First Day of School

Today is the first day of School for my children, but today is especially unique because it is the first day of attending a Montessori school in Dallas.  I enrolled the children in Westwood Montessori this year.  It was a very hard decision for our family.  This means added expense, not being at the same school as the children in our community, and of course driving a half hour to and from school.  Many tears were shed.  I made this decision due to the fact that I too am taking this Montessori journey with my children.  I will begin my Montessori teacher training this September and by July 26, 2013 I will be a MINT graduate and be able to teach in a Montessori school.  I know in my heart this was the right thing for our family and am so very excited for this amazing journey.  Being able to be the one to drop them off and pick them up from school was the most important thing for me.  I'm sure we will have lots of fun conversations in the car, during our 1/2 drive each day. It will be a hard school year and sacrifices will be made, but "If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough"!

Mason begins his third grade year.

(he was very nervous about attending a new school and deeply misses his friends at Hertiage Elementary School)

Sophie is in her first grade year.

(she is so very excited about being at a new school)

Owen is now a full time pre-schooler going to school Monday-Friday from 8:30am-3:30pm. We hope he won't be too exhausted.

My children mean the world to me and I hope one day they will know that everything I do is to help them grow and "it takes courage to grow up and become who you really are"-EE.Cummings

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the two special men in my life! My oh so thoughtful husband and my amazing father!

This is my dad, Robert John, but everyone knows him as Bob. I have to say I have the best dad in the world. Growing up he always made us laugh and always made us feel special. I remember all my friends always telling me how cool my dad was. He is a man with great integrity and honor. I have learned so much from my dad. He is calm, collective, friendly, forgiving, compassionate, giving, and always willing to help. My father taught me how important it is to be honest, get an education, and respect others. I am so thankful to my dad for so many things in my life. He is the quiet one, who is always listening and watching and there when you need him most. I will never forget early mornings at the gym to practice basketball, Slurpee talks, and movies. Dad, I love you tons! Thanks for helping me become the person I am today!!!

As you can tell from the photos, my dad likes to hold the babies. All the grandkids love popa Bob.

Happy Father's Day to my father-in-law, Gary. Gary is an amazing Grandfather. He is always so involved in the kids and their activities. I admire Gary's determination and dedication to his family. He's the grandpa who is always playing games with the kids and enjoying every minute of it. As you can tell from the pictures below he even rides the rides at Disneyland with the kids!
Gary is one of those men who is never forgotten once you have met him. He is kind and always extremely helpful.

Bumper Cars at Disneyland!

And this is my wonderful husband. Happy Father's Day to you! (It's a little song we sing in our family, totally silly, but fun. My mom started it). What can I say about this amazing man. He is so wonderful and such an amazing father. He takes time with each one of the kids. He taught Mason how to ride his bike without training wheels at 4 years old and when I said he was too young, Keith believed in him. He laughs with Sophie and her silly randomness. He toughs it out with Owen and his stubbornness and tantrums and is always so patient while doing it. He believes in each one of our children that they can do anything they put their minds to. What an amazing thing to instill in children. I love him for that. He taught Mason how to play Chess, even though I didn't think he would be able t remember all the rules. Keith is a go getter, no task is too challenging, he will figure out how to fix or do just about anything. Whether it's fixing the brakes on my car or changing the color wheel in our t.v., Keith will find a way to teach himself how to get the job done and I am so glad our children are able to see this and know that they too can accomplish anything in life. I love him with all my heart and know how much of an impact he is as a father. Happy Father's Day to you!

World's Best Dad!!!

Mason the Soccer Star!

This Spring Mason played soccer with Henderson United. He had so much fun! He may be the smallest one on the team but he's definitely the most aggressive. Sports is Mason's passion! He loves it. He loves playing any sport and he loves watching it too. I had so much fun coaching Mason's team this year and plan on doing it again in the fall. Send any soccer drills or secrets my way.:)

Look at that determination!

Future Soccer Star!
Following in big brother's footsteps or maybe he just wants his mommy.:)
Big Owen!

Click on this link to check out the 10 minute movie of Mason and his soccer team:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki0xqivcecA

Where's the Love, Sophie?

So Keith had to work late tonight and when he got home I was laying by Sophie, scratching her back. Keith came in to say goodnight to Sophie. I asked her if she wanted daddy to lay by her. Sophie's response was, "No, mommy!"
Daddy's response, "It's okay, I still love you. I will see you in the morning." And he leans in to give her a goodnight kiss and Sophie puts her hand up and says, "Get out of my room." (and she said it so matter of factually...it was hilarious)
Keith and I just started laughing. She can be so heartless sometimes. I don't think I have to worry about any guy breaking her heart when she's a teenager, it will probably be the other way around.:)

Mason's 5 Years Old!

My sweet Mason was born on March 21, 2004. He was 9lbs. and 6 oz. and 21 inches long. He was one big baby. Now we celebrated his 5th birthday, this year. Wow, how time goes by. He is so fun and always full of energy.

Mason's 1st Birthday!
Safari was the theme of Mason's 1st Birthday. We went on a lion hunt. So much fun!

Turning 2 was so much fun! Elmo was the theme of the party this year! What kid doesn't like Elmo at this age!

Mason and Annison's 3rd Birthday! Do they look like twins or what? Can we arrange their marriage if they don't choose it on their own?

Turning 4 Years Old! Baseball was the Theme!
Mason LOVES sports!

Mason 5 years old!
LOVES
Sports
mini corn dogs
plain hamburgers from McDonald's
Star Wars-The Clone wars
The Wii
Friends and Dyllan

FAVORITE THINGS
color-red and blue
movie-The Polar Express
sport-baseball

When Mason Grows Up He Wants to Be
A Jet Pilot

Toe-Nail Painting

Last week Sophie wanted to paint her nails. I, of course, painted them for her. However, she insisted on painting mine, herself. At first I said, "NO." Thinking about the mess she would probably make and then I thought, "What the heck. She'll enjoy herself." I do believe she did an okay job for a 2 1/2 year old, don't you? Notice the difference in skin tone...so glad she got Keith's skin. Sorry, Owen you and I are the whities!!

What? Gum? Your kidding, right?

This is Mason. He is currently 4 years old and quite intelligent. He recently learned how to ride his bike without training wheels, can write his own name, and is currently learning how to read pattern books, so we find ourselves asking why such a child would stick gum up his nose. Not only did he stick gum up his nose but he didn't tell us for about 2 days which in turn caused an infection and he broke out in a pimply rash on his face. Keith found the gum two nights ago while helping him blow his nose, thinking he was just congested from a cold....oh no we were wrong...it was the gum and the infection that was causing the stuffy nose. He blew it right out and we, well I couldn't stop laughing. Ah the joys of parenthood. This will be a fun story to tell his first girlfriend for sure!