Monroe Grandkids Summer 2010

On Thursday the Monroe grandkids met up at Heritage park to get some pictures taken. They were all pretty good, until it just got too hot! All in all the pictures turned out so cute and we are very pleased with the results:

Slip 'n Slide and Water Play

Bolsa Chica Beach

Yesterday we met up with the Monroes at the beach and enjoyed a bonfire complete with hot dogs, smores, and corn on the cob. The kids had a blast playing in the water, collecting sea shells, and digging holes; and James even got his feet wet! :)

Indiana James

Ok, so these pictures aren't from the original incident, but I had to give you a general idea how cute his faces can be:

Here James is disappointed (and perhaps a bit bitter) he can't get soccer cleats like his older brother and sister.

Here we are celebrating Becky's birthday, so he's all smiles.

The other day James got an owie and I tried to comfort him by giving him kisses. I asked where his owie was, he pointed to his cheek, and I kissed it.

I asked, "Anywhere else?" and he pointed to his nose, which I also kissed.
Then I asked, "Anywhere else?"
And he puckered up, pointed to his lips and then gave me a HUGE smile! This little guy is so cute! And quite silly. :)

Visiting the Landro Family in Newport Beach

On July 3rd we got in the car and took the beautiful drive out to Newport Beach to visit Uncle Jack, Aunt Claudia, and Cousins Elizabeth, Mike, as well as their 3 beautiful children - Emma, Preston, and Cameron. Kevin, Lis, Ian and his family (from UT), and Leslie and Harley came as well. We had a great time catching up, making small talk, watching the kids play, and eating, eating, eating!

Jane pushing Emma and Karsen around on the ottoman.

Becky and Emma hit it off and enjoyed playing together.
Most of the group: Sean and James, Kevin, Alex, Ian, Cameron, Claudia with Becky, Jane with Jack, Harley and Karsen with Lis, Korben and Emma. Elizabeth, Melissa, Leslie and I were busy taking pictures. :)
Most of the cousins (minus Korben and Karsen): Preston, Alex, Becky holding Harley, Emma, Jane, James and Cameron.

So we took perhaps 20 pictures and in NONE of them is everyone smiling nicely for the camera, but I HAD to post this one of James holding up his popsicle - it was just TOO cute! (that and it's the only one of Jane NOT eating hers!)

World Cup 2010

We have had a great time following the World Cup 2010 games, but no games are more exciting to watch than the USA games. We love all the players (some more than others) and enjoyed watching them play. Our kids got so into it that they decided to make their own posters:

(On the back of their flags they wrote "Go USA" or "Score a Goal!")
Whenever US got close to making a goal (or when they'd actually make one) the kids would grab their "flags" and cheer on their team. James even had his own victory dance. And no house could claim they were louder than ours when US scored a goal! Even I got into the excitement of it all.

We were sorry to see the USA team lose, but we were so proud of the progress they made this time around. Here's to looking forward to 2014! :)

Golf!

The week after school got out we visited Aunt Kathy in Carlsbad. While we were there we saw how she decorated her new condo, and then visited her store. James fell in love with that store! It was his paradise, for sure! He went straight to the golf area (much to his great-Aunt's delight) and picked up a much-too-big club so he could start putting. He tried so hard to get the ball to move, but the club was just too big. Lucky for him, his great-Aunt knew just how to fix that! She went into the back and came out with a putter his size. It was just so cute! He went right to work on it and was so disappointed when we had to move on.

But should we let that stop his progress? NO! His great-Aunt came out again with a mini-golf bag, complete with 3 clubs and a glove. He truly has a favorite Aunt now! :)


And when we came home we stopped by the $ store to pick up some plastic balls so he can practice in the back yard. His first request when he goes outside now is, "Golf?"

Thanks, Aunt Kathy! :) You truly are "great!"

Alex is Promoted!

On June 16th Alex's kindergarten class put on a special promotion concert for all the parents and relatives. We were so excited to see all that he had learned, and he was excited to show us. He sang, he danced, and recited poems. I was so proud of him! And when it was all over he was given a very nice certificate from his teacher, Mrs. Sievers (whom we all love completely and hope she will be James' k-teacher in a few years).

The beautiful cake we ate after the pizza and ice cream party.
During one of his songs - "The World is a Rainbow"

Receiving his certificate

With his awesome teacher.

Before the presentation I was allowed inside the class to get a class picture. Makayla (2nd from right in the back row - pink and blue dress) was his dancing partner. :)

With his friend, Andrew during the party.

