Family at Heart

I have been working on our summer schedule for a few days now.  We have several favorite entertainers so I have been going to their web sites and putting shows on our calendar.  Joe McDermott is one of A’s very favorites so when I found out that he was performing at a new library in Austin, we headed down there for his morning show today.  A made him a very cool card that he loved!  Then we all enjoyed his show, just like always.  We have seen him several times and have never been disappointed.  The library was kicking off their big summer reading program and they had so many activities for the kids in addition to Joe’s show.  A got to pet and even lead around a miniature pony.  She also played with some bubbles, got her face painted (both cheeks), and colored a train.  She met a sweet little girl in the face painting line who was six.  She told Hubby and I that we had “a sweet little girl.”  She was a sweetheart!  A thoroughly enjoyed the show and the library.  We picked up Joe’s latest greatest hits CD too (which he autographed).  After our fun, we headed out for lunch.  And guess what we listened to on the way home?  Yep, Joe!

He loved his card

He had the kids standing up, sitting down, pretending to sleep, ride horses, screaming, etc. It was awesome

Thursday was hat day for A.  Just had to share her pictures.  She chose her black hat from her horse-riding dress-up outfit.  She looked adorable!

Before we left for school on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, the 26th, Hubby and I took cupcakes to school for A’s birthday.  A’s birthday is on June 4th so her teacher said we could pick any day that we wanted to celebrate at school.  All of her classmates are invited to her party too, but this way she got to celebrate with everyone.  At least two kids won’t be making the party.  A was so excited to have us come and sit with her at lunch.  After the kids had eaten, everyone sang to her and then we gave out the yummy cupcakes.  She took cupcakes to the two ladies who work in the office and to the gentleman who serves the lunches.  After all of that, I just brought her home with me.  We finished up the leftover cupcakes by taking them to Ms. A at A’s piano lesson

A with Mrs. R as everyone sang to her.

Friday was so much fun!  It was our kindergarten class’ park day.  We went to a private park in one of A’s classmate’s neighborhoods.  The park was perfect!  It was all fenced in, had things to climb on, a huge tire swing, a zip line, etc. etc.  The kids had sooo much fun!  Lots of parents got to go too which was great.  Everyone contributed drinks and snacks and one of the moms treated everyone to yummy pizza.  Thanks again J’s mom!!!!  I thoroughly enjoyed talking with the parents and Mrs. R too of course.  It was a perfect day!

Before we left the house on Friday morning.

Awesome park!

The zip line was a huge hit too.

A had a great day!

Sweet girl!

...and again.

T usually runs from my camera, but she posed for this one. Thanks sweetheart!

T loved the zip line too of course.

Future NBA start, B

J is such a cutie.

These three were complete hams for the camera.

A on the fort.

All of the girls in the class on the huge tire swing.

A loved this thing.

The whole class on the tire swing!

Today was A’s graduation ceremony at school.  It was very cute.  The class had made little caps to wear.  They sang a song that they had written and then each of them shared their favorite kindergarten memory.  A said hers was PE class.  Each child got a certificate from the PE teacher and also a diploma.  Then we all had refreshments.  Hubby was the photographer and I was the videographer.  Between the two of us, the event should be pretty well documented   We have had a wonderful first year at the school and look forward to next year.  Congratulations A and all of your classmates!  Well done!!!!  Now I can say that I know nine sweet first graders!

Marching in...

The class

Our sweet girl

They each stood up when they shared their favorite memory from this past year.

Sweet T

The class of 2010

Mrs. R was a fantastic teacher. We will miss her!

A with her diploma and PE certificate

Proud of my girl!

Daddy and his sweet little buddy.

So cute all dressed up.

A and T are such great friends. We will be seeing her over the summer.

A and her PE teacher.

Now they are sweet first graders!

Hanging out and having some refreshments after the ceremony.

Cuties!!!!!

A participated in her first recital on Sunday.  She did such a great job.  She played “My Clever Pup” by herself.  Then she played along with Ms. A on “Kitty Cat.”  Then she sang “Father I Adore You” and two verses of “Amazing Grace.”  We were so proud of her!  She stood up there in front of a crowd of people and projected her beautiful voice.  She got many compliments on her performance too.  The DVD of the performance is already in the mail to both of her grandmothers

Before we left the house.

Daddy and A all ready to go.

Mommy and A

Sweet girl did such a great job.

Hubby caught her during her bow.

Mr. M went with us to watch the performance. A was so excited to have him there.

A and her sweet teacher

Pressure is off! Now on to dinner and a movie back at the house with Mr. M and his sweet family

A’s class had a great field trip yesterday at News 8 in Austin.  The station is only about 5 minutes  from the school so getting there was super easy.  The kids had a great time on our personal tour and loved being in front of the green screen.  The meteorologist talked about the weather and how he does the forecast.  We also got to watch the news being recorded and see the control room.  It was very cool to see everything that goes on behind the scenes.  The kids (and adults) loved all of it!  Thanks News 8 and also to B’s mom who set it all up

Our sweet little class with their red field trips shirts. They are all adorable!

Waiting on the tour to begin.

He is showing them the cool things his computer can do. They loved it!

B and A on the weather. The green screen is cool.

Every kid loves being on tv!

More green screen fun.

Another group shot. It was a lot of fun.

We had the most amazing trip to California.  I still can’t get it out of my mind and I don’t want to either.  It was the most amazing vacation I’ve ever been on.  It was absolutely perfect.

