Friday, May 29, 2009

Gracie is awarded Student of the Month

........and to top that off....also Student of the Week (High Flyer) all today.

She had no idea- we had to keep this secret from her for about 2 weeks. We even hid in the bathrooms when her class walked into the mulit-purpose room because we knew she would know once she saw us. It worked up until about 5 minutes prior. Every month students are awarded this honor due to their excellent behavior, academics, organization, helpfulness, and all combined -just a good student. We are so proud of Gracie- she has always been a top student, but she has blossomed in 2nd grade. We can't even believe that in less than 2 weeks we will have a 3rd grader. It feels good when your heart is beaming.






Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial Day Weekend





We had been looking forward to Memorial Day Weekend. Any extra day where we are not on a schedule and have to run all around is good- we are going to be swimming, seeing a ball game, hanging out with the kiddos. It's going to be fun.

These times are going to flash by in the blink of an eye and we realize that. Thus, the reason I always have my camera and am trying my best to also try to always be present in the moment. Tough for me, but trying to realize that. The weather is beautiful- in the 80's, the way I like it. None of this 90+ like it is most of the summer- just plain YUCK.

We took some fun pics this weekend. We also had Robert's sister over with her family to BBQ and swim. We don't do that often either. The kids saw their first baseball game, not very interested but it was the 1st one. Cole did say he would like to try that in the fall. We'll see- keeping them in the same sport would be so convenient. But we really want them to try out different things to see what they would like.....I didn't get the opportunity to do that as a kid. We don't ever have them in a crazy amount of things- 2 is our max at a time. They also need to be just kids. But it sure is good when they get a chance to hone in on what they are good at. One of those things needs to be an active/physical sport though. Don't even get me started on how much they have cut physical education out of schools....

It was lots of fun.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Kitty cats & broken down cars

Saturday the kids and I are driving down the road enjoying our tunes (even though we had a 10 week old kitten in the crate meowing his head off!) You know it was bad when the kids are telling the cat to be quiet. But Brownie didn't listen, he just kept meowing. We had taken him for his 1st series of shots and we were now on our way home. We had about 15 more minutes until we got home when my 1998 Honda CRV with almost 200,000 miles on it suddenly raised the temperature gage to H and no I don't mean almost to H- I mean all the way to H in the red zone. Let me add that my car has been awesome- no real major problems over the last 9 years. With it being a Honda I really just thought it could keep going on for quite a bit longer.

I immediately pulled over and stopped the car and called Robert. As God was watching over us (the kids were scared) Robert happened to only be 5 minutes away from us. Cole looked at me from the back seat with wide eyes and said, "see mom- daddy IS Superman." He wasn't scared one bit. It was completely adorable. We got the car to the gas station and quickly realized that the radiator had popped. Once Robert put that in, we found another, bigger problem- oil and water are mixing= NOT GOOD. Blown head gasket? engine broke? what could it be? Not GOOD- again. So now we are playing musical cars trying to figure out what our next move is. We certainly weren't prepared for a car payment now, since like I said, we thought my great Honda would go awhile longer. Never ahead of the game, only playing catch up...always it seems. And by the way, the kitty cat is still meowing.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Superman

Cole BELIEVES in his heart of hearts that he IS Superman. I have dropped him at school only to pick him up and he is in his Pajama Top (Superman). Yes, I did a double take. Come to find out- he had layered his t-shirt over his pajama shirt and then at school takes it off to reveal who he really is. This has got to be one of his hysterical moments. I laughed because to me that is funny. I choose my battles and if he wants to do that- then do it. There are plenty of days when he is grown where he won't get to choose what he wears and where he will have to care what he looks like. To me that is cute.

Anyway, our boy believes he is Superman. He also happens to believe that he is actually "all of the boy superheros." Why not? Daddy is.

Cole is Superman from Trina Walker on Vimeo.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Cole the Rocket!






Soccer comes naturally for Cole. He bullets through that field like a bat out of Hell!! It's actually very hilarious. In the U5 division they don't even have goalies. They play 3 on 3 and all run after the ball trying to make it into the opposing goal net. These boys are just darling and just funny.

Cole is either smiling the entire time or he is ferocious and aggressive after that ball. Last game I noticed he will even push the other players to make sure he can get that ball. Afterward I had to show him how to appropriately nudge the players in soccer, not to "push." Boys are so black and white though- because he is like, "mom, I'm just pushing to get the ball." There is nothing more to it then that.

He really seems to enjoy soccer. I was lucky that my friend got action shots of Gracie, but I haven't been able to get any of Cole. So I'll take my camera tomorrow and get some of him in full uniform.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Gracie Singing at Friday Flag Assembly

Every Friday French Valley Elementary has a Flag Assembly- students are chosen to sing. This is so beautiful.

Gracie singing at Friday Flag Assembly- Feb 09 from Trina Walker on Vimeo.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Gracie and Soccer







Gracie just doesn't seem to be into her soccer game much this season. In my opinion, I don't think she wants to work too hard. I think it is so important for her to learn the efforts of a "Team." She gets better and better every time she plays, however she can't seem to make that last kick into the Goal and I think that's discouraging to her. We watch her play and the 3 of us shout her name and encourage her the entire game. You can tell she thrives on that because she gets a big grin across her face when she hears us.

I have always known that about Gracie. She desires, needs, craves the approval of her Mom and Dad. Maybe it's because ever since she was born we have complimented her, encouraged her, praised her and loved her up one side from the other. So when she is hearing us call her name and root her on during the game- suddenly her kicks are harder, her running is faster and she gets aggressive and goes after that ball with a BIG smile on her face.

Here are some pics that my friend Amy shot. I love her camera and the action pics she can get with it. I need a new camera!