May Recap in Pictures

Good Friends to play with at the park

 

Spirit Week-Hobby Day (painting), could you tell?

First Grade Circus

Latin Dancer in the show

Camping Trip with Daddy and Papa Redfearn that involved some bear trap making, hiking, fishing, good food, quad riding, and SNOW!! (thanks for taking pictures Daddy)

 

Emma tried out for the school talent show with “bestie”, Sara, and THEY MADE IT!!  One of only 2 First Grade acts to make it in the show.  They choreographed a routine to The Squeakual version of “You Spin Me Round.”  They practiced for 2 weeks and did a wonderful job.  Good job girls!!

 

HUGE yard work project at Grandma and Papa Redfearns house. (with a little front yard quad riding after it all)

 

Grant had Preschool Graduation (Mommy had to stay home with Emma because she was sick with the flu, and even missed her last day of school)

 

Grant tested and received his Orange Belt in Karate!

Champion Cheetahs

This year Emma played on an indoor soccer team for the first time-The Cheetahs, and they won first place!  After taking a year off of soccer, this was her first time back on the field.  It was great to see her gain confidence and skill.  She really enjoyed the fast pace of indoor.  Her favorite position is goalie.  She is the same Emma on the field and off the field-not a mean/competitive bone in her body.   But we love her anyway, and enjoy watching her have a good time.  Yesterday was the first day of practice for the outdoor season-so we are looking forward to another great season.  Go Cheetahs!! 

Strauss Festival 2010

This was the 7th year that I have volunteered at a local community event as a Backstage Dresser.  3 years ago I recruited my mom into helping also.

It is a long 6 days, but pretty fun overall:

And these are the beautiful costumes and dancers we get to work with:

Wool Warrior

  

 

 

It’s summer and the State Fair is HERE!!  Yesterday we made the annual trip and Grant got the ride of a lifetime!!  While fueling up on corn dogs, funnel cake, and chocolate covered bacon, Jamie was checking out the program to see what there was to do.  He casually mentioned to Grant that he could ride a sheep, and he was ALL OVER IT!!  So off we go to find the Mutton Bustin’.  He got his wristband, headed over to suit up, met the cowboys, and mounted a sheep—like it was NOTHING!!  His first ride was a little shaky-riding most of the 4 seconds on the side of the sheep, taking a nice face plung into the sand. 

 

 

 

 

But he got right back up there and tried again.  This time he,  “Put my face right down into the sheep and held on tight.”  Which resulted in a successful 5.86 second ride.  He got a gold medal and couldn’t be more proud!!

 

 

 

 

 

Today he told me:

“Mom, I don’t really like playing basketball with Daddy in the court.  I just like RIDING WILD SHEEP!!”

Do I have a future cowboy??

 

 

Jog-A-Thon

Before the race began:


Warming up:


On her 3rd lap, going through the checkpoint:


And this is what Grant was doing:


Relaxing after completing 6 LAPS!:


Cheering on the 2nd graders:

Open House

We went to Open House for Emma yesterday. Here is a glimpse into all of her hard work this year:

It's kind of hard to see, but her butterfly says, "I am special because I am helpful to my family." She is a great kid. She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES school and has already told me that summer is going to be so boring. We are so proud of you Emma, and the time, and thought you put into all of your school work. Keep up the great job!

Weird Weather-Part1

We have been having some weird weather here in California. On Saturday we went over to my mom and dads house, to do some yard work and ended up hanging out most of the day because the kids were having such a good time. At one point in the afternoon I was talking about how we used to play in the rainbow sprinkler on nice sunny days. My kids had no idea what I was talking about, and my dad happened to have one. So we busted it out and the rest is history...........

Weird Weather-Part 2

And then we move on to TODAY--it is rainy and windy with a high of maybe 50ish. Grant and I had planned to skip preschool and go to the local AAA ballpark. They were having a free "Mommy and Me" day. So we put on the windbreakers, took the umbrella and braved the elements. We went with some friends, and Grant had a great time. He got to bat at home plate, run the bases-twice, and run in the outfield. When we were walking down the steps to the field he said, "Mom, I'm kind of nervous." But I think that soon went away and he was enjoying himself. The best part came after we left the stadium, and he got to roll down the hill on the way out!! Then it started pouring when we got to the car--good excuse to head to Ikea for a few hours!! It was a great day for everyone!

