Brooke's first steps

She has been taking little steps for awhile now, but the other day was the first time she would actually walk back and forth between Aaron and me.

Little milestones

So, last week I didn't blog and this week hasn't been any better. Now that the new T.V. season has begun, I don't seem to find any extra time at the end of the day to blog. I have also been trying to catch up on my reading. I am finally reading "The Kite runner" I have had this book for over a year...so far I love it!





This week I decided to put Brooke's hair in little pig tails. She looks like such a toddler when I do this and that is why it is a little milestone for her. Yes, I am still waiting for the much bigger and much anticipated milestone...walking. She doesn't seem the least bit interested. Why should she...she has everyone to carry her around!








I mentioned before that Reese got homework but this week she got a homework packet. It isn't due until next Tuesday but, man, she has a lot of work to do. Oh...she got sent to time-out at school this week. She refused to clean up at school and she chose to go to time-out over cleaning up. However, she did have to clean up when she came out. Yet again, another milestone for Reese...homework and her first time-out in school.







Garrett got his AWANA vest this week. He was so excited especially since last week he said that he was the only one who didn't have a vest in his class. Now he is working on his patches so now we have AWANA's homework, too.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

So, it's been awhile but from the title I guess you can guess why. Also, we have been having issues with our server and I'm not a patient person when it comes to computers. If it doesn't come up quickly then I don't bother. Well, let's just get right to the good stuff...

Olympics at Eastvale Elementary...this took place on September 10th.

The A.M. and P.M. kinder classes singing a patriotic song.

I went to help out with this event. I will spare you the angry post about this event and give you a more calm account of what took place. Basically, parents were rigging it so their child could win gold medals, therefore, there were kids at the end that did not end up with medals. I made sure that I mentioned that to the afternoon room mom. Well, she didn't listen and at the end there were 8 kids that didn't receive medals while some kids had 3 or more. Why the teachers felt they needed to give out gold, silver and bronze medals for each event is beside me, except, for the fact that they are young and do not yet have children of there own, nor do they have enough teaching experience to realize that these are 4 and 5 year old kids that they are dealing with. Well, Garrett was one of the 8 that didn't receive a medal and he composed himself well, but one other little boy buried his face in his hands and began to cry. I think that upset me more than anything, good thing his parents weren't there! The teachers quickly scrambled to give out 8 more medals based on sportsmanship. I was terribly disappointed in his teachers. I would never have done that in front of parents. This whole process clearly was not careful thought out or planned. Other than that, Garrett had fun participating in the Olympics!

Garrett doing the balance beam.

Garrett doing the long jump.

On the 12th of September, I had the one year anniversary for Stroller Strides. I can't believe that when I began Brooke was only 7 weeks old and now she is almost 14 months. Wow, how time flies! I tried to take lots of pictures but my camera wasn't working right...go figure. I did win a gift certificate to a sporting store, which happens to be owned by my friend's in-laws. I gave it to Aaron because I thought he could use it more than I could. Here are the few pictures that I did get...

Brooke today loving her stroller!

Brooke a year ago when I began stroller strides.

Here are the two girls posing on their stroller...last year Reese only got to go on Fridays because of preschool but this year she gets to go everyday that mommy and Brooke go. It makes for an interesting workout...she's my own little personal trainer!

The next day, Garrett had his soccer game. He did awesome. He got a hat trick! He was so excited. He really loves playing soccer this year and he so competitive! He wants to win and he gets upset if his team is losing. At the soccer game, Reese tripped over my dad's feet and hit her cheek. She ended up getting a huge bruise that is still healing and even gave her her first shiner. I guess I should take a picture of that...I'll try tomorrow and add it if I remember.

Chasing down the other team!

Another big kick!

Today, Reese got her first homework assignment. She has to write the letters on all her animal friends. They made these cute little puppets made out of animals that correspond with the letters. She actually knows them. She is constantly amazing me when I pretend to not listen. If I ask her to do something academic she pretends like she doesn't know a darn thing but if I just pretend like I'm doing something else she will do it. She is such a stinker! Also, while we were getting in the car today, she said that she liked Garrett and having him as a big brother. I thought that was very sweet of her.

Brooke being silly.

She likes to pretend that she is doing a somersault...although, she does this just to be funny!

Just a few of my favorite things...

When Reese was about one, I bought this outfit for her at the gymboree outlet store. I loved the whole flip-flop line. Needless to say, this was one of my favorite outfits. I was so excited to use it again on Brooke.







I just love her cute smile and the way she poses when it's time to take her picture.






We went to the store after I picked up Garrett from school yesterday. While going by the seafood section, the man working in the meat and seafood department asked Garrett and Reese if they wanted to see an octopus. Of course they said "yes". He came back with this frozen baby octopus. He let them touch it and feel the tentacles (with gloves on). They thought that was just the coolest thing.



One of mine and the kids' favorite dinner is Linguine with shrimp and lemon oil. I saw it on Everyday Italian. Garrett asks me to make it every chance I get and I don't mind because it is so simple, easy and flavorful.

Labor Day Fun!

We sure were busy this Labor day!




The weekend started off with Garrett having a sleep over for the very first time. He had his best friend, Justin, stay the night. The ate pizza and stayed up late to watch the Angel game. They didn't go to bed until around 10:30 p.m.


The gang smiling for a group picture.




The next three days we had barbeques to attend. Saturday was the first of the three barbeques. We headed out to Temecula to visit with our friends, Angie and Jared, Shawn and Roseann, Chris and all the kids. We ate, swam and played the wwii (I think that is how you spell it). Of course, I forgot my camera, so I don't have any pictures to share with you of this day.


