Princess Becky

Becky had a great Achievement Day where all the girls dressed up in their Halloween garb, played games, and had a blast! Thanks to Joy Basso, that is! We are all so grateful for the time and efforts she puts into her calling! Thanks, Joy, and thanks for all the pictures, too!

Our Happy Halloween

Ok, so I could have taken better/more pictures, but I can only do so much! After getting ready for the actual event, I'd forgotten to take pictures before we left, and then it was so dark none of the pictures came out well. Next year....


We had a ward Trunk-or-Treat which went well. All the kids came home with about 15 lbs of candy, of which most was then promptly distributed to other avenues (Sean's candy jar at work, Hillary's church class, etc).
We then went to Grandma and Grandpa Monroe's to trick-or-treat. I did get one picture on their steps, if you can tell (it's so dark!). Becky is a pink princess, Jane is Sleeping Beauty (on the top step, hand on the door), Alex is a superb fireman, James is a doctor, and Sean is a very patient dad!




Although Halloween is not my favorite holiday (more like least!) I am warming up to it. I already have the designs of my trunk for next year. I'm thinking pirates, water, ship, plank, helm, sail, cannon, etc....

Rockin' Robbin

For the Cerritos Stake 50th Anniversary Celebration all ward primaries were asked to do a dance. Our Bellflower Ward primary did the Copy Cat to Rockin' Robbin. It was so cute to see the kids all dressed up with curled ponytails, slicked hair, poodle skirts, scarves, and rolled white t-shirts.

Kids in the program included Becky, Jane, Alex, the Bakkers, Vasquezs, Tatum's and Douglass'.



After the program was a dance and all the kids got to boogey to 50's music and were allowed to dance on the stage with all the props and decor.


We are all so excited the kids got to participate, but after a dance practice almost every Friday night since July, we were ready to be done, too!

Best Buds

James had just one other friend in our ward who was close to his age (just 1 1/2 months apart), but he moved this past summer. A week ago Kaleb Watts and his mom, Crystal, came to visit and we had a fabulous playdate catching up and marveling at the similarities between the two. Kaleb and James both make the same excited noises, both are scared about the silliest things (James freaks out when I try to swing him), and they both are too excited about the world around them to want to nurse much anymore. Both are cruising and anxious to take steps on their own, and both are so sweet and smile easily!
Thank you, Crystal, for bringing Kaleb to visit. I can't wait to move closer to you guys and let the boys spend more time together so they can grow up to be best buds!

My Little Sandman

Three or four days every week you can find Alex and his little friends, Emma and twin brother Ben (not pictured), playing in the sand at a local park while I walk with their mom. He's so patient, often counting my laps as I walk the track around the volleyball court's sand box. After about an hour we gather the kids and their toys and guide them over to the playground where they spend most of their time on the swings.



I realize how blessed I am to have such a kind boy who is patient with me as I get some exercise, pushing James in the stroller. It's not his favorite activity, to sit in the sand every day for an hour, but he puts up with me and I appreciate it!

Let me in!

Poor James is often left out of the other kids' activities. The kids aren't trying to be mean, they just don't want him tearing down their blocks, or messing up the cars that they line up in a row, or knocking down their forts. Often they barracade themselves into their rooms and he is left knocking on the door as if to say, "Let me in! I know you're in there!"
It's so cute how he goes in search of them. Not too much longer and he'll be in there with the rest of them! He's such a sweet tempered little guy.

Obsession

Ok, so our family is a bit obsessed with cars. Whenever the kids see a nice car they want a picture with it. This nice Lotus was outside Mimi's Cafe in Downey when we went there for breakfast one morning (I think Alex is actually taller than this car if he stood up straight!). There are several pictures of my kids in or next to some pretty sweet cars, but these two are the only ones I'll post. Below is a picture of Alex and Sean in the little Nissan Sean borrowed for Bellflower's Homecoming parade. He stopped by the house to give Alex a ride before he headed off to the parade, and Alex couldn't stop smiling the rest of the day!

Preschool Picture

Alex had his preschool pictures and he was absolutely adorable! The handsomest little man in the picture! He was so excited to get dressed nice for the picture with his class and his favorite teacher. I can already see him greatly missing Mrs. King come Kindergarten next year.

Brush Brush

One of James' favorite new toys is a travel tooth brush. I keep it in my purse and whip it out when he needs something interesting to chew on. It's great because it has its own tube to put it back into when he's done. I just rinse it off and stick it back in my purse.

