBQed turkey, YUM!  And then we had cake, which I'm pretty sure my mom and I are the only ones that liked it.

Happy birthday, to my man.  I love everyday I get to spend with you, and all of our adventures. Here's to another great year.

Relax

 

 We are still in Irvine, we leave tomorrow.  After a fun couple days of adventure, I decided that today we would just play at the pool.  While I was getting everything together, the girls were on the bed and Hayden was reading the new book that Charlie picked out yesterday.  I love these moments.

We ate lunch pool side... I made PB&J's in the hotel room.  We stayed out for a couple of hours, and went back to the room to wait for Josh to come back from class. 

Our Anniversary

Today I woke up with a very large coffee being held in my face. My wonderful husband got it for me, before leaving for class today.  Which he had to be in until 5 o'clock.

So, I came up with some fun stuff for the girls and I to do today.  First I took them to a park.  This park was the nicest I think I've ever been too.  The girls played for awhile, and we fed ducks, which jumped up out of the water and came at us when we stopped feeding them.  It freaked the girls out, but I had a good laugh.

After we fed the ducks I drove to a local Children's book store, and I let them all pick out a book to buy.  I had to help a little, as I didn't want to spend a fortune.  :)

Next to the bookstore was a frozen yogurt place... which is one of my new favorite things. So, we all got a little yogurt before heading back to the hotel.

That night, when Josh got back to the hotel, we went out to dinner.  We went to a Mexican restaurant with a handful of Josh's classmates.  It was very fun and relaxing, as a couple of people played with our kids while we were eating.  I meant to get a picture of Josh and I, but I forgot.  So, all I have of this day is a lot of pictures of the girls and the fun things we did.

Irvine

Yesterday the kids and I drove to Irive, because Josh has to be here all week to attend some classes.  Last time we came with him the girls and I got sun burns from sitting by the pool for 3 whole days.  So, this trip I have planned out some fun things to do, and get less sun. 
Today is not that day, as my plan is to be at the beach.  :)

We had a wonderful time on the beautiful beach, the girls didn't want to leave. It was very nice.

Special

Tonight we had a BBQ at our house.  Mostly so Caleb and Kymm could see our house.  It was pretty laid back, because us girls: me, my mom, Kelsey, and Kymm, all went shopping in Fresno for 5 hours.  I was very excited after dinner to enjoy a special K bar that my mom made and brought over.  YUM!

Family Time

After lunch today we went to the park... I got some good pictures of my little nephews.

I got a few of the other kiddos too... but I don't get to see these two very often!

Babysitting

Today Kelsey called and asked if I could just sit at her house with the kids while she ran to have her yearly "woman" checkup.  Claire was sleeping, and the kids watched a movie.  So, pretty easy. 

Bangs!

Cut my bangs even shorter this time, and bought a new hair color... I went darker this time.

Hand-Me-Downs

Morgan is wearing my most favorite pair for Jeans today... and they just so happen to have been Jessie's.  I love when my girls wear clothes that I can picture a Bender girl wearing... as well as my kids. 

Hayden's Journal

Today was my day to have my parent/teacher conference with Hayden's teacher.  At the end, she handed me Hayden's school Journal... and told me there were some great stories in it with grandma. 

But this was my favorite one.

Flee Market

Today after church we drove to the flee market, and Cameron came with us.  LOTS of fun for Josh and I, it's like a gigantic garage sale... with some food for sale as well.  We didn't get anything this time around, but I have found some fun treasures in the past.

Because the girls get tired of walking and start complaining, we borrowed Kelsey's wagon and stroller.

Dessert and a Movie

After dinner tonight Josh took the girls up and put on a movie for them, and I brought up dessert.  Banana ice cream sundaes.  YUMMY!  Hayden got in trouble with Josh while I was downstairs, and therefore she didn't get one, so I ate it... didn't want it to go to waste.

Sewing

Josh wanted Hayden to learn how to do some basic sewing with a needle and thread.  I showed her a basic stitch, and then how to sew a button back on.  She is sewing it onto a napkin.  She now asks me just about everyday if she can sew something.

Messy

I've gotten a little behind on my house work... mostly the laundry.  I have PILES of clean and dirty all over the family room floor.  I took this picture to make Krista feel better about her saying her house was a mess. 

Ears

On the way home from San Francisco we stopped in Gilroy, which has the biggest outlet mall I've ever seen.  First store we had to go in for the girls, was Claire's.  Hayden wanted to buy some new "long" earrings. Charlie was watching her two big sisters picking out earrings, and she said she wished she had her ears pierced. I told her to ask her daddy, because she could do it today.  So, she asked Josh and he said, YES!  She was very brave, and I asked for a lady on each side (after fighting Morgan for over an hour and needing TWO people to hold her down).  She did cry when the lady got her glove stuck on one of the earrings and they had to take the back off.  OUCH!  But she recovered and was very happy to see them in the mirror!

