SCATTER SUNSHINE

Last month, we had the chance to go to Disneyland for a week. It was so much fun. The kids were SOOO excited and honestly, the parents were too. We needed a family vacation and we sure made the most of it! My parents were with us the first few days and Jayson's parents came the last few days, so it really was all about family. Given the chance, we would go again in a heartbeat. Smoochie was especially excited! She didn't remember going last time and was so excited to meet a princess! Turns out her favorite ride is the Matterhorn or as our kids call it, "The Scooby-Doo Ride." (They think the ice monster is from one of the Scooby Movies.) She did cry the first time we rode it, but we immediately rode it again and as we unbuckled her she looked up and said, "I do it again!" She never stopped saying it. Even during the fireworks on Friday night, she and I were in line for the Matterhorn. Honey and Bobo rode Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Screamin' O...

So I left the house this morning at 5:30am in a panic that I was late for my workout. I couldn't understand how I had slept through my alarm. I literally threw on my clothes, brushed my teeth and ran out the door. Turns out it was really 2:30am and I didn't even figure it out until I was pulling out of the driveway. I was laughing so hard that I HAD to wake Jayson up and tell him. I've been giggling about it all day and so now, I thought I'd share it with you. Next time I wake up in the middle of the night, I will rub the sleep from my eyes BEFORE I look at the clock.

OK. I know that our school year started more than a month ago, but I have still needed to post about it. Unfortunately, there are no pictures to go along with this entry. Somehow in the middle of the daily grind, the last thing I am worried about are taking pics. Honey is starting her 3rd Grade Year and Bobo is starting his 1st Grade Year. How did this happen? I still can't believe that this is the beginning of our 3rd year of Homeschooling! So far, its been going really well. We are trying a few new things this year and sticking with a number of things that worked for us last year. I planned the school year by weeks. Each week we have a list of items to complete. This has made it easier for me to prep in advance and has made it simpler for the kids. If they get all of one subject done at the beginning of the week, they don't have to worry about it for the rest of the week. They love being able to make these kinds of decisions and I love it too. What a great way to ...

Well, its true, she was CLIMBING before she was WALKING, but now "Oh Boy!" She is doing BOTH! Pookie started climbing everything over the summer. She used to sneak into the bathroom to play in the toilet (Yuck!), but over the summer she started shutting the toilet lid so she could climb on top of it. Then she would climb the toilet tank to get to the bathroom counter where she would gleefully turn on the sink and play in the water. She climbed to the top of the bunk bed daily until we removed the ladder. She was so busy climbing that I wondered if she would find the time to walk. She is walking now and making big messes as she goes. She is surprisingly light on her feet as I chase her down the hall!

Pookie Turned One!!! 4th of July at the Beach. It was so beautiful and fun! The kids playing in the hot tub at our hotel. The family waiting for fireworks at Huntington Beach. It was freezing cold! And this is how we huddled together to block the wind. The fireworks reflecting on the ocean were totally worth the long wait! Bobo Turns 6!!!

It was Smoochie's first dance recital and she was a little apprehensive at the rehearsal, but by the night of recital, she was ready to go... she danced and danced and danced some more. And surprisingly, for those of you who know her well, there WASN'T any "booty shaking!" As always, Honey danced with beauty and grace! Bobo and Pookie also get a shout-out for sitting quietly for 3 hours of recital.