A Party for 6 and 3

Yesterday we had our birthday party for Sammy and Norah.  I was disappointed that it rained and we had to move everything indoors, but all the kids seemed to have a really good time anyway.  The cupcakes were great….thank you Forrie and for the Mickey and Minnie Mouse oreos!  The kids ran amok and there were Legos everywhere.  To everyone who came, thank you!  To everyone who couldn’t make it, we love you and maybe you will be able to celebrate with us next year.

Birthday time

I can’t believe its January already. Norah has turned 3 and Sammy is about to be 6. How did that happen?! I can’t believe how fast they are growing up. We are spending today preparing for their joint birthday party tomorrow. We had planned to have it at the park across the street but with an 80% chance of rain tonight and tomorrow we will have to move it indoors. Oh well! They are both very excited about the party. I will try and post pictures quickly……..

Yellow Sash

Today was a very exciting for Sammy. He received his yellow belt in Kung Fu. We are very proud of all his hard work and focus.He is new to the basic class but was still able to do almost all his stances with the rest of his class. He is also loving his new uniform. Its a little big for him, but we all know he will grow into it! He is also on what his school refers to as the leadership track. His instructors have recognized his desire and ability to help others and are encouraging that. What can I say….I’m a proud mommy!

I Wanna Awana…..today!

Last year Sammy started Awana. Norah missed him every Sunday evening when we dropped him off and continually asked if she could go too. Well over the summer, while Awana is on break, I spoke to Sammy’s Awana captain about Norah. Normally they won’t take a child until age 3, which Norah won’t be until January, but she has gotten to know Norah a bit and thought she was ready anyway as long as she was potty trained. So that was the carrot we have been dangling in front of Norah this summer – she can go to Awana and be a “cubbie” if she uses the potty. Well it worked. Norah is using the potty with only a rare accident. So tonight she and Sammy will go to Awana. She is so excited! She asked me at 8 am why they couldn’t go right now. Sammy will be a “sparks” this year. I can’t believe how grown up they are both getting. I am really happy that one of the families that also attend Sam’s school are members of this Awana chapter too. Their youngest, Sara Beth, will be starting as a “cubbie” tonight too. I would love for them to become good friends and in a few years, start kindergarten together at Spirit Academy. I can’t believe I am even contemplating Norah starting school. I think I need a tissue.

Sammy’s First Day of Kindergarten

Sammy began kindergarten yesterday, September 15. He is attending Sprit Academy a university-model school. For those who aren’t familiar with university-model schools they are a blend of the most positive aspects from traditional public and private schools as well as home schools, to give elementary through high school a highly successful, college-preparatory education. He is there two days a week, from 8:30 to 3 and home with me learning the other three days. The curriculum and lesson plans are provided. The school is fully accredited and some of it’s graduates have been accepted to some pretty tough schools like UCLA’s medical program. Jeremy went with us for the first morning. Norah had ballet that morning too so she was dressed for that already.

Ready to leave for school

I’m really excited about it and after his first day, so is Sammy. Here is a picture of him lining up to go in.

Lining up for class

When I picked him up from school he was smiling and asked to stay and play on the playground. He really likes the playground.

Well the parts were going to get dirty eventually

He didn’t want to run screaming to the car, so I think that is a good thing! He excitedly told me that his teacher had told him that he got to do school at home with Mommy and Daddy and that he got to come back in to class in 6 days. He told us there were alot of boys in his class, 9, and some girls, 7. 16 is actually a large number for his school and they are actively seeking a teacher’s aide for the class. Sammy’s day continued as he had Kung Fu that night too. He is fully promoted to the Kung Fu Basic class. He received his sparring helmet and gloves that night, his new uniform should be in next week, and went to his first sparring class. Afterward we went out to dinner anywhere his choice. He picked the Rainforest Cafe. We had a nice, if late, dinner. The kids got Shrek ears and balloons. Sammy said it was one of his best days.

Changes

I know I haven’t updated in months….it’s been a busy spring and summer. Sammy and Norah have both grown and changed so much. We’ve spent the last few months earnestly potty training Norah and it looks like we’ve pretty much succeeded in getting her to use her training potty 99% of the time. We still have an occasional accident, but I think those will be fewer and fewer. Norah has also begun ballet lessons. Which were her idea. She pestered me about ballet for two months before I finally called around and found a studio that had classes for two year olds. She loves it. One day a week wasn’t even enough for her, so we go twice a week. I look at her now and my baby is gone, replaced by this vivacious, inquisitive, chatty little girl. And now Sammy is starting school. How did that happen?! Instead of me reading to him, he wants to read to me. I can’t believe how grown up he looks and acts. He looks after his little sister and offers to help the younger boys in his Kung Fu class. I am constantly touched and in awe of how big and tender his little heart is to others. I look at them both and am so happy for the changes in them, but sometimes I’m a little sad too.

Feeding the Ducks

We are so blessed that the little pond outside our congregation’s office is a mommy duck haven in the spring. Two mother ducks have had their eggs hatch there. One has eleven babies and the other, six. Today we went to see and feed them. Norah and Sammy just loved it. I tore tiny little pieces of bread for Norah, but she couldn’t quite throw them far enough at first. The babies are still skittish about people, but as they grow bigger that will change! I promised we could go back and feed them again next week. Norah asked if we could go again tomorrow – she can’t wait! She said there is a mommy duck, a daddy duck, a Sammy duck, a Norah duck and a puppy duck. A puppy duck? I asked. Norah told me every family has a dog. She is too cute! She even brought her pink princess binoculars for duck watching………..

Release the ladybugs

This morning Norah had a close encounter with a ladybug and she was just enchanted as it crawled on her hand and up her arm before it flew away. She was so upset that it left that I promised her I would find her another one. I decided to do one better and get her alot of them. We went to the nursery and got a whole container. This evening we “released” them into the backyard……hundreds of them. Norah was delighted and Sammy had a good time as well until he realized they were crawling and flying off instead of returning to the container. I guess he thought they would be like pets. (He really, really misses having a dog.)

It's on my finger Mommy!

Anyway I hope you enjoy the videos as much as the kids enjoyed the ladybugs.

Too cute not to share

So the other day we were shopping and Norah stopped walking after us. I turned and called her and she said no she couldn’t. I went over to her and asked why she wouldn’t keep walking and she told me her wee wee hurt. I was surprised because she had never said that before. I asked her, just to clarify and make sure I hadn’t misheard her, are you sure it’s your wee wee? She said yes, sat down in the aisle and pointed to her foot. I nearly burst out laughing. Her pinky toe, the one that goes wee wee all the way home when we play This Little Piggy, had come out of her sandal. Too cute!

At the Park

This picture was too cute not to share. Just playing at the park and being silly.