father of the year

here he is folks, the father of the year! he's pictured with his brood of boys (and another girl!)- happy and fun as always.

Andy is, hands down, the best dad and husband anyone could ever ask for. Quite frankly, I don't think that the boys and I will ever truly realize how lucky we are.

Andy works as hard as he possibly can at his job and always comes home to play, do chores, chat, and do anything else that the kids and I ask of him.

He takes time off of work to go to do things at school ALL.OF.THE.TIME. He doesn't miss performances or ceremonies - he is always there, front and center.

He stays home with the kids, without complaint, when I go out for bunco, book club or just out for the evening with a group of girls.

Andy always teaches the kids and works hard to make sure they understand, even if it's just slicies in two square.

So, what did the best dad in the world want to do today on this fathers day? He wanted to have breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen and go to Disneyland for a few hours. I had for sure thought a car show was in our plans for today, but I happily oblidged to a trip to see the Mouse. We had brunch with Lilo and Stitch (not at Goofy's Kitchen, unfortunately!) then raced on over to Disneyland. Andy chose all of the rides and in what order. And even though we'd had another late night last night (dinner with friends at their house), the boys were fairly well behaved for daddy's day. (YIPPEE!)

The only picture of all three of them with a character. clearly, it turned out well.

If you listen you can hear harrison. It was really very cute - even though Lilo was at our table for WAY too long!

Anyway. Happy Fathers Day, big Daddy! You are the GREATEST!

Saturday

After a couple of busy days, it's Saturday. Finally. There hasn't been much to report but I'll run down the activities all the same.

On Wednesday after school my friend Cara (and her daughters Alina, Cayla and McKenna) had an end of the year party at the park. There was a huge jumpy, lots of food and fun. The boys had fun, the baby was perfect and I got to hang out with friends.

Thursday was our first day of summer! WOOHOO! To celebrate, we headed to the mall in Mission Viejo and to Whole Foods on the way home. Yum. Gotta love organic, locally grown grapes!

Friday was our first summer outing. We loaded up the van with our friends Caden and Carley and their mom Kate and we headed to the zoo in Santa Ana. The kids were perfect, the day was sunny with perfect weather. We enjoyed the monkeys (there sure were a lot monkeys at the zoo!), the train and the picnic lunch under the giant trees.

(Myself, Kate, Julie and Staci)

There wasn't much time at home before we had to head out to a dinner party that our friends were having. There were loads of friends, food and drinks -- (delicious spring rolls!) it was good times. (I think everyone except Harrison would concur. He doesn't like staying out past his bedtime!)

On another note, in a couple of weeks, it's been *10 years* since we've lived in Iowa. 10 years. We've lived in 4 states and 5 homes since then. Even though we're people of the world and call California home now -- we're still watching Iowa very carefully. My very beloved Iowa City is underwater and the bridges that connect the east side to the west side of town are all closed except one (and that one is exptected to close soon), according to the local paper. We're going to keep all of our positive thoughts focused on the Hawkeye state!

And, to bring a smile instead of a frown, a few *unedited* photos of the baby!

Do you recognize this boy??

That is a photo taken this morning. Does anyone recognize him? I certainly don't. That is my nearly second grade eldest son. He's smart and too big for his britches. Today is his last day of school, his last day as a first grader. Here he is on the first day of first grade:

Doesn't he just LOOK older? Let me tell you, this kid has grown by leaps and bounds this year. It brings tears to my eyes. He's a whole lot of sass and a whole lot of pain in my butt. He's also a whole lot of smart, of love and of responsibility. What a big boy.

Yesterday was the day of all days in class. First, at 9 am there was an awards ceremony for just Cam's class. Each child received 2 awards for them - just them. They were all about their academic success and their personality (no two awards were the same. some were similar but they were not the same award). Campbell received Mr. Responsibility and the Challenge award. (The challenge award was rising to every challenge set forth academically and rising the THE TOP in EVERY subject) Those are going to be high places to start 2nd grade from. We certainly couldn't be more proud.

After the awards ceremony started the day of the PARTY! The rest of the entire day was essentially a party. The kids had snow cones (9ne of the parents owns a commercial snow cone machine and brought it for the party - what fun!) and then lunch. After lunch they sang songs, colored and played games. Then, we had a water balloon toss, limbo and sprayed each other with squirt guns. What fun!

Soon, Sawyer is having a playdate with Grace, one of his friends from Crossroads. Her mom is a kinder teacher at our school (Luiseno) and she's coming over for a few hours - fun! Then, summer will officially begin. I see swimming lessons, basketball camp, a short trip, a visit from Ma and Papa and fun with our friends in our summer. We can't wait!

Missing !

Campbell lost another tooth! This is his 7th baby tooth gone and it's been months since he lost a tooth.

The countdown is on as Campbell only has 2 more days left of school! Tomorrow there is another awards ceremony and then their big party! Wednesday, the last day of school is a movie day and ice cream sundaes! Doesn't that sound fun?

big day

Yesterday was the big day. Friday, June 6. Sawyer's last day of pre-k and Harrison's 7 month birthday. Here are a couple of Harrison that were taken yesterday.

