Anna&Sam

Kindergarden!

2011-09-08T17:25:00.000-07:00

Anna had her first day of elementary school today. She was excited and very nervous about school and new friends this morning. After school, Anna was excited and ready to go back in the morning. I am happy that she had such a nice first day of school.

Sam's First Day of Pre-School

2011-09-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

Mr. Sam with his backpack on in front of his new pre-school. Sam brought his Monkey named "Sam" with him and had "circle bread with chesse" as his lunch. He had a great first day of school. Sam picked the hook as his symbol and spent most of his day playing in the sand box. Sam wore a coat that was worn on Henry B's first day of school. Sam was just a few day's old when Anna started going to school at JLP in September 2008.

Return Of Milton

2011-09-01T18:59:00.001-07:00

After being lost for almost a year, the swim puppy Milton, has been found. In celebration of the event, Stella wore her doggles.

Sam had a big day yesterday. After calling his sister, Anna, "Nana my Sister" for two years. He finally is able to call her "Anna." The best part was once Sam said it once ... so very proud ... he yelled "I got it! Anna my sister."

Fairy Queen Play Date

2011-09-01T18:58:00.000-07:00

Unicorns: The Extinction

2011-08-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

Anna and Sam play acted the big bag theory to explain why the unicorns are all extinct this afternoon. The have been watching the tv show Dinosaur Train a lot this summer ... and well I thought it was a good guess regarding the lack of unicorns, pegasus, and dragons in Portland.

Three Years Old

2011-08-29T20:17:00.001-07:00

Today Sam is three years old. He spends most every day now dressed as a pirate with a sash, sword, and pirate hat. He likes to explain himself to people as a "1/2 pirate." This is because Sam likes to brush his teeth and everyone knows that pirates do not brush teeth. When Sam wants to feel extra pirated, he will use an ice cream scoop as a hook hand and take off one shoe to pretend that he has a peg leg. Sam has a great imagination and is a lot of fun to watch in action ... we are lucky to have him in our lives. Happy birthday my pirate boy.

PDXYAR

2011-06-05T20:27:00.001-07:00

Captain Cockroach, we meet again ... this time Sam was much more prepared for how amazing it is to talk to a real pirate.

Robert!

2011-06-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

Cousin Robbie was in town last weekend and boy was everyone happy to see him again. Robbie has a huge fan club at our house. We had such a fun weekend with the Children's Museum, Zoo, Gustav's, Timber's Game, a big BBQ ... is was really fun and very busy. We hope Robbie and his family come back again soon.

The Pirate Is Back

2011-05-24T16:36:00.000-07:00

Sam lost his "pirate" for the last week due to being naughty ... boy was he super happy to be back to his old treasure hunting, blood thirsty, pirate plundering ways this morning.

Princesses

2011-05-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

Anna had a playdate this afternoon with her friend Amanda and a two extra princesses.

The Ballet Tea

2011-05-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

Anna and I went to her ballet classes annual tea party today. We have been waiting for this event for month's. The party is a very big deal at her studio, the girls have a drawing contest to see who will create the invitations and tee shirts. Her teachers personally invest a lot of effort and attention to the tea. They made most of the treats for the party and created a hair clip for each girl. Anna and her friend Elsie spent most of the party dancing with the pre-professional ballet dancers. At the raffle Anna won a princess tent, she was so excited! I had spent 5 minutes telling her not to be to upset when she did not win .. and then her ticket was the first one pulled. She told me that she just knew she was lucky!

When I Root, I Root For The Timbers!

2011-05-22T19:48:00.000-07:00

After the busy day at Dozer Days, Nana and Pop pop's took the kids to a Timber's game. They love to go to the games and have been to four games so far this season. Sam is especially excited about all things Timber. One of his favorite things to do is walk around singing the soccer chants ... my favorite chant so far is "No pity in the Rose City!!"

