School year 2012

The first day of school went pretty well.  As I was walking up to the bench outside the school to pick up the kids I could see Alex was crying.  His teacher assured me everything was fine he had a great day, but struggled with transitions.  I expected this to happen, because it's his first year, he's young, and he cries when he is nervous.  I am so glad I decided to have treat buckets waiting for them in the car for their first day because it really cheered him up!  Ava as I expected was a chatter box and talked my ear off the entire car ride home. 
When we came home they were ready for lunch! They both had two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, two handfuls of grapes, and half a bag of baby carrots.  They wanted to swim for a little bit so we did in our handy blowup pool.  Alex grabbed his new book after swimming and put himself to bed for a little nap.  Later that evening they helped me make dinner, and we went out for a special yogurt treat.  Overall, it was a great day and they are once again sleeping peacefully:)  They both said they are excited to go to school again, so here's to a GREAT school year.
I must add that I myself enjoyed their first day of school, it was so great to get a break and get some things done on my to do list!

LACC

Bert's parents were kind enough to treat us to a fun night at the Lebanese American Country Club.  The Dinner was great, and our kids enjoyed the belly dancer, and music.  Thanks Barbara and Eric for a fun night!


Belly dancer

Ava mid-bite.

Alex warming up to the party (he asked for his paci on and off for the first 15 min)

My kids have some incredible dance moves

Daddy getting in on the action

6 weeks to go to meet #3!

Alex and Ava

Listening to the numbers being called to see if we won a door prize.

Enjoying Sweet Summertime

I feel like our summer days are hanging on by a thread.  We are trying to get in all the great playtime we can before school starts.  This week we headed over to my sister's house for a play date, last night we saw a movie, today it's the Science museum, Thursday is park and horseback riding, and Friday my sister's kiddos are heading to our house for a play date.  I hope all next week is Sunny and bright for lots of pool days.  I decided since the kids start school on August 15th, we will have to start going to bed early on  Aug 1st to get them in a good routine.  Considering they have been going to bed at midnight, and getting up around 10, and Alex having three hour naps, I don't think it will be very easy:/  I certainly have enjoyed these summer hours and I know my kids have too!

Perfect rainy day activity: building bugs with Alex's new birthday gift.

The glorious water slide

Alex

Backyard pool

What a sweet boy, love you Oscar!

A benefit to Ava staying up very late with me, she loves watching the food network (she calls it the cookin show.)  She came up with this dessert for me, it's very creative:)

Happy Birthday Caroline and Charlie!!

Happy Birthday to Caroline (4) and Charlie (2), since their birtthdays are so close together they combined their parties.  Thanks for having us!  Our kids had so much fun!  We love you guys so much and look forward to celebrating many more birthdays together.  I wish I would have taken some more pictures, so many kids I missed, including my nephew Leo who was such a big help in the kitchen, and sweet little Oscar.

Girls just wanna have fun!!  Happy fourth Birthday Caroline Rose!

Look at these sweet guys, they were all smiles for the camera

Ariel friends:)

Jump Splash Repeat

Happy 2nd birthday Mr. Charles

Such a great day!

Nice Morning:)

We spent our morning at Brown park.  We fed the ducks, walked some paths, and played on the playground.  Overall a very good way to start the day. 

Ava took notes in her journal.

He planned on eating that cracker himself but it tragically fell to the ducks.

Stopping for a rest

Crazy happy Alex and Ava.

Alex Is 3!

Our big boy turned three yesterday!  We had some family over to celebrate.  Hot Dogs, hamburgers, veggies and fruit turned out to be a big hit.  Mimi made his awesome train cake, a big thank you is well deserved!  Alex loved opening up his gifts and having his family sing to him.  It was a very special day.  I can't believe Alex is three.

Alex's favorite foods: fruit, pizza, hot dogs, cheese roll ups, cheese puffs, and dora gummies

Favorite shows: Bubble guppies, team umizoomi, calliou, and of course Thomas!

Favorite color: usually pink, but will change his mind occasionally

Alex loves playing construction and trains.  His best friend is Ava, sometimes they argue but he is lost without her.  Alex is still working on potty training and giving up his pacifier.  (Some days I care and others I offer it to him when he is upset so I'm probably not helping the situation.)  Mostly it does not bother me that he still has his passy.

Daddy and Alex love mowing the yard together, and playing trains.  Bert told me over the phone this morning "I can't wait to get home and play trains with Alex he has so many new tracks we can build."  My husband is excellent at playing with Ava and Alex when he gets home from work, he has just as much fun as they do!  Happy Birthday again to our handsome little man!  We love you Alex!!

Some more pictures I took of him at Anchorage.

A few from Alex's party (my favorite is the photo train birth-3, I enjoyed remembering those photos!)

Thomas the Train Day

What a great day!  We visited the Kentucky Railway Museum for a day out with Thomas.  Alex and Ava loved it.  Mimi and Grandaddy went with us to experience the fun and excitement.  Alex has already requested to go back, but I think one trip to New Haven was enough for us:) We love taking our kiddos to these types of things, it's so much fun to see the joy on their faces.