A is for Apple

With the big kids starting school, I just have Ethan and Elise for preschool time.  I'm working out a new routine and adjusting to the difference.  These kids loved having more attention and projects that were more focused on their level.
I am planning to go through the alphabet with a theme for each week.  The first week was all about Apples.

We started with identifying the letter A.  They found and circled the 'A's in their names.

One of the favorite books was Ten Red Apples.  We counted apples as we acted out the book over, and over and over again (by request of the kids).

We explored apples as we cut them open and counted the seeds.

We ate all kinds of apples.  Dried apples and pretend (we made apples using crackers, frosting and chocolate chips for the seeds)

The kids helped in making food with apples.  Apple Muffins and apple pie bars.

This is our coconut tree (from the book Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom)

 Books

Hollywood Bowl

We had a chance to go to the Hollywood Bowl with the extended Finlay group to see a Tchaikovsky performance.  We had a fun picnic with everyone at the park before hand.

 The Los Angeles Philharmonic performed pieces from the Nutcracker Suite, Swan Lake, and the 1812 Overture.  There were dancers from the American Theatre Ballet Company performing while the orchestra played, and during the 1812 overture the USC marching band joined as they did a major display of fireworks.

I always laugh at the fact that Ethan does not like loud noises.  He is the noisiest kid ever, he is even loud when he is eating, but any loud noise scares him and he plugs his ears.  

Fly On The Wall--A Saturday

We've done Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  This Saturday was the last before school starts.  Saturdays can vary a lot, so I don't know if there is a 'typical' but it at least shows an example of our life

Saturday, August 25, 2012

6AM-James getting up to Bike
I got my long run in yesterday, since we wouldn't have time for it today.  James is headed out to bike with Ian, Annie and Brad to the beach.

7AM-Kids Cuddling with me in Bed
Both kids climbed into my bed this morning.  We are taking turns scratching each other's backs.  The kids don't rub or scratch hard enough on my back to make it effective, but it is sweet.

8AM-Getting Kids Dressed and Ready
Got us all breakfast.  Saturday is supposed to be pancakes, but the kids wanted oatmeal instead.

9AM-At the Store
Needed to get ice to take to the beach, so figured I'd get all the grocery shopping done at the same time.  I don't like going to the store more than once a week.

10AM-Driving to the Beach
We are going to meet up with James and all the Finlay crew at the beach.

11AM-Playing in the Sand
James called and said he was almost to us.  The biking group did about 45 miles.  We are getting tables, chairs and food set up while kids play in the sand.

12PM-Eating Lunch
Megan pre-cooked hotdogs and kept them warm.  I'm not a huge hotdog fan, but these were good.  Something about eating on the beach.  Fruit, chips, cookies and water while watching the ocean waves.  A fantastic day.

1PM-James Boogie Boarding with Kids
I am enjoying watching while James helps the kids catch the waves.  They are loving it.  Until they tumble off in the waves, but then get up and go again.

2PM-Leaving the Beach
Got to get home in time for James to go to priesthood session of stake conference.

3PM-Unloading Car
Pulling out all the beach stuff while James hurries to shower.  Also starting cinnamon roll dough to make for breakfast tomorrow.

4PM-Running on Treadmill
It is HOT in the garage.  Wishing I would have just gone this morning before James left for the bike ride.  Kids are watching a show so I can get a run in.  Luckily I'm only doing 30 minutes today.

5PM-Cleaning House with Kids
We implemented new job charts recently.  It works well for Brielle.  (Ethan has a mind of his own, so he helps when he wants to, but when he doesn't feel like it, it is hard to get him to do anything but cause more trouble...we're still working on that.)

6PM-Feeding Kids Dinner
James and I are planning to go out for a late dinner after conference.  I'm eating a peach and feeing kids cheese bagels, broccoli and peaches.

7PM-At Stake Conference
Uncle Danny came over to watch kids.  James came back from Priesthood meeting to pick me up and get back to the Stake Center.

8PM-At Stake Conference
The women is talking about happiness and optimism in a crying voice.  Makes me wonder what kind of challenges she has had in her life.  Wish I knew her better.  Loving the Conference.

9PM-Leaving Conference
Heading to In 'n Out for dinner with James.  Love having a chance to date!

10PM-Cleaning Up House
Getting stuff ready for tomorrow and then heading to bed to read before sleep.  My friend loaned me a book I want to start.

The Kindergarten Kid

(her teacher's name is actually Mrs. Mejia...I wrote this late at night and didn't notice in the rush of getting ready.  Whoops!)

Brielle has been excited.  I have been nervous and anxious.  Brielle has really wanted to go to Royal Oaks.  I really wanted to just keep her home forever.  I decided sending her to school is the best decision and feel very comfortable with that choice, but it is still hard to let my little girl grow up.

The week before school started we went to the school for new student orientation.  Brielle got to meet her teacher and tour the classroom.  Elise is having a hard time not being able to go to Kindergarten with the big kids.  These 2 girls love to play together.