Dozer Days

2011-05-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Anna and Sam got to play with some heavy construction equipment. Anna was fearless, determined, and very excited about the entire process. Sam was very nervous about being inside the big rigs and did not really work the machines much. He was more excited to play in the sand pits and look around. Nana was competitive. She was about to lift, move and drop a basketball .. woo hoo Nana!

Down A Tunnel

2011-04-13T19:12:00.001-07:00

Thursday Art: Playdough Monsters

2011-04-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

Duck Tape Autobahn

2011-04-13T19:07:00.000-07:00

Long Piggie Tails

2011-03-28T20:35:00.001-07:00

Two Bikes

2011-03-28T20:32:00.001-07:00

Charles found a little free bike for Sam to ride.

Stacking Elephants .. Like Dumbo's Circus

2011-03-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

Our Tupperware Zoo

2011-03-21T18:57:00.001-07:00

Strange little displays of toy animals, soaking in water, in tupperware containers, and on a pink towel started to appear in our kitchen each morning ... I think it must be Anna. She fakes knowledge of the new zoo; however, seems she does know that the lion is in charge. "He is the zookeeper! Can't you tell he is in charge?"

Play Dough

2011-03-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

I have been working the past few weeks. Anna and Sam had a Nanny while Nana was on a trip with Pop pop's. The kids had a great time and learned all sorts of new was to make and play with play dough. The favorite new trick is to make scented play dough ... pink peppermint, green lime, and purple grape.

Found On The Camera

2011-03-09T19:39:00.000-08:00

There's A Bird On Your Head

2011-03-03T19:02:00.000-08:00

A favorite book, complete with hand gestures and silly faces is on the must read every night list.

A Pirate Most Of The Time

2011-02-27T17:20:00.000-08:00

First Ballet of 2011

2011-02-27T17:18:00.001-08:00

Busy, Busy Playing

2011-02-27T17:08:00.000-08:00

5 Year Check Up

2011-02-10T19:33:00.000-08:00

Anna had her very last childhood annual doctor's exam. Her next check up will not be until she is 7 and her next immunization will not be until middle school ... such a strange concepts for me. Anna had a great check up today. She is currently weighing in at 35.5 lbs (30%), is 41'1/2" (40%) tall, and has a 100/84 blood pressure. She was able to do all of the large motor skills, almost all (the drawing of the star was a stumper) in fine motor skills, has perfect vision, and is hearing at 100% in the right ear and 60% in the left ear. The hearing loss is not a large enough problem to correct with hearing aids; however, she will still need to be evaluated for speech issues as issues may arise in the future. She had three immunization and was ready to go back to school for the afternoon.

Five Times Around The Sun

2011-02-08T20:01:00.000-08:00

Anna had a birthday celebration today at school. She circled a large paper sun five times. Each time she circled the sun the kids sang a little song to her about the earth go around the sun and now you are ... and at each age I showed a picture of Anna at that age. The kids were really sweet and asked questions about what Anna was like and liked to do at that age. One her fifth lap they sang happy birthday and asked Anna what she did for her birthday. The girls in the class thought this was really funny. Since the girls in her class were at her birthday party and they did a little reenactment of Anna's party for the boys and the teachers ... mostly screaming and talking about a big pink cake.

Sam really wanted to be a pre-school kid. He tried to blend into the circle time and I had to drag him out of the class screaming that "I a big bot tooo!!!" .. Sam is going to be super excited next fall when he finally get to go to school.

Five

2011-02-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

Today Anna turned five years old. She had her party yesterday and requested that today was the day to go shopping for a pink bicycle. Charles took her to several stores to look at all the choices and she came home with her favorite and a matching helmet. She did a few laps around the block, played a little with Sam, and ate her favorite dinner of pizza while watching a Strawberry Shortcake movie. She told us that being five is great!

The Pink Party

2011-02-06T19:07:00.000-08:00

Anna had her 5th birthday party on Saturday. She requested a pink party and asked all of her guests to wear pink. We had our babysitter paint the kids faces, a scavenger hunt, and a magician. Nana made Anna a special new dress and shrug. Sam also had a new shirt made by Nana to wear to the party. Anna was so happy with the party and really excited to celebrate it with her friends. It was a wonderful day!

