Catch Up Time

I have lots to catch up on, but for now...Sammie taught herself how to do a back flip on the trampoline.  She's got skills.

Spring Break

Over the break we went to San Franciso and Joey, Abby, and Sammie walked across the Golden Gate Bridge.  It ended up being more of a scary experience than a fun one.  Olivia and I drove across and met them on the other side.  They weren't too happy at the end, but they were sure glad to be off that bridge.  With all of the wind, bikers, and pedestrians, it felt a little busy and chaotic but they will forever remember it.
We then went to Saucalito and the girls bought a souvenir, more stuffed animals...I know.  It was a fun day seeing the sights in the city and having a bit of adventure.  I always love San Francisco.

Afterwards, we headed to Folsom and spent time with my family for the rest of the week.  We loved seeing everyone.  The weather was cool and I enjoyed some nice walks near my parent's house.  I hadn't been feeling well and still was having some ups and downs.  When we came back from our trip I had a follow up doctor appointment where she told me that I have an active infection of mono.  yay.  But that explains why I have been so, so, so, tired lately and not feeling great.  Even more not great than my usual not great.
I couldn't believe how pretty the parkway looked.  My mom and I went on a walk in the rain and it was so refreshing and good for my soul.  We went another day when it was more sunny with the girls and the dogs.  So lovely.

And here are some other pictures.  Some were taken by Abby which I just love.  I love it when kids take the pictures.  You get some real funny and cute ones too.

My Oldest Child is Getting Ready for High School

Last night, Joey took Olivia to Freshman orientation.  That's right, we will have a high schooler next year.  We realized that for the next 10 years we will have kids in high school.  I feel like it is going to fly by and that Abby is already near her graduation day.  Just 10 years ago, I only had 2 small little girls.  So much has happened and changed in that time.  But it just seems like the next 10 are going to fly by.  I get this feeling of "hold onto your hats and glasses!"  I'm really going to have to take it all in and reflect and be present.  There is so much to look forward to.

Happy Easter!

Basketball and the Sickies

Abby played basketball again this year but then had to miss the last 2 games because she was sick.  This year has been rough for her.  She's been sick so much.  She played great during this very short season and made a few baskets too.  She has so much energy that she was playing sick and I didn't even realize how sick she actually was.  When I finally took her in to see the doctor, because I had this nagging feeling that something just wasn't right, the doctor told me, "She's a walking sick person.  She needs to take it easy and rest."  As soon as Abby started her antibiotic, she seemed to take a turn for the better and didn't miss a beat.  She never even missed a day of school and she had fluid in her lungs.  Poor kid.  It took her some time to get all the way better, but she is doing fine now.  Fingers crossed.  You just never know with the way her health has been this school year.

The Fairytale Bowl

Abby participated in the first annual Second Grade Fairy Tale Bowl.  This was such a cute event that Abby studied so hard for and she was sick the whole time too.  After studying classic Fairy Tales, each class took a test.  The top scorers on the test made a team of 4 students.  They then competed in a game against the other classes to test their knowledge on the details of the Fairy Tales they had been studying.  Abby would stay up late in her bed at night, making flashcards of details in the stories,  Then she would take them to school and quiz her team mates.  They didn't get as high of a place as they would have liked, but it was such a fun way to teach kids how to study and compete.  Joey and I were both able to go and watch.  All of the students were invited to dress up as a fairy tale character.  Abby really, really wanted to be Belle in her blue village dress from the Disney movie.  I got this idea to make it out of knit t-shirts.  I just sort of laid it on the floor and cut it out and sewed it together.  I used the apron from Olivia's Belle costume, and just rolled it under to shorten it.  Abby was so happy and impressed.  "You should do this for a job," she told me.  Just don't look at those seams too closely.

Abby and Mia

I just had to document these two girls together.  They are two peas in a pod and I'm so glad Abby has such a good friend for her.  They just love each other.  They root for each other, help each other, like to facetime and are almost like sisters. (Which involves a little disagreement but all is quickly forgiven.)  They wanted me to take a picture of them so they could put it in their Best Friend locket.  They are so much fun and I'm glad they've been able to be in the same class for these past 2 school years.

We have Water

We have had so much rain this year that there is actually water in the Kern River that flows to the west side of town.  There is never enough water to make it this far, but this year there is and it is beautiful!