Weeeddnnessday

Bye, Jackson!  I have so enjoyed the morning valet line and am slightly bummed we won't be taking advantage of it next year.  At least for a while until Ryan is comfortable at school.

That morning I dropped off Ryan at preschool and ran some errands for an hour.  Then we headed back to pick him up early so he could attend Gage's birthday party.  Gagey is one of his best friends so I couldn't see making him miss it.  The kids had a blast and although it's not my favorite place in the world, it wasn't too bad.

Cole was a bit sleepy but stayed awake long enough to get a start on the candy from his goodie bag.  Notice the ring pop on his left thumb?

From there we headed to Pinetree and pulled Jackson out early.  He was a bit freaked out thinking he was going to have to get blood work done or something but relieved to hear we were leaving early to go to the beach with his friends.  Jamie's visit is a bit off considering we're still in school, but I think we made it work.  The day at the beach was so fun, such great company and discussion and the kids loved every second.  They're psychos... at about 5pm I was freezing but they were stay playing in the sand and water like the sun was still shinning.

In efforts to beat some traffic, we stopped in Calabasas for some dinner.  I don't think the residents of Calabasas were used to seeing so many kids in one group.

I just love it when Jamie comes into town and I love it even more when I get to see her more than once.  Such a great visit this time around!

Tuuueessday!

Some of us were not quite ready to start the busy day on time and believe me, one of us went into drill sergeant mode right after this picture was taken.  Well, maybe not that harsh considering one of us was a very good daddy and went to Walmart at about 11pm to get their son a white t-shirt for the 50's Show.

Jackson talked and talked about this show for weeks and was thrilled the day it finally arrived.  Love it!

 Per Jackson's request, Ryan sported a white t, too, because of the "surprise" at the end of the show.  

Before we could head over to Pinetree, I took Ryan to his last day of speech class at Mitchell.  These ladies have been so wonderful all year and I really should have got them a teacher gift.  But at the start of the week, I wasn't thinking just yet.  Shoot!

Next year, at Pinetree, Ryan will start off attending speech twice a month but will then most likely be released after the first quarter.  This little man has come a long way.

I will personally miss my Tuesday walks with one of my very favorite people and her sidekick!  I looked forward to this each week and am grateful for such a fabulous person in my life.

9:30am and we were off to the school.  It was HOT, dang it, and they stuck us on the basketball courts.  Oh well, make due.  Poor Jackson was the one that had to perform in blue jeans!  Grandma shopping joined us of course and quickly became the hit of the party.  (Funny thing is as I type this, Andi is in my room and in the backyard singing some grandma song she just made up)

These two, always so happy to see one another.

 So the big surprise was where all the 1st graders went out and grabbed their families to participate in the jive.  It's so cute that Ryan and Jackson keep practicing it this week.  Too fun.  I love the even Cole participates. 

Not sure what'd we do without these kiddos!

The other day Jasmyn told her mom about how that day at school Jackson went up to her and said, "I kinda like you a little!"

Oh man....

After the show, we went to grab some lunch with grandma and then I went to pick up Andi from preschool.  Once home, we changed and headed out for Cole's first swimming lesson with Erin Pyne.  LOVE HER!

So the first lesson went as expected.  He did well going to Erin, hanging out with Erin, collecting the leaves with Erin and then.... it came time to put his head under water.  Yup, wasn't thrilled but hey, that's why he needs lessons!  We'll see how the rest goes for this stubborn little dude.

The day didn't end there.  Once home, we said our goodbyes to Andrew for the week as he headed off to Havasu with the Solemint YM.  The blow was cushioned with grandpa grandpa's offer to take us out to dinner.  Long but good day.

Volunteering Rocks

Monday was my last day volunteering in Jackson's classroom.  As I was driving Andi to preschool this morning for the family park day, I was thinking it's moments like these where I'm so grateful to be a stay at home mom.  Wow, I've come a long way!  But it's true, the opportunity I have to volunteer is priceless and I couldn't do it without my mom coming out to watch the others kids every single monday.  The moment Jackson sees me at school, he runs over to give me a hug.  I love that when his two worlds collide, he welcomes it.  Who knows at what age that will stop.... or let's aim for it to not stop!?!?  The cute thing is Jasymn, Katelynn, and some other girls in their class come up and hug me too.  And let's be honest, I truly love just being able to be back in a classroom even if it's not my own and it's filled with a room of stinky little recess smelling kiddos!

 Boy, won't the kids be disappointed when they realize that grandma shopping won't be showing up every monday with a dozen donuts this summer!

Weekend of Love

FRIDAY

 It was a long week.  You know the kind where each day you think it's one day further into the week than it really is.  Yep, it started on Monday!

Friday night Andrew surprised me by getting home early which was wonderful because my mom wanted to take me out for a pedicure.  Perfect timing.  I had dinner at home so when my parents ate after the pedi's, I sat and enjoyed a Coldstone cupcake.

If you can't go out on a hot date with your husband, I'd say this is the next best thing!

SATURDAY

Saturday Andrew had to work, again.  It was supposed to be a hot one so I blew up a little pool for the kids.  Andi told me she wanted to surprise me and so I knew this meant she was going to find one of my favorite bathing suits to wear.  Cracks me up how she loves to please me in this way from time to time.  Do I place too much value on style???

 Ya know how ridiculous they look in this is pool adds to how ridiculous it was that it only took about an hour before it was popped and destroyed.  So much for that cheap entertainment.

It all worked out ok, though, because Paola invited us to come hang out with their family.  They were even so cute as to get lunch for us all and nothing much beats a bbq/pool gathering!  Gotta love summer.

Almost as much as I love seeing my kids enjoy one another.  Jackson requested I take all these pictures which is something else I love.

What would these kiddos do without their big brother?

That afternoon I rushed the kids home to shower and change so we could head over to the De Leon's for Ava's baby blessing.  They have blessed all their kids at home and I so enjoyed being there for Ava's.  The last home blessing we attended was for Cannon Snow over seven years ago.  Insane.

This occasion was so sweet and spiritual and I'm grateful we could attend.  This family has become so very important to us.

Cameron, Jamie's son, and Cole are so very close in age and it was adorable watching them play play-doh together.

I tried getting a close-up of baby girl and she was not having it.  Haha

SUNDAY

Tori had to make a quick trip to Acton for the funeral of one of her close friends.  I'm glad she was able to be there for her and her friend but also so we could visit briefly.  After church we headed to my parent's house for lunch with Tori, Curtis and Tristan.  It was such a great visit and long overdue.  I think Bauer enjoyed it the most!