Halloween 2008

No costumes were allowed at school, but the principal did make it red, white, and blue day so the kids looked very patriotic at school.

Sophia has the sweetest teacher and class. She is one blessed little girl!

After school, we hung out at a dog park where the kids had fun petting the dogs and skateboarding on the perimeters. Of course, I had them pause for a picture!

This next one was not posed...Sophia just has a way of hugging whenever she gets the chance and sometimes she squeezes a little too tight!

Cool trucks - the low rider fit underneath the monster truck!

Sophia's first try at real rock climbing.

The fun trip down. She still needs to learn how to push off of the wall.

Zack climbed the most difficult part of the wall which included hanging upside down as he climbed.

The kids even got a chance to ride horses again.

Target practice...

Playing some basketball - check out the size of that ball!

This was the only getting hammered that happened on our Halloween! I can't say that I'd have it any other way.

The kids gathered a TON of candy!

First shot with a crossbow...

Check out the ball - a ringer!

Our favorite jack o'lantern!

Haunted houses with cool people who gave the kids skateboard stickers, key chains, and full size candy bars. The kids were so excited as they don't eat much candy normally. I let them eat as much candy as they wanted to after dinner tonight! Zack stopped pretty quickly, but Sophia ate and ate and ate... No belly ache, and the rest they can eat in much smaller portions.

The most exciting part of Halloween this year was Zack going on the zip line!!! It was VERY high in the sky! He had to climb up a rope ladder to a platform where he grabbed the "bar" and zipped from very high, very FAR down Birch street! He was a little bit nervous, but the adrenaline rush was incredible! He was so EXCITED and wanted to go again! Many kids climbed up the rope ladder only to climb back down because it was scary. I was expecting Zack to do the same. It was so high that even Sophia was scared for him, and she is never scared.

See those little hanging feet?

And off he goes...

He went SO FAST that I only caught him landing - see that speck in the background? Sorry for the poor pics. I have no idea how to get great action shots at night.

This was his face after he said, "Mom, I conquered another fear"!

Sophia takes a huge tumble down the massive Shark slide - oops, we see your panties!

But she popped up really quick-like laughing her head off!

The great thing about the kidz block party was that it was geared towards kids from 0-jr. high. There was an awesome rock band playing. I realized later that the event was put on by The Cause Community Church. Everything you see that the kids did was absolutely free which was amazing. The zip line alone would have cost a bundle not to mention the $10-$15 it usually costs to rock climb. Anyhow, the even was great, and I never even realized it was put on by a church until a nice woman started talking us and invited us to church.

I'm guessing it was a God thing so the kids, and I are going to visit the church tomorrow to see if it might be a place where we can get hooked in. My friend was shocked that I'd go - go figure! I'm not sure about it, but I am open to whatever God might have in store for us, and I sincerely feel that the most important thing a parent can do is give their kids a meaningful relationship with Christ by example and deed. I fail at this miserably sometimes, but that's part of the training too - we learn from each other. Nothing keeps me on the high road more than those four big blue eyes.

Drive

The one word that comes to mind when I think of Zack is "drive"!!! He does not give up very easily, and he takes pride in conquering random fears. He wanted me to take pictures of some of the skateboard tricks he has learned in the last couple of weeks.

He now knows how to jump a curb and land it as you see below:

He can nearly jump up a curb and practices this maneuver at least 100 times each time he skateboards! And the next shot captures the fact that he's learned how to turn at the top of a half or quarter pipe. The older kids who skate at the parks we go to are amazed at this little guy out there "tearing it up". Truth is he's good for 6, but he really looks like he's 4.

And lastly, he can land on the platform of a ramp.

I think that by 8, he'll own the half pipe. I just hope he'll wear a helmet as he gets older even though it's not cool. But, that is likely a pipe dream on my part!

Sophia gets right down there with him, but she just hangs along the bottom of the ramps!