San Francisco

We drove to San Francisco on Saturday morning.  Chony met us at the hotel (she's on a two day lay over to Washington D.C.).  We went swimming at hotel all afternoon, because it was raining a LOT.  Then we went to dinner that night!  Very fun, very yummy!

Today we went down to the wharfs... I wanted to take the girls to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory (we went when I was 16).  But we found out that it closed and moved 2 years ago.  The original store is still there, so we got to buy chocolate, and they have a small machine making some chocolate that we got to see, but the big stuff is gone. 

Then we walked down to the water and headed toward pier 39... the most popular.  On the way grandma bought Charlie a ring off a street vendor.  Now they all have rings!  (Later this weekend Morgan's broke though).

We also walked a mile to China town, taking turns carrying Charlie... maybe we still do need a stroller! 
We started our day at 9am, and got back to the hotel at 7pm. So we then went back to the hotel and crashed. 

Brrrrr....

Today when I got up to run it felt VERY cold.  I looked at the temp and it's 34 degrees... so, it is cold.  Everything was frozen, but I still ran over my mile, but didn't make it to two today, my legs were literally frozen.  :)

Stayed Home

Today Morgan is still covered in a rash, so I kept her home for the second day in a row...

I called the school to let them know, and they told me she was contagious before the rash, and without a fever she needs to be in school... so, she'll be going back tomorrow.

Slap Face

Today I woke up and thought Morgan's face looked red, but sent her to school.

Then after their bath I noticed her back... looks like slap face.

Valentine's Day

Today is not just Valentines Day in our family, it is also my parents Anniversary.  Today they celebrate 30 years of marriage.  As it doesn't often work out for them to go out on this day, being that restaurants are so busy, I invited everyone over to our house for dinner.  I put ribs in the crockpot in the morning, because I was working in the kindergarten room for their Valentine's Day party, and I also had some chicken in some marinade.

The girls and I decorated the house after school and got everything picked up, and I started cooking. 

We had a very nice night... and Kelsey brought dessert (cupcakes) and champagne!  Random pictures of our night!

Blossoms

While doing more yard work today, we noticed the the strawberries have blossoms!  Amazing!  I noticed that our pear tree is not far behind either!

Yard Work

Today we did a LOT of yard work we wanted to get done.  So, we got up and hitched up the trailer and went to get a yard of bark. While out, Kelsey called me to see if we could watch Wyatt for a few hours, so they could drive down to Bakersfield and look at a Tahoo.  I of course said YES!  So, we got home and put the kids in the back yard to play and Josh and I got to work hauling a lot of bark. 

The kids got hungry, so I stopped to get them some lunch... they were hot so we moved the table into the shade.  Later we even went and got them ice cream... it was such a nice day. I got a sun burn to prove it.  :)

I was such a happy Auntie today... this is why we moved here, and I really hope that I get to do this more often!

The Jungle Book

Today was Hayden's class field trip to Fresno to see the Jungle Book ballet.  Josh meet her class there, since he works in Fresno, and I had to take Charlie to Mommy and Me. 

They had a LOT of fun... but couldn't take picture... but Josh snapped one at the very end!

Firsts

I love *FIRSTS*

First Steps, first words, first kisses...

Today was Claire's first sucker... and man did she like that!  I have had so much fun watching this little girl grow up and get to see all of her firsts.

I also don't mind that I am her FAVORITE.  She runs to me with arms up now, and kisses me when I pick her up.  She throws herself out of someone's arms if she can reach me.  I LOVE IT.  :)

Field Trip

 Today is Morgan's class field trip to the post office and the fire station!  I went with Hayden's class last year, and it was raining... but this year it was cool but VERY sunny!  Much more FUN.

First, the kids all get to mail a letter they've written, that is addressed to their parents....
Second, we walk a few blocks to the fire station... which takes longer than you'd think with 45 kindergartners.  :)

Then after all the showing around and explaining of the equipment, the kids ALL get to squirt the house.

 Then these last two pictures are just because I had so much fun with her, and because she's so cute.  *Notice the adult teeth finally coming in!

Fruit

Making fruit a bigger part of my day...
I eat strawberries, and blueberries with yogurt and granola every morning after my run. And then for a snack in the afternoon, I've been splitting up 2 chocolate puddings between me and the girls and adding fruit.  On top of theirs I add a little bit more fun.  :)