I got the this interview sheet from from Positively Splendid

The cousins get to be in the same class.  I went to Kindergarten with my cousin and have great memories of it.  I think it will be so much fun for them.  (although we're hoping they can control their silliness and not get in trouble together!)

This is the same classroom that James went to for Kindergarten.  Room 2, with the kids all lined up for school.  Brielle was a little bit nervous the first morning and asked for me to cut a piece of her blanky to take with her.  She had it in her pocket.  We could tell she was feeling it as she walked in to class for the first time.

  

We read lots of book the week before to get us ME ready for the first day of school.  Brielle also went on a date with James, Gavin and Aunt Megan to shop for school supplies.

Nikki's Wedding

Some of these pictures were taken by either Zack, or Nathan, my bro-in-laws with nice cameras and photography skills to take amazing pictures.  I'm sure you'll be able to pick out which ones were not taken by our camera.  So, thanks for sharing the pictures guys.

Nikki and Landon got married in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in South Jordan.  While James and I were inside, Brielle and Ethan got to stay with Jared and Katie who were also watching Annalie, Mariah and Waycen.  I have brave siblings.

Brielle sported a hair-net to help with food prep.  It took a few reminders to not lick fingers and re-wash hands, but she ended up being a perfect helper to sprinkle the pink sugar on the cookies.

The happily married couple.  I love the picture of them.

The reception started off a with a bit of a scare as the rain clouds and wind came in.

Everyone raced for cover.  Luckily, the rain didn't last too long and the wind died down.  The Crapos back-yard was beautiful.

During the reception the kids got to watch a movie to help stay out of the way.

As the rest of us had a great time in the kitchen prepping and stocking the serving area.

My sister, Ashlie made the amazing cake.  I'm sure Brielle was hoping for a big slice to herself.

It was so fun to have all 11 siblings together.  There are now currently 15 grandkids on our side.  Landon has 1 niece and 1 nephew.  Together they are quite a cute bunch of kids.

We were all spiffed up and matching... 

But by the end of the reception the kids were ready to change and play at the playground and in the sand.

Utah Trip

We went to Utah for my Sister's wedding, but we actually did quite a few things in addition to the wedding itself, they deserve a different post.

We started the trip with a delayed flight.  James had dropped us off at the airport already, but when I found out he was close by and came to pick us up.  We enjoyed a family outing to Costco for icecream.    I'm sure the airport was happy to not have these silly kids running around for 2 hours. 

Ethan is now tall enough for a booster seat.  I still have him in 5-point-harness car seat at home, but for the ease of travel, moved him to a booster for the trip.  It made getting through the airport so much easier!  Brielle and Ethan each were in charge of their own car seat and back pack while I managed the other luggage.

We flew out of Long Beach, which is a smaller airport that you walk out on the tarmac to climb the stairs onto the airplane.  Ethan loved it!

This is a picture at Gardner Village.  We went there with the girls to a bead shop to make matching necklaces for the wedding.  I of course forgot to take a picture while we were doing that.  Brielle was so excited about it though!

We also went to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point.  Ethan loved the chance to touch the animals.

And the kids were excited enough about the pony ride that we waited for almost 2 hours in the hot sun for the chance to go!  (It was $2 Tuesday and was crowded!).

There were enough of us there, that we switched off waiting in line to have a chance to go see some of the other animals as well.  Even with it being hot and crowded, my kids still loved it.

We had a chance to go to the planetarium.  I remember this electricity ball from an elementary school field trip.  It is still fun to play with.

Ethan said he didn't like the planetarium, because we didn't stay long enough.  He was sad we couldn't stay a lot longer.  He mostly enjoyed watching the large-scale 'marble run' they have set up in there.

We got to meet baby Mariah, who is adorable and catch up with the other cousins. My kids obviously haven't had much baby experience.   While trying to 'help', both Brielle and Ethan almost got Ezra hurt.

We got to go out on my Birthday with all the girls.  It was such a fun way to celebrate.  About 1/2 hour before we turned the kids over to the men in charge there was much chaos and screaming.  Luckily we got kids settled for a movie night so that no one was too scared to take charge.  The recent memory of kid and wedding chaos did make the outing even more enjoyable.

We got to go cheer for my brother-in-law as he completed a triathlon.

And stopped to watch a bit of a local rodeo practice.  

Wizard of Oz

We had a chance to go to 2 different performances based on The Wizard of Oz.  My kids had never seen the movie, but we talked about the storyline before we went.

2 of the Young Women in our ward were in a local play called 'The Wizard of Azusa'.  This is Madisen as Glinda the Good.  Sabrina played the part of the Scarecrow.  It was very fun to see them perform.

The next week we met up with extended family to see James' cousin play the part of the Lion.

It was at an outdoor venue at the park.  The kids especially loved the tornado scene, which looked like the spinners from a car wash moving across the stage.  Ethan asked if we could watch the show again to see the tornado.

Nicholas did a great job playing the Lion.  I was very impressed by the talent of all the performers.