Out go the old, in come the new...

Yesterday was our ward primary program and, I have to say, am I ever glad it is over! As much fun it is to see these darling kids say their lines and sing their songs and sit on the stand for over an hour with minimal adult supervision (ahh, the scenes that arose were hilarious!) it is so stressful, I actually caught myself smiling all day after that because I physically felt the stress leave my body once the closing prayer was said. I don't think I've ever been more relieved!
Next year, however, I am happy to say I will be able to view it from OFF the stand, as I was officially released as First Counselor in the Primary Presidency yesterday and called to be a Sunday School Teacher over the 14/15 yr. olds. I left the stand after the closing prayer and, amidst tears and cries over my release (from my own kids!), went directly to my new classroom and taught my new class. What I thought would be a class full of the kids I'd first taught when I was called to primary 3 years ago turned out to be a class full of strangers, except for one returning student. I had a fun time getting to know them and getting a glimpse of their fun personalities. I look forward to developing a relationship with these strong youth and feel privileged that the Lord feels I am worthy enough to teach these great kids. I pray I will prove him right!

Brain waves ~ ~ ~

Yes, mine have been working again.
Recently Sean and I were discussing some people whom we love dearly and how they always seem to have one trial or another going on in their lives. To us, these trials are big ones, but, as we were discussing one family in particular, we realized that if anything bad were to happen to anyone, it would be (said family). (Names have been omitted to protect the innocent). I know that Heavenly Father is always there for us during our times of need and knows what we can handle, but it dawned on me that He is actually there and knows what we can handle!
Really. These people with trials that seem to be hard to me are probably water off a duck's back to them. Heavenly Father allows these trials to constantly come their way because He knows that they can handle it. Heck, they probably need it! I mean, they're probably saying in their spiritual self, "Bring it on!" They wouldn't be able to grow and learn off of one measly trial. No, they are so spiritually strong and secure that they need the heavy duty stuff!
Oh, to be as strong as (said family) and to have the spiritual integrity that they hold. I hope that I could be as they are in the face of these trials, though at the same time I hope to never find out! You are my heroes! Thank you for your sacrifice, willingness to serve, and wonderful example! I am better for knowing you and hope to always be in your acquaintance.

Cheerful Jane...

The Friday following the cheer camp Jane performed with the Mayfair Cheerleaders at the football game in Ron Yary Stadium. She got to go down to the field, use the cheer boxes, and even got her own pom-poms! She had so much fun, especially since she had her friends, Isabelle and Grace, though she spent more time watching the game than she did actually cheering! At half-time her cheer day was over and we all went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream to celebrate her job well done.
We're so glad she had this (cheap) experience. Thank you Mayfair!

Here She Goes Again!

Jane was selected by her teacher, Ms. Cornejo, to be Student of the Week on 20 Sept. Duties entailed door monitor, line leader, homework stamper, etc. She even got to sit at Ms. Cornejo's desk for a whole day! Her teacher asked to send in a photo of Jane to be displayed on the board, so this is the photo we took that day and sent in the following Monday.

Rah, Rah, Shish-Koom-Bahhh!

On 20 September Jane entered "Cheer Camp" put on by the Mayfair Cheerleaders as a fund raiser and got a t-shirt as a souvenir. For 3 hours she decorated a poster, learned cheers, practiced moves, and had a blast! At the end she ate pizza and told me on the way home she wanted to do it again next week. Well, she's in luck! That following Friday night she was to perform at the Mayfair football game. She was so excited she ended up sleeping in her new t-shirt that night!

Snip, Snip Here...Snip, Snip There!

We took a trip to Neal's Barber Shop on 19 September, "the best Barber this side of the Mississippi!" (as Sean would say). Alex and Sean both got cuts - they wouldn't go anywhere else, and we are looking forward to James' first cut when he gets a bit more hair!
Neal is a dear friend and served with Sean and Bishop Douglass in the Bellflower Ward Bishopric as First Counselor until just last week (when he was released and Sean was ordained First Counselor, with Brother Vaili as Second Counselor). Neal Clyde (shop located on Lakewood Blvd. just South of Alondra in Bellflower in case anyone needs a cut)is a fabulous man and, though he is still in our ward, will be missed in the Bishopric. We love you and we are so glad you didn't move either!