Trampoline Fun

The kids love the trampoline... especially Jonathan. He goes out there almost daily to shoot hoops. Jayden runs around in circles and laughs hysterically.

Jayden and her Matching Baby

Jayden and her doll have matching dresses. It's so fun having a little girl!

First Grade Space Program

Jake's class had a space program last Thursday evening at school (5/15). I think it turned out really cute, but since I was leading it, it's hard to say for sure! Jake did the introduction, read lines about our planet Earth, shared about his make-believe planet "Animal Planet", and he shared 3 wishes (a bird, a turtle, and a bear). Here are a few pix. I got the astronaut costume years ago and nearly forgot all about it. The space bubble is still in tact- though is really getting old! Every year I add more and more duct tape. It's so much fun for the kids. They really love it.

Tulip Fields

My kids are required to visit the tulip festival each April with me- and this year was no exception! Jayden and Jake actually enjoy it. Jonathan, not so much- but he was a good sport!

Mother's Day- May 11, 2008

Ahh.. my favorite day of the year!!! When I woke up, Jake brought me breakfast in bed..which included a big plate with rocks placed all around the rim, a bagel, an apple, and a Diet Coke with a straw. There was also a paper crown and several cards that he and Jayden had made me while I was at work yesterday. Jayden's card said, "Momee is th best mom iv evra seen. Mom is pritee." (Jake wrote it for her). Jake did several... "U ar nis mom. I wudint trad eneetheing fo mom." Another said, "Mi best fraen is my mom." And the next one said, "My mom is the best mom u cud ever hav." The last one came with a dollar bill and 2 plastic gold coins and an old breath mint (so cute). It said "Hpee muthrs day mom. Mom u ar th best mom evar." They were all sealed in envelopes- the kind that look like they belong to my cards (oh well...). The one with the dollar in it also had a bunch of tape all over it- I suspect for security purposes!! Jake and Jayden were both smiling from ear to ear as I read each one. Jake told me, "Yesterday I was just sittin around on my duff watchin' TV, when I thought...Oh, this would be the perrrrfect time to make some cards for my mom!" Then Jake gave me a foot massage (he's great at it). And then, of course, Jayden had to give me a "foot sage" too... We weren't sure how the weather was going to be, so decided not to go all the way to Edmonds. We went to McDs for breakfast and then to Lake Goodwin, where there is a dock and a playground. Jake was determined to catch something with his new bucket catcher- but didn't... He did go waist deep into the water, though- burr! Jayden, Jonathan and I played on the playground- which was actually fun because they had different toys than your typical playground. It ended up to be partly sunny and fairly warm, for here. We then went and got ice cream and coffee, and also rented videos. Right now we are watching "The Pacifier"- and Jonathan is reading a book. I think I'l grill hot dogs for dinner and just hang out around here the rest of the day. We have a busy week next week, with multiple "events" each night after work/ school. Mom, if you're reading this, "Happy Mother's Day!!!" I love you!

Spring Break Road Trip

The kids and I drove to Oregon for 4 days in April. Sure is beautiful there! On the drive back home, we stopped at the state capitol in Olympia to stretch and to take a pix of Jake for a Cub Scout requirement. The kids loved fishing in Oregon, but we never caught anything. Jayden got her first fishing pole- a princess one.

Easter 2008

Just a few Easter pix...Kate and Mom- Recognize Jayden's dress?

Our Rabbits- Oreo and Alfonso

Did you know bunnies are the stinkiest creatures in God's creation? Well, they are... I'm here to testify!! The kids got 2 bunnies for Easter. They named them Oreo and Alfonso (or "Fonso," as Jayden says). They are really cute and, for the most part, we enjoy them. But... they are in cages in the living room (on the fireplace), so there's no escaping their odor. I clean their cages every other day, so that's been kind of a pain. Jayden likes to help me add the new bedding and to vacuum the floor around the cages. We have 2 leashes so we can take them on walks. They love to hop around and be outdoors. I hope to get them outdoor hutches so I don't have to clean up after them so often.

Jonathan Turns 12!!!

Jonathan had his 12th birthday on April 23rd! The weekend before his real birthday, he had his party. He had a bunch of boys spend the night and then we all piled in the van and went to the pool hall the next morning. Believe it or not, we got SNOW in April... but the boys loved playing in it. They were outside playing baseball, capture the flag, and/or jumping on the trampoline nearly the entire time. They pigged out (12 year old boys can plow through the food!) and watched movies and played video games all night. I think the last boys were "down" at 2 AM! It was fun to see Jonathan so happy! He has had the same group of friends since kindergarten, for the most part. It has been fun watching them all change and grow. With the exception of one, the boys who spent the night are all "sport nuts" and all of them play really well together (no hurt feelings, etc). For most of the party, I just talked on the phone to my friend. They entertained themselves very well!

On his REAL b-day, he and I played hookie from school and had a special day together (it's tradition!) We went shopping at the mall for games for his new PSP, ate a yummy steak lunch at Applebees (his favorite- when we drive by, he drools...), and went bowling. He also talked me into a chocolatey-chip frappacino at Starbucks. It was so fun spending the day together. That night Jake had a game, so we watched that, and then had pizza and cake and presents at home. The minute he opened his PSP (he knew he was getting it), we "lost" him. He didnt even want anything to eat- was just engrossed in the PSP. He reeeeeeeally begged and pleaded to have another day off to just "play" with his new games!

Next year he'll be a teenager, and I can't believe that!