First day of school 2012

First day of school for our kids in Fremont was after Labor Day, Sept. 5th. Here are the kids getting ready to walk over to school through our fancy new gate that joins our backyard with the back of the school.

The girls helped get Ben excited about his first day of Kindergarten. His teacher was also Collette's, and we're excited to be working with such a wonderful Kindergarten teacher. 

Both Abigail and Collette reported fantastic first days, excited about their class and first impressions of their teachers. Both Laura and I walked the kids to school and were able to check up on them during recess from the deck in our back yard. 

The next morning, when Laura was waking up Ben so that he could get ready for school, she whispered, "Time for school." Ben was a bit surprised and responded, "But I went yesterday." 

The next day, Gabe started preschool, which he's been begging to do for the last year. He's pretty familiar with the place since it was Ben's preschool for the past couple of years and his friend is there too.

Here's hoping for a great school year! 

Friend, will you fix my dishwasher?

Our friends from Tucson (well, now Utah) helping us fix our dishwasher that suddenly started to leak water while they were visiting us. Hard to call them just friends! Who else would lay down on my kitchen floor and start to work on fixing my dishwasher. 

Having the Fadel's visit us for a few days this summer just reminds us of the great time we had in Tucson. There was a group of families which all became good friends and acted as each other's family away from our families while we were all just beginning. Post-Tucson we've stayed in touch and were so happy to host the Fadel's as they visited the sights in the bay area with us.

Our last 3 year old

Happy Birthday Gabriel!

This morning, I started my week's vacation to cover for Laura as she tromps off to YW girls camp. So, it was just me alone with the kids to hang out today.


The morning started off with all of us singing "happy birthday" to Gabriel. He's a treat to have around. I still like to call him "face" since it seems like he knows he can get away with anything just with that smile of his. I feel like he's growing up quickly. He's having conversations with his siblings and adults, reasoning with them to get his way. Also, in the last couple of months, he's been potty trained, which make him ready for pre-school in the fall. 

So, today, we went to spend some birthday money (along with Ben) at the mall. They selected swords, axes, and maces in order to duel and show their toughness. Then, we went to his choice for lunch: McDonald's. Not only do they like getting toys with their meal, all the kids love the play structure. We finished up by going to the park for even more play.

The boys and girls played with the new toys and you see Gabriel sporting his batman shirt with cape. Sweet.

After all that, the kids came home pretty exhausted, and we all slouched on the couch and veg'd. Gabriel fell asleep after playing so hard. I think he enjoyed the nap (as did I!).

Our littlest one is growing up so fast! Happy 3rd birthday, Gabriel.

Party for the boys

Since Gabriel and Benjamin have their birthdays so close together, we held a joint party. It simplified the planning since Laura will be at girls camp during their actual birthdays next week.

We had a lady bring by reptiles, which was the highlight of the party. Of course, there was the usual piñata, bounce house, presents, and Laura's signature chocolate cake.

We all had a good time. Laura's cake was peppered with Star Wars figures all looking at a much larger Darth Vador. Since Gabriel constantly sings the Imperial March around the house, we thought we'd continue emphasizing the Star Wars theme. By the way, that's a 5 (Ben) and 3 (Gabe), not 53.

 Benjamin enjoyed the snakes. He said he didn't like the tortoise who was eating all our grass and plants around the yard (they're brand new!).

 Gabriel enjoyed some reptiles more than others. I think the tonge on the monitor was a bit of a fright for him.

This monitor (though that's not the name the handler used) was shedding. The kids thought it was cool to keep the skin. Yuck - it's like hording toe nails.

The turtle just wandered around the yard for most of the party. I shouldn't have mowed the lawn, since the turtle was happy to do it for me. Though, he also got to our strawberry plants.

Perhaps Laura enjoyed the company of the snakes a little too much. She got a kick out of them. The boa's eyes are blue because it is ready to start shedding his skin soon.

Paper plates, paper bowls, and old men's white shirts

Benjamin had a graduation ceremony for his pre-school. We loved this place, mostly because made a bunch of great friends here. They all love to spend time playing together. He complains if he doesn't see them that often. Unfortunately, none of his friends will be attending the same elementary school as Ben. We're a bit sad to see them all go, but that just means we'll have to try extra hard to make sure he keeps his friends close!

Ben's taking his diploma from his teacher, Miss Gail.

Benjamin and Nolan, best friends, singing some songs together. Later on they used their diplomas to sword fight with each other. You've got to love kids who love to fight as if they're in a galaxy far, far away.

Lucky number 7

Happy, happy birthday, Collette! 

When we celebrated with her friends, we brought in a make up artist to do the kids faces. Collette loves animals, and little cute things. So, to get her face painted like a little kitten was a special treat. 

She's making her wishes and blowing out candles like a pro. 

Collette pounding love into a unicorn piñata, which then sheds candy all over the ground. The children are dutifully standing in safety against the wall.