After the party the kids got to watch The Lion King before they were dismissed to go home. James was allowed to stay and watch with them as I helped his teacher pack up her classroom - she is moving to a new school thanks to the budget cuts. We're so grateful she still has a job, but we'll miss her at Lindstrom and hope she gets to return to us quickly! :)

Mrs. Sievers also gave me a class picture and spotlighted me (along with 5 other parents) during the promotion as a classroom helper for the year. It was very touching and I'm so grateful I could help out this year and get to know her and the students better. She will be greatly missed! Thanks to her Alex is excelling in math and reading - he's reading at a 2nd grade level already. We are so pleased with his accomplishments and know it couldn't have been done without the amazing help of his teacher. :)

Future Champ

James loves ALL sports, even ones he makes up himself - like this basket-soccer move. I think it was just his way of making up for a hoop that was massively too tall for him, and his lack of obtaining a soccer ball at the moment. I like to think that he's just practicing for the next World Cup. :)

All School BBQ

The last week of school I volunteered to help at the kids' school for the all school BBQ. Radio Disney showed up and really got the kids having a great time. Since they were all in a good mood they didn't mind posing for me with a few of their friends:

Haha, well, Alex's friends were all too busy dancing to stop for a picture, so he had to settle with me. :)

Earlier in June

Sometime before school got out we tagged along with Sean as he went to a math conference in Ontario. While he was stuck in a room with a bunch of math lovers, we were lounging around the pool, walking their huge mall, and downing milkshakes. I think math is my new favorite subject. :)

A Colorful Afternoon

The kids spent the afternoon painting one day. They all had so much fun I just had to take a picture:

Happy Birthday Becky!

Today Becky turns 10! I can't believe how beautiful she is, inside and out. Her sweet personality could be defined in one word: helpful. She is always wanting to help others, especially her family. I am forever grateful I have such a caring daughter. She truly loves her family and her family loves her.
Yesterday we went to the Cerritos Stake Flag raising (as is tradition. All the kids love the flag raising because of the donuts and OJ, but I'm sure their true reason for loving that event will change as they continue to grow and learn more and more about our beloved country. [Don't get me wrong - they are true patriots (as will be discussed in a later post)]. But I digress...
After the flag raising we went to Walmart to get the family red, white and blue t-shirts, and some supplies for today's festivities.

After Walmart (and Costco - we had to pick up more supplies) it was time for lunch. It was Becky's choice and she wanted Ruby's. We knew the one on the pier would be really crowded, so we drove to the one on PCH and ate a SUPER filling lunch, complete with ice cream sundae's and milkshakes. :)

After Ruby's we went home to get ready for dinner. :) We were meeting up with Uncle Jack and his family in Newport Beach. After a short nap, and a lot of fruit cutting we made the beautiful drive out to Jack's timeshare. It was a gorgeous area and his rooms were amazing! (The picture of us with our new shirts was taken on the balcony of his room). Becky's friendship with her cousin, Emma, grew and they had a great time playing and pretending together.

It was a great night and we had so much fun catching up with family and relaxing (more to come on that later).
This morning we (and when I say, "we" I mean Sean) gave Becky breakfast in bed (well, on the couch, but you get the point) as is tradition. She wanted scrambled eggs, toast, lemonade, and donuts. Of course, she also got presents from her sister and brothers:

So far she's having a great birthday, and it only gets better from here - tonight we're going to Grandma's house for dinner and we're all excited to see how she decorates the table for Becky's fairy theme, and tomorrow we're going to the American Girl Doll store so she can pick out her new doll.
Becky, you are my joy. You are my life. You and your siblings make me what I am - a mother. I couldn't be more happy in life if I had any other role to play. I wouldn't trade my years with you for anything. I am so blessed to have you in my life, to watch you grow, to see you learn, to help you through your struggles. Thank you for letting me be a part. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for having you in my life.
I am so excited to see what the next decade will bring. Many joys, many trials, but through it all I know you will succeed, for you keep Heavenly Father close to your heart. Your testimony is strong and I am often humbled at its display. Thank you for the example you set for your siblings, especially James, with whom you have a strong, close bond. I've also enjoyed seeing that develop. It is surprising and pleasing to see the two of you enjoy each other's company so much. Thank you for all the love you give and for all the happiness you bring into our home. I love you!

Sorry, The Kitchen Is Closed....

(With friend, Andrew, at his Kindergarten Promotion)

We were trying to set up some household routines for the summer and struck on this:

Your room has to be clean before you eat breakfast, and before you eat dinner. If your room isn't clean before dinnertime you don't get dinner.

And: The kitchen closes at 7pm.

So Alex was saying tonight that he wanted some dessert - other than what we were getting at the scout court of honor.

I said, "Sorry, chap, but once we get home it'll be past 7pm and the kitchen will be closed."

He replied,"Can't we just get something from the garage?"