Special Friends Day

Hubby and I aren't grandparents, but we are special friends for Caleb and Emilyn. So we were invited to attend LCS's Grandparents and Special Friends Day. What an honor! I have gone before but it was Hubby's first time.

First we went to 4B to see Caleb. He is a super artist and I may be biased but I thought his art work rocked. When we got to 4B Caleb was working very hard. He shared with us the book he made about LCS's 100th anniversary.

I went to 4th grade at LCS too, and I made this same relief map of Washington state. I told Caleb that mine was a little different because Mt. St. Helens hadn't blown yet so I didn't have a hole at the top of the mountain like he did. I didn't mention anything about the eruption being 30 years ago either. He would have thought that I am older than dirt.

Our next stop was Emilyn's first grade classroom. She explained everything including how their class takes care of the calendar and counting the days of school. She took us on a tour to the library, the gym and the playground.


It is a fun day because the kids are so proud of their work and the grandparents are so proud of the kids.

Thanks Caleb and Emilyn for the invitation! I know that if your grandparents lived closed they would have been there. We were happy to sub!

A First

Caleb and Emilyn came over last night. After dinner,where my guys told E. to back off the meatballs-for crying out loud, I made plenty, had leftovers. I guess Max and Sam just LoVe to tease Miss E., the little sister they never had. Anyway, after dinner...we went for a ride to get some ice cream for dessert.

This was a first for Caleb and Emilyn, they had never ridden in a convertible, on the road. Not sure what that means, maybe Fair or Disneyland rides are considered off road. A good time was had by all.


Sometimes it is the little things in Life.

This afternoon, tomorrow morning and Monday I am at Sole Obsession. Now that the kids have all their new Fall clothes I think it is time for mama. Come in and I'll fix you up with something stylish. Hubby is working doubles all weekend, so I may as well work too.
I do have a little fun planned though.
Enjoy the sunshine this weekend-could be the last of summer...

Pool Party

Well, kinda a pool party, a little pool party. Caleb and Emilyn came over yesterday for lunch and a swim. Someone learned how to float on her back at swimming lessons and can't stop.

Having control of the hose may seem like a little thing but when your brother wants control of the hose, trust me, it's a big thing.

Even more exciting than the pool, we drove through the car wash. A first time experience that brought shrieks and giggles.
Sometimes it's the little things in life.

Bon Voyage

Caleb and Emilyn came to visit tonight. I casually ask if they have Spring break plans, thinking they are probably going to visit some grandparents.

Yep, they have plans. Disneyland. Mexico. A cruise.

For crying out loud.

Seriously.

Yep, they are doing it all.

So, Caleb used my laptop to do some gaming. He likes it. And he may not have access to a computer for awhile.


And Em and I got busy. We made a travel journal with pages for everything. She can add things and photos as she gets them. We did pages for Disney, being on the airplane, Mexico and for when she is on the ship. A regular junior scrapper.






She wanted a picture of every page, even the one of someone crying that the vacation was over.

Then we got serious about their trip and I taught them some useful Spanish. Donde es el bano?*

*Where is the bathroom?

Adios amigos!

Christmas Prep

Decorating
Baking
Emilyn playing with the little Bears' house. Hubby's Grandpa made it for a school auction twenty+ years ago. We bought thinking we might have a little girl someday. I found it in the closet with the Christmas decorations. Emilyn had fun playing house with the Bear family.
Caleb is enjoying my new laptop.
Cleaning. Hubby did the floors today and we did all the chandeliers this week.
Hubby and Caleb and Emilyn's parents are practicing for the choir cantata tonight.
All these preparations for Christmas make me excited for it to be here. Danny is home in nine more days! Can't hardly wait!

Happy Birthday Emilyn!

Today is Emilyn's 6th birthday! She didn't think she would actually be six until after school, however; I think she woke up six years old. Her party is on Saturday and I'm invited.
The guys are invited too IF they like Hello Kitty.
We decorated a haunted castle cake last night. She wanted to take it to school to share. I quietly told her Mom that she licked fingers a lot so maybe the cake should stay home. She did most of it by herself. Cute!
I had a box of gnarly teeth on the steps and Caleb and Emilyn found them instantly. They each picked some out to take home. I love gnarly teeth.

Last year when Dan was home, we had our pumpkin carving party. I asked our friend, Mark to take a picture for our Christmas card. He was all over it. Got ready for the shot and was a little surprised when he told us to "smile".
That kind of thing cracks me up.

Literally and Figuratively

Remember those Grammar assignments where you had to determine if a sentence was literal or figurative? Thanks to Miss Adelene, my Grammar teacher, I do. I gave those assignments too, when I taught junior high Grammar. Yes, I taught Grammar and this is how I write... Whatever.

Last night I cut up what Safeway calls its "personal watermelon", they mean that figuratively, Max takes it as literally. Note the plastic lids next to the watermelon. We made loads of applesauce after work yesterday. Figuatively. Literally we made 13+ pints. The taste testers liked it so much I sent their Mom, Amie home with apples to make sauce.
Emilyn came over last night and we went hot tubbing with Caleb and Max. When Max and I are in the hot tub he talks to me nonstop. Anything making him nervous in life comes right out. Max had to share me with Emilyn who also talks to me nonstop, figuratively. Last night she is talking and suddenly says, "I would like to live here." I think she means that figuratively, hope so anyway. She would be a tad exhausting on a permanent basis. Literally, I think she meant, I love you, Tami.
Caleb is a good listener. I love that about him and I mean that literally.

