School Days

Many of you have asked how school is going. So I decided to dedicate this post to the kids' schooling. It has been nice - everything we do is in about a 5 mile radius - soccer, skatepark, bookstore, Starbucks, Park, School, home, etc... So, that has given us LOTS of time together!

Here is where Sophia skips into kindergarten each morning! It is the highlight of every day. Miss Diaz escorts her in, and Sophia talks her ear off as she pulls out all of the schoolwork she did the night before! Sophia loves school and is well adjusted. She has not had to "pull a card" this school year which is great news!

She has learned how to write her name and has mastered her colors and numbers. This may not sound like much to some of you, but she was not interested in the least just a few weeks ago. Now she is eager to learn and is doing so rapidly.

And, here is where Zack enters class each day. His teacher says he is very respectful, responsible, and funny. He is reading! Today he was so elated that he could read the word lizard on his own. I was proud of him. Right now he is working on his addition facts. He is having a tiny bit of trouble mastering the concept of the plus sign. So, the DS and Xbox 360 are off limits until he masters his facts. May sound tough, but if you knew Zack, you'd know that his attention and full effort will be on learning his math facts so he can get the video games back. He has a one track mind!

He, too, loves school! He has made many friends and enjoys waking up each day as he looks forward to what a new day might hold. I am realizing that he is maturing WAY TOO FAST!

But, he is still young enough not to be embarrassed to play hopscotch with his sister!

The book fair started today so we visited after school, and the kids each chose a book. Both books are scary - surprise, surprise! These kids LOVE spooky stories.

And, after school, we spent a bit of time in the park! These pics were taken from VERY far away!!! Crazy kids...!

Life is good. We are enjoying every "romantic" moment that comes our way which means we are so aware of all of the little ways in which God is loving on us. And to that special one, muah from me and the kiddos.

Halloween Prep

Last year was Zack and Sophia's first Halloween with us, and they LOVED it! I'm not sure if you remember but Zack was Captain Jack Sparrow and Sophia was Elizabeth Swan from Pirates of the Caribbean. This year they were not as in tune with one another! Zack wanted to be a scary version of the Joker so he chose to be the Joker that blew up the jail to get out at the end of The Dark Knight, and Sophia chose to be Super Girl. She was disappointed that the costume did not allow her to fly!

The funny thing is Sophia is truly scared of Zack when he is wearing his costume!

Check out Sophia's new tattoo!

Allie joins in on the fun!

And Zack, with his real face!

So this is the Halloween debut! Knowing these two, they may look a little different by October 31st!

Saturday Fun

Zack had a game today against Shark Attack! Zack's team won, and he pitched in by scoring 2 goals and 1 assist. Way to go Zack!

After the game, we went down to Downtown Brea for some cheap fun! We're conserving money now days just like most of you out there! This next pic makes me kind of sad! Zack looks like his face is maturing...

Splashing in the fountains is a favorite pastime!

Birch Street is a wonderful place to hang out. There is plenty to do and the ambience is right up my alley. Someday I'd love to live in a loft above Birch. We shall see!

Last night on Birch, there was a jazz conert and also many "fair type" of activities. Southlands Church had set up a ton of fun things for the kids to do while their parents were singing the "blues". We just played while we waiting for Igor to begin!

One of our FAVORITE things to do is to share a tub of popcorn while we watch a good movie! The bummer is that even a matinee is $9.00 now days in Orange County. So, we buy discount tickets and enjoy the movies for MUCH less!!!!

Perhaps one day, he'll be an engineer...

Or the next Spud Web...

Or the type of dad who gets out on the court with his kids...

September Days

The kids have been enjoying school VERY much! Both of them pop right out of bed when given the choice of staying home or going to school! Thank heavens that when their eyes are heavy, all I have to tell them is that they can keep sleeping, but they'll miss school! I hope it stays this way!

Something else we have been enjoying on these September days is hanging out at Borders! The kids LOVE books! I read them several books a day, and they spend hours going through books page by page. I am so glad that they enjoy books.

