Exhibition Peak Park at Mountains Edge

Boston's class went to this great park for their spring picnic. They got to play on the playground, eat lunch, hike to the top of the mountain, fly kites they'd made, and have an egg hunt.

He insisted on being in the front. He likes to be in charge.

We received a notice from his school that it was "self evident" that Boston's hair was too long. Rules. We had to cut off an inch or two. He looks like Lord Farquad from Shrek now. It always takes a week before he looks normal again. He wants to cut it short but I can't go there again. (It isn't cut in these pictures.)

I was wearing my token flip flops because I didn't get the memo (as usual) we were going on a hike. It was quite the incline.

The lovely view from the top. The desert leaves a lot to be desired but the grass at this park was the nicest I've encountered. It was soft, lush and above all very green.

The two kindergarten classes from Boston's school at the top of the mountain.

Boston holding hands with his friend, Carter. A rare moment for Boston. He won't even let me hold his hand.

Boston trying to get his kite in the air.

It was quite the site to see all the "scholars" (as the school calls them) in their matching uniforms running with their kites.

We were done with the field trip by 1:30 pm and school lets out at 2:50 so I asked Boston if he wanted to go home and he said no because he was going to art. No big deal. Gas is only $4 a gallon. A happy Boston equals a happy life.

Sock Hop

A very big event the kids look forward to every year. They even enjoy getting into character. Eric put his artistic skills to use and gave Jackson & Boston a tattoo. Leighton didn't want anything to do with it. He says, he never wants one. Thank goodness!

Now that Kennedy is in Jr. high, she hung out with me against the wall (most of the time). Boston's sock hop was last week and he tore up the floor there but didn't leave my side at this one. He pretended he was shy.

The twins almost won the costume contest. I'm pretty sure it was the "twin thing" that kept them in the running. And Jackson kissing his guns every now and then.

This duo won the twist dance contest! It was a very proud moment.

Kennedy's BFF showed up as well. I made the twins jump in the picture and they were like, "who is this?" I am disappointed that I even succumbed to a picture but it was just too random to pass up.

And a major miracle occurred, I took one for the team and danced the Electric Slide. Eric forced me to do it "for the kids." I felt so old.

A fun time was had by all!

9th Birthday Party!

Jackson and Leighton wanted to celebrate in style and decided on a Games2U Party this year. I worked with the guy that owns the company this past year and got a great deal. It included the mobile game theater, laser tag and a candy cannon. I would highly recommend this type of party because I just watched from afar. The Games2U people handled all the gaming.

The boys had a great time and I heard one of the party goer's say as he was leaving, "this was the best birthday party!" Mission accomplished. The twins was so overwhelmed with all the gifts last night that they couldn't even go to sleep. Their room looked like a war zone with bey blades and darts everywhere!

Happy, happy 9 years old Jackson & Leighton!

In Memory

She's been very good to us. The longest we've ever owned a vehicle and she had lots more to give. Unfortunately, I was looking up at the camera over the stop light and didn't notice the car in front of me. I did my best to slam on the brakes but my best wasn't good enough at that point. The grandma with her 3 teenage granddaughters in the mini van in front of me were luckily just fine (a little emotional). Her van had some bumper and muffler damage but she was able to drive off. Boston was in the middle row passenger seat as I had just picked him up from school and was headed to pick the twins up from their school. He was crying his head off because he thought I was going to be arrested. No arrest was made. Just a hefty citation for "following too closely."

Today, we got the news that our car is not worth fixing so it will be totaled out. We were planning on getting a new car in a year or so but as I've said before, things don't always go as planned. Our hope is to get another Toyota Sienna. Jackson wants it to be black. Sounds good to me. This is when insurance makes lots of sense and you are grateful you have it.

The good news is that this is the third incident in our life: first was the move/home sale, second the job loss and now the totaled vehicle. They say things happen in 3's so we can rest easy now. Ha, ha! If only that's how it worked?! No really the good news is that everyone is healthy, no injuries - just a few wrinkles added to the collection.

Life As We Know It

One minute the boys were going to have a car wash the next, it was lemonade. They spent the entire day on Saturday harassing passer's by to buy some lemonade and support their cause. Oh and Jackson always left with the parting message, "You can tip if you want!" They made $42 big buckaroos! They split it 2 ways (the neighbor boy got half because the twins were sharing theirs) and have plans to go to Chuck E. Cheese or buy bey blades.

These bikes and the surrounding vacant lot means FREEDOM! The kids can ride their bikes, scooters or play ball without me standing over them stressing. Zach is a neighbor friend from Leighton's class so everyone has someone to play with. Boston and Zach seem to hit it off right away.

While the twins were selling lemonade, Kennedy and I were putting her room together. Before we moved, we kind of hyped the kids up on getting to redo their rooms. Kennedy spent lots of time flipping through Pottery Barn Teen and this was what she came up with.

She still has a few more things she'd like to add but is very happy with the way it turned out. She has been spending most of her free time reading book after book and I'm glad she has a place to escape to and call her own.

Also, this past week was New Beginnings for Kennedy. The theme was Black and White, Wrong or Right. Such a great night about being Honest. All the girls wore black and white. It's been a while since I was involved with Young Women's and I can see that it is totally inspired. She has great leaders who put so much work into making it special.

We also did a little target practice. The whole family was surprisingly accurate.

Having this time to do things as a family sure has been nice. I know the "honeymoon" will have to end some time but we are in no hurry.