Summer is here!

In between packing for our new house (yay), we managed to find some time to enjoy summer - it's finally showing it's face - the fog has cleared!

Saturday afternoon, hiking at Torrey Pines State Park - kids did fantastic. We found a trail that goes down to the beach, so that was exciting!


Kids in a cave!


Sunday at the beach - all day! Lots of body boarding done by Mark, big castles made by the kids and I, and lots of jumping in the waves.

Kids enjoying our new beach tent - best $18 investment we've made this summer!
"Girls only", castle making.
How do my kids come home so filthy and covered with sand - this is how!

Father's Day

Happy Father's day to one of the greatest Dads we know!!

Beer...it's what's for Father's day!

This is Jakob's card that he gave to Mark - so cute!
What more can a Dad ask for?!
2 crazy kids?!

The STAGE!

1 hour of waiting, a small snack in the belly, 8 three year olds were being kept in a room with 50 or so other girls (older and more patient), all of them being told "Don't mess up your hair, don't roll on the ground, don't touch her head band, don't scream etc. etc. etc., " all of them on the verge of shear meltdown, until they were finally called to the stage waiting area! This is where the meltdowns did ensue, some screaming, "I want to dance!" "I don't want to go without you Mommy!" "I want to go now", just some of the things that were being said seconds before they got all lined up on stage. These poor little girls have no idea what to expect, have no clue what a stage even is, but all managed to perform their little hearts out - maybe not the exact choreography that they were taught, but they performed!!
Sarah absolutely LOVED being on stage, she did NOT want to get off!
I know she tried her hardest, she kept moving and twirling to the point where we thought she might twirl off stage - she sure gave it her all!



Headed to the recital!

Just lined up on stage!
Getting ready for the Tinkerbell ballet debut!
Jakob did his part in the recital - he was a "walker" for the bridal party dancers - he walked a couple little girls out to the wedding march - you should have heard the crowd sigh! So CUTE!

I know this is a blurry picture, but that kid was moving so fast, I couldn't capture his face!

Just a few more quick videos! Enjoy Mom!

Ballet

Sarah had a dress rehearsal for her upcoming recital on Tuesday night. It was great to see all the little ones in their fairy costumes, but the pressure of performing in front of all of us, may be a bit much for Sarah! Hoping she doesn't have a meltdown on Tuesday! I know she really enjoys the class, performing on stage is a whole other obstacle, maybe her class clown personality will shine?!

Getting warmed up
Mrs. Laura, gathering up the fairies


The 2 minute attention span is in effect!
And she's done!

And we officially have a BIG boy!

Today was kindergarten promotion or graduation. I don't remember such an event from my childhood and I kind of think it is a bit overboard, since aren't kids expected to graduate from each grade? Do we need a celebration for things that are expected? I don't know, maybe I'm a bit old fashioned, but deep down I really did enjoy seeing my boy sing (even if it was SO painful for him to sing and be on stage), and just get recognized for his achievements. Like his principal pointed out, "Kids these days have it very different than when we were in kindergarten", they are reading, doing addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, science - seriously at ages 5 and 6! So, I guess that, YES I do want Jakob to feel like he did something special because all I remember doing in kindergarten is playing in the sandbox, chasing boys, playing house and taking a nap - probably didn't need a big celebration for that!

The Graduate
The Pledge of Allegiance
Proud Parents
Proud Grandparents
Proud Gramma
Kindergarten gang!
Oh and miss Sarah, doing her Sarah thing - Hide and Seek and just being goofy!! She said tonight that her favorite part of the day was hearing Jakob sing the "Alligator song" at his "gradumation".

Our Strongest Man

I know he doesn't think he's the strongest man right now, but he is to us! He ran 17 miles until both his knees locked up and still finished the marathon! Seriously, I think most would have given up. He's a man of his word, if he's going to do it, he will - some how! He's a great example to his kiddos, who were so worried about him when he wasn't at the finish line with his projected time, Jakob was teary eyed, thinking that Mark was taken to the hospital or "got lost", then thru the sea of people, came Mark- Jakob just stood frozen with a grin from ear to ear! Jakob made him a special medal - you can see it in the picture (white cardboard with yellow twisty ties/ribbon).


Not the best picture - Sarah is being Sarah in her stroller, and their are port a potties in the background, but at this point it was survival for all of us!


Congrats Mark, you rock!