This is the reason.........

(Grant got to do face painting at preschool-on HIMSELF, with NO mirror--gotta' love it!)

--that I send Grant to preschool
--that Jamie works so hard so we can afford it
--that a kid deserves to be a kid
--that I was a little embarrassed to run my errands AFTER preschool
--THAT I LOVE GRANT!!

Scentsy Presents "Bring Back My Bar!"

For one month only—in July—Scentsy will be offering 20 of their most in-demand retired fragrances as Scentsy Bars!

Help them decide which fragrances they should bring back! Please take a few minutes to vote for your top three favorites to the right. Vote as many times as you’d like between now and Sunday, May 2. We’ll announce the winning scents on June 1 on our Official Scentsy Facebook Fan Page.

Click on the link to vote!! I personally voted for Mysterious, Exotic Vanilla, and Sandlewood & Cranberries!! YUMMY!!!

Scentsy Presents Bring Back My Bar!

Student Art Works Celebration

Emma's artwork was selected for the Student Art Work Celebration. Each school chose ONE student from each grade level for the display. Emma was chosen from 100 1st graders at her school! Her artwork is now hanging in the District Office until February 2011. She received a certificate and letter signed by the Superintendent and her teachers. Way to go EMMA!!!

Childhood Innocence

This morning as Emma was leaving for school, we were going through the usual routine. She ALWAYS asks me what we are doing today after school (this is AFTER she asks what we are doing TOMORROW-at bedtime). Anyway, I informed her what we were going to do this afternoon, and then she noticed that I wasn't "ready" to take them to school. I usually take her to school on Thursdays, and then go work in Grants classroom. But I had switched days yesterday with my friend, so today was my "at home" day. She looked around a moment, and I could tell she was thinking something. She paused, then asked "Mom, what DO you do after we leave for school?" She wasn't trying to be rude, or funny, she was genuinely curious. So I gave her the list:

-start a load of laundry
-unload dishwasher
-load dishwasher
-clean up rest of kitchen
-fold laundry
-start another load of laundry
-go to the gym
-drop off Scentsy orders
-pick up toys around the house
-fold laundry
-start another load of laundry
-do agenda for PTA meeting
-start lesson for Sunday
-wrap birthday present
-read/respond to emails

You get the picture. I stopped to think about her original question this morning. I guess I never really knew what MY mom did after we went to school. I never thought about the clothes that always seemed to be in my drawers, the after school snacks that were always there, the supplies in the drawer for school projects, the cute holiday decorations around the house, etc. etc. It was just important that she was there everyday when I got home from school. And as a reflect on the long list of things "To Do", I guess I realize that there is NOTHING more important than being there for my kids. Sometimes it takes an innocent question from a 7 year old to make me STOP and be THANKFUL!! Love ya' Emma!!

Easter 2010

Easter was a great time here in California. The weather cleared up just in time to do some fun things. The holiday started off with a nice traditional Easter egg hunt at preschool for Grant.

They decorated Easter cookies:


Then headed outside for the "hunt":


We had some more Easter fun at home with the decorating of Easter eggs:



The finished products:


Easter morning we woke up to a trail of jelly beans. The Easter Bunny had left the empty egg carton at the door, and a trail of jelly beans to each of the kids baskets (what a nice bunny). Emma got her very own wind chime in her basket, and Grant got 2 army men. Its amazing how well the Easter Bunny knew what to get them. Daddy said Santa must have helped him out too. :-) The day ended with a nice dinner with Grandma and Papa Redfearn. Grandma went all out with the ham, potatoes, homemade wheat rolls, jello, corn....................and Grant even tried broccoli!!! (for those of you who know Grant well, and his eating habits, yes--this is something to blog about)