Things Could Be Much Worse

2011-01-31T19:10:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago, Sam was in the hospital. He had been sick for several weeks with a very high fever. He had 2 ER visits, 2 doctor's visits, and many, many conversations on the phone with a nurse all with in a week. The beginning of the end was when he had an allergic reaction to penicillin and was taken to the ER in an ambulance. He was moved by ambulance to a children's hospital and placed in his own room under quarantine for the night. It took a pediatric infectious disease doctor a few hours of listening to talk and tell the story of all of his symptoms to diagnose his illness and get him onto the road to recovery. It is funny to think it a high tech world, the listening is what really cured Sam. He is home with us now a lot thinner, still a little sick, and still a stinker.

One week ago, I woke up with the worst flu symptoms I have ever experienced. My mom took me to the doctor and I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia (thank to Sam) and mono (thanks to someone licking something I touched at Disneyland). So far the year 2011 is not going as well as I would have liked ... but it could be worse.

Hello Rapunzel

2011-01-05T16:11:00.000-08:00

The longest line we waited for on this trip was to meet Rapunzel & Flynn Rider. Anna was so excited to meet the newest princess and check out the magical hair.

A Motor Maniac

2011-01-04T18:36:00.000-08:00

Sam likes cars. He really likes to drive cars, even if the driving is only in his mind. We spent a lot of time on driving rides during this trip.

Lucky for Sam, Mr. Toad is very fond of driving cars as well.

And even more exciting for Sam ... "MATER & MCQUEEN" live next door to Disneyland in Radiator Springs.

Nothing could be better then watching a two year old boy hug a giant car.

A Whole Lot Of Magic

2011-01-03T19:57:00.000-08:00

We went to Disneyland over Christmas break and it was magical.

Disneyland is such a wonderful place and such a special time of year. It is very difficult for me to pick my favorite memories of the trip ... I am going to dole them out slowly so I will be able to savor each memory a little longer.

I am trying not to cry and holding in my emotions, poorly, as I pose with the long lost and recently found Dreamer Bench. It is truly amazing to believe that this little bench started the whole magical dream.

Christmas Book: Day 18

2010-12-19T04:40:00.000-08:00

This was our business day so far this season, Anna had an early morning birthday party for one of her favorite friends, we went to the Nutcracker, opened all of the family presents, and we had a mock Christmas dinner. I took no photographs of the day ... rats. We ended the by reading My Penguin Osbert by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel.

Anna went to bed the happiest little cowgirl ever. She snuggled her new horse down for the night and forced Marisol to share her bed with the new doll Nicki. She placed her slippers and Hazel's matching slippers (& PJ's) together and hopped into bed.

Christmas Book: Day 17

2010-12-19T04:33:00.001-08:00

Friday's book was Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett. For the past 16 nights, I attempt to get a photo of the kids with the book ... not sure what my reason was in the beginning, but now they like to fight over who HOLDS the book in the photo.

Christmas Book: Day 16

2010-12-16T19:26:00.000-08:00

Tonight we read Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audry Wood. I like reading the Christmas books that focus on the theme of "better to give then receive."

Since it is Thursday, Henry came over for an art project. Anna and Henry decorated cookies. Sam ate the candy to put on the gingerbread people.

Christmas Book: Day 15

2010-12-16T19:22:00.000-08:00

The book yesterday was Let It Snow by Holly Hobbie. This is the second Toot & Puddle Christmas book we have read this month ... those pigs are well liked in this house.

Anna and Sam worked on Christmas cards to send away. Lots of stickers and glitter were used, and an extra lot of glitter used just to be safe.

Christmas Book: Day 14

2010-12-15T07:12:00.000-08:00

Today was Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas by Jane O'Conner. I am happy to report that Nancy's lesson's for a fabulous Christmas were discussed in great detail and taken under advisement ... However, we are still sticking with a Tinkerbell tree topper for this year.

