This was a group of 10 orphans from Uganda. They sang & danced for about an hour. They sang some Christian songs and some native songs from Uganda. Avery really liked it. Her favorite part was when they danced. She wanted to go on stage with them, and I had to tell her NO. Her 2nd favorite part was when they sang and played their own instruments. They had a huge xylophone, a few hand drums, pan flutes and some kind of small stringed instrument.

best seat in the house

There was a chair facing backwards, in the front of us below the stage that was very inviting to Avery. She went and sat in it for a while backwards, then decided to turn it around. She had the best seat in the house for a while.

These kids are on a 10 month “tour.” So far they’ve been on the road for almost 7 months.

watching the dancers

The kids came down below the stage for a few dances. She was mesmoried when they came down to dance. Their outfits were really colorful and they had feather type things on the behinds so they when they danced they shook. They all had big smiles on their faces they whole time. You can tell they really enjoyed what they were doing.

game from lakeshore

I love to wander around Lakeshore while Avery does the craft on Saturdays. I find some great ideas and then make them my own. I found this game the others day. It’s a large plastic mat you can lay on the ground and the kids jump from letter to letter to make words. I thought it was a great idea, but it was $30!! How can I make this myself for Avery to use?

my version of the game

I took a picture of it on my phone and made it myself when I got home. I used chalk behind our driveway. Avery loved the new game. A little like hopscotch with the jumping, and she got to make words.

The first time we played (a few weeks ago) I wrote the words she made down next to the chart. They were simple words; cat, mug, hop, cab, hip, pat…

Then we played it yesterday after watching a Leap Frog video about “complex words.”  This time around she began to put four letter words together; cute, mine, pine, hope. They all have the silent “e” at the end. She is really starting to get the hang of this reading thing. It’s fun to watch her figure it all out.

Complex Words DVD (Leap Frog)

We collected all the paperwork needed for registration- original birth certificate, shot record, proof that we indeed live in Ventura.

Now she needs to go in for a physical, shots and a trip to the dentist. Not looking forward to that trip to the doctor!!!

Dan and I were a little apprehensive when the season started. Last season she just followed the heard and really had not much of a clue what was going on on the field. But she did great in the first two games that she’s had so far. She actually went after the ball and kicked it in the right direction! I swear that last season she didn’t even touch the ball on the field- not even exaggerating.

Here’s to a fabulous season with The Roses!!

Sawyer is sick. He has a cold- runny nose, fever & nasty cough. He’s been sleeping ok, not wonderful, but still sleeping all night and a few shorter naps during the day (usually he has just one long one).

He’s ever been really been “sick.” He’s had a few colds, but very minor- no ear infections, no flu, not even any antibiotics as of yet.

This weekend he didn’t leave home- Dan and I tag teamed going out with Avery- 2 birthday parties, choir practice, a soccer game & church. He didn’t even get out of his pajamas.

Monday Morning

Decided to call the doctor and make an appointment this morning. Sawyer woke up about 30 minutes till 2 when we gave him Tylenol- he kept pulling on his ear, so I thought he had an ear infection. Still that yucky sounding cough. Poor baby, every time he coughs you can tell it hurts him. Thankfully he slept the rest of the night with no more wake-ups.

We did get to see the doctor in a timely manner- in the past we’ve been waiting up to 2 hours to see the doctor! He has a double ear infection, but his lungs are clear- no bronchitis.

He’ll start his very first round of antibiotics ever after his nap today. Hope he loves the taste…

The first two years (Kinder & 1st grade) is 90% Spanish and 10% English. By 5th grade the class will be 50/50.

It’s getting more real. Our baby is going to Kindergarten!!

Today I decided to start off with the easels. Wasn’t sure how it would go over since the kids are pretty young.

Three kids hated it and two kids loved it- Sawyer was one of them!!

smock

Sawyer loved wearing the smock. He was really mad when I took it off of him to wash his hands. He kept going to wear the smocks were hanging up and “asking” me to get one down for him. I did it back on him, but he kept tripping on it since it was so long!

masterpiece

He loved the black paint. Avery kept wanting to trade him for another color and he refused! He did pretty well dipping the brush and getting it onto the paper, until he dropped the paintbrush on the ground. He still didn’t want to stop.

washing hands

After he was done painting (with some help from me), he went to wash his hands. There’s a step up for the kids to wash their hands, but Sawyer still can’t reach the water. He stretches his little arms, but can’t quite reach the water. It’s hilarious.

"Cat in the Hat" hats. Avery wouldn't put on the stripes.

Cat in The Hat hat- falling off her head.

Nice hats

We went to a Birthday party at Lakeshore for our friend Dr. Seuss. There were lots of crafts!!

fish bowl

Horton ears

teacups

Avery in the front seat.

Avery’s main request was to get a picture with Tiana (from Princess & the Frog). We didn’t see Tiana at all, so I asked an employee and she told us we could go stand in line at the Princess Faire. That’s where you can stand on line and and “meet” 6 princesses at once, but the line was at least 90 minutes. So we missed her, maybe we’ll see her next time.

Last time we went, Sawyer was just starting to walk around on his own. This time, we was running around! It was a different experience.

Buzz Lightyear

Breakfast 8am to 10 was a serve yourself buffet- granola & yogurt, fruit, fresh banana bread, toast, eggs to order, juice & coffee.

Lunch 1:30 ish. We ordered lunch at around 11. The chef (& his crew) made everything from scratch (pasta & breads too!). There were only 5 choices- pesto chicken sandwich is what i got most days. The kids had lunch a little earlier than us- either pasta with butter or grilled cheese for just about every meal- not so balanced. Between the choices they had for her and her being picky that was it- pasta or grilled cheese!

lunch time

Dinner- 7pm. Again we ordered dinner earlier so the chef can make it all fresh. I ordered lobster tail every night and Dan switched between steak & fish. It was so yummy.

showing our muscles after dinner

fresh ceviche

breakfast