Watch Out Preschool...Here I Come!

We enrolled Braedyn into the Peer Model Program at a local school nearby. She goes 2 days a week and she is integrated into a class with children who are a little below the normal level in some area or another. They find that when these children are mixed with "normal" level children it helps them learn better. Braedyn loves it so far. She loves her teacher Ms. Lisa and I haven't heard any complaints about anything so far. In fact the first day we were driving home I looked in her backpack and found a homework packet. I said "Braedyn, you have homework!"

Her response..."Yea! Yes! Let's go home and do it!"

Hope that attitude last for 19 more years...The only person having a hard time (besides me on the first day leaving my baby with total strangers) is Nixon. She loves being around her sister and cries every time we have to leave her. I try to make our "Mommy/Nixon time" super special but nothing beats "Sista".

Happy 4th BIrthday Braedyn!!!

It's hard to believe that this little girl has grown so much and is now 4 years old starting preschool and learning in leaps in bounds. One thing that hasn't changed though...she's still a mama's girl, still very energetic and still very stubborn and a whole bunch of drama!

But she's still also very sweet and very caring.

Very cute...and my favorite big girl!

We celebrated her birthday as a family and Mommy and Daddy let her open a couple gifts. She got a baby bed for her dolls, refurbished by Mom and not without the help of a lifesaver Kristina who helped (made) the bedspread.

We had cake and a birthday song.

Make a wish!

On Tuesday we went to chick-fil-a and I took cupcakes to share with her friends.

On Saturday we had the big extended family party. With the help of Auntie Rachel, I (we) attempted to make a princess castle cake. I wasn't too happy with the final product but Braedyn loved it so I guess that's all that matters. From the front it looked okay but from the side it was a little tilted. More like a leaning princess castle. Luckily it was still in tact the next morning and made it through the day.

We had a bounce house...the kids absolutely loved it!

The birthday Princess with her castle.

Make another wish!

Presents!!!

It was "the best birthday ever" according to Braedyn. She had a great time. I'm so grateful for our families who are so good to our children and us and grateful that we live close enough to spend these moments together.

Circus! Circus!

We got to go to the Ringling Brothers Circus this year. I think the girls were a little nervous about being up close and personal with the clowns, hey they are pretty weird, but they liked seeing the elephants and horses and other animals and watching the cool tricks.

San Clemente Beach Vacation

Every year we go camping at San Clemente state beach with my family (all brothers and sisters and their families) and the Price family. Every year we have so much fun! This year we got a site for 2 whole weeks. Jason and I went out for 10 days. It was awesome and yes we did sleep in a tent. The weather was pretty overcast most days but we had a few beautiful days and overall plenty of sun.
I think the girls had the most fun. They loved going to the beach, hearing the train, playing in the dirt. Braedyn didn't want to leave. She wanted to live there forever. After all how can you deny cookies and licorice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Okay maybe not every meal. :) I had to convince her that we had to go home or else we couldn't have her birthday party. I thought that it would be hard for them and they would get bored, but not once did they ask for the tv or computer. The minute we got home it was a different story though. Oh well...the luxuries of home and the mountains of laundry for mom and dad...well worth it!

Nixon and Elliott had a blast together and those two can also get into a lot of trouble together.

Nixon working it for the camera wearing Papa's hat.

Don't judge the hair! Braedyn and Mama.

Nixon and Mama.

Nixon did a lot of snuggling with her "Nene" on the beach.

The girls had fun in the sand. Nixon had an obsession with collecting rocks and there were a lot to find.

Finding sand crabs was a popular past time for Braedyn.

We also found a mermaid on the beach!

We had a great time, as always, and made memories to last a lifetime.

5th of July

We continued our Independence Day celebration until the next day. Jason had some time off of work and Jeff has a boat so put the 2 together and you have a day at the Lake. We headed off to Lake Perris and the guys did some wake boarding and the girls and guys did some inner tubing.

Braedyn enjoying her juice.

Braedyn went on the tube all by herself with Ally. She was trying to look like she wasn't having fun but I know she was. We had to coax her to go by herself. She was a little shaken after being thrown off into the water the first time. Ooops.

Nixon actually driving the boat. I don't think you are old enough young lady.

4th of July

For the 4th we went to Jason's parents house. We walked over to the High School for the fireworks show the city puts on. Here is Braedyn and Nixon with their cousin Chrissy getting ready to walk to the school.

Nixon on Papa's shoulders.

Grandpa, Braedyn, Chrissy and Nixon eating their popcorn and getting comfy to watch the fireworks.

Our resident monkey climbed the fire hydrant.

Braedyn's Swimming Lessons

Braedyn has been taking swim lessons. She absolutely loves it! They do choo-choo trains around the pool, blow bubbles, learned to move their arms (chocolate milk) and have mastered the big kicks. Today they learned to tread water and tried to glide jumping off the step. They have also gotten to jump off the diving board, which is Braedyn's favorite thing to do even though she hesitates. She is doing very well and is having a blast!

Doing her starfish and floating on her back. Yes she is wearing socks. The first couple days she got little blisters on all her toes so she is wearing socks to protect them.