Reunion Part 2

There was a lake at the place we camped and the kids loved it.  I usually prefer a pool, which they had, but everyone else was at the lake so we decided to go where the action was.  My brother brought this fun giant island floaty thing.

We finally got Calista to sleep and Bob and I took nice relaxing rides on the air mattresses my parents brought.  Leon pushed me around for a long time and then I got out and took this picture.

My brother told the kids a scary story about a swamp monster who was coming that night and going to steal a boy to be her husband.  They were pretty scared.  Leon even wanted to go home.

The three legged race was awesome.  The best part was Leon and Penelope's attitude.  They were laughing and having a blast even when they fell down and started crawling to make it to the end.

Bob and I were consistently second.  We will have to practice before the next reunion to beat Isaac and Kim.

The potatoe sack race was way to hard for me.  I gave it a couple practice jumps and then quit.  

Calista was an angle the whole time.  Siiiike (or maybe psych), she was up a lot every night and I just got tired of holding her constantly during the days.  Scarlett was busy playing and so she didn't hold her as much as she usually does and we had no where to set her down, not that she would go down anyway.  So bob and I took turns holding her the whole time.

We did a group hike near the camp ground.  It was hot, and had no shade.

One day we dressed up in Hawaiian clothing.

This reunion was perfect timing for us because we got to see everyone right before we move to Japan.

School Fun

The end of the school year has been lots of fun for the kids.  Penelope's first grade class went on an all day field trip to the Seattle Art Museum.  I even had to drop her off at school and hour early and pick her up two hours after school regularly gets out.  She said she had sooo much fun.  I could tell that she was worn out.

They also had a whole week of dress up days.  The first picture is of job day.  Both girls just picked something they wanted to dress up as and made it clear to me that they probably don't actually want to be that when they grow up.  Penelope is a dancer and Scarlett a teacher.

Hawaiian day was fun.  Penelope first wanted to wear a grass skirt too but she changed her mind.

I was excited for twin day because they get asked constantly if they are twins anyway.

And lastly crazy hair day.  Penelope did not want to participate.

On crazy hair day Scarlett's class went on a field trip to the park.  The boys and I decided to meet her class there and hang out with them for a bit.

Pirate Day

National talk like a pirate day came this year and we went to Krispy Kreme to get free donuts.  Every year they give out a dozen donuts to anyone dressed up like pirates but because we don't live close to a Krispy Kreme we never go.  This year we final made it to one.  We had surprisingly little pirate costume stuff around the house so we had to make things.  I was a little worried they would accept our paper hats and eye patches but when we got there they seemed to care less.  The worker was just like in a monotone voice, "how many pirates in your group?"  I answered five and she bagged up five boxes.  The kids were disappointed that they were all plain glazed and they didn't get to individually pick out 12 donuts but they got over it quickly.

I was prepared to wait in line for about an hour.  I figured for that many free donuts the line must be long.  We waited over 30 minutes last time to go to the Donut Bar and that was on a regular day.  But I was wrong, we were able to walk right up.  I think there were only two or three people in front of us.  It was great!

I didn't want the kids asking me all the time if they could eat their donuts but I also didn't want them throwing up.  These things are super sugary.  So I told them they could have four a day whenever they wanted.  There was lots of talk about saving their donuts and making them last longer, but by the end of the day each child ate all four.  None of them were able to save them.  They finished in three days.  I got tired of my after I ate about four and we ended up using them for french toast.  It was yummy!

Princess Day Camp

Penelope and Scarlett went to princess day camp.  Talitha set it up for them and because it is close to her house they stayed the night with her a few nights so I only had to make the hour drive out three times.  The girls absolutely loved it!

Everyday they learned about a particular princess.  They had tea parties, dress up,  did crafts, and played.

The camp was five days long.  Tuesday was picture day so my sister curled their hair.

Friday was coronation day.  The girls were encouraged to wear fancy dresses.

Penelope and Scarlett wanted princess hair.  Normally I love doing their hair, but we had to leave the house by 7:45 and I had to do their hair as quickly as possible.  It turned out cute.

I came early to see the coronation.




They also sang a few songs that were pretty cute.

The place was so cute!  It made me want to move and get a big girls room for me to redecorate for Penelope and Scarlett.

I really want one of these chandeliers.

Ever since Disneyland Merida has been their favorite princess. They were really excited to see her again, and  I was a little worried but didn't seem to notice any differences in when they saw her last time.

Thanks Talitha for setting this up for them.  I'm sure they would have never gotten to do it without you.

We're Off to See the Wizard

We had a blast for Halloween this year!  After reading "The Wizard of Oz" and watching the movie the kids wanted to dress up as characters from the movie for Halloween.  It worked out perfectly because everyone got to be what they wanted.  Penelope wanted Dorothy, Tucker wanted to be the scarecrow, I thought Leon would make a great lion and he was happy about it, and Scarlett asked to be a princess so she got to be Glinda.

I was able to buy Penelope's and Leon's at Good Will and make the rest from things we had around the house.  Overall I probably spent $25 and most of that was on Penelope's costume.  That's pretty good for six theme costumes.

They were cute skipping down the street together.  I tired to get them to sing the song but it never quit worked out.  Leon wasn't fast enough and they didn't know the words well enough.

Penelope made a great Dorothy and we already had the perfect dog.

Leon wore his costume many times before Halloween and loved growling at everyone.

Tucker said his costume was itchy so I let him take it off for some of the pre Halloween events but for the night of trick-or-treating he had to wear it.  I didn't make it for nothing!

Scarlett got lucky with her costume because we are in San Diego!  It was in the 80s on halloween and a warm 75 when we went trick-or-treating.  No layers this year!  We went to a park carnival thing during the day and I couldn't handle the heat.  It was strange to be trick-or-treating with short sleeves and no coat and not even a hint of a chill.  Last year we were so cold the kids did last as long as I wanted.

Here is the whole gang!  Bob was the tin man and I'm the wicked witch.

We went to this great neighborhood where the houses really went all out.  About 90% of them participated and many of the people were sitting on their front steps waiting for trick-or-treaters.  The houses were even close together.  This is our first year where all the kids could walk well and keep up.  It was great!