Summer Nights at the Zoo

So two weeks ago we went a little crazy and had a "Zoo Weekend." We have annual passes to the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park and we go a LOT! We just love it there and the kids are always so well behaved and excited to go. Every time we go we get to see something new and different as we observe the animals.

Well, during the Summer the zoo is open until 9:00. Considering that our kids go to bed by 7:30, that is a late night for them. Well, we went a month ago and got in line to see the "Jewels of the Rainforest" acrobatic show, only to have it rained out . (yes, in San Diego in the Summer. It seems they can't handle a little drizzle.) Well, we ended up going on Friday afternoon, as Chris is usually home and done with work early, and Brianna has early dismissal every Friday. We went to the Wild Animal Park and didn't get home until like 10pm. The next day we didn't have any work to do, so we decided we might as well go again, but to the Zoo this time. We stayed for the late show--which was amazing--and got home late yet again (11pm?). The girls were just all oohs and aahs for the shows, which makes it all worth it. They all want to be gymnasts and acrobats now, not that Courtney needed any more ideas!

Beginning Soccer

I'm officially a soccer mom. I'm not so sure I like it. Our lives are centered around soccer on Tues/Thurs, with two practices in the evening right around dinner time on opposite ends of town--AND two games on Saturdays!

Brianna and McKayla had their first soccer game last Saturday. McKayla is by far the youngest and smallest on her team. She loves soccer, but she spends most of the game just observing the group and following everyone else around the field. The ball with go right by her and she'll just watch it. Her coaches are good about letting her do goal kicks and throw the ball in a lot. She loves it. The picture tells it all--notice the girl getting ready to catch the ball?

Brianna's team is actually quite good. I am amazed at what some of those girls can do. Brianna has so far been a bit reserved. We spent Saturday evening playing a good natured game in the backyard. McKayla and Mom against Brianna and Dad. It was so fun. We got those girls really playing aggressive and going for the ball.

I broke down and bought McKayla a pair of cleats yesterday. They are so TINY! She's on cloud nine and is convinced she can run faster and kick the ball farther now. So cute....

Overall, I'm amazed at what goes into these AYSO little kids leagues. We're talking fancy team banners, matching hair ribbons, sponsers, pictures, fund raisers, decals for the car, etc. Wow!

A Reunion

While we were in Oregon I got to visit with two of my best friends from high school. We've hardly kept in touch and it was SO great to see them. I hope that we can keep in touch via e-mail, now that we have each others addresses. (That is, if they forgive me for puting their picture on my blog!)

Events I've Missed!

OK, so I looked back at my blog and realized I've missed including a few key things.

Brianna graduated from Kindergarten! Hooray! She was so happy to get to move on to first grade. She just started that on July 10th and so far she loves it. She was worried about the long day, but when I picked her up after her first day she said, "That went by really fast!" It went by fast for me too. I thought I'd get more done at home that day!

The girls took swimming lessons and loved it! Brianna loves to jump in and swim. McKayla decided, unexpectedly, that she no longer likes to go under water. So, that was a set back, but she had fun anyway!

Fun Vacation Memories

While on our trip our girls got to experience a few "firsts." We took them bowling, which was a lot of fun. Brianna liked it so much she got Chris to take her again the next day! Chris tried out clamming. It was pretty fun, but as we were new to the gig we weren't very successful. Still, he got enough for dinner two nights in a row! The girls got to try their own version of sandboarding--one that is designed like a sled for kids (and adults) to ride. What fun!

Family Reunion!

We had a great Kinkade family reunion over the 4th of July. We even tried out sandboarding for the first time. That was a hit with the kids as well as the adults! The kids had fun making their own flag shirts to wear for the 4th. There was a trip to Cape Perpetua to check out the tidepools and a golf outing for the grown ups. Of course we ended the event with the fireworks display in Old Town Florence. We enjoyed being all together, which doesn't happen very often. I really enjoy hearing my brothers tell stories about when they were kids. (like how they would go in pairs to turn off the barn light and chant "we are men" to scare off the robbers! It seems, however, that the brother left to stand guard usually abandonded the other one inside the barn so that he could run back to the house before the light was turned off and everything was dark!) My memories of them pretty much center on them being teenagers, so it is fun to hear what they were like as kids and the memories they have together. The cousins had fun playing and getting to know each other better. All in all, a great event. We can't wait have another one!

a quick camping trip

Last weekend we went for a one night campout. It was in one of those crowded campgrounds, which we really don't like, but it was fun nonetheless. Next time we are heading for the mountains and may just have to do a primitive camp, where we can be away from everyone! The kids had fun cooking over the campfire and sleeping out in the tent. We did some fishing, but it didn't last long. Next time we'll have to rent a boat.

