Opening Day Ceremonies for AYSO Soccer! (and our busy schedule begins...)

I meant to post this sooner, but was VERY busy last week.  Last weekend (9/10-11) was the kids opening day for soccer.  Ashlyn is on the Fairy Princesses team, and Jacob is on the Green Dragons.  They both played very well.  I'm proud of both my soccer players and their teams.  Saturday morning was a full morning of soccer.  They do a big opening day ceremony at 8am, then the games begin shortly after.  Unfortunately, Jacob and Ashlyn played at the same time that first week.  At least we were both there, so we divided up and got it done.

Sunday, Ashlyn was invited to a birthday party for one of the girls on her soccer team.  The whole family went.  I told Mike we were only going to stay for about an hour, because I had sooooo much to do.  BUT, the kids had such and great time (and so did Mike and I), we were there for over 3 1/2 hours!!  It was a fun party with lots of activities!!  This same family puts on a big Halloween party, so we are excited to attend that one, too!!

The rest of the week, I was busy getting all the stuff tagged for the consignment sale that was THIS weekend.  I enjoy participating in the sales, and it helps out making money back on the stuff I buy for the kids (clothes they outgrow or toys they are done with).  It is a lot of work, but it's fun to go through everything.  And hopefully this will help get things organzied.

Ashlyn started ballet and gymnastics last week, so that's keeping her busy.  And Jacob is getting into cub scouts again.  I'm currently looking for a martial arts program for him, because I (and he) would really like to get back into that. 

Ashlyn and Jacob ready for soccer!!

Opening Day Ceremonies - Go Green Dragons!!

The Green Dragons!!

The Fairy Princesses!!

Ashlyn's first soccer game.

She shoots and scores!!  Go Ashlyn and Go Fairy Princesses!!

Ashlyn and her new friend Isabella at Isabella's birthday party.

Lauren wanted to play soccer, too!!  She really loves kicking the ball!!

Lots of kids and lots of play-doh!!

Party games!!

This was after the pinata broke open...they all rushed in to get their fair share!!

First Day of School - August 31, 2011

Jacob and Ashlyn, both started school on Wednesday.  Jacob is now in 2nd grade, and Ashlyn in her last year of preschool.  Both first days went well.  Jacob was a little bummed that some of his friends from school last year aren't in his class this year, but he's making new ones.  And he gets to see the others at recess.  He likes his teacher, and I've heard numerous people say she is the BEST.  I think we're going to have a good year!!

Ashlyn is now going to school 3 days a week in the mornings.  The first day she instantly met another little girl.  When pick-up came, she was running around the playground playing with her new little friend.  There's also another little girl in the other classroom that she met (actually met her at Jacob's pick-up, because her big sister is in Jacob's class).  So I'm really happy that Ash is meeting some girls to play with.  She also gets to play with our neighbor/friend, Colin at recess...so she is one happy camper!!

1st day walking to school!!

 They are getting so big!!

My big 2nd grader!!

Jacob with his teacher, Ms. Patterson.

I didn't get the picture at his desk before school, so I got it at pick-up.

My big girl!!

Ashlyn on her first day with her little friend from last year.

She drew a picture of our family...Laruen is sitting on Shadow.  :-)

Ash and Colin...they didn't find each other on the playground until we picked them up.  They were happy!!

And yelled and laughed the entire way home!!  They both are so full of energy!  Kindergarten teachers...beware!!

Last 2 Weeks of Summer!

Well, we made it through all our travels for the summer.  It was a busy one, but I'm happy for all the wonderful memories we created with our friends and family!!  When we got home, we didn't take too much of a break.  We only had a couple weeks left before school started, so I wanted to end our summer with a bang.  We had several playdates at different parks, took the kids to the circus, went swimming, took a hike, went to Six Flags for my birthday, and finally the last day of summer, the kids and I rode BART up to the city to have lunch with Dad!!  I don't like driving, because I don't like to stress myself out over parking.  Bottom line, parking sucks.  Mike's work isn't too far from the BART station, so it works out well.  And a bonus, the kids enjoy it.

Here are some pictures of our last 2 weeks of summer...

When we got home, the kids were anxious to see their friend, Colin. One of our 1st days back, we met him at the park

Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey

Swimming with our friends

My Pretty Princess...

 One of our hikes...

First soccer pracice, for the Green Dragons!!

I like how they have student coaches from the UK come to help out.

Daddy and Lauren

We celebrated my birthday at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.  We've never been there, and I thought it would be a fun outing.  I enjoy taking the kids on family adventures, so this was a really fun birthday.  This theme park is really nice; it has rides and animals!!  When we were done, we headed home and had dinner at BJ's.

They love all the superheros at Six Flags!

She touched it!!

Birthday Pazookie!!

Part 6 - Lake of the Ozarks

Here's some pictures from our vacation within our vacation!!

We had a few thunderstorms, and after one of them we saw a very pretty rainbow!!  It was actually a double rainbow!!

Ashlyn did a lot of coloring.  We also played games.

Jacob played a lot on his 3DS.

The girls out on the balcony.  We enjoyed throwing bread to the ducks.

The kids enjoy going to Miner Mike's - it's a huge arcade with a few kiddie rides. 

Ash and "L" riding, while Jake was playing games with Dad.

Bumper cars...funny story...

Ashlyn is hilarious when she rides the bumper cars...she doesn't quite get the hang of it, and got so angry with Jacob whenever he bumps her...so, she reached over and tried to hit HIM, but ended up hitting his car!!  LOL

We played mini golf a couple times.  This is one of our favorite places to go.  Pirate's Cove!

 HOLE-IN-ONE!!

Bridal Cave - they really have weddings here.  

It's a pretty cave, but I don't think I'd want to get married in it.

This was so not stroller friendly.  Good thing I had my baby carrier.  Some of the walkways were very tight.

 I love the uniqueness of caves!!

 Make-up Time!

Almost every morning, Ash would disappear when Gma was getting ready...this is what I caught them doing!!  :-)

 BOAT TIME!!  

Helping Dad drive the boat.

Relaxing...

Tubing!!

Ashlyn was showing "L" how to play her DS.

We took the big kids on the jet ski's for the first time.  They both had a really good time.  I don't have pictures of Ash and I, because Mike thought I was crazy for taking my phone out to get these pictures, and he wasn't going to risk his.

Day 1 of Jet Skiing!

Day 2 of Jet Skiing!  They took a faster one this time!

They made me nervous...they were going really fast!!

After we got back from the lake (the next day), we went back to Deanna Rose again with Heidi and her kids!