Christmas Book: Day 13

2010-12-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

We read The Snowglobe Family by Jane O'Conner tonight. A very sweet book were you get to experience snow with both a big an little family.

Sam painted, painted, and went to bed with green fingers and toes.

Christmas Book: Day 12

2010-12-12T19:21:00.000-08:00

Today's book was How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. It was the first time either kid had hear the story ... fun to read it to a first time audience.

Sam wore his new Brazilian soccer uniform to his class this morning. He was super excited to match his dad.

Anna went to the Holiday Review with Nana and Pop pop's today and afterwards we had birthday cake for Pop pop's. Happy Birthday Dad!!

Anna and Sam showed off the shared love of the "Go Ducks" to Pop pop's.

Christmas Book: Day 11

2010-12-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Today's book was Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson. Everyone loves the bear, so it was a popular book.

Christmas Book: Day 10

2010-12-10T19:34:00.000-08:00

Tonight we read Auntie Claus by Elise Primavera. This is a fun book with a little bit darker take on Christmas. Anna really got the book's message on the number one rule of Christmas. The idea of a naughty list was scary for both kids.

Sam is geared by for a Cowboy Christmas ... check out his new boots!

Since all cowboy's love to ride horses.

We walked around the Fremont Festival of Lights tonight. Both kids were a little over prepared for cold weather.

"Help me!"

Christmas Book: Day 9

2010-12-09T18:06:00.001-08:00

Tonight we read It's Christmas, David! by David Shannon. It is a fun book and ... both kids did not know that coal was the preferred naughty list gift of Santa.

The Daddy is back home! First thing Anna wanted to do was to "walk on the ceiling."

Christmas Book: Day 8

2010-12-08T18:44:00.000-08:00

Today's book was Tacky's Christmas by Helen Lester. Luckily for the penguin's of Icy Nice Land, Tacky was able to trick the mean old hunter's yet again. Lucky for us, this book came with a music cd of peguin Christmas songs.

Anna has been crazy for her winter boots this season ... loves them.

Christmas Book: Day 7

2010-12-07T19:06:00.000-08:00

We read Stick Man by Julia Donaldson tonight. This was a fun book to read. We loved the sing-songy writing of the book.

It is always a good day when Sam see his Pop pop's ... even better when he bring him more "Go Ducks!" gear.

Christmas Book: Day 6

2010-12-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

Today's book was Santa Claus the World's Number One Toy Expert by Marla Frazee. The kids really had fun with the book and really had fun getting their photo taken ... without the book tonight.

Christmas Book: Day 5

2010-12-05T18:15:00.000-08:00

Today we read One Thousand Christmas Beards by Roger Duvoisin. I read about this book several years ago and finally ordered in on Alibis to add it to our collection. It is a fantastic classic, hard to find, Christmas story. In the book Santa is a little bit naughty and has to learn the meaning of sharing Christmas spirit.

Anna and Sam also tested out Santa beards ... the only one we had was Mr. Potato's. Lucky for us, that potato is a sharer.

Christmas Book: Day 4

2010-12-04T18:29:00.000-08:00

Today's book was Toot & Puddle: I'll Be Home for Christmas by Holly Hobbie. The favorite part of this book was finding the cut out paper Christmas tree stars to add to our very own Christmas tree. Thanks for the little gift Toot & Puddle.

Christmas Book: Day 3

2010-12-03T17:54:00.000-08:00

Today's book was Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas by Julia Rawlinson. This is a beautifully illustrated book. It has a very sweet and has little message to remind them about one of the most important aspects of the season ... friendship.

While Sam napped at Nana's house, Anna and Nana built a gingerbread house. I think more candy was eaten then stuck onto the house.

Ta da ...

Christmas Book: Day 2

2010-12-02T15:29:00.000-08:00

Today's book was Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry. This was a favorite book from last Christmas. Anna and Sam really like watching the tiny tree get even smaller and get passed on to ever-tinier families.

We had our art Thursday with Henry today. This week they made snowman winter pages. I really liked how Sam's artwork turned out this week. He finally got the idea of where/how to dress his snowman.