Family Vacation to Utah

We had a great trip to Utah to kick off our Summer vacation. We visited John and Karen, Chris' parents. We spent a day hiking and touring Timpanogos caves. It was quite a hike for the girls, and Chris with Courtney on his back, but we all had a great time. The girls actually easily made the 1.5 mile hike that went up 1060 ft in altitude. The caves were amazing!

The girls enjoyed riding grandpa's horse, gathering eggs from the chickens, roasting marshmallows, and playing in the hot tub! They love to see thier grandparents and always enjoy the trip. Chris and I enjoy the break too, as our kids are generally on their best behavior while on vacation and we get to relax!

CUTE QUOTE OF THE MONTH

While passing a lone shack in the middle of Nevada, Brianna noticed dozens of cars in the yard/junk yard. Her observation, "Look at all those cars, they must be having a party!" Ahh, the innocence of youth.

Full of Smiles

Today we took some pictures to use in some Mother's day cards. I decided that my girls sure are cute, even if they are a handful!

Easter and other things

Easter at our house was "the best day ever!" (Comment by Brianna) Which is good, because yesterday was labeled the "worst day ever" after a morning of particular behavior resulted in having to go shopping with mom instead of going to the community easter egg hunt/party in the park. It was a tough decision for us parents, but necessary to teach a lesson.

Anyway, overall we did have a great Easter weekend. Brianna got the rest of her birthday money from her grandparents and she bought exactly what she's planned on buying with it for months--a razor scooter! She and Chris went to Toys-r-us on Friday afternoon and she picked out a red one. She spent the rest of the day riding it in the garage-as it was actually raining outside! Then on Saturday morning she rode along side me as I went jogging. The dog decided to come along too. Between him pulling on the leash to "mark" and Brianna's constant stopping and starting, I didn't get much exercise. But, it was fun to be out in the fresh morning air together.

After buying the necessary Easter dinner items at the grocery store (still needed the ham and some items for banana cream pie), we came home and put Courtney down for a nap. While she slept, Brianna, McKayla and I went for a walk. In our house this means that mom or dad walks while the kids either ride in the stroller or ride their bikes (and now scooter.) So, this time McKayla rode her bike (very proudly that she was now faster than Brianna) and Brianna scooted. I enjoyed a little bit more exercise and Chris enjoyed some quiet time at home.

While Courtney finished her nap we spent the quiet time with the girls coloring easter eggs. We got the kit with the foam stickers. I was amazed at their creations. We had flower gardens, shape patterns, eggs made to look like ducks, etc. After cleaning up, we had a few minutes left of quiet, so Brianna headed out with her scooter again. Chris decided to try it out, but unfortunately he couldn't help showing off just a little and ended of crashing down right on his tail bone after attempting to use the wheelie bar! The sight caused quite the giggles among us girls, but he was feeling it for a long time!

Later that afternoon we headed to Home Depot (which seems like a weekly ritual in our home). We bought three more citrus trees (lemon, grapefruit, and orange) along with some flowering shrubs to add along the side yard. The trees smell WONDERFUL, as they are all flowering. While we picked out just the right plants, all three girls made a game out of going into the "rainforest" they imagined was in the middle of a large group of palm trees. What great imaginations! The highlight for them, though, was picking out a big butterfly lawn stake-purple of course was the choice.

By the time we got home and unloaded our purchase, which always results in some backyard play time, it was time for a quick dinner before bed. We heated up the grill and had hamburgers and salad. They were delicious! Chris has been the chef a lot lately, and he's quite good!

Sunday morning began at 6 am with mom quickly helping out the Easter Bunney before the girls woke up. At 7 am they headed out into the backyard to find all the eggs-even Courtney! She found pleasure in shaking them. This simple pleasure, which followed finding their hidden baskets in the house, is what led to Brianna's "best day ever" comment. She was very excited to have received new sunglasses. (She could even be spotted wearing them in sacrament meeting, though I put a stop to that quite quickly!) It is amazing how such a small thing can make a kid happy. After a great hunt, we settled down for some breakfast to offset the sugar and watched Courtney's new movie "Old Yeller." McKayla appropriately recieved "Annie" and Brianna got "The Parent Trap." So Sunday was kind of a movie day today, oh well.....

At church I subsituted for Brianna's class-and it turned out she was the only one there! We actually had a fun lesson-just the two of us. She thought it was pretty neat and we had a great time talking about the Holy Ghost. After church we had a delicious dinner of Ham, Sweet Potatoes, Fresh Pineapple, Vegetables, and Salad. Another walk soon followed, which always includes a few short chats with neighbors along the route, and we came home just in time for some pie and calls to grandparents.

All in all, a good weekend.

CUTE QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"I always sleep on my stomach. . . It never talks. . . it just sleeps."
McKayla's random thought during dinner.