I have actually started going through a DK Children's Encyclopedia with them. The other night we talked about abolition. Both were very interested, and Zack had tons of questions. He walked away from the "lesson" knowing that slavery was wrong and that God wants all people to be free.



























We have also been enveloped in soccer! Zack has learned so many new skills that it amazes me! He is very proud that he can do a "soul change"! He is also learning to be a great team player. His coach is great with kids and teaches them to have integrity on the field.

Starbucks is another place we frequent. No, I don't "feed" my kids caffeine or the high sugar drinks they serve there! We go there for ice waters! If you didn't know this, Starbucks water is filtered three times, and it is free! I get Zack a vente ice water before every practice. And, the kids will tell you that my favorite drink is a vanilla latte!





























































The park is another place we like to go to hang out and so the kids can expend some of their unending energy!!!!

Zack's latest dream is to have his picture on the cover of a book! My dream - ummmm, perhaps a quarterback for USC - LOL!!!!

I have been hanging with a friend from long ago, and it is crazy. I feel like I am getting to know this person on a whole new level. It is crazy when you think you truly know someone only to find out there are still many mysteries. God is good to bring people into our lives at just the right times and to let us experience the joy of reconnecting. And to you, you know who you are. I am thinking about you and smiling. The kids think you are awesome too!

A Trip to the L.A. County Fair

Today we went to the fair, and the kids had a great time! As you can see from the pictures, they were able to go on a lot of rides, and they even experienced another first.

I took them to the horse races! Their grandpa was a compulsive gambler, and he spent at least 4 nights a week at the "track". As a kid, I thought this was what all dads did, but now that I am older and wiser, I know it is a habit that set my dad apart from others.

Instead of choosing to think about the negatives that are tied to gambling, I choose to keep my dad's memory alive by teaching my kids in real ways what made their grandpa who he was. And, the one thing that defined him MOST was the horse races!

I can remember, as a kid, he'd bring home the free Santa Anita or Hollywood Race Track tee shirts, bags, and cups. He would be pleased because he didn't need to buy us backpacks! We would beg my mom not to make us take that free bag out in public! That is a random memory, but a real one!!!

So today, the kids and I spent a good deal of time at the horse races. We bet, but we did not win which was a great opportunity to teach my kids about the odds and also to tell them what they could have purchased with the money we spent betting. They asked many questions about grandpa such as, "Did grandpa win a lot of money"? and "What did grandpa do with the money"?
Of course, dad lost more than he gambled, but when he'd win big, we always knew. He took us shopping post haste. We also got to go out for a nice dinner. That was the cool part of having a dad who played the ponies! Their were bad parts of course, but you know all of us are a mix of good and bad habits, right?

I may be crazy, but I want my kids to remember their grandpa for who he was, to enjoy what he enjoyed, and to learn from his mistakes. I think my dad would agree.

And, yes, those are Obama hats! I've made my decision. The hats were given to the kids at the fair so no flames about using my kids as political advertising!!!! Their noses did not get sunburned so it was a win/win. And, I NEVER thought I'd say this, but I agree with Lindsey Lohan when it comes to Sarah Palin!!!! I must say I am truly a Ron Paul fan, but that choice went away far too quickly.

QUOTES:

Mom: Zack, go to the left.
Zack: Mom, you are a genius! That is the way I wanted to go!!!

Mom: Zack, do you have your soccer bag?
Zack: Yes, mom. Thank you for make suring!

Mom: Burped and said excuse me
Sophia: It's okay, mom. It's no big deal.

Playing Catch Up

I haven't been very good about blogging lately because we've just been SO BUSY! So here are some pictures from the past couple days:


Check out how long Zack's hair is getting...


Today was Zack's first soccer game, and his team won by a landslide. Zack scored three goals and played his heart out!!!

The next pic is a bit blurry, but it shows Zack during an aggressive moment!

This is Zack's "best friend". They are on the same team and are both in the same class at school. It is so nice that he has a great kid as a "best friend"!!!

Here Zack tells Coach Mike, "I had some skills out there"!

And here are the latest, "We're growing up whether you like it or not" pics!!!