Families were invited to join their students for breakfast or lunch today and enjoy some time outside. 
Allison requested In and Out and we had a nice time eating our burgers picnic style.
We got to hang out with Wendy, her mom and kids for a little while before Allison headed to the monkey bars and they made their way to the book fair.
The lounge was decorated like a candy shop. The tables were covered in Candy Land board games and mason jars full of candy and the floor was lined with colored paper to look like the Candy Land board.
The buffet table was lined with all kinds of candy and sweet treats.
One of our very talented parents painted this adorable mural to look like a candy shop window.
We arrived to room #44 and followed Allison's checklist to spot all of the items we needed to check off.
We saw several writing samples, artwork and these amazing diaramas. Matt and Allison worked hard on hers and it was fun to see them all displayed.
She did a great job on her Temecula seal.
Matt loved her Solar System pictures and notes and we were all impressed by all she has accomplished this year. We will really miss Mrs. Siptroth and can't believe she will soon enter 4th grade...sniff, sniff!
This morning was the kickoff for Teacher Appreciation Week at the elementary school. The wonderful PTA crew passed out boarding passes to the teachers last Friday and had them all "board the cruise ship" through the main gate for their week-long adventure. 
Each teacher had their picture taken here and buckets of goodies and seashells lined the entrance. 
Each day, they will be filled based on the day's theme and the teacher's lounge will be decorated to match the theme. The teachers do so much for our children and this is just one way we can thank them for all they do!
They started the morning with donuts, thoughtful cards and a basket of candy with an iTunes gift card. I loved the coupon book from Allison with one of the coupons saying she would clean the toilets. Initially it said "for one week", but I could see that it had been erased. I guess cleaning them once would be sacrifice enough!
Beautiful flowers, too!
While Matt worked hard prepping the food for an afternoon BBQ, the girls and Leslie and I met at the nail salon for a little pampering.
Allison, Leslie and I got pedicures
and Reanna, Taylor and Lauren got manicures.
Then it was back to our house for a BBQ. Leslie and I got to put our feet up and play some Words with Friends while Matt and Hank prepared a delicious carne asada and shrimp taco bar. The girls spent hours in the pool and we enjoyed a very relaxing day with our families. A big thank you to Matt and the girls for making me feel so loved. I am so blessed to have you in my life and love you all so much!
We first stopped at Mama Kat's, the best breakfast in San Diego. We went all out with french toast, pancakes, bacon, eggs, breakfast burritos, omelets and even a strawberry shake for Matt!
Reanna's pancakes were bigger than her head and we all left with full bellies. Allison even left with a birthday slice of White Chocolate Oreo Pie!
Then it was on to a picture perfect day at Moonlight Beach and it seemed everyone else had the same idea!
Lauren and Taylor tried to master the Skim Board
and got pretty good by the end of the day.
The little ones played in waves, dug for sand crabs and played "kitchen" in the sand. The dads played smashball, Poppy read his bood and Leslie and I rarely left our chairs...a perfect day!
Today, my baby turns 9! I remember this photo like it was yesterday, but I love looking back at all of these pictures and remembering what fun you have been.
Your "mimi" and your thumb were the most important things in your life when you were 1, and even to this day, hold a special place in your heart.
You have always been so bright and smiley with a strong personality to match!
You have traveled to 15-20 states and will cross a few more off of your list this year.
You love watching Food Network, any wedding or baking show on TLC and like quietly playing your iTouch. Your imagination runs wild as you play "lifeguard" out by the pool, "teacher" in the playroom or "mom" to your many babies.
I have loved watching you develop a love for learning and you have become a very strong student. Your teachers always compliment your responsiblity and behavior in class. Math is probably your strongest subject, but your writing and reading skills are improving everyday and the blisters on your hands are proof that you spend a lot of recess time on the monkey bars!
The soccer field has become your second playground. You "rock" as goalie and are a very agressive and powerful player on the field. We have nicknamed you "bulldozer"!
But most of all, I love the young lady you are becoming. I still love to squeeze your tushy buns, but my baby is growing up. Your room is still a pigsty, but you have become very self-sufficient, loving towards your family and are a wonderful friend. You make me laugh everyday and I love your confidence. We hope you have the wonderful birthday today and the best year yet.
Recipe for Fun!
The girls all decorated these cute chef hats and looked great in their aprons.
Time to make their own lasagnas!
Each girl filled a small bread tin with sauce, noodles, meat and cheese and put it in the oven. They played games and made their salads while dinner cooked.
Lorien, Reanna, Allison and Amanda...So proud of their masterpieces!
Abby, Grace, Marley and Julia
Julia, Lorien and Stephanie
Taylor made Allison this cute cake
Allison couldn't wait to open gifts...
but we were all shocked when she started crying after reading Taylor's card. It was so sweet!
After cake, the girls each got 12 cupcakes to decorate using icing, sprinkles, gel pens and candy.
Allison's works of art
Each girl went home with a to-go container filled with a Friendship trail mix and hopefully a lot of fun memories. The girls all seemed to have so much fun and Matt and I are glad we survived. Just wishing now that I could keep my baby 8 forever...