And tonight...I would like to welcome home my hubby! He has worked 45 out of the last 48 days. Sometimes double shifts. He will be spending the next four days with his family. Figuratively. And figuratively, I have killed the fatted calf to welcome him home. Literally, I put a roast beef in the crock pot with Lipton onion soup mix this morning for our dinner tonight.

I called my boss, Troy, this morning and told him, "I don't want to work today." He knows I mean that figuratively. I literally love my job, I just don't have time to go to work today. Thanks Troy (I meant no disrespect in the previous post).
Today I am gearing up for the big party on Saturday evening. Where CUTE will reign and the food will be delicious.

And a Good Time Was Had By All

At least I hope so. Caleb will walk away from the computer for several things, including new Lego sets and roasted marshmallows. He had a good time on the patio last night. He roasted perfectly white, totally melted mallows. Patient.

Emilyn does not like her mallow burned. Thank you.

Caleb went to a friend's birthday party this morning. Emilyn had a manicure, pedicure, a tattoo and a custom made ankle bracelet at Tami's beauty/spa/tattoo parlor. Don't worry, we talked about NOT getting real tattoos.

Hot Tamales

Last night I had dinner started when my sis, Jodi called and said, "hey, Jose's wife made tamales, I bought them, want to come for dinner?" Um, yes! So, we packed up the homemade pizzas I had made and the banana layer cake and hot footed it right over to Bill and Jodi's place. But first Emilyn wanted to change and came down ready to go in her Snow White high heels and white princess gown. Snazzy! Nothing like a house guest that knows how to dress up for dinner.
Caleb was happy, the guys put him on his own laptop. He only came out for food. That explains why I have no photos of Caleb, those guys will BOO and hiss at a photographer/blogger like nobody's business.
Emilyn rode in the golf cart, had a photo shoot with Jodi, the Snapsister that is my sister and got over her fear of dogs. Those tamales are sooo good and the green hot sauce is something else. A fun evening.
Today, I had thought we might go to the Bay but we are busy with the park, swimming lessons and a surprise shopping trip at the museum gift shop.

They're Here!

Caleb and Emilyn are staying with us until Saturday. We are very, very BUSY.

A Prepared Visitor and her Brother

Last night I had some visitors, one came ready for rain.

Emilyn showed me what was in her purse. She explained everything too. Two pairs of sunglasses because one is for when you want to look cute, like at the beach and the other pair is for like when it really is sunny and you need the sun out of your eyes. Makes sense to me. She had earplugs too. I don't, however; I think it is a great idea. Three things of lip stuff, me too. Jewelry, money, pretend phone, water balloons (another great idea, never know when you'll need those), a hairband, pens and other assorted items.

Wii had fun! Sam and Caleb aka gaming zombies.

Emilyn and I frosted a cake and the kids and I took it to church to share with the choir since it was their last rehearsal for this year. Caleb and Emilyn are still going to come over sometime because it was too wet to make s'mores and sit in the hot tub last night. So, the fun is not over.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day at School

And I am a special friend! Caleb and Emilyn's grandparents live in other states so I got invited to school for the Open House. School is cool. Yesterday I went to Emilyn's Pre-4 class where they are studying Space travel. The kids shot off their rockets, painted and had story time. Fun stuff!



Today I went to Caleb's second grade classroom where they have chicks hatching, Indian villages and very cool artwork. Recently Caleb wrote an alliteration book and he actually was chosen to attend the Young Author's Conference. He read it to me today, not only can he write but is a great artist too.

Dreaded Question

Caleb and Emilyn came over tonight and we sat in the hot tub. They always want to but forget their suits and I don't think of it. With reminder notes, phone calls and a group effort they remembered tonight. So, we have a good time in the hot tub and then go inside and while I am in the bathroom changing out of my suit, Emilyn comes to the door.
Emilyn-"Where is the fish?"
Me-"Just a second, I'm changing." (thinking oh no, I better have this conversation face to face.)
Emilyn-"Where is the fish?"
Me- "I'm coming."
Emilyn-"I am going to look in the key hole if you don't come out."
Me-"I'm coming-really."
Emilyn-"Where is the fish?"
Me-"Well, while we were in Hawaii, Levi took care of our house and animals and um, the fish died."
Emilyn- NOTHING -a really BIG silence.
More silence.
Emilyn-"Hmmm."
Me- "Sometimes that happens with pets."
Emilyn-"Hmmm."
I don't think that this went well, but maybe it did.
Then I mention Victoria and she says,"Who's Victoria?"- Is this familiar? Or what? Who's Victoria?=Vicky who? (See earlier post)
Me-"The fish, Victoria,"
Emilyn-" Oh, I never knew her name, just Fish."
Yikes! This whole fish thing has been painful.

Mii and the Wii II

Caleb and his Mii. I think they look alike, same grin. Caleb loves to change his Mii, almost more than playing games. So, this is Caleb's Mii that looks like Caleb. Sometimes he wears glasses or changes his eye color for fun. You can be anyone you want to be with your Mii on the Wii. Played a lot of tanks and tennis last night.
My hubby had a scratchy throat last night so he missed choir, seriously, I think he is figuring out how much fun we have on Wednesday nights and just wanted to get in on that action. He stayed home and made kettle corn. When Emilyn comes over it is all about the snacks. Caleb not so much, he would rather use his time playing games. Emilyn feeds the fish and then thinks, mmmm I need a snack too! So, we snacked while she showed me the contents of her purse, and yes that took an hour.
Congratulations to their Dad, Ryan, who is heading to L. A. this weekend. Hopefully to pick up a Grammy! Seriously, it is five or six nominations. Classical album, 'Passion Week', with a professional choir from Arizona. That kind of musical talent is so far off my radar, I can't imagine.