Allison's Room Makeover

The toddler games, books and toys are up in the attic, 3 garbage bags of books, stuffed animals and bedding are being picked up by the Salvation Army truck and Allison has a fresh new look in her bedroom. Matt spent the weekend building a closet organizer (Allison and organized usually don't go together, but we sure are trying), building shelves for stuffed animals and touching up all of the paint on her desk and woodwork. I touched up the wall paint and did some sponge painting to tone down the existing hot pink walls which have bugged Matt since the day we did it several years ago. Her room really did glow from the hallway, so this was a nice change. We added some new bedding and a valance and she couldn't be happier. Another Spring Break item crossed off the To Do list. Now it is on to Taylor's room. Oh, the compressor just went on and I think I hear the nail gun!

{Allison wanted this cute little heart painted behind her door.}

Another Season is Under Way....

The girls had their first game of the spring soccer season today. I put my camera in my purse, but forgot to take pictures at Taylor's game, so I will have to get those next week. I am enjoying my new role as Assistant Coach for her team, along side Coach Charlie. Taylor was thrilled to be on a team with Maylie and Emily again and they proved today just how well they work together. They beat the Cougars 6-1 and although Taylor didn't score, she had some amazing crosses and passes from the right and left side. Team Avalanche looked really strong.
After a few hours, we were back on the field for Allison's 1st game. Her team is the same color, but they are the Blue Bombers. She also has friends from last season on her team and even has Coach Damon again!

The ref checks for jewelry and long fingernails before the game.
All fired up and ready to play

Allison played the 1st quarter as a fullback and struggled to get into the game. She was always one step away from the ball, but she came out strong the rest of the game. She scored a goal and played tough after that. It was a bittersweet 4-3 victory for the Bombers because they played against Allison's buddy, Reanna. Matt and I exchanged a few comments and dances after each goal with Hank and Leslie on the other side of the field. Although the league doesn't keep score at this level, the kids and parents certainly do!

Allison and Marley, together again!

Santa Rosa Plateau

Cooper, Taylor, Zoe, Mitchell, Marley and Allison

We planned an outing today with Teri and Wendy and all of the kids and ventured out to one of our favorite local hiking spots, Santa Rosa Plateau. It is a great spot any time of year, but we especially enjoy the spring season when the vernal pools are full of snakes.

As soon as we stepped out of the car we were treated to hundreds of furry catepillars everywhere you looked. I had never seen anything like it. They were all over the fields, the rocks and even crossing the street. They sure kept the kids busy as we hiked to the pools.

Allison and Mitchell walked ahead of the group. Wonder what they are talking about??

Finding a snake was harder than we thought.

Wendy and I had been there before and expected to see snakes everywhere, but not today. We had to search long and hard to find just one, but as we spent more time on the walking bridge, they started popping out all over. We think they started coming to the surface as it got warmer.

It was a nice nature walk and the snakes didn't disappoint us. This is one of the only times we actually go looking for snakes!

Cross "Tour San Diego Mission" Off the List

The 4th graders are studying the California Missions and Taylor was lucky enough to get one that is right in our own backyard, San Diego Mission de Alcala. She really wanted to see it up close and personal so today we crossed it off our "Things to Do on Spring Break" list. Maylie joined us for our day trip to San Diego. La Casa del Padre Serra

Making a wish in the wishing well

Tribute to Father Junipero Serra

The bells of San Diego Mission de Alcala

After our tour of the Mission, we headed right up the hill for a little tour of San Diego State. Classes are still in session so I thought it might be fun to tour the campus. Unfortunately, we couldn't find a visitor parking lot anywhere and the kids were antsy to head to the beach. We did have a few minutes to stop by the 1st apartment Matt and I lived in. Boy, did that bring back memories! Except for a little paint job, it looked exactly the same. The kids tried peeking in the windows, but I reminded them someone else actually lives there now!

Apt. 15A on 55th Street

It was funny listening to the kids comment on the college area. Taylor kept asking why students were just walking around everywhere if school was in session. I had to explain the differences between college and elementary school. Classes may only be an hour a day and yes, you can wear flip flops and spaghetti strap shirts in college!

We continued our tour of SD with a stop to Mission Beach. Matt met us for a stroll along the bayside and the boardwalk (the kids rode scooters). The weather was perfect and it is a great people watching spot!

Spring Break '09

The girls played in the sand and chased each other during a few games of tag.

Our last stop was Joe's Crab Shack for an early dinner in Pacific Beach. Taylor waited all day for some snow crab. She hasn't perfected the art of shelling the crab, but Matt gave her another lesson. She devoured every bite, sparing little for Allison to taste.

All 3 girls slept the entire way home which is good sign that they enjoyed the day!

Trailblazers Got Talent

Act #1- 1st graders dancing to Surfin' USA. They did great! Kate choreographed their dance and they looked so cute in their board shorts and patriotic leis. They practiced for weeks and the 1st of 3 performances was this afternoon. Allison, Grace, Zoey, Abby, Nathan, Westin, Scott and Tommy
Waxing down their surfboards

Doing a little hand jive

They finished with a quick bow and waved as they ran off stage. What a way to start the show! After 25 more acts by talented trailblazers singing, dancing, playing piano and guitar and juggling, it was time for the most anticipated act of the show- The Teacher Act.