Here is Sawyer before he went to school.

This is Sawyer outside of his school (snacking on a banana) after school.
Now, Sawyer can call himself a kindergartner. I'm not sure how that happens. I so vividly remember the first time I saw his chubby cheeks and blonde hair. Now, he's going to elementary school. I did know that this day would come - but I had no idea it would come s0 soon.

Yesterdays bittersweet nature is compounded by the fact that Sawyer didn't spend his final days as a little boy preparing for school with Miss Lynda. Miss Lynda's winter diagnosis with Multiple Myeloma left us saddened and at a new school. Not only are we missing her and her spirit but we're also missing the wonderful, hearftelt graduation Sawyer would have had at her school. I hope for her expedicious recovery so that many more children can experience her joy, love and enthusiasm.

On happier notes, I tried to capture a few more images of Harrison today. (To make up for the lack of good ones from yesterday) They aren't perfect, but they are some cute ones that make a mommas heart sing!

Taking after his big brothers, one truck at a time.

The end draws near

Yesterday to celebrate the close of the school year, Sawyer's school was having a luau. Totally fun. In the spirit of Aloha - I put Sawyer in a citrusy colored button down shirt. Every morning I lay out the clothing for the day on the foot of Sawyer's bed. Both boys then get dressed and rarely do I hear complaints.

Yesterday, I see Sawyer come out of the bedroom with his shorts already on, holding his shirt. (This in itself is not unusual)

"Mom, hula girls do not wear buttons."

"You're not a hula girl."

"That's right, I'm a boy." And on the shirt went.

The luau consisted of lunch with the parents, 2 huge jumpers, face painting by a clown, making fruit kabobs and a few other fun activities. We're really going to miss Crossroads!

Sawyer and his friend, Trent.

Sawyer and his teachers, Amanda and Susann.

Of course we can't have one childs event with the other having one too, so off we went to Campbell's Jungle Program and awards.

The kids sang a bunch of fun songs (including The Lion Sleeps Tonight) and received awards for knowing their sight words (Cam received the award for knowing 1,000 sight words) and for knowing their math facts.

It wouldn't be right to leave you without a picture of Harrison. This is his newest favorite face - it seems like his tongue is always out!

Lets hear it for the boy

It's been a really busy last few days for us. Busier than normal, because normal is pretty busy. Anyway, Saturday started bright and early on the single A baseball field at 745 am. It was Campbell's last game -- he did great, as usual!

After the game we walked up the hill to the Major/Minor field for closing ceremonies. It was very long as they had to thank everyone under the sun for their contributions. Overall though, it was nice and the kids all got to choose ice cream from the ice cream truck that drives through the subdivision.

Then, we had to run up to the tee ball field for Sawyer's final game. Sawyer's team (the Rockies) was playing the Diamondbacks. All season long Sawyer listed to Coach Donny and followed all of his directions. He tried his best and gave it what he had. With all of that, he'd still not hit a ball pitched by the coach in quite some time. (he could easily hit it off of the tee) So, as an incentive to try and hit the pitch, I told Sawyer that if he hit a pitched ball I would take him to buy the Indiana Jones toy that he'd seen the day before. (A little bribery never hurt, I think!) First inning, no luck. Second inning, he misses the first pitch and HITS THE SECOND! Everyone was VERY excited for Sawyer -- including Sawyer.

The next inning, Coach Donny throws the first pitch and SAWYER HITS THE BALL!!! I was not expecting this development and I couldn't stop cheering (screaming!) for Sawyer. I was bursting with pride for my little boy. Being the youngest on this team, Sawyer did well. WOOHOO!

(Sawyer is standing in the middle - he's #1)

On Cam's team there was a boy named Charlie. Charlie is in Campbell's class at school. Charlie has a little brother in kinder named Anthony. Anthony and Sawyer became fast friends. Charlie also has 2 older sisters, Audrey (15) and Emma (11). Emma and Harrison became fast friends. Emma held Harrison through pretty much every game and practice together. He's gonna miss spitting up on her!

After our games there were 2 baseball parties to attend. So, from 130-1000 we celebrated joyous baseball seasons and friendships made. Baseball is just one example of why I love our community so.

Then, Sunday morning rolled around and I felt horrible. My first thought was that I was supposed to go out to dinner with friends and to see Sex and the City. I couldn't roll over let alone sit and chat! Finally around 5pm I had to make the long, agonizing decision to cancel. Luckily for me they all decided to wait until this coming weekend to make the outing. At least I'll see the movie before the year 2010!

Harrison was also sick and yesterday the doctor confirmed a double ear infection. At least the fevers should end. Today the same doctor confirmed that Sawyer's 10 day long cold was a sinus infection. And, then I received confirmation to go for the long dreaded skin test to accurately diagnose Sawyer's allergies.

Today was classroom day and I got some great news for Campbell in the fall. Last night was book club (The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch) and tonight is Kindergarten orientation. Oh yea, and there was a brush fire across the freeway from our house. Never a dull moment.