Anna had a hibernation party at school today. She has so much fun wear pj's to class and ringing her arm like a bell to "wake up, little brown bear!"

Christmas Book: Day 1

2010-12-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

This year, I was able to find 25 Christmas books for our advent calendar. Today we read The Christmas Giant by Steve Light. This was a great book to start off the month. The book is very sweet and gentle, it captured the spirit of Christmas, of friendship, of hard work, and of resourcefulness. Both Anna and Sam were very excited to unwrap the book and listen to the story.

This is all the books, ready to be unwrapped and discovered. I am really excited to see if the books will help to build on all the great aspects of Christmas that I love.

We also had a impromptu little mustache party earlier on in the day .. woo hoo!

Two Penguins

2010-11-29T18:46:00.000-08:00

Silly kids got out their penguin costumes again ... "penguin's love to eat breakfast for dinner."

Zoo Light & Trains

2010-11-29T18:41:00.000-08:00

Nana and Pop pop's took us to the zoo lights this weekend.

We were ready for the weather and luckily it was not to cold or rainy. Both kids had a great time and especially liked riding the Max train to the zoo.

Hello

2010-11-24T19:05:00.000-08:00

Camping With Marisol

2010-11-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

Anna and her doll, Marisol, have pitched a "pupcake tent" and are camping out on the floor of her room tonight. she was really excited for me to leave her room and stop trying to take her photograph ...

Halloween Party Photo's

2010-11-08T18:58:00.000-08:00

My friend Stephanie (http://stephaniebryanphotography.com/) is a fantastic photographer and she took amazing photographs at our Halloween party last month. These are my two favorites ... really beautiful photographs.

Crow Beak

2010-11-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

Anna made a black bird beak at pre-k today. She told me that she wanted to be a crow and eat worms.

After dinner, it was decided that maybe being a unicorn would be a fun.

Sam just wanted to be a cowboy.

Miss. Pink Head

2010-11-03T19:15:00.001-07:00

... but what if Miss. Pink Head wanted to go to Disneyland?

Trick or Treating

2010-11-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

This year Anna in Wonderland and the Dread Pirate Sam went trick or treating with Sir Henry the Brave. The kids ended up with a lot of candy and were really happy to be together out ... in the dark at night.

A Pixie Knight & His Pixie Sister

2010-11-03T19:08:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-21T19:01:00.001-07:00

Sammy Boone & Anna Jessie

2010-10-21T19:00:00.001-07:00

Thursday Art Project: Beads

2010-10-14T19:07:00.000-07:00

The kids made bracelets and necklaces out our bead, pipe cleaners, and string this week. It was a fun project and everyone was able to sit down and get crafty. However, Henry decided that the end product was a little to girly .. so he decided to make a dead walking stick, crushed by a car instead of a second bracelet.

The snack at the end were the best, thanks again Yoon Hee.

A Sleeping House

2010-10-12T21:06:00.000-07:00

Sleeping Beauty

2010-10-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

Anna went with Nana and Pop pop's to the ballet today. She had a wonderful time and really enjoyed herself. I am glad we spent sometime this week reading the story and watching the movie together as background preparation.

Sir Sammy And The Dragon

2010-10-10T19:34:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of the Sleeping Beauty Ballet this weekend, we let Anna and Sam watch the Disney movie. They played knights, dragons, and princess for most of Saturday afternoon.

Thursday Art Project: Ghosts

2010-10-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

This week the kids made fabric ghosts. We did a later craft time due to Walter's nap and I think we will change it back to the earlier time next week. They were really squirmy and silly this week. I think Yoon Hee did most of the crafting for them this time. Both kids did manage to make 2 ghosts and Anna hung her ghost up as room decorations.

Sam Vs. The Potty

2010-10-07T13:02:00.001-07:00

Yea, the potty chair wins this rounds .. poor the Mr. Pine book is sightly damp however.

