Father's Day 2009

This year we did something a little different for Father's Day. Usually we go to a park that has a pond for trout fishing. The kids love to do this with Daddy, and it has been a tradition for about 5yrs. But this year, rain was in the forecast (Hard to believe from the pics, right?) and so we decided to stay home and watch movies. But the rain never came, so we took a vote, and headed to the beach. I quickly threw together a picnic lunch for 6, and we grabbed all of our beach goodies.

I have been accused of babying my "baby" (she usually stays home with Mommy while the big kids go out to play). So, there was no surprise that she chose to stay next to me and not venture anywhere near the water.

Haley and Em where on a mission to find sea glass and sea shells.

Kaylin played on the boogie board most of the time, she did briefly let her sisters give it a try.

Haley thought she would be cute, and splash Daddy a little bit. Poor thing, she had no idea what she was getting herself into.

Never, ever, start a water fight with your Dad! Yet another lesson learned in her young life!

Then the girls wanted to be buried in the sand, so Daddy buried them up to their waists. Payton was smart and chose to help bury her sisters. She knows that it is no fun to have sand in your bum!
After the beach, we headed to Dao's parents house for a yummy Father's Day Feast!

It was so nice to celebrate the Daddy for a day! We ♥ him, and know how lucky we are to have him in our lives!

Kindergarten Graduation 2009

Three down, one more to go.... That's right, another one of my girls has graduated Kindergarten and is moving on to First grade.

Em, just finished Kindergarten and is now officially a First grader. Here she is waiting her turn at her graduation. Every year it is a big event in the evening at a local park.

The Teacher practices shaking hands and handing out diplomas. It is so cute!

Some of the kids wanted to count to three and throw their hats in the air like the "big" kids do. I love that Em threw hers up so high!

Here she is with the kindest and most patient Kindergarten teacher ever. Really ask any other parents who's children were in her class. We never saw her get frustrated or upset with the kids. She is amazing!

One happy girl!

A special thanks to Grandma R (especially for the flowers), Auntie R, Auntie A, and L & L for coming and helping Em celebrate her special day.

Thanks also to Nana G who brought Em a special gift with her own money, you are such a good friend to Em and she totally ♥'s you!

It all meant so much to her.

Next year is going to be so strange to not leave everyday at 11:30 to pick up my Kindergartner. Payton and I loved going to school at mid day and visiting all the big sisters (and cousins) and their friends.

Don't get me wrong, it was a pain to drop whatever I was doing to head to the school, but I will definitely miss not seeing the kids everyday and getting my "hallway hugs".

Field Day Fun

2009 Field Primary Field Day!

After talking to my friend Sheree, I was prepared with snacks and my fabulous chair that provides shade. It took Em all of 1 min to steal my chair and break into the snacks!

After snacks, she got into the bubbles at the station that I was working.

Cousin Luc waiting his turn for the hurdle, relay race.

Kaylin, carefully carrying her cup of water for the water relay.

Not sure what this was called, but it was super funny to watch! They had to all pick up their feet at once to make the ski move. They were chanting "left, right, left".

The 4th-6th graders don't do field day. So Haley, walked to the local bowling alley with her class and PE teacher and spent the day bowling.

I want to say a special "Thank you!" to the G6 for watching Pay! I wouldn't have been able to take the pictures or help out as much if I had to keep her happy in the yucky heat.

Girl Scouts End of Year Potluck

Em's first year in Girl Scouts as a Daisy was a blast! She could hardly wait to meet with her friends every other week. We celebrated with a potluck at the park.


The troop leader's friend made these amazing cupcakes that were devoured by everyone.

A special thanks to the Daisy troop leaders who did a fabulous job with the girls!

Rosary Heights Field Trip

Last week, I went along with my oldest on a field trip to the beautiful Rosary Heights in Woodway. We walked around the almost 15 acres of parks and gardens and listened to the nuns talk about the amazing history of this 1930's home.

The home was built with great detail and attention. Look at the chimney stacks on the upper left side of the picture.
The beautiful view.

The main point of this field trip is for the kids to have an opportunity to practice their art skills that they have been learning.
Haley and a friend found the perfect spot to sit and do their picture.

The class poses for us parents to snap a pic. The fountain in the center of this pond was turned off so that we could snap away.
After everyone was done, the paintings were lined up along this driveway so that we could all do an "art walk" and view everyones work.

We are so sad that this will be the last opportunity for the class to do this annual field trip. Rosary Heights will be closing at the end of June. It has been sold to the city of Woodway, and they are not sure what they will be doing with the property. =-(

School Art Walk

Every year the girls school hosts an "Art Walk" which is similar to an Open House. Families get to walk around the class and see the projects that your child and their class have been working on. What is unique to their school is that all the classrooms are open to the entire school, so we get to see what the other classrooms have been up to.

Here is Haley with a pastel painting that she did during the classrooms time with a resident artist.

Kaylin's class did another multicultural fest. This year the project was a little different, she had to provide many specific details and facts on the country that she chose along with examples. She is still fascinated with her Chinese heritage, so she chose China.

Em's class had her journals and science notebooks out for parents to see along with various art projects she had done throughout the year.

I think the best thing of all, is that our "PTA" provides free Italian Soda's to all. My girls look forward to this all year long!

Usually, we stick together as a family, but as you can see, Haley was not in the above picture. Being that she is nearly 11 yrs old, she asked that she could go hang out with her friends for "awhile" (basically until I called her and told her it was time to go) (big, big sigh).

Spring Soccer '09

It's hard to believe that this season of Spring Soccer has almost come to an end (actually, it has ended for my oldest).Here she is chillin' while awaiting her teammates arrival for a game.

After the game she is still smiling (check out those rosy cheeks!). After going back and forth, she has decided to play again in the fall. She really enjoys it, just has a hard time because of her horrible allergies (Poor baby!).

Em absolutely loves soccer! She has really gotten into it this season. To the point where she has mastered what she calls her game face (a scowl that tells her opponents that she is NOT one to be messed with).

She has a new coach this season who is a parent from a different Kindergarten class at her school. He is great with the kids, and is often seated at their level to coach and guide them. We like him so much we have signed her up with him for the coming fall season (Which by the way will be all girls!).

It wouldn't be soccer without the staple of wedged oranges. Em and her friends spend every moment of bench time eating them.

Daddy was assistant coach for Pay's team again (along with the amazing Coach David).

She touched the ball a little more this season, but still just kinda trots around on the field following the rest of the flock.

Her buddy Dev and cousin Livi joined her on the team this Spring along with a few new faces that are first timers. Trust me, there is nothing like watching 3 & 4 yr olds play soccer. It is way to cute!

Looks like maybe Dev called his team together for a little motivation?