California Trip

In May we went to California for Eric and Meg's new baby's blessing. We stayed for two weeks. The first week was "vacation" -- the second week, I had to work, but it was nice to be able to work from Cali instead of home. It was still like vacation. We stayed the extra week to watch Lexie and Josh, while Eric and Meg and baby Ryan went to Hawaii with Meg's family. It was a fun two weeks. We went to Disneyland, spent some time in the pool, watched lots of movies, played a lot of Rockband. It was a nice break from the routine, and lots of fun spending time with my neice and nephew. Tams loved playing with her cousins. The weather was really odd the whole time we were there. It was cloudy, cold and rainy. Can't believe we didn't make it to the beach even once? What's up with that?

One funny thing that happened, we went to Aunt Bonnie's house. The kids wanted to go play outside -- I went out to check on them and they'd found some snails. Tamsen was just completely enthralled with them. She picked them up, let them climb up her arm. At one point she had seven or eight of them crawling on her. Lexie kept telling me she wanted to pick one up but she was too scared. Tams and Josh were picking them up and putting them in the garden. Finally, I had to wash all the slime off Tamsen's arms. Who knew that snail slime was so gooey. WoW! It took forever to get it off of her. She thought those snails were great fun though. Crazy kid. I wish I'd had my camera with me.

Preschool Graduation

The preschool that Tamsen attended really goes all out for preschool graduation. They even had caps and gowns. The kids looked so cute. Graduation was held at a local high school's auditorium, and the kids came marching in to Pomp and Circumstance. They all looked so proud of themselves. They performed some songs they'd learned and then each walked across the stage to receive their diploma. They were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. Tamsen said she wanted to be a school teacher and a swimming lesson teacher. It was a fun evening and I was so proud of Tams! Afterwards, we all went to Cold Stone for ice cream. Yum!

Tamsen's Fifth Birthday

I can't believe she's really five! Where has the time gone? On Tamsen's "real" birthday, her dad, Grandpa and Grandma"s" came over for cake and ice cream and to open presents. She was surprised that there were more presents to open. She thought she'd opened them all on her "fake" birthday! She got a "big girl bike" for her birthday -- and after falling over the first time, decided she was done and that her trike was just fine to ride.

Tamsen's Fake Birthday

The Saturday before Tamsen's fifth birthday, she had her first birthday party. She kept calling the day her fake birthday. Funny kid! Some kids from the neighborhood and a few friends from pre-school came to the party. We played the oldie, but goodie games -- pin the tail on the donkey, duck duck goose, broke a pinata -- but mostly they just loved jumping on the trampoline! Then it was time for cake and ice cream and opening presents. I think she got a little overwhelmed with all the presents and wanting to play with each thing, but also wanting to open the next gift. It was lots of fun -- hopefully we won't have to do it again for a few years!

Tamsen, soccer extraordinaire

Tamsen started soccer this year. Ever since her friend Kennedi gave her the soccer uniform, Tams has been asking when she gets to play soccer. At her first practice, she spent most of the time following the coach around being the "assistant". At the first game, she just ran back and forth and back and forth. Whichever way the kids were going, she'd follow them, and then all of a sudden realize they'd turned and were going the other direction. I don't think she ever quite caught the concept that she was supposed to try to get in there and kick the ball! During the fourth quarter of the first game, she told the coach, "I need a break from all this running." By the last game of the season, she said she didn't want to play soccer anymore. Guess we'll see how she feels next spring!

Crazy Hair Day

It was crazy hair day at Tamsen's preschool. She was so excited to go to school with her crazy hair. She wore it like this for two days and would still be wearing it "crazy" if I'd let her!

Mowing the Jungle...

Well, it finally warmed up and dried up enough for me to mow the lawn. The grass was so long that it kept jamming up the mower, so it took a good long time to get it mowed. Ahhh... where's the snow when you need it???