Just Add Water

My reciepe for happy kids in the Summer?... Just add water!
As is true with most kids... I just cannot keep mine out of the water, come Summertime. (Not that I would even want to try!) Every year, just before school lets out, I buy one of those nice big Intex swimming pools. (BTW- where were those when WE were kids?) This becomes part of our daily Summer rituals.
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Whether it is just my two- or a gaggle of neighborhood kids (plus my two)- from June to September, morning till night- our little backyard swimming pool sees plenty of action. These are photos of Makayla, Jeremiah and a friend, one such day, last August. And this particular day was just like nearly every other, last Summer- and every Summer. They had a ball.

Even Sadie the Cat cannot resist all that wet fun! (She likes to get up on the inflatable edge and relax with her paws in the water. (I know... STRANGE CAT!) Just look at the interest gleaming in her eyes! She almost looks like she is ready to jump right in with them!
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Now that Summer is almost here again, we are looking forward to long, hot days, spent cooling off in the pool- followed by muggy nights, staying up laate, BBQing, and night swimming in our little backyard pool.
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Aaaah.... the joys of childhood!

A Little Bit Of Miss Red To Throw Into The Mix...

These are some older pictures of Makayla & Mom (me!) at the L. A.
Kid Space Museum.

This was our first trip there in
2004, when Makayla's

Pre-School Class went; and Mom

went along as a volunteer parent.

We had a lot of fun that day. And

Makayla got a chance to explore the

whole place, and then we had a

picnic lunch with all of her

classmates. Thse pictures of us were

taken at lunch, and right before we

left for the day. Makayla was 4 years.

*We enjoyed ourselves so much thatday, that we decided to go

back later, when JD was a bit older, so thatthey could enjoy it

together. It was even more fun the 2nd time we went!

MAKAYLA'S HIP HOP DANCE COMPETITION

Makayla's Dance Team,

"The Best In The West"

WON 3rd Place in the

Southern California

Regional Hip Hop

Dance Competition!!!




WAY TO GO MISS RED!!! ~ We are so proud of you!
All of your hard work, and practice has paid off., and we couldn't be happier for you! I know that the going was getting a little rough. I know that you had hoped for a fun and care free
dance class; and instead you ended up on an extremely competitive dance team, with a teacher who expected quite a lot out of you all. I know that you felt like quitting at times, and I know it was not always fun, or easy.

In spite of all of that; I think that you have learned some valuable lssons about yourself. I think that you learned that when when the going gets tough... you get tougher. I hope that you learned that even if you aren't alwas 'into' something...that once you start, you must persevere and finish. I think that you learned the value of team work, and the imporance of each person's place on a team. I also hope that that no matter what you do...that you can always work hard, stick with it, and get good results as long as you give it your all. And if nothing else...I think that learning those lessons, is worth more than any old medal or trophy. (Not that your medals, and trophies are not ultra cool!)

So, I do not know what your future in Hip Hop Dance may be. We may try to find you a class that is less competetive, and more focused on having fun and learning great dance moves. You may decide to continue this class, or even to go back to Cheerleading. I do not know what the future has in store for you. But, beautiful girl, I do know this...whatever you do, you shine bright. Wherever you go, youare love, and however you do it...you do your best. That is all i could ever want for you. More than trophies and medals...I want to see that glorious look of self satsfaction and independence that I see fro you right now.

Mommy Loves You... Never, ever forget that! I am always right behind you, cheering you on, helping you learn, and waiting in the wings in case you need some love and support. I am your biggest fan! ~ (Oh, and every one else in the family too!) :)

JEREMIAH GRADUATES HIS WHITE BELT KARATE CLASS!

NOW ON TO THE YELLOW BELT CLASS...


Way to go champ!!!

March 25th, 2009

Jeremiah really enjoyed taking his first Karate Class. He worked very hard to listen during class, and learn all of the moves for his test.

We practiced and practiced, and when the big day came, he did great.






This is Jeremiah waiting in line with his classmates, to have Sensei sign his certificate of completion.






He was so funny, when he got his Yellow Belt, he also thought he was getting the boxing gloves that he had seen the Yellow Belt class kids wearing. He didn't realize hat he only gets those right before he cmpletes the NEXT class! I think he was more excited to get the gloves than the belt! I don't blame him...they looked pretty cool! Oh well.



You can tell how proud and excited he was; and we are all very proud and excited for him too!

It is always great to see the kid's do something that they enjoy and are good at.

Gotta keep 'em busy!

This bottom photo is Jeremiah and Brian Mendez. Brian and his family have been friends of ours since Makayla and Brian were in Mommy & me Preschool together in 2003-4. They have been close buddies ever since. He and his family have joined us for most of the kid's Birthday and our annual Halloween Parties. So it was a pleasant surprise when we discovered that Brian and J.D. would be in the same Karate Classes.

Many times after school, or after Karate class; we would have Brian and his sister Ivy over to play. It gave the boys a chance to get to know each other one on one; and now they are just as good friends as he and Makayla. It was a nice change. Also now that Ivy is old enough to play here by herself, it gave she and Makayla a chance to get to know each other much better.

So now, we are gearing up for the new session to start on April 1st; when the boys will go into the Yellow Belt Class. (And we think Makayla has decided to give Karate a try, so she will be starting the White Belt Class that J.D. just finished. Hey, I guess I won't be needing to buy a new white belt!) That will be nice for the kid's to be able to practice together.

Spring 2009 Family Update

Well, here we are, and it is already March. Where does the time go? We have all been pretty busy so far this year. In February, both children started new after school classes. Makayla began Hip Hop Dance Class; and Jeremiah started taking Karate Class. They both are enjoying themselves, and doing well.

This month, JD also began a new season of T-Ball. He is #13 on the Pirates. His Dad is coaching the team again this year, along with his Aunt, Uncle and Papa. So it's a real family affair! They have played their first two games, and will play another tomorrow.

Both kids are doing well in school. Makayla, in 3rd grade, has just completed her first report. She did a biography on Princess Diana. She enjoyed learning about her life, and I think she did a very nice job on it. Let's see if her teacher agrees!

Jeremiah, in Kindergarten, has been doing a great job at school. He has just brought home his 6th or 7th 100% spelling test, in a row! So far, he has earned a 100% on every test. I hope he continues to do this well! He enjoys his class a lot, and his teacher describes him as a real leader, (but we already knew that, didn't we?!?) Ms. Parks, his teacher, is the recipient of his very first, school boy crush. He thinks she is great, and brings her flowers, often. (Mommy is trying not to be "too" jealous! As until now, I was the only "woman" in his life! I guess I am going to have to get used to sharing him with the ladies.

We all took a day trip up to the snow, last month. And hope to do it again real soon. We went to our special spot, up in Wrightwood. It is in the National Forest, right above the Mt. High Ski Resort. We go up there, and spend the day sledding, and playing in the snow. They had just gotten 5' of snow, and it was amazing! I have never in my life seen that much pure powder before. (But, of course I am a Southern Cali girl).

This time we brought some friends along, and everyone had a real blast. Makayla has mastered the toboggan, and also helped me to build snow people. While Jeremiah spent the entire day eating snow. He ate, licked, munched and smooshed his face in it, so much that I was worried he would give himself frostbite, or snow burn! He climbed the sledding hill, on his hands and knees, EATING SNOW THE WHOLE WAY UP!!! Such a silly boy I have. :)

So, that is basically the big update on the goings on of the Family. We hope that everyone else is happy, and healthy, and enjoying the end of their winter, and the beginning of spring. Ciao.