Spring Flowers

I love spring and all the beautiful flowers that appear. We have been working on making our yard just the way we want it. Slowly but surely, it is coming along. The rabbits and the dog don't help matters any! We are proud of the progress we have made, considering it wasn't that long ago that it was just weeds and clay! This week we started our vegetables, the kids are very excited. We haven't had much of a garden since we lived in Pennsylvania.

Courtney

Courtney isn't talking much, quite a change from my other kids, but she does have some cute expressions.

*Bu bu baa (bubble bath)
*Hu de do (Here you go)



She has also decided that the funniest thing to do is climb up on the back of the couch and lay across the top! She only has to shift her weight and she'll be on the floor. So, I had to move the couch across the room up against the wall to prevent her cracking her head open on the tile floor! This doesn't make me happy because now the couch is covering up the fireplace (not that we really need one here). But, it is good because she also thinks it is funny to climb inside the fireplace!

Two weeks ago she was climbing up on the side of the bathtub and slipping back in when she fell hard and bit her tongue! She was left with a 1/4 inch deep gash about 3/4 inch across. Because it flapped open when she stuck her tongue out we were sent to Urgent Care. They prescribed antibiotics, but said that they never stitch inside the mouth. It is finally looking better and doesn't bother her when she eats. Did she learn her lesson? Of course not, she still climbs....

Currently at church we are in the circling mode--where we make laps around the building with Courtney instead of going to class. Boy is it fun! She makes it through most of sacrament meeting, but after that there is no hope. Only one more month until nursery!

Turning 6

Well, Brianna turned 6 years old last week! Hard to believe that my baby is growing up. To commemorate the moment she was given her very own soap and shampoo and the responsibility taking showers on her own. She was very excited about the idea and felt very grown up!

Our other plan for the celebration was to take her and her best friend out to dinner. The day before we thought, "why not take them to the San Diego Zoo too?" So, after Brianna's confirmation that it sounded like a great idea, I called her friend's mom and the date was set. Well, the morning of the big day Brianna announces that she didn't want to go to the zoo, she just wanted to play at our house! Well, too late for that, as the plans were all set. This started us off for an interesting day.

Overall we had a great day. The girls and I rode the tram and screamed our heads off, just for fun. They thought it was hilarious that I would scream with them. Even Courtney laughed! She tried to scream, but it was very weak--what can you expect from a baby? Anyway, the polar bears were plunging in the water and playing with their balls, we watched some baby ducks get separated from their mother and then reunite, and the sea lion show was a hoot as always. Dinner at Red Robin was delicious and fun, and everyone got the color of balloon they wanted.

Still, despite the fun there were a few small details that didn't go Brianna's way and her assessment of the day, "It was a little fun." My goodness! Talk about an ungrateful kid! This is a sure way to make a mom take a second look at her mothering abilities!

I must admit, while this kid certainly has some growing up to do (well, she is only 6), I am proud that for her birthday she actually wanted her own set of scriptures! We were going to wait until she was 8, but decided to go ahead and deliver. We got her burgandy leather scriptures and her own case. She loves them! She can read them with us and takes very good care of her things, so we are excited that they were valuable to her.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Brianna finally lost her first tooth-after it was loose for 2 months! Last week it got VERY loose and she decided she wanted it out! We were at the playground, but luckily she had her ziplock bag with a paper towel in it. (She had been taking it with her everywhere that day just in case it came out!) Well, I reached in and it came right out without hardly a tug. She was very brave and VERY proud. My little girl is growing up!

Cute quote of the month!

"Mom, why did you have me wear cotton? I'm cold!"
McKayla, 3 years old

Cute quote of the month!

"Please keep me safe. Heavenly Father, don't let me get sucked down the toilet!" McKayla, 3 years old

Traditions

This Christmas we started a new tradition-one which will last only as long as our time in California. We played in the pool and sprinklers on Christmas eve. Throughout Christmas break we enjoyed many bikerides to the park and around Menifee Lakes.

Adorable Girls

Mckayla recently took up ballet. She loves dressing up in pink. I'd like

to say she's the best in her class, but she's really more interested in people watching. She will sometimes just sit and watch the other kids and forget all about the fact that she's supposed to be dancing too. She is just adorable. Chris has been able to cut out of the office for an hour to watch her during most of her classes. He'll get a call on his cell phone and when he tells the person that he's "at ballet class" he always gets teased by the person on the other end. He doesn't care, he loves his girls!

Courtney's favorite past time is playing with the dog. It is so funny to watch her with him. Sometimes I wonder if she thinks that SHE is a dog!














Brianna played indoor soccer this winter. She really enjoyed it, once she got over her frustration of not being perfect at something. I love this snapshot of her taking on two boys without hesitation!











Since this is my first blog posting I thought I should include some recent photos of my girls during every day life.