Mar. 12, 2011: Spring Fever

Well, spring fever has hit! I love this time of year when the trees are blooming and everything is starting to turn green again. I love the beauty of new growth! That was what initially made me fall in love with horticulture. So we bought some fun spring cookies to go with our spring fever.

We decided to take a trip to a local Preserve called Wind Wolves. We stopped a few places on the way there to take pictures of the trees in bloom.

This is one of the orchards that I love to drive by in the springtime. The ground is literally covered in white flower petals. It's what we call Bakersfield snow.

This is Wind Wolves Preserve. The green hills were gorgeous with a small scattering of wild flowers. We were told that sometimes the hills are completely covered with wild flowers but not so much this year. The kids also liked to see all of the sheep.

We stopped at the campground for our picnic lunch. Ali was excited to be outdoors and wanted to start hiking.

There were several trails but we only followed one for a little while. That leaves more places to explore for next time!

The long grass behind them is the reason for the name of Wind Wolves. When the wind blows through the long grass, it makes it look like a pack of running wolves.

We also found this small waterfall tucked into the hillside. I am so excited to have a new place to hike and spend some time as a family!

Mar. 6-11, 2011: Playing with the Kids

This week, I have been taking time off from normal responsibilities and playing with my kids. I took Jacque to the store to get some markers that Rohan has been wanting to buy. Yes, this is her sitting in the cart backwards. She doesn't like to just sit anymore. So shopping trips tend to be super quick with her these days.

When the kids got home from school, we played with the Color Switcher Markers. This was my demo paper to show them how they worked. Then I got carried away and filled up the whole paper!

This is Jaden's masterpiece. Look at how well he writes his name now!

And this is Rohan's paper. He is writing his own sentences and doing a fantastic job.

We also walked to school one day this week and Jaden decided to ride Xander's scooter instead of his bike. He did a good job! And look at the gorgeous cherry blossoms!

The kids also had some good friends come over to play this week. I think this is one of the only times that Rohan was actually sitting while playing a video game! :-)

One night, we decided to give Jacque a ride in the laundry basket. Jaden put a nice pillow in for her and Xander pulled her up and down the hallways.

Jacque thought that was the best game that she has ever played with her brothers.

Then Jaden decided that he wanted to get in on the action, too!

We also had the jog-a-thon this week. Rohan was so excited that he could barely sleep the night before. Just a few days before, we went to buy him some new running shoes. It turned out to be good timing since Ali chewed up his old ones. He ended up running 10 laps, which is not too shabby for a first grader.

In the middle of the field, they had big speakers and fun music cranking so I danced with Jacque on the sidelines while we watched Xander run. By the end of it, she had fallen asleep. Xander did a great job as well. 12 laps!

All of the kids got a popsicle after they finished. Here is a beaming Xander standing with Jaden. Jaden's favorite part was counting the laps. It was fun to go and watch!

Mar. 1-5, 2011: California History and Model T's

This week at school, Xander's class participated in an interactive learning program called Walk Through California. They were asked to dress up and he decided to dress up in a suit like the governor of California. His word that he had to define was capital/capitol.

They were divided into teams and then had to answer questions about California history. He was on the Green Team, or the Green Apples.

They learned about different nationalities, heard several anthems, learned a few dances, and walked through California History using a Time Machine.

Toward the end of the presentation, the kids helped piece together a huge relief map of California and placed little objects to help remember different areas and cities.

For L.A., one girl was asked to dump out a bunch of cars from a plastic bag and then place the plastic bag on top of the cars, for the smog! Hahaha!!! I think only the adults were laughing but it's the one that I thought was funny.

Here is Xander answering questions about this vocabulary card.

The kids had a lot of fun and I learned a lot! I'm so glad that I came to watch! Afterward, several parents put together a Mexican fiesta in the classroom. This is Xander's teacher, Mr. Prow, who also dressed up for the occasion! What a fun day!

Also this week, Jacque has started to eat more finger foods. She actually prefers that over baby food but she will still eat that sometimes, too. Here she is having a mini pancake.

This is her first attempt at apple juice which she did not really like. I even watered it down quite a bit! She also tried a tuna fish sandwich which she did like.

Xander has also been learning about Model-T's in history class. He was very excited when our neighbor, Kim, rolled this baby out and started fixing it up to take to a car show. He talked Kim's ear off about the history of his car until Kim offered him a ride. Xander was so excited!

Feb. 22-28: Puppy and Baby Candids

A tired puppy resting in her favorite spot. She is trying to get away from Jacque who likes to pull on her tail and her ears.

Jacque and Daddy petting Ali. We are trying to train both of them to be nice to each other. And so far, they are doing pretty good.

Ali loves playing with the kids! And I think it's funny that Jacque is not scared or intimidated by real animals, but stuffed animals terrify her.

I had a little burst of spring fever and bought this little spring outfit for Jacque. Ah! Those baby blue eyes get me every time!

Jacque insists on spending every second with Daddy when he is home. Here she is playing with his mouse and not letting him get any work done.

Jacque's first tooth has finally broken through! Heidi was the first one to spot it and she loves to chew on Daddy's fingers. Ouch!

Jaden wanted me to take a picture of his "ball snowman". Ha! So cute! You would think that I take a lot of pictures of my kids or something...

Feb. 19-21, 2011: Trip to Hollister

We took a short trip to Hollister for the holiday weekend. We met Budge's cousin there and spent some time with his parents and various family members. I have to say, Hollister in the spring time is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

Shape-shifting clouds! These are the best kind of clouds to look at with my kids. We love to try and find "pictures" in the clouds.

One of my favorite trees! Magnolia flowers are so fleeting, but so pretty!

Jacque was crawling around and getting into everything! I realized this weekend that maybe my house is a little more baby proofed then I thought it was.

I love this picture of Rohan! A very rare candid that shows his gorgeous smile! And that's Felix in the background sitting in front of some of his dad's orchids.

Jacque and Budge in matching outfits! :-)

This is the crew at the playground. These guys always have a blast when they get together!

This was the view on the way home. The only thing I love more than beautiful, rolling, green hills is beautiful, rolling, green hills with a storm-brewing sky as a backdrop! And those fabulous trees!

And this was the scene in the backseat of the car! Haha! I think we have a few tired boys...