As for me, I'm cramming for my CSET! Wondering if any of you out there realized that DNA is found in the nucleus of a cell? Can you remember how the speed of light functions in a vacuum? How about the four stages of development as set forth by Piaget? Remember B.F. Skinner? How about the Jim Crow laws? Ummmmmm, algebraic equations? Geometry? Statistics? Iambic pentameter? Is epilepsy considered a handicap in a PE class? Protons, neutrons, electrons...????

Can you say a wide range of knowledge? One of the study guides says the test is like a game of trivial pursuit based on all you've learned during your entire academic career! The other study guide said that one would have to read several books of over 1,000 pages to be fully prepared!

So yeah, I'm just a little freaked out! I study best with the ipod blaring. Quiet drives me bonkers! Too bad I can't take the test while listening to The Cure! And, I have a few friends who will confirm that I got through both degrees while listening to music in class or playing solitaire on the computer! What kind of learner does that make me? And, why the heck do I have to remember all of this STUFF to teach elementary school?????? That's what lesson plans are for! Dude, just test my IQ and have me teach you a lesson based on a plan I created. If only it were that easy.

Next step is entering a Masters program. I am back to the self that has goals and aspirations outside my everyday life. That's a piece of me that I realize gave me a level of self satisfaction that fueled me to reach higher. I hope my kids will learn to value education as it can make life a whole lot easier.

What are you doing for Halloween? I am taking the kids to a fun activity that includes candy, bounce houses, rock walls, and several other games and activities. Of course, we'll do a little bit of trick or treating so they can gather the sugar!

And lastly, I am proudly voting NO on 8. I do not have an ounce of fear that Zack or Sophia will "turn gay" if they hear at school that it is an option to marry someone of the same sex. I also know that they will not believe that they came from monkeys or that the earth is millions of years old- even though they hear this at public school.

MANY of my friends disagree with my stance on this, and I respect that 100%. That is what makes America the great nation it is! We can have differing opinions, vote accordingly, and not be persecuted for it. So disagree with me if you must. Tell me you disagree if you feel the need to do so. But, remember that my right to vote no mirrors your right to vote yes.

It is also wonderful as a Christian to embrace the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer -the unique ability of each Christian to decipher through the Holy Spirit the Scriptures; and then to live accordingly. We will each give account for ourselves. I am ready to shoulder my NO vote with a clear conscience.

Another First

The kids experienced another first today! They rode ponies! For me, it was a sentimental moment because my dad used to take me and my sister to the pony rides all of the time. Horses were his thing. The kids were so excited to hop on and ride. They were giggling and smiling the entire time. I can't wait until they are old enough to go horseback riding!

It's a great pumpkin, Zack Rivera.

She is just getting WAY too big for me!

Zack's new weight lifting routine!

The End of our Minimum Days

Today Zack had his quarter's end spelling test which reviewed lessons 1-6, and he got another 100%. I told him that if he did he best, he'd earn a Coke! He was jazzed because he says he loves coke. However, he earned it and didn't drink it! He wanted water! Go figure!

Anyhow, we went to see High School Musical 3 and then hung out for the night with some friends. On our way home, Zack said, "Mom, this was the best day ever". When I asked why, he said because he got a 100% on his spelling and even his teacher couldn't trick him. I was surprised by his answer but pleasantly so. I hope I can keep him in the zone of thinking learning is fun. Seems like right now he is super motivated by success.

Sophia, true to form, ate an entire bag of popcorn! I wonder who she gets that from???? Zack smiled as Troy kissed his woman! I have to admit, though, Zack was embarrassed to be watching HM3! He said it was for girls, but I know that he truly loved it. I saw it all over his face!

Practicing his tricks well into the night....

Zack now has a three track mind - skateboarding, spelling, and video games - in that order. He brings so much joy into my life - even when he's a little booger which happens now and again. He is getting much better at sharing which has been our focus lately.

Fall in Southern California

Another minimum day filled with fun. After having lunch with an old friend, we headed down to Corona Del Mar! The kids were so excited! Since it was a spur of the moment decision, I had to depend on what clothes I had in the car at the time! I had a bunch of boy's clothes but none for Sophia! She opted to dress like a boy so we could have a blast at the beach.
It was a GORGEOUS day today! The sun was shining on us as the waves were crashing against the rocks around us. All I could think was that "the best things in life truly are free"! I'll tell you if you don't believe in God, all you need to do is go to the beach to know that someone had to make this happen!

