While the cats away- the mice will play!

While Dan was away with Ryan looking at colleges this weekend, the boys and I had some fun of our own. My mother spent Friday and Saturday with us. Grammy took the boys on Saturday to Pretend City for a few hours (while I had to go buy a new washer and dryer- thank God for credit and no interest for 6 months). They had a super time and didn't want to leave.

When they came home and Grammy left, we got ready for our evening. The boys got to make their own pizzas for dinner and then have a date at their friend's Claire and Maddie's house. Their mom Tricia and I went on our own little date.

The set up!The participants!The final product- Yum!

Tricia and I ate at Chaprossa Gril and walked around Borders- the boys had fun with their friends. Sunday was church, lunch with my dad and then Dan's mom came over and took the boys to the movies. I had a good weekend- got a lot done and enjoyed my boys. I can't wait for Dan to come home!!

A new addition

I have been wanting to add this feature to my house for a few years, but I just wanted the right thing and I wanted it to be sturdy. Well, I have seen enough of them at other's homes to push me over the edge to getting one. What is it? Hooks for sweatshirts and backpacks.

Drum roll please. . . . . . . .dah, dah, dah, dah, dah

"Let's do an Activity!"

This phrase- "Let's do an activity"- is one I hear often from my sweet Jason. This week we did some Bendaroos. Jason wanted to do the Painted pony one. Needless to say, I did all the work, but he sure liked playing with the finished product.

Bendaroos (or Wiki Stix) are like a candle wick- a string covered in wax. They stick to each other and you can reuse them. They have kits that make animals, bugs, flowers, etc. It is for older kids, but lots of fun.

New Desk

I know that all these blogs seem to be about Nathan lately, but he has a lot going on. Today I bought Nathan a desk for his room and put it together before he got home from school. The other day I went to a friend's house and she had just put a desk up for her daughter. Nathan often complains that doing homework downstairs is too noisy and distracting, but I didn't know what to do about it. I didn't think we had room in their bedroom, but we did.
Here is Nathan already hard at work on this week's journal writing. He ended up writing about the new desk and how much he likes it. He especially likes it because "when it is noisy downstairs, he can come upstairs and not hear."
Here is the thumbs up of approval for the new space. Seeing Nathan sitting at his desk makes me realize what a big boy he is and how he doesn't need my help as much anymore.
Here is the other side of the room now. Since I put Nathan's name on the other wall above the desk, Jason is now flying solo over here. The room works really nice now and has a great flow. The boy's room is one of my favorites in the house. I don't have much of a design sense, but their room has lots of great color and a nice theme to it- there is hope for me yet!!

Star Student- Part 2

Nathan has continued to enjoy his time with Lucky the Lobster.

Nathan gave lucky a "trim" and that got one himself.

Lucky came with us to Islands and loved the fries- YUM YUM!!

On Valentine's Day Dan took the boys and Lucky to the Discovery Science Center. I had some time alone at home and they had fun finding out about the Secrets of Circles!

We had a wonderful time with our little friend and Nathan had fun this week at school being the line leader, getting to share every day and receiving wonderful letters from all of his class mates. We love school!!

Star Student

Nathan was finally picked to be Star Student in his class. He is the 18th star this year. As the star of the week you bring home the class mascot- Lucky The Lobster. You take Lucky on your activities and you journal and put your pictures in his special book. It is so neat to look back at the other kid's entries prior to ours.

Lucky and Nathan

Another perk for being Star Student is that you get to be the line leader the following week at school, you get to share an item each day (instead of the one assigned day a week) and your classmates learn about you.

But the best part of the week (or so I am told) will be the pack of letters that the teacher and all the classmates will give to him at the end of his special week- encouraging the Star Student and telling him/her what they like about them!

Lucky meets Nathan's Elly-poo

Nathan reads to Lucky (he will have to read 3 or more of his

favorite books to him during the next week)

Nathan sharing his Valentine's with Lucky the Lobster

New Carpet

Yesterday a little dream came true- I got new carpet installed in my home. When we moved to our home 5 years ago, the carpet was older and stained. It hasn't improved with 2 small kids either. I would get it cleaned twice a year, but no cleaning would get rid of the crud. The landlord was kind enough to grant our request for new carpet.

Here is a bunch of our stuff in the backyard

I was anticipating it to be a real pain, but the installers were amazing and in less than 9 hours we had new, clean, stain-free carpet from top to bottom. I feel like I am in a new house!!

Here is the new pad in our living room- look at all that space!

Out with the old!

The color is called Chestnut and it was a good choice! I hope you can come by and see it- it is beautiful!!

New carpet before being cut and installed!

College Acceptance- UCR

In a big white envelope with the words "Congratulations" on them, Ryan received his second acceptance letter to college today. His first was from Arizona state and this one came from UC Riverside. Both schools have accepted him in their Engineering schools. UCR is Ryan's first choice, but it is way more expensive than ASU. He is still waiting to hear from 4 other schools and will have to decide where he will be going by May 1st.

Ryan, we are so proud of you and all your accomplishments. What a blessing to have choices on where you want to go....now comes the part in finding a way to pay for it!! You go boy~~

Give your heart away

Today we participated in a great event- a service project. My friend Tricia decided to throw a Valentine's party with a twist. We were going to make Hygiene Kits for the Orange County Rescue Mission. Disney is offering a free ticket to those who do something for others- "Give a day- Get a day".There were 51 of us total at Tricia's house (35 of them kids). We had several stations- the kit station, write an encouraging not station, make a Valentine station, a food station and a prayer station (to pray over the kits we made). It was crowded and loud, but what a great feeling to serve others.We made a total of 63 kits. Each kit had the following: wash cloth, hand towel, tooth paste, tooth brush, hair brush, comb, hair ties, deodorant, shampoo and bar soap. A lot of the bags ended up with sweet notes from the kids.
This note that Nathan wrote just kills me- so precious and from the heart.

Success- Today!

I am not writing in a journal right now, but I had to put into words my thoughts for today.

My little boy Nathan is my heart and I want the best for him. Today was the first time I felt hope for him. To give you some background- each day I wait to hear how his day at school was. I want so badly for it to go well for him- that he would feel confident about how it went. There have been many days when he felt that he had a great day- and let's be honest, that is all that matters.Today, however, I looked at his teacher and asked how his day was. With a smile on her face she said he made it through the entire day, got all his work done and didn't need any help. This was a first. Even if he had good mornings, after lunch would always be difficult for him. He has been on some form of medication for almost a month now and I think we finally have the right meds and dosage for him (for now).

Not only did he have a good day at school, but he came home and was able to do homework and play all the other stuff he does in the afternoon and it was effortless and without tears. I am on my knees in thanksgiving to God for this day. I pray that this continues and that if there are any negative side effects- that they be minimal and that the good will outweigh them.

Gross

What does rain bring? WORMS!!
This picture of Jason reminds me of a cat bringing a gift of a bird or mouse to their owner. Why it is on his forehead? I have know idea!!

Rainy Day Fun

Today it rained on and off. During the off time we joined our neighbors outside for some playtime. As we were sitting on the curb it started to rain again. Now, we kept sitting out there and it kept raining (only harder). The kids were having such a great time that we just let them keep playing and my sweet neighbor and I got to catch up on life. Although we live right next door- we don't often get to talk for very long. We both fondly remembered growing up and playing in the rain. That is after all- one of the best things about childhood!!

Jason and neighbor Zach

Nathan collecting water

My neighbor Gigi and Me