First Yosemite Trip for Father's Day

Father’s Day weekend we headed to one of our nation’s most beautiful locations, Yosemite National Forest, on the way to spend the weekend with my dad in Mariposa.  We are lucky enough to live only 3 hours from this treasure and were happy to check it off our “Exploring California” checklist. 

The park was busy and despite very thorough and thoughtful advanced planning on Jeff’s part, we forgot the entire box of non-perishable food that we were bringing for the weekend.  Not deterred, we stopped at a convenience store and bought supplies for a picnic which we enjoyed at Cathedral Beach.  It was by far the most beautiful picnic location I have ever been to, breathtaking is an understatement.  Sometimes I wonder if the kids are too young to appreciate a place like this, but when we were sitting on the beach eating our picnic they were all in awe of it.  Logan even turned to me and said, “thank you for taking us to this place, it’s awesome!” 

After Cathedral Beach we made the mild trek to Bridalveil Falls and then headed to Dad’s house.  We spent the night hanging out with my sister and dad, enjoying time together in the mountains where he lives.  The next day I drove the kids home and Jeff stayed behind to go zip lining through the forest with Meg and Dad. They had a great time, all in all a wonderful Father’s Day weekend. 

Making a "soup" in the water at Cathedral Beach with rocks and sticks.

Because our boys don't mess around when it comes to throwing sticks in the water!

Best picnic place EVER!

Fierce

Bridalveil Falls

In awe of the waterfall.

Climbing over rocks at the falls.

Last Day of 1st Grade

First Grade is officially over! What an amazing year Joey had at his new school with a wonderful teacher.  We have been blessed with awesome teachers for all our kids since they were in preschool, and this year was no different.  Ms. Gomes did a great job inspiring, motivating, and teaching her class this year.  We are also grateful for the support of her newly retired husband, Mr. Gomes, for his assistance in the classroom throughout the year.
Highlights from first grade include many field trips to vineyards, farms, the pumpkin patch, state capitol, and the zoo.  There were also several noteworthy class activities including the 1950s Sock Hop, gingerbread cookie baking and decorating, Halloween parade, salsa making, and a Thanksgiving feast. Joey learned so much about plants and animals this year, (which he loved) and even did his first official report (he chose the giant squid to report on). 

The school year started with me walking him to class and him clinging to me, sobbing, scared to go to this new school.  It didn't take long for him to be jumping out of my car with a quick wave, and scurrying off to see his friends. Many mornings I would watch him from my car as he ran towards the school and I would try and take a mental snapshot of the scene - tousled hair, big smile, black backpack disproportionately large for his size, adorable little scurry/run to the gate.  Everyday moments that I try not to take for granted, that I know I will look back on someday and miss.  

On the second to last day of school he was presented with the Laffy Taffy award for having, "the most fun while learning."  

On the last day of school it was Water Fun Day complete with the fire department spraying all the kids with the fire truck hose!  I picked him up from school and we went to get a bowl full of candy with some frozen yogurt in the bottom somewhere...

Below is a pic from the last day of kindergarten compared to the last day of 1st grade:

1st Grade Project Based Learning Night

Project Based Learning (PBL) night is similar to "Open House" at other schools.  We attended the PBL night last week and were once again blown away by the wonderful school Joey attends.  He was so proud of the artwork he had on display, and of the book he wrote and dedicated to his daddy.  We are so proud of him!    

Joey showing us the quilt square he made.

Joey's canvas painting of a blue bird.

Ms. Gomes and the young author.

Having "tea" and desserts with the young authors as they read us their books.

Mother's Day 2013

Best Mother's Day ever!  Seriously, the best Mother's Day I have ever had.  Slept in and awoke to breakfast in bed.  Then came downstairs to find a trail of tent cards with reasons why the kids love me (awwwww).  Opened very sweet handmade gifts from the kids and a cute pink LA Dodgers hat from hubby.  Headed to the rose gardens at McKinley Park for a picnic.  And then went to the neighbors for dinner (an awesome Sunday night tradition).  Fantastic day!  

From Logan

From Joey

Logan's Mother's Day Plans

It's not often that we truly get to see what goes on in the minds of our children.  Recently I got a glimpse of Logan's thought process and it is stinkin' adorable! 

The other night I was laying in bed next to Logan with my phone in an attempt to stay awake while he falls asleep (our long battle with the bedtime routine rages on).  He asked if we could look something up on my phone and I said yes, fully expecting his usual requests to see pictures of giraffes or hippos or something.  Instead he asked me to look up "Mothers Day flowers."  So, instead of Google I went to my Pinterest app and typed that in for him.  He looked at the photos and asked me to save this one (below) so he could show Joey in the morning.  I hit the buttons to save the image to my phone's camera roll and handed him back the phone.

While he continued to look through the images on Pinterest I fell asleep.  Apparently he watched how I saved that first image on my phone because the next morning when I checked my phone I saw that my camera roll had quite a few more images saved to it...

I have no idea how long he stayed awake sorting through images of Mother's Day flowers for me.  When I saw these on my phone I was blown away, I got a glimpse of his sweet little mind and that is the most precious gift I could ever have received.  They say, "it's the thought that counts" and never has that been more true.

The next day he asked me to look up hearts...

I would normally include all the links to these images but I have no idea where they are from. My 5 year old little boy found them and saved them because he wanted to make or buy all of these things for me.  Best Mother's Day gift ever.