Double Digits!

Well, it's happened, the day my lizard has been waiting for: her 10th birthday. She was so thrilled to be "double digits". It was so cute. She was able to have a friend sleepover Friday night and help her get ready for her party Saturday afternoon. Her best buddies came over and we did their hair, make up and glitter nails. They all decorated a frame and we took pictures so they can all have a framed picture of their bffs! It was a lot of fun, and my Lyssa who is so sweet said it was her most memorable birthday ever! Since she is ten she can get her ears pierced. She decided to do it on Nov 3, the anniversary of her baptism. She is taking 3 friends to the mall with her and when we leave Claire's, she will be pierced. She is thrilled!

10 Fabulous things about my 10 year-old:
1. her kind heart
2. her generosity
3. her sense of humor
4. the care she gives to her little brother
5. she loves loves to do kind things for others
6. she is a naturally talented dancer
7. she is a hard worker
8. she is determined
9. she is quick to forgive
10. she came to our family almost perfect, we just have to try not to mess her up

Lyssa is such a fantastic, loving, kind, giving little girl who has already learned the love of service to others. I am so blessed to know her and learn from her. I count myself lucky to be her mom. Thanks, Lys, for being the great girl that you are! I love you so much!!!

OINK< OINK

Ok, so I had to poke a little fun. H1N1 has hit our home. Kylie & Trey both tested positive this week for that strain of the influenza virus. Things we've learned: the media is all hype! The only difference between this strain and others is that this is a new one, and we've all built up some resistance to the others. H1N1 isn't more dangerous, worse or kill more people than other strains. We also learned that mostly people are kind, but sometimes they're a little stupid. (mainly adults, who I guess just need to learn more - myself too). As far as my experience with the flu goes, H1N1 rocks! No puke, Trey was only sick for about a day. Ky's been down for a week, but only fevered for 4 days. The good news, Ky & Trey don't need an H1N1 vacine! :) More good news: Everyone is going to school tomorrow! A week is a looong time for a 7th grader to miss school. And, 2 days is a looong time for a 5yo to miss school & playing with friends! :)

Other news, it is my birthday tomorrow. I will be closer to 40 than to 30. :( It's ok, though because I really like where I'm at right now. I guess 35 has been great & 36 should be even better! :) (let's hope). So, I will enjoy tomorrow (teaching, chiropractor, dinner out, drive car to airport) and then get on with the party planning for the pirate party and the still undecided party. When you're turning 6 & 10, you need a party! :)

Hello, Teenager!

This is my super special, awesome daughter holding her newest little cousin. She LOVES him!

Well, it's official, I have a teenager of my very own! (well, I do share her with her Daddy who adores her). Kylie turned 13 yesterday! To celebrate her special day, she wanted a sleepover with her BFF and a day at the mall with her BFF (no parents allowed). She had a super fun time shopping (they even tried on prom dresses!). She made smart decisions and came home with some way cute stuff! She is such a good girl, and so responsible! I love her to pieces!! She is my favorite teenager EVER! Love her!!! Here is a picture of her today:

Treyson made her a special birthday crown. And TJay wanted to make her add up her age in candles, instead of just a "1" and a "3". :)

So, let's go with the lists of 13:
13 reasons why I love Kylie
1. She is an awesome babysitter.
2. She is fun to hang out with.
3. She is sooo very creative.
4. She is good at everything she tries.
5. She is a great nail painter.
6. She has the cutest handwriting (and loves to do cute lettering).
7. She is kind.
8. She is goofy.
9. She is fun to watch play racquetball.
10. She is sweet to her sibs (when she wants to be).
11. She is super smart.
12. She is gorgeous.
13. She is MINE!!! :)

Kylie, I love you so much and am so glad you are my daughter. You are such a cute girl who is so much fun to do things with! You bring so much joy & laughter into our lives! Thanks for doing everything you do to help our family. Thanks for being a great example to Lyssa & Trey. They love you & look up to you so much! You're the best!!!!
love & kisses, your mommy

Yes, we are still here

ok, so you know it's been waaaay too long since you've blogged if you sign in (to your own blog) and say, "look how cute this background is." um, ya, so I forgot that I had changed it, and it's been sooo long. But, we're still here: alive & kicking, just INCREDIBLY busy! Treyson just finished his first soccer season (loved it) and is enjoying Karate. Since he is learning "fung pu" (as in the movie "fung pu panda") he is a REAL superhero. Nothing is better than that! :)

Alyssa is dancing again this year: tap & ballet. She is in the older class and goes for an hour now with kids older than her (her teacher wanted to move her up). She is also in a city volleyball league now and had her first game Saturday.