Mr. McTasney appeared on stage first and was soon followed by many of our brave teachers who danced to so many memorable songs. The kids giggled and giggled and the parents shared flashbacks from our youth. We clapped along to Grease Lightning, Walk Like an Egyptian and Ice Ice Baby-just to name a few. 2 more performances tomorrow....

Going Green

Last night Allison asked if she could sleep with Taylor. I told her it was a school night so "not tonight". She wrapped her arms around my leg and nervously said, "But the leprachauns are coming tonight". I assured her they wouldn't come as I dismissed all of the fun ideas I had planned. We didn't have any leprechauns shuffle through our drawers or toss pillows throughout the house like last year, but we sure did see a lot of green. The kids ate green eggs and drank green milk with their bagels and bacon and everything in their lunches turned green as well. They were so excited to eat sugar snap peas, honeydew, green-wrapped string cheese, sour cream and onion pringles and sour green YOGOS. They even drank green water. I think we may even have green gatorade for tonight's soccer practice. We all made sure to wear green too so we wouldn't get pinched! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Paper Plate Apology

I pulled the glass Pyrex out of the oven to let the chicken cool while I finished the pasta on the stovetop. Allison comes running in the kitchen to see what is for dinner, grabs the pyrex dish and instantly realizes the mistake she made. Her thumb hurts, turns red and the tears start to flow. I lift her up to put her thumb under the faucet and explain, "Honey, you can't touch stuff that just comes out of the oven. You will burn yourself. That is why you have to be so careful around the stove and oven. Do you understand?" She nods yes and goes running upstairs. Within minutes, long after I am over the incident, Allison comes down the stairs and hands me this plate.
It reads, "I am sre (sorry) that I put my hand on the pan!" That is one to keep in the memory box.

Tooth #2

This tooth has been waiting to come out for weeks. The new tooth was already in and waiting to move forward. Allison finally let Matt pull it out while eating at Souplantation tonight. Taylor and I get nauseous even talking about teeth so we made Matt take her into the men's restroom. I guess there was a man at the sink who watched the whole thing and said "Well, that will be worth a few bucks tonight!"

Allison came out with a bloody napkin and Matt came out with the tooth wrapped up in a napkin. She did one swish of her water and proceeded to the food counter for some soft mac n cheese and an ice cream sundae.

The top two teeth are also loose so it won't be long before she has more gaps in that mouth.

Introducing.....

our very own Junie B. Jones and Fancy Nancy. It has been a fun week of school spirit to celebrate "Reading Across America."

Green Eggs and Ham

First grade celebrated Dr. Seuss today by making and watching Green Eggs and Ham, making Oobleck from Bartholomew and the Oobleck and making flower hats from Daisy-Head Mayzie. I volunteered to help scramble the green eggs for a few of the classes. The kids thought it was the best. They even loved the green ham. I guess I will have to remember this for St. Patrick's Day!

It was all part of "Read Across America" week. So far the kids have gone to school in their "just got out of bed" look for Messy Monday, wore hats for Hats Off to Reading Day and today was Wacky Wednesday. Tomorrow they will wear shirts with school appropriate writing for Read My Shirt Day and finish the week as their favorite funny fictional character. I think Taylor wants to be Junie B. Jones and Allison will be Fancy Nancy.

Day of Awards

The girls missed flag salute on Friday because we were skiing. Unfortunately, it was the end of the 2nd trimester awards ceremony and both girls were honored. Allison was called up for Perfect Attendance for the 2nd straight trimester (Ironic we weren't there!). Taylor also received a Perfect Attendance award and was also honored for making Honor Roll. She received all 5's on her report card. They brought home all of their awards today. Looks like we will be enjoying free lunch at the Hot Dog Shoppe and Islands and will be getting free haircuts at Great Clips.

Then tonight, we were invited to the District Awards Ceremony for Reflections. Taylor's photography won at the school level in October and advanced to district judging. She did not advance tonight, but was given an Award of Merit. We couldn't be prouder of both of them!

Cookies Anyone?

It's that time of year again. Our garage becomes a cookie warehouse for over 2000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. Yesterday my friends, Greg and Kate, followed me over to the main warehouse where we loaded 158 cases of cookies into Matt's truck and their truck. It took about an hour and then we headed over to our house to unload into our garage. Then it is time to sort the cookies out per girl and each family will arrive this afternoon to pick up their individual order. It is quite a process, but well worth the effort. Proceeds from cookie sales fund many of our events throughout the year. Taylor's troop is planning a day at Disneyland with their money and even though Allison is no longer in her troop, I think they are planning a day at Pump It Up. The girls will work a few booth sales at Walmart and the grocery store to try to add to their proceeds. I will be happy when I can get my car back in the garage...