Tea Party

2010-10-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

Anna's friend Katherine came over for a little tea party fun yesterday. Those silly girls like to eat the sugar cubes and yell out their brother "This is a girls party!" Lucky for me, the boys find this the best game ever.

Thoughtful Girl

2010-10-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

Anna has been worried about her new doll, Marisol's, lack of pajama's for the past two nights. Tonight she made sure to take off the dolls shoes and hat ... you know so "Marisol is more cozy sleeping."

Vine Power Teeth

2010-10-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

.... hum nope "Anna, I think they are all vampire teeth" .... "oh ... really, ok."

2.1

2010-09-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

Sam has really embraced being a 2 year old boy. Today he refused to take a nap for Nana, colored (blue) on the new window sills and couch, hit Anna with a school bus, moved all of his toys to the living room and ... peed in his potty to get a truck sticker.

A Braided Hair Princess

2010-09-28T19:10:00.001-07:00

Letter A

2010-09-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

This week at Pre-K Anna and her classmates will be learning about the letter A. Anna show me tell me day is on Monday's and Nana gave me the review on what she presented: an Alligator, a few Acorns, and A magnet .. and my favorite that her name has 2 letter A's in it.

Moon Sand Ponies

2010-09-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

Anna made many, many sand ponies today and just a few princess "to take care of all the ponies..."

Bowling Part 2

2010-09-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

Four year old children are terrible bowlers. The balls are to heavy for them to carry, they toss the ball onto the lanes with a huge thud instead of rolling them, the balls take forever to roll down to the pins, and then the worst .. their balls get stuck 1/2 way down the lanes and have to be rescued. Anna had an absolute blast bowling. Me, the one to rescue the balls on the slick lanes, not so much.

Saturday's Letter B

2010-09-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

Anna had a busy Saturday, she started the day with her Ballet class,

picked out her own Beautiful outfit to wear to a Birthday party,

she Bowled two lanes at Hollywood Bowl,

and had a Best time ever slumber party with her cousins. (no photo's taken)

Thursday Art Project: Jack O Lanterns

2010-09-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

This week we made jack o lanterns out of glittery foam stickers, glue, and sparkles ... it was great fun and the kids really got into the decorations (esp Mr. Henry) this time.

Most of the pumpkins ... Anna and Henry went back to make more after I took the photo.

Walter hanging out with his momma.

Sam eating a cereal snack after he ate most of Walter's.

Anna's scariest pumpkin.

Henry's scariest pumpkin.

Pixie Pajama Party

2010-09-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

Nana has come over early each time a new Tinkerbell movie has been released for a pajama viewing party with Anna. This time we invited Katherine in on the fun. The Great Fairy Rescue is really cute movie and both girls were in a little bit of a viewing trance.

Pirate Sammy

2010-09-22T12:40:00.001-07:00

Reindeer Ears

2010-09-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

We know it is a little early to be sporting antlers ... but the kids have been having a lot of fun with them this week.

Contrast Of Carrying A Toy

2010-09-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Sam: 2 years old carrying a box of mini cars down the hall.

Anna: 1 year 7 months old (September 2007) carying a birdhouse of mini birds down the hall.

Thursday Art Project: Lady Bugs & Bumble Bees

2010-09-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

The kids were really great crafters this week. Henry and Anna settled down and went right to work on the insects. Afterwards they watched A Bug's Life, ate some pizza, and Henry and Sam played/screamed trucks.

Anna and Yoon Hee worked on a special bug for Walter and a watch for Anna. Anna was funny ... "what time is it? Oh it's 8:0o O'clocking."

Go Ducks!

2010-09-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

In preparation for an upcoming football game, Pop pop's bought Sam and Anna new gear. Sam is delighted with his new clothes. He is especially happy that people have said him "Go Ducks!" while out on a walk ... Sam's reply back is "Yes Ducks! Pop pop's Ducks."

Anna is excited for the slumped party and asked the football food was. I think she remembering the baseball game this summer with cotton candy.

Hum ... Don't Know

2010-09-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

Sam's favorite new phrase to say is "don't know." It is so sweet and super funny to ask him a question and get it as a reply.

