Daisy Troop #2460

Today, the girls received their vests and pins. They were very excited to finally get to wear them. Since we started the troop late, we will be on the fast track so that they can complete their daisy flower. Today's lesson was about great women in history who have made a difference. They needed to research last week and then present today. Cassie and I discussed Ruby Bridges, Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth, Rosa Parks, Helen Keller, and Sally Ride. She choose Dr. Sally Ride. Could it be for the fact that she just finished a marathon of her favorite shows that were all space-themed? Or could it be that she discovered Dr. Ride was a Girl Scout when she was young? Whatever peeks their interest, as long as the information is being absorbed! I was very impressed with the women the girls chose. Here is a group pic of: my girls, Cassie receiving her vest, and the girls doing their Girl Scout promise. Cassie loves it, and that makes me a happy mom. Enjoy!!

Reciting their Girl Scout Promise.

Valentines Day

Lily had her first Valentine's Day at preschool. These are a few pics I took of her putting together her cards and of her at school. She was really excited about passing out the treats. I love being the room mom for this age. They have so much fun and get so much joy from the smallest things.

 

 

I know, monkeys again? Well what can I say, she still loves her monkeys. I knew this one was going to be different.

Baseball season has begun

Yes, it is that time again. Time to give up my life, or what little I did have, so that I could shuttle Nick from this practice to that practice, to the batting cages, then onto the Saturday games. As much as I enjoy the the social aspects, competition and the joy Nick receives, it is hard to squeeze in time for the girls, let alone grocery shopping, cooking, homework, etc. Luckily, Nick is on the same team as his best friend and other close friend. I have known the mothers of these boys since they were three years old. Hopefully, this season we can take turns with the shuttling. Practices are not so bad in the spring when it's warm and the girls can run around, but right now those practices get cold. Yes, I know, stop complaining about the California cold. I know it does not compare to other parts of the nation that get pretty nasty, but this girl is a native Californian who has thin blood.  The rest of the moms and I would do just fine sitting on the sidelines wrapped in our Snuggies. Here is a picture of our little slugger who is on the Giants this year.

Two is better than one!

Remember this picture. Our little Cassie receiving the Student of the Month in October for all academic areas.

Well, Nick was happy for Cassie, but a little sad because even though he had received his SOTM before for other grades, he had not received one this year for 3rd grade; until.......

Nick's teacher, Mrs. Barrios.

Our school principal, Mr. Jennings.

... now. Nick received his award for the month of January. This never gets old for a parent. I want to cry every time one of them gets acknowledged and I hope there are many more.  Sometimes I don't know if the tears are for the joy and the pride I feel, or the pain and sometimes hair-ripping out homework sessions :-) Whatever they are shed for, it is well worth it. Both kids work so hard and to their benefit they do enjoy school and do their homework without griping 90% of the time (Cassie...maybe 98%). They deserve this and I am glad they were able to share it with their peers, teachers, and family.

Nick's 9th Birthday

With having two birthdays ten days apart in January, one hopes that they would settle for dinner at home. Of course that did not happen. Lily was easy because she was happy having one friend go with her to Pretend City. Nick, on the other hand....Well, let's just say he has been planning his birthday since summer. He wanted to have a baseball party where they would play an actual game. He had the teams picked, plans drawn, and this was hung on the door for months. We informed him that to get that many boys to show up to have two full teams would be quite a feat. That did not take into account the dads who would have to help out. Fast forward into the new school year and Nick found a new love; flag football. Out went the baseball game and in went a game of flag football. Nick and the same group of his school friends started to play the game at every recess. They had team names and they were hooked. Nick just wanted to have a simple game of flag football with these same boys. Mom got a break! A few boys, a flag football kit, pizza, cupcakes and a park; check. It was the easiest birthday and Nick and the boys had a blast. Plus, Dad got some exercise and bonding in.

Notice the ball in flight? Nick won the punting contest. This was an extra score for him because two of his friends play soccer. 

Here is the dirty half dozen.

Nick took one for the team. Down he went after a missed tackle.

All in all, a perfect 9th birthday. Who could ask for more?

Birthday girl

I cannot believe our little (I use that word loosely) girl is 4.  All Lily wanted for her birthday was to go to Pretend City (a kid's imaginary museum) and a Barbie Fashion Fairy tale cake. Well, she got her wish and we had a great time.

Doing a little gardening at Pretend City in her tutu. Must be Green Acres.

Do they look similar?

Here is the birthday girl.

She finally got her monkey pillow pet.