I am grateful...

I am grateful for what I consider to be pretty cool kids. Sometimes I am even grateful that their elementary school is minimum day

 EVERY SINGLE FRIDAY (I said sometimes people).

Now, my cool kid, Ian, is NOT  a fan of movies. In fact he hates going to the movies. It doesn't matter what we are going to see he would rather stay home. He could not think of anything more boring than just sitting in the dark for and hour and a half to watch a screen. However, he has been so excited to see Wreck it Ralph. He has seen the previews and has been waiting and dying for it to come out. Today it did. It was of course a minimum day, thanks Mr. Rose-not, so we went and saw the much anticipated movie. I loved it, so cute, and so well done. He even loved it. Don't get me wrong with about 30 minutes left he started asking me, "when is it over", but he claims he loved it!!

Funny kid!

Isabella as we were leaving the theater said, "I want that movie for Christmas!". So, I guess it was a hit with her too if she wants her own copy. Oh, my cool kid, the BUG. She can try my patience like no other. When she was little she had the cutest voice ever, and I mean ever! People would start up conversations with her just to hear her talk. This is one of my favorite pictures of her deep in conversation with Prince Phillip at Disneyland. Even he loved her voice. I so remember this day, I swear this conversation lasted a good 5 minutes. He couldn't get enough of her.

Now, she has this high pitched crazy loud voice, shoot me now. I am however, grateful for how much she loves to sing! And I do enjoy her singing and her zest for life.

It was a great day at the movies with 2 of my cool kids. I love spending time with them and just hanging out! I am so so grateful for them and their huge personalities and their great health!!

My baby started preschool

Ian's first day of preschool!

So, my baby started preschool. I have such mixed emotions. On one hand I was so excited for him and me! On the other hand I realized I was starting a whole new phase in my life and that always terrifies me! Today was the first day in 11 1/2 years that I had time to myself. Another exciting thing was I was okay when I was dropping him off. I think I might have finally come to terms that Ian is actually is my last. If Stan said the word however, I think it would take me less than a second to say lets do it again!He was so excited walking into school with his lunchbox in hand. You should have seen him that morning when he realized that I hadn't only made 3 lunches but that I had made 4. He could not stop grinning while he watched me fill that Lightening McQueen lunch box! He wasn't nervous at all!Before it was time to go in we found a couple of friends from church. He is excited to be going to school with Kyle and Jake!Silly boy! Last year in our Mom & Tot class this puzzle was his absolute favorite toy. So much so that He got an identical one for his birthday. What did he do as soon as got in that classroom? Played with the puzzle. I would actually recommend it anyone. Every person in our family loves the puzzle, it is quite therapeutic! He loved feeding the monkey bananas!

Every kids favorite part of the day, SNACK TIME! Actually that isn't Ian's favorite part at all. Any given day you ask him what was the best thing he did at school and he will always answer ART!circle time with friends, Kyle and Jake.We are thrilled to have Miss Diane. Olivia had her as well as Isabella. Sophie missed out because her first year of preschool was spent in Hong Kong. Our preschool is a co op so 4 times during the session I get to volunteer! I always stay the first day. As we were leaving he asked that next time I not stay because he was a big boy and he knows that I always come back.

*sob* He is all grown up!
After a successful first day of preschool I made an amazing tasting and amazingly simple dinner. It was devoured and the troops have already asked me make it again. So here it goes, I am sharing a recipe! Lemony Shrimp Scampy! Thanks Melissa D'Arabian

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/lemony-shrimp-scampi-pasta-recipe2/index.html

As a side note, I did not buy fresh shrimp, I used frozen and did not make the stock. I used chicken stock and it was perfect! Loved it!

A real fire station and

real firemen and real firetrucks! Isabella was so excited to go on a field trip with her preschool class to the fire station! She couldn't believe that it was all so real! Of course, since it is preschool I got to go along which meant Ian came with too! He had a great time playing with all of the bells and whistles. All of the kids listened very carefully and Ian just touched everything shiny, which is everything! I can't believe how clean everything is. I think they might even be better than
Carmen!

n!

All of the kids got a turn to sit in the engine truck! Isabella wanted the real fireman to be in the picture with her!

Ian loved the cool trucks. when it was his turn to sit in the cab he instantly grabbed the steering wheel and started making car noises. That boy is all boy!