Collette loves being a kitty along with her friends. It seems like they all got nearly the same treatment.

We didn't just have pizza, but also a rainbow of fruit for the kids - Laura put her heart into that decoration. Of course, the clouds are marshmallows.

Who doesn't love a good game of duck-duck-goose? Birthday girl along with Ben are in the center.

Hold your breath

We had a family get together to celebrate Collette and her cousin's birthday. He's another one of Laura's great cakes made up for the happy birthday song. 

I love this shot, since Benjamin is trying so hard to avoid blowing out candles meant for Collette. 

Collette love playing dress-up when her cousins are around. That's why she's decked out in a princess dress.  Note that as she munches on her cake and ice cream, there are arches of light against the wall.

First day of season pass

On my last vacation day, we took the kids to our first visit of the season to Great America.

This place is great, really occupying the kids. Abigail and Gabe both love the thrill rides while Ben and Collette would prefer to stick to the slow car rides.

Toy blocks mean science

Along with family friends, we went to Lawrence Hall of Science, which was great fun for the kids and Dads.
The place is one big playroom for kids. They have paper plane making, fans that blow balls and paper into the air, sound machines, friction testing games, and building blocks.
I think we had the most fun with the blocks. All the kids made towers of some sort, while I focused on trying to get the structure grow horizontally.
By the way, the view of the bay area is superb from the Berkeley hills is amazing.
Friday night was movie night (lots of movies!) and we saw Hop which was so- so.

It's a little "green"

Laura, as a certification counselor for girl's camp this year did backyard camping in the thundering rain this week. An unnecessary "practice" for girl's camp. She was a little annoyed that everyone got up, except Laura, to run inside when the rain was its worst. She also took the girls on a hike through mud the next morning.
When she got back, we went to the Lorax. One of the girls that went on the hike commented on how it was alright, except that it was a "green" movie. We are both a little confused why some think there's a political agenda when it comes to being the caretakers of the earth.
The kids loved the movie and going out to lunch afterwards.

Bringing down the deck

While the kids went with Beth, Alex and Nate to Chuck E Cheese, I stayed home and removed the rotted deck that sits outside our master bedroom. Hopefully, we'll get it replaced in a few weeks.
Unfortunately, the work kinda wiped me out. But I'm glad it is finally done. The wood was totally rotted. It was the first thing we were supposed to do after moving in. We're finally getting around to fixing some of this stuff.
My biggest fear in taking down the deck was having it fall into the house and breaking our sliding glass door. Abigail, watching from afar just told me to wack it with a sledge hammer. That worked without issue (after I removed most of the attachment to the house). Abigail was pretty proud of telling me what to do, predicting the outcome. 
I had to finish some of this on Thursday with the last trip to the dump Friday morning.

Jelly Bellies

There was a girl scout trip to the Jelly Belly factory. We took the trip back to Laura's hometown and waited in a long line for the tour. Apparently, we weren't the only ones that thought we should go to the factory on our spring break.
We also had a visit with Laura's friend, Jeannette and her two kids. The kids all agreed to getting pizza. We got home later and exhausted.

Easter Sunday

To take a break with the kids, I took spring break off from work.
Saturday, we all gathered at Golfland for an Easter egg hunt.
That afternoon we all went swimming at a local pool. We then got dinner and were off to a friends house to play games. It was a busy day, but we all had a lot of fun.
On Sunday, after church, we gathered at the Easter celebration at my parents. They hid baskets and eggs for the kids. And, as usual, had an egg hunt for the adults (the treat is $$, not candy).
Monday, Laura and I went out to lunch with my parents. I took them to Big Table, a work cafe, and we had a nice visit and walk around the campus.
Great start to vacation!

Tongue twisted

Collette lost another tooth. This one looked funny for the last few days with it hanging in her mouth loose.
After a bit of working it around with her tongue, it finally dropped out.
Unfortunately, Collette misplaced her lost tooth just before bed, so she wrote the tooth fairy a sweet note.
The tooth fairy accepted the note and left a dollar coin. We has to explain what kind of "penny" that was left for her.

Game ball

Benjamin had his first baseball game of the season. Windy and wet, it was sprinkling throughout the game. The kids were cold and a few broke down crying as a result.

Ben had a hard time. First time at bat, he got a little stage fright and didn't give his bat a swing.

I had arrived midway through. Ben, with a combo of cold and fright didn't want to go on the field. I went out with him to be an outfield coach. That made him a bit more comfortable, but his hands were still icy. 

His second try at bat, I went up with him and got him swinging a few practice swings at the plate. After two strikes, Ben hit a solid grounder up the middle. Confused, it took him a bit to run to the bag. Regardless, it was a great turn around from his first attempt.

As a result of his effort, Benjamin received the game ball! He has been excited about receiving trophies and considers this his first one.