We left on Tuesday, April 27th.  We gained two hours on the flight into Los Angeles so we arrived just before 9:oo am local time.  We found our way to our hotel, the Crowne Plaza in Beverly Hills   Very nice place and everyone was tripping over themselves to be nice to us.  It was awesome!  We checked into our room and headed downstairs for a late breakfast.  From there we drove out to West Hollywood and found the Target.  There we found two gorgeous little dresses for A.  One was to worn for our dinner that night with Buzz Aldrin and the other will be her piano recital dress.  She loved them both, so we left with both (and a pair of cute shoes too).  We drove out through the Hollywood hills a bit and then headed back to get ready for dinner.  I had to wash my hair,  iron clothes, etc.  We got all gussied up, took some pictures, and headed to Spago’s.  Hubby won the celebrity auction back in December so this day was a long time coming.  We were so excited!

Buzz and his wife, Lois, were just amazing.  They are both 80 and were so full of energy and sweetness that you felt like you were sitting with old friends.  Lois and I hit it off really well and both of them just thought that A was a doll.  She had such great behavior and manners at dinner.  We were so proud of her.  Buzz had brought her an autographed book and he also autographed a book that we took with us.  They welcomed us to take video and as many pictures as we wanted.  It was a memorable evening to say the least.

The next day we set off on our journey up the Pacific Coast Highway.  The views were amazing.  I loved every second of it.  I have wanted to do that for my entire adult life.  I will go back as soon as is humanly possible.

We stopped in Santa Barbara for lunch on that Wednesday and then spent the night in Grover Beach.  We walked on the beach for a little bit that evening, but it was pretty chilly.  A did manage to get some shells though.  We had dinner and got some rest for the next day’s fun.

Thursday was the most amazing day for scenery.  We drove through Big Sur and that was just breathtaking.  I have never seen anything so beautiful.  It made me tear up and I still do whenever I close my eyes and picture those views.  We had lunch at a cliffside restaurant and the decks there were amazing for taking pictures.  Words  and pictures fail to do it justice though.

We briefly stopped and saw the redwoods and then drove straight to San Fransisco.  Hubby’s childhood friend and his family were waiting on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge for us.  The views from there were amazing too.  We chatted and took some pictures and then headed to dinner.  It was great to visit with them.  I had met him before, but it had been many years.  Hubby and he hadn’t seen each other in many years either although they talk on the phone sometimes and keep up with one another on Facebook.  It was our first time meeting his sweet wife and his adorable little boy.  He and A were fast friends and played all evening with A’s Nintendo DS.  Dinner was really good.  We said goodbye to them and got a room near the San Fransisco airport for the night.

On Friday morning, after breakfast, we started back south.  We decided to spend the afternoon and night in Santa Barbara since we had loved it so much on the way up but just didn’t have the time to explore.  We got a hotel and headed out to the beach.  We went to Stearn’s Wharf where we got to park over the water.  Very cool.  We walked into some shops, got some souvenirs, and then walked on the beach for a little bit.  We enjoyed some very good food and then headed in for the night.  Hubby and A got me a very precious shelled box and a heart-shaped shell.  I love my sweet gifts.  Thank you my babies!

The next morning we headed back out to the beach in search of the carosel that I had seen on our little tourist map.  A rode it twice and we walked on the beach a little bit more.  A would stay at the beach the entire time.  She loves it.

We headed south, stopped for lunch and gas in Ventura, and then drove straight to LAX.  We were worried about traffic, getting through security, etc. so we arrived pretty early.  It was actually very easy to get back to the car rental return and then into the airport.  It was very stress free and I was quite surprised.

As I said before, it was an amazing trip.  And it’s not a question of if we are going back, it’s only a question of when.

Shot of Austin just after takeoff on Tuesday morning.

The flight attendant took this for us. And off we go on our adventure.

At the Crowne Plaza in Beverly Hills

Hubby and I thought this was hilairous. It says 9021 Pho.

Beverly Hills was nice. Not nearly as crowded as LA and San Fransisco.

The sign says, "April is earthquake preparedness month."

Hollywood was really crowded. The homes in the hills were amazing though.

Dressed for dinner with the Aldrin's

Mommy and angel girl are ready for some dinner at Spago's!

Hubby loves to take pictures like this.

A with the second man who walked on the moon!

Hubby and me with Dr. Aldrin.

He was very gracious to let us take so many pictures.

All of us together with his wife Lois. She was a hoot!

On our way out of Beverly Hills as we embarked on our drive up the coast.

Just as we started on our drive. This was scenic but it got even prettier the further we drove.

Grover Beach

Daddy and A at Grover Beach

Mommy and A at Grover Beach

Elephant seals right by the highway. So amazing!

Big Sur was breathtaking!

Mommy and A in front of a huge redwood. Our entire background is one tree trunk.

Daddy and A in the redwood park.

San Fransisco

Alcatraz

A and J. They were good buddies from the instant they met.

C and his lovely family.

Our family with San Fran as our background

Her front tooth is soooo loose in this picture. It's hanging down

Santa Barbara (on the wharf)

Daddy and A on the wharf

On the beach in Santa Barbara

Outside the carosel in Santa Barbara

Front tooth is out!

At lunch in Ventura on our way back to the airport in LA.

Vacation over. Time to go home!