I am so glad that Zack and Sophia have each other! I played soccer on the beach with them and climbed on the rocks, but I can't keep up with them for too long! By the time, we were done playing, I was SOAKED!

Sophia proves that she can write her name!

Nothing like chillin' on the beach in October!

There is no fear of the waves anymore! I think she just may surf someday!

The tiny moments during which God weaves our lives together.

Photo compliments of Sophia.

Can you think of a more beautiful place to skateboard?

Good thing that bow is in her hair!

What God decided to do with His canvas.

Mr. and Miss Tough Stuff

Minimum Days

This week both kids have minimum days - 8 -12:30. That means they have plenty of time to play in the afternoons. Today, they were in the mood to climb trees so off we went to the park to enjoy a very hot windy day. The Santa Ana winds are in full swing here in CA, and most often, the leaves go from green to yellow to brown. We don't see a ton of colors in this area.

Fall Freedom

Elevation

Slingshot

The Sneeze

Heights

I CAN

I just finished reading the book "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" by Kim Edwards. I was hooked after reading the first page! She is a gifted author in my opinion. I won't give up any of the story, but suffice it to say that I am a better person for having read it. I have heard it said that "a man is the sum of the books he reads," and if that is so, I am glad this book has become part of the equation that is me.

The Note

So, the boy, who gets a ton of grace from Mrs. Ulrich comes home with a note yesterday - TOO MUCH TALKING IN P.E.!!!!!!! He got a referral slip from the P.E. teacher! So, Mrs. Ulrich had to "pull his card"!

Let's just say sometimes moms just know best! I have to admit that I did giggle because I never expected to get a note home for my kid talking in P.E. of all classes!!!!

As a side note, please keep me in your prayers (if you pray), as I take the CSET on November 1st. It is the multiple subject exam that pretty much tests a person's knowledge of all academic subjects - talk about a wide range of study! I hope I can remember all that I learned while getting my degrees! But, come on people, I am nearing 40, and the memory is shot!

Parent Teacher Conferences

Today I had the pleasure of meeting with Zack and Sophia's teachers. And, it was a pleasure as both of their teachers are GREAT. I have been so fortunate. I have seen some of the other teachers in action, and I am so thankful that God placed them with the teachers they have!

Zack's teacher said he is functioning above average in all areas. She said that if I had not told her, she would not have known that he has been in America for under two years. He needs to work on his reading more and more so that he will begin reading more smoothly, but she said he is reading at a 1.4 level which is 2 months ahead. I was pleased with this, and it encouraged me to continue working with him at home.

The most shocking thing Mrs. Ulrich said was that she hoped I wouldn't take his video games away when he gets moved in class for talking or being fidgety! I told her it is really not a punishment but a means of teaching him about priorities. She said, he tries so hard to be a perfect student that she hates for him to miss out on anything at home. I told her I'd try it her way, but if he regressed, I'd need to go back to holding him accountable at home!

Sophia's teacher said she loves her to pieces and her energy is contagious. She said that she is progressing twice as quickly as most of her other kids. She is behind on letters and numbers, but at the pace she is learning, her teacher believes she will be on target or ahead by the end of the school year.

She said that Sophia is very driven to succeed and loves to work hard. The only thing she gets in "trouble" for is playing too rough with the boys! That is SOOOO Sophia!

I asked the kiddos how they wanted to celebrate, and they both said they wanted to go to Borders and to Dennys for dinner! Crazy kids - we do that all of the time! Just goes to show that kids love structure. So, I let them get dessert this time!

After dinner, I took them to a haunted house to check out the outside of the building. They were both promising me that they were big enough to go in. I decided to prove to them that it was MUCH more scary than they thought. Once outside, they were freaked out enough not to need to go in! Here are some fun pics from the crazy detour.

Noteable Quotes:

Zack: "Is my corndog in the 'makerwave'"?

Sophia: "Zack was doing stink bubbles in the bath"!