Sunday, we headed over to my parents' house to swim and barbeque while Aaron was at the Nascar race. Once again I forgot my camera.

On Labor day, our neighbor's, Sue and Daryl, had a get-together. We swam once again and ate way too much food! Well...I did!

Garrett going for a ride on Dani's back. I think he has a secret crush on her.

Just floating along and relaxing!

The whole bunch of them swimming.







Ah! Nothing like leaning back on daddy and drinking a nice, cold bottle of milk.





Now that school is back in session, it seems as though everyone is signing up their kids for dance. What use to be a class of three little girls in Reese's dance class has turned into six. One of which is a 2 1/2 year old that just ran around and didn't follow directions at all. I felt bad for her because she had no interest or clue what was going on. Her mom said that she might be too young but she was going to push her. Now is that any fun? Personally, she is just going to be a distraction to the other girls who are there to learn, more work for the teacher, and take away important learning from the other girls. Can you tell I'm a former teacher? We'll see if she is there next week and if she is and continues this way then I just might have to say something to the owner. I think it's okay to start them at 2 1/2 if they are developmentally ready, mature and ask to be in dance, however, this little one is clearly not there on all three levels. I could tell that the teacher was becoming frustrated dealing with her and no one wants a frustrated teacher. Okay, enough of my complaining! Here is a cute picture of Reese standing and waiting her turn.



I just thought this was so cute because her little behind is so cute in her dance outfit. I also love the way she has her hands just so on her hips. Too cute!

Oh My Gosh!

Oh My Gosh! Where do I begin? It's been so long since I've been on here that I have about 2 weeks worth to catch up on. Okay, here I go...


1. At Garrett's Back to school night, we were asked to be there at 6:00. I looked around and noticed that there weren't that many parents there for Back to School. We quickly learned the hard way that all the newbies came at 6:00 because that is how the deceive parents into a PTA meeting. I won't make that mistake again!



2. Brooke got her fourth tooth. It is her upper front tooth. So, she is officially on table food. Well, last week I gave her some banana with her waffle and I caught her smelling her banana before tasting it. Apparently, she didn't like the way it smelled or tasted. She has never cared for bananas and still doesn't.



You can't see her tooth but I thought it was a cute picture.







3. While were on the subject of food...the other day at lunch, while I was at the refrigerator getting my lunch, Reese announces that she gave Brooke a carrot. I quickly turn around to find Brooke gnawing on something. I run over to her high chair and pull out half of a baby carrot. I explained to Reese that she can't just give Brooke anything to eat. I then told her that she is not allowed to give Brooke food unless mommy tells her to do so. It was a scary moment for me!


4. On the way home from school the other day, Reese let me know that her teacher is a mama like me and that her house is also a school and then she said; "Isn't that strange?" Too cute!




5. Then the next time I picked her up she didn't want to leave. She told me that they were dancing and her teacher has the same song as mommy's music. It's the Hap Palmer "Getting to know myself" CD. She loves the "Sammy" song and so do I!



6. Brooke is standing on her own all the time!


It's hard to catch her standing all on her own with no support so this was the best that I could get.









7. Garrett's homework is still a joke. The last 2 weeks he had to just to a collage of for the color of the week. This week is the same with 3 pages of identifying objects that don't belong. That's it! I know they said that they take it slow but this is ridiculous.



8. Our water heater broke, the warranty ran out last October and we had to spend a small fortune to replace it. Yeah!


9. This past Saturday was opening day for Fall soccer. Aaron is a referee this year as well as assistant coach. Garrett did great. He scored 2 goals and really stayed in there this time. He also kept track of the score for his team and the other team (even though score isn't kept). He wants to win all the time now. Aaron thinks that has made all the difference in him being more aggressive. He's probably right.


There they are "The Green Machine".






Don't you just love Aaron's referee outfit. I especially love the socks. I think they make the whole outfit.





10. The kids were talking about how they want to get a pool. I told them that I would have to go back to work if we got a pool. I asked them if they wanted me to go back to work and Garrett then says; "yes, please so we can hurry up and get a pool!"



11. Did I mention that Aaron got a motorcycle?...well scooter/motorcycle. It goes a maximum of 60mph so it's faster than a scooter.

Aaron and the kids

1. Last Thursday, Brooke got her third tooth. It's one of her top ones and the other top one should be popping out soon.



2. Aaron was gone since last Thursday and just got back late last night. He had a great time on his baseball trip to Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.


In Boston at the Cheers bar.

Aaron and Jared at Yankee stadium.





Aaron at the Washington monument.





3. Yesterday, we went to Garrett's school for a meet and greet with his new teacher. I was talking with her and they said that they go pretty slow the first trimester, now I know this being a former kindergarten teacher, but the mom in me is worried that he'll be bored.




4. Reese started her new preschool today. She waved with a big smile on her face and said; "Bye". The teacher had play-doh so I think that was a big plus.







5. Garrett started another year of kindergarten. I just hope he isn't too bored! He actually looks like one of the taller kids in his class. When I picked him up he didn't seem like he was bored, in fact, he said that they were very busy today. That made me feel much better.






6. I found out today just before taking Garrett to school, there was an opening in the morning class and they offered it to me. So, of course, I took it. Yeah!



7. However, with Garrett at school this afternoon and the girls down napping, it was very peaceful and I had some quality time to myself.


8. Brooke is officially cruising and constantly pulling herself on everything and anything.


9. The other night while I was reading Reese a book, Garrett sat next to me and decided he wanted to read "I love you forever" by himself. I helped him a little bit and he did really well. Eventually, he wanted me to finish reading the book to him.


10. Is it ever going to cool off?