Church School

I'm currently teaching church school for Kindergarten and first graders at church. It's Claire's group and they are so sweet and fun. But frankly, I can't stand teaching church school. I feel like I'm at work on the weekend and I really don't know much about the "curriculum."

Case and Point,

Claire - Mommy what's that big "T" over there?

I'm driving to a soccer game on Saturday with Claire and Luke in tow. We pass by the Lutheran church on Baseline in Claremont that has an enormous cross in their front lawn when I'm asked this question. I stifle my laugh at my obvious parent failure that the granddaughter of a pastor thinks a cross is simply a letter.

Me - Well that's a church, and that's their cross.

C - What's a cross?

Me - (Continuing to kick myself for my serious neglect) Jesus died on a cross and so churches use it as a symbol.

C - How did a cross kill him?

Me - (Wow) Some bad people thought he should be punished and they nailed him to a cross where he died.

C - That's gross! Poor Jesus.

Silence

C - If I were there I would have punched those bad guys and said, "Don't kill Jesus you bad guys!" Then Jesus would have been saved.

Me - (laughing) That's nice of you Claire.

C - Did the bad guys where all black with dark caps on their heads and face?

Me - (laughing hard) I have no idea!

School Year Beginnings

School and soccer are in full swing. This season Claire is a Neon Zebra and Zac is a Golden Eagle. Their colors do not coordinate and Claire's requires sunglasses while viewing. I'm team mom for Zac's group that has turned out to be a fabulous group of parents and kids. Claire's coach is good. He's very business and scares me a little. (Don't tell Claire.) Other than some earring drama (Claire isn't supposed to wear any) our first games in 100 degree heat were great! Zac has professed his love for baseball so this very well could be his final season. To be continued...

Porsche and Diesel are suffering with all of us back at school. They've destroyed 2 giant Jade plants and a hose. It's amazing we still think they are extremely cute.
We put them in Butch and RoRo's pool and unfortunately they could swim.

Eric and I are settling into the new school year as well after a really nice summer. It was a rocky start. The freshman biology class that Eric lovingly refers to as "baby bio" is the first group of first graders I taught at Vista so many years ago. They hold a special place in my heart and sure enough Eric has a good number of them in his classes. It is very cool.

I made the move to Kindergarten teacher this year. So far I am absolutely loving it! These babies are so fresh and mold-able. I love that I know exactly what first grade teachers expect and hope that I can get these little guys prepared in the short 10 months we have together. I'm teaching with 2 incredible woman and I'm learning tons.

Luke has come so far in one year! I think back to last summer when his vocabulary was a mere 8 understandable words. Now he talks non stop and could care less whether you understand him or not. And you can, most of the time. He loves to spell his name and the word "dog." Although he thinks that L-U-K-E spells more than just Luke. The other day he said, "L-U-K-E, but hole." I'm so very proud. I think the audience of 3 older siblings has somehow influenced his use of "potty talk."

Sara started 8th grade and says it's "OK" and that her science teacher is "crazy." I always wonder what kids say about me and Eric to their parents. Unless it's that we are incredibly intelligent and inspiring, I really don't want to know.

It's a blurry image but it was so cute to see Sara, who looks so grown up, show her child like side when we went roller skating. She was very proud of herself!

50 Years

Summer is over so I feel I should hurry up and document the wonderful celebration our family enjoyed in honor of my parent's 50th wedding anniversary.

The Henderson's came for a week and as always we pick up where we left off! We endured a family photo shoot in the hills to start off our week. So glad we did since the photos, taken by a wonderful photographer, turned out AMAZING!

We made it to the beach where I was NOT able to bury my brother. Darn.

Mark and I teamed up and managed to put together a slide show for mom and dad. I stole the pictures and put them in the mail, and he put it together. Well done I'd say!

We went to dinner without our children at a restaurant in Pasadena called Parkway Grill. It was so peaceful. We could actually chew our food and make eye contact while having conversation. Wow!

The younger 2 generations, except for Luke (sorry buddy), adventured to Raging Waters. Minus a few changes the park should make to enhance the experience, we had a really good time! I learned that I am not as young as I thought. I inhaled a lot of chlorine and I think I pulled a muscle. And instead of laughing because the slide was so much fun, it was more an uncomfortable "gosh I hope I survive this" kind of laugh. The kids were brave and frankly, surprised me!

We ate a lot of food, rode bikes, and watched the kids swim about 11 hours a day.

We didn't have a big party, or travel somewhere exotic, but it was exactly the way Butch and RoRo hoped it would be. Happy Anniversary to the best parents ever! :) August 18, 2012

Corona Del Mar

I think I've mentioned before the awesomeness of this beach. Since my first beach experience wasn't until I was 9, the beach is NOT in my soul. But Corona Del Mar state beach has changed all of that. I can't wait for my brother's family to come from Kansas in a couple of weeks so I can share it with them.

And I'd really like to do this to my brother. ;)

Palm Springs

The temperature in Palm Springs last Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday was no lower than a dry 106 degrees. But we didn't notice because we were surrounded by swimming pools, water slides, a "lazy river", misters, cabanas, cocktails, lifeguards (thankfully), and good friends. My buddy "Mobes" from high school and his wife go every summer to Rancho Las Palmas resort and thought inviting some friends would make it all the more fun. Well it was! 6 adults and 11 kids between the ages of 1 and 13 made for LOTS of fun! We hope to make this a tradition.

Ballet Recital Round 2

Claire's eye healed almost completely in time for her ballet recital where she was a Prim Rose. She danced with her usual beautiful smile and ballet grace. During the routine she was also able to help another girl move to the correct place in line, she was sure to check the stage floor (a few times) to ensure she hit the right mark, then for the final pose she realized her arms were up instead of down and did a quick change. I wish I had video because it was awesome. Love her!

Summer Begins

Summer began last Thursday after an exciting week of field trips, award ceremonies, parties, report cards, picnics, plays, and more parties. A great end to an amazing school year.

Later that night...

Here is what happens when your brother swings a baseball bat and you are standing too close.



On the last day of school, thankfully, but only 10 days before the ballet recital. Darn. (Funny, I feel like I just posted a similar pic of Claire all too recently.)

Here is an award I received from dad at rotary. I was tricked into thinking I was going to see him get an honor. Had I known the truth, I would've looked cuter. ;)



Dad said some really mushy, gushy things about me. As a parent, I understand that those moments are pretty important. Thanks dad!

We also added a new car to our family which makes for a pretty happy husband. It also means that my happy husband has no excuse when asked to take the kids here and there. Life is good! Welcome summer!