Kylie & TJay have racquetball league every Tuesday night - they love it. It's like a weekly date night. The kids & I started a hula class a couple of weeks ago and are really enjoying it. Treyson likes to do it and it's a pretty good workout. When we get finished with the Tahitian practice, our bellies hurt. It's a great way to be active together as a family.

Throw in school (I'm in 5th grade, Kylie in 7th, Lyssa is in 4th & Treyson goes to morning pre-school/daycare and afternoon kindergarten) and work (TJay enjoys being a DBA in AF) it makes for a fairly busy household.

Saturday we went to Trey's soccer game, Lyssa's volleyball game, did homework, yardwork and house work, then went to the lake for our last boating time of the season and followed it up by motorcycling in the desert and a campfire with smores. That was just one day. That may explain why I haven't blogged in a bit. I do need to catch up and add some pictures.

Also, I have a new nephew - the first on the Cash side! Dave & Robyn have a baby boy: Justin David, who we think is the cutest little thing around! We love to hold him and snuggle him and give him kisses. I have to get a picture of Trey holding him, he always has the best, sweetest little look on his face. Trey has been asking us to go to the baby store and get a baby brother (it's closed). So we told him we'd share Justin. Now he calls Justin: "my baby brother who doesn't live with us". It is soooo cute!

Well, I've gotta be done now. Need to finish putting grades in, grab a bowl of cereal and head off to bed. Tomorrow after school we have piano lessons & the gym - guess it'll be a laid back day. :)

Lost Tooth

Treyson got his teeth two or three at a time when he was a baby. Does it suprise anyone that he is losing them that way too? :) Trey's bottom two front teeth were loose at the same time. He has been wiggling them for weeks every single day. We check them, they are sooo loose. His adult teeth have come through so he's had 4 bottom teeth. Today I noticed something was different and checked, one tooth fell out. We don't know when (besides today) and we don't know where (i'm guessing he swallowed it with lunch). But, one is gone and one is still loose. Here is a picture of Treyson with 3 bottom front teeth instead of 4! Hopefully we can catch the other one when it comes out. (although the tooth fairy will still come - even without the tooth).

School Daze!

School is back! Yes, I love it. I love the change in season. I love the new schedule. I love the lists (yes, I'm a list person). I love everything about it! I even love working. Teaching is great. The kids are awesome. I just like it (I get stressed too, but I still like it.). I love first day of school pictures and uniforms! The best part: I have the best, smartest, cutest, most wonderful children to take to school! (and I still miss them like crazy during the day. I love that they are all at my school so I can see them during the day - yes, I spy on the kindergarten during my lunch break. Admit it, there are a lot of jealous moms out there. :)).

So, here's the break down: Our school is a K-8 and here are our members: Kylie is in 7th grade. She has 8 classes, 8 teachers, a locker and a BFF in most of her classes. Kylie is a joy and she is loving school.

Alyssa is in 4th grade and still has a lot of friends and loves school, she would love skipping summer break because she misses it so much. She is going to be in my class for math & language arts and she is so excited about that.

Treyson is finally at the girls' school. He is in afternoon Kindergarten and loves it. He also goes to a "house school" in the morning (his words to differentiate the two). House school is a pre-school/daycare. He eats there, has pre-school, field trips and other activities. He loves that too. So, we are all in school (Dad works around the block from us). It's a great time!

Soccer

Well, Treyson is old enough to play city soccer (and mom remembered to sign him up) and he is loving playing! He is on a team with his buddies: Ethan & Reagan. Treyson loves to play goalie! He is a fast runner and a good kicker, when he's concentrating and not playing around with his friends. :) We often tell him, quit playing and pay attention. Parents are so silly! Here are some pictures (thanks, Jill) of our little soccer star.