Kindergarten & 3rd Grade!

Today was a big day in our house.  Jonathan started Kindergarten & Emily started 3rd grade.  That means big things for them both this year.  Jonathan getting settled into the 5 day a week school routine & Emily taking the STAAR test.  The kids were both excited about thier first days & got up and ready with out a hitch.  As the kids got their backpacks & lunch boxes together to leave Katherine requested her backpack too (picture below). 

 

California 2012

We just got back this week from 5 days in California visitng my sister & brother-in-law, Kerry & Jeff.  We had an amazingly fun & relaxing time.  This was our 3 kids very first time to fly too.  They were so excited.  On the way to the airport I pointed out a plane in the sky & Katherine said, "Woo Hoo!  We're going on an airplane!"  After we landed we went to Santa Monica & spent the afternoon on the beach.  It was such fun.  The kids loved seeing the ocean for the first time.  Emily especially had a blast jumping into the waves over & over.  Jonathan & Katherine loved the ocean and playing in the sand.  Joel said it made him feel like a kid again.  I loved just relaxing on the sand too.

We headed back to Kerry & Jeff's place the next day after going back to Santa Monica pier for a little bit.  They closed on their first house while we were out there which, convieniently enough, has an awesome pool we got to use on 2 occasions.  We loved getting to just spend time with them again too.  We miss them & it was so great to see them in person!

On the plane ready to fly to California just before take-off

 Kat was so excited to fly!

 

 At the hotel in Santa Monica with Aunt Kerry

 In the Pacific!  Love this picture!

Such a great day

Apparently Joel asked Jon to look tough for this shot :)

Emily would have stayed in the waves for several hours if we had let her.  She took right to the ocean and had the best time!  She was fearless as some of the waves got pretty high.  She loved every minute of it!

Kat loved the sand too

 "I've got my toes in the water, toes in the sand...life is good today" (Zac Brown reference)

 Two beauties

Uncle Jeff helping Jon build in the sand 

Sisters

Kat on Santa Monica pier

 Emily took this shot for us

The kids love their Aunt & Uncle!

A view of the pier.  Jon wanted to ride the ferris wheel but it wasn't running yet that day.

Kerry & Jeff's cat, Mizar.  We rocked her little kitty world invading her home with 3 young kids.  She mellowed out after a bit though.

We visited a local zoo that had native California wildlife on display.  They had a petting zoo the kids liked

The pool we swam at twice - we are officially jealous.  It's awesome & pretty much the perfect pool in our book

Last shot right before heading back to LA to catch our flight home.  Great trip indeed!

Basketball Class

Emily and Jonathan just finished a basketball basics class at the local recreation center.  They did really well.  Emily especially seemed to have a natural knack for it.  Here are a few pictures of them in action from one of their classes.

 

A Crafty Summer

We've been doing a lot of crafts this summer.  I'm loving it!  Here are some photos of what we've been crafting:

4th of July paper lanterns

 Butterflies made from coffee filters & clothespins

 The kids made these at the Nasher on their free, family-friendly day

 Sun catchers we made after a visit to the Amon Carter's story hour

 Fridge magnets that double as paper holders (they will be very handy when school starts up again!)

 Mice on cheese the kids made at a play date at Miss Kelly's house

Joel's Day

Joel had a great Father's Day this year.  He got to sleep in and was then prepared a special breakfast.  The kids had fun helping me get it ready & serving it to their daddy.

When Kat went down for her nap I took the older 2 to swim at the rec center so Joel could enjoy some peace & quiet alone in his own home (something he rarely gets to do).  Later that afternoon we had an early dinner at Cracker Barrel & then headed to the local minor league baseball game.  It was our first time going to a game as a family.  It had just rained prior to the game so the weather was cool & perfect.  The kids especially loved getting to cheer "charge!"

We had great seats too!

 

It was a fun & relaxing day for Joel.  We are so thankful to have him in our family.  He rocks fatherhood!

Saturday Sculpture

Last Saturday we checked out a local sculpture museum.  It was fun!  They had a large lawn with bigger outdoor pieces and some smaller ones inside.  The traveling piece was a huge net hung over metal arches.  In the middle were thousands of balls bound together by netting that formed a walkway.  As you walked through it it swayed.  Then, downstairs they had a sculptor doing demonstrations of how he creates his work.  He let the kids help him mix the plaster he was using.  We had a great time!

   

 

 

 

 

 

The Pool!

We had the awesome opportunity to swim at 2 pools, 2 days in a row over the weekend.  We were a very happy bunch.  Because my digital camera is also waterproof we got some really fun pictures.  There were so many good ones I've just included all my favorites.  Enjoy!