Anna did her first show & tell at pre-k on Monday. The theme was "my life in a bag" and she choose to to share:

1. Sparkle dress up shoes - she likes to play dress up
2. Pink Pony name Cheer-a-lee - she like ponies, they are her second favorite animal
3. Stuffed baby beluga - she likes to sing (esp. the baby beluga song)
4. Flier for the next ballet - she loves to go to the ballet

Anna showed me the dance move she shared with her class after talking about the ballet during the share time. Her teacher told me today that Anna was the first kid to dance for their classmates during a show and tell.

Roots & Shoots: Dam Tour

2010-09-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

Some of the parents at Anna's old pre-school started a civic group for all the graduating students as a way for the kids to keep in contact. Today was the first time we went on an outing with the group (it was the groups second outing). We went on a picnic and a tour of Bonneville Dam.

Apres Ballet

2010-09-12T19:50:00.001-07:00

Anna was an official ballet student on Saturday! She wore her new pink sweatsuit and cute little bun all day after the class.

Costco is so much more fun to visit with Nana in an apres ballet outfit ... and it is even better when she buys you a huge box of princess high heel shoes.

Thursday Art Project

2010-09-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

On Thursday this school year Anna and Henry are going to have an art play date before story time. This week they decorated aliens and rocket ships. Anna spent most of her time working on coloring one red alien while Henry and Sam were a assembly line of decorating.

Henry's favorite one.

Testing Out The Rain Gear

2010-09-07T19:28:00.000-07:00

or I could call this the rainy day zucchini bread delivery service.

Pre-K

2010-09-07T13:55:00.000-07:00

Today was Anna's first day at her new school. She was so excited and ran in and join the class ... it was a great first day start off.

We compromised on her first day of school outfit. I wanted her to wear a skirt or something girlish and she "wants to look like a cowgirl!"

Goggles

2010-09-05T20:09:00.001-07:00

State Fair

2010-09-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

We went to the state fair on Saturday. Really nothing could be better then an afternoon of eating corn dogs, looking at draft horses, petting pigs, a six dollar pony ride, meeting Smokey the Bear, watching cows get judged on how full the hind ends are, and learning that our pet walking sticks are a "forbidden, invasive, insect ... who are NOT allowed in Oregon" and all the ways we must destroy them.

Henry's Last Day

2010-09-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

Today we went out for ice cream with Henry and Walter to celebrate Henry's last day at pre-school (the 1/2 day school). It was really sweet and a little sad today, Henry and Anna have been the best of friends since Anna's first day at school ... and this year they will both be at different places.

2 Year Check Up

2010-09-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

Sam had his two year check up today. He is weighing in at 29 1/2 lbs (50%) and is 34 1/2" tall (75%). His growth has slowed down in the last few months but the doctor is not worried about it. No for Sam shots today, we will have to go back in a month for the flu shot once his cold clears up a little.

Anna at two years (02-06-08) 23lbs and 33" tall.

Front Yard Soccer

2010-08-31T05:58:00.000-07:00

Our little yellow house project was finished on Friday. We are all so happy that we can now play in the yard again. We are still some finding nails, screws, staples, ect in the grass ... but not nearly as many as before.

The Napping House

2010-08-29T03:06:00.001-07:00

I was a fun discovery to find that Anna and all her little friends had snuggled down for a nap on there own.

Hello Georgia

2010-08-29T03:01:00.000-07:00

We were able to say a quick hello and goodbye to Baby Georgia this past week. Since she is our favorite little baby, there is never enough time to visit.

Ride Like The Wind, Wonder Horse

2010-08-24T03:56:00.000-07:00

Guess who loves the Wonder Horse as much as Anna?

Sprinklers

2010-08-24T03:48:00.000-07:00

Anna has been so excited about running in the sprinklers this summer. Anytime is is sunny outside, she is asking to be in her swimsuit. This new found joy has had two problem this summer: 1. it has been a little to cold for running in the water and 2. the outside of the house is under construction.