Disneyland 2010

We had the pleasure of going to Disneyland as a family in honor of Nathan's birthday yesterday. Back in February a bunch of my friends got together to put together Hygiene bags for the Orange County Rescue Mission. Disney had a campaign this year called "Give a day-Get a day". By doing the volunteer work we were given 3 vouchers to go to the park. Unfortunately Jason wasn't old enough to get a voucher for working so we had to pay for his ticket.
Thankfully it wasn't too hot or crowded! We went on all the major rides and even did some new things that the boys hadn't done before (Splash mountain and Jungle Cruise).
Who says these boys look alike? They couldn't be more different- but we love them both the same!!

Happy 7th Birthday Nathan James

Nathan's 7th Birthday

I can't believe my sweet boy has been on this earth for 7 years. What a joy it is to be Nathan's mom. He is such a great kid. He's smart, inventive, sensitive, caring, loving, creative, scientific and best of all- he loves Jesus!! Thank you Lord for my baby and for all the great years we have had so far!!

1st birthday

3rd Birthday

4th Birthday

5th Birthday

6th Birthday

Star of The Week- Sept. 27 to Oct. 1

Nathan is star of the week. The teacher tries to schedule the kid's special week around their birthdays and Nathan's is just 3 days away. His teacher, Ms. Garmon, is a huge fan of the Angels' and the class mascot is Reggie the Rally Monkey.

Star of the Week Schedule:
Monday-Bring a photo poster in telling class about you with pictures and sentences
Tuesday- Bring an item to share with the class
Wednesday- Mystery Box- bring an item (shh, it's a secret) and clues to help class guess what you brought.
Thursday- Share Reggie's journal and show class what you did with him this week
Friday- Family story day- bring a member of your family in to read a book to the class

Should be fun (I am just glad we are the 2nd one to do it and we can get it done!!)

It was so hot today that our neighbors had the brilliant idea of selling snow cones!

Nathan, Reggie and Zoie

Pool Fun- we had to take Reggie with us to cool off!

Jason:: Playdate Fun

Jason had his good buddy Aidan over for a play date today. Aidan's big brother Liam and Nathan went to Kinder together and have since been in each other's class ever since. Jason and Aidan were thrown together from the get-go and now are going to Kindergarten together. These boys are so much a like and it was so much fun to watch them play beside each other and with each other this afternoon.

Nathan:: Robot Boy

I don't know how many boys want to lose their arm so they can replace it with a robotic one, but Nathan sure does. I pray that, that never happens. Here is Nathan as a robot- he is just such a funny kid!!

Melissa:: My Favorite Food

As some of you know, I was a Vegetarian for 7 years (a Vegan for about 4). During that time I ate tons of salads- one for lunch and one for dinner. It is still my all time favorite thing to make and eat. I put everything in my salads and they are huge.
Here is one of my lunch salads. It has Spinach and Romaine, carrots, grilled peppers, tomatoes, craisins, grilled chicken, black beans and a yummy miso dressing that a friend got me hooked on. MMM mmmmmmmmmm good!!

Soccer Season Begins

Jason had his first soccer game today. I would love to say that it was a great game, but he petered out after one quarter. This is his first year playing and it was also quite warm at 2:30 in the afternoon. He wants to quit, but we will persist for a few more weeks and see if we can get over the hump.

I do have to say he looks so cute in his uniform.

Dan made the team banner- Go Fireballs!!

So Far So Good

Although this week wasn't a full week of school, it is still nice to be at the end of it. The boys did remarkable well! We have walked to school every morning- it feels good to be in a routine again. I go back at 11:30 to pick Jason up and then back to school at 2:15 to get Nathan.

Nathan likes his teacher and his classmates-that is good news. He is still struggling to pay attention and hopefully by getting his desk moved to the front it will help him focus better. Jason too loves his teacher and has lots to tell me each day when he comes home. He got in a time out for spitting on the carpet today (don't know what that was about), but I am hopeful we won't have a repeat of that.

As for Ryan, he is doing great. He has been at school for almost 4 weeks and really seems to love it. We have Skyped with him a few times and the boys (and us too) just love seeing his smiling face and talking to him- it makes it feel like he isn't too far from us.

All in all, life is good- busy, but good!

Jason & Goldie

Jason adopted a new puppy this summer on our road trip. His name is Goldie and he is a beautiful and much loved stuffed animal (shhh, don't tell Jason that though). Jason loves dogs (all of them) and would love to have a real one, but since that isn't going to happen any time soon- Goldie is it!

The other day he wanted to make a dog house for him. I came back down stairs and saw that he had built the house around him. I thought this was very inventive.

Jason On The Job

I had to do some work at church the other day for the Children's Ministry and Jason came along with me. He had just had his first morning at Kindergarten and had lots of excited energy! We were very surprised to drive up the parking lot and find it being ripped up for the new patio going in. While I did my work, Jason had the pleasure of watching the workers and even getting to ride along!

First Day of School 2010

Today Nathan and Jason went back to school. Do I need to say anything else?

I was busy the night before getting everything ready for the next day- lunches made, vitamins out, clothes ready and so forth. I still woke up early this morning in anticipation of their first day. I even made pancakes in celebration of new beginnings!

Nathan got the teacher we were hoping for and has a great group of kids in his class. Jason also got the teacher he was hoping for (Nathan's previous teacher). Although his friends are in the other class, I know he will make a whole new group of friends within the first week.

Nathan- 2nd Grade

Jason- Kindergarten

Although Jason only went for an hour an half while I was in a parent orientation, he had a great time. Nathan said his first day was great and fun too. His teacher is a huge Angels' fan and his room is called "The Dugout".

I am really prayerful for Nathan this year that everything clicks for him and won't be such a struggle. I am confident that Jason will do great and enjoy every moment he is in class and on the playground.

As for me, I am looking forward to this new school year. Many have asked me, "What are you going to do with all your free time?" Well, considering that I only have 3 hours (after I have walked home) each day- I plan on keeping very busy. I have friends I walk with on a regular basis, I have a weekly Bible Study I attend, weekly recycling (collecting and turning them in). There is also cleaning house, getting and preparing food for the family and I might even read a book or two (or twenty).