I love our Backyard.....

I was driving the other day and saw a house we had put a bid on and it was for sale again. I remember how small the yard was. I'm so happy we ended up with the house we did.

We have an array of flowers that attract humingbirds.... it's magical. The funny thing is the hummingbird is really friendly and a few times we have been close enough to almost touch it.

It's beautiful.

We were able to eat a meal wasp free! It was grand... however the flys were terrifying.

Here's our little friend. He's amazing.

Free Day At The Museum

Today was "Lil' Burners" at the Art Museum. It was great. It was simple. We made art cars....

Did a harmonograph art project....

And did hula hooping and burn sticks.... The grand finale was a LED light show by controlled burners. It was basically like being in a club, but for children. Eli really liked it.

There were lots of dreads, cheetah print and fur.....

FUN RENO TIMES!!!!!

Randomness...

Maria: "Let's not call McDonald's McDonald's.... let's call it McHell."

Yes Child. Let's.

Christina was the first child in her class to get a reward ticket. She helped the teacher out with an errand and went above and beyond the task. I think I like her teacher now.

Maria was tested/assessed for her Kindergarten class. It was probably one of the greatest moments of my life. The teacher quizzed her on letters and sounds... then she placed sight words in front of her. The teacher asked if she knew any and Maria nodded her head.

Maria waited.

The teacher said, "If you see any you know just point to them and tell me."

Maria said, "Do I have to point to all of them?"

The teacher said, "No sweetie, just the ones you know."
Maria said, "So I have to point to all of them?"

She read all of them. And the list after that. At least 50 sight words.

The teacher was impressed. She said Maria will have to have one on one time with her because she is the top reader. She will be a peer tutor.

We're going to be talking a lot because we don't want Maria's time wasted or for her to be bored.

She just finished 6 chapters in her Narnia book.

The teacher said the bottom line is by the end of Kindergarten they want children to be at a level 4 for reading. Maria is around level 22. (Beginning 3rd grade)

Boo ya.

Also there are 11 stages of writing and Maria is on stage 11. She can write complete sentences and knows punctuation/capitalization.

Where do we need to direct credit?
Heavenly Father. He has blessed her and also I know for a fact she reads so well because she reads her scriptures every night. She's almost in 2nd Nephi!!

And not to forget Math. She did wonderful. She knew when to subtract and add when the teacher asked word questions.

Mumble Me Mall Rat Mondays

We had a special plan for FHE tonight. It was to surprise Christina who has been wanting to pierce her ears for a loooooooong time. We told her when she turns 8, and seeing as it's only a month away... we went ahead! It turned into such a FUN FUN evening. Reno malls have such a charm to them!

Nina chose sapphire earings... Unfortunately, there was only 1 lady working and it took a while. However, the girls found plenty of things to look at and try on. They were quite excited about it!

Joe was a little out of his element. But he did really good.

Maria struck this pose at least 50 times.

Is she excited? I don't know. I can't tell.

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm......

But then the lady started the prep work and Nina got really nervous. She saw the guns and her eyes were super wide. But the little trooper didn't even cry!!!! Not one single tear!!! She is such a brave little girl!!!

And voila..... she was beaming all night. She can't wait to show her best friend Lily.

Thanks Daddy for always bankrolling the party!!! Best Daddy EVER!!!

What else can we do at the mall?? Eat Craptastic foooooood!!!! Yummmmmmmy!!!!

Even Eli dined on fine Asian cuisine. $6.... times 1000 for the ER visit!!

No food poisoning yet.... We'll cross our fingers.

Gumballs!!! See's Candy tasters!!!

Rides!!!! Eli was in 7th heaven!! He squealed with delight on all the rides. Hopefully we won't catch swine flu. Is it still an epidemic?

It's like Miami!!!! Kind of....

.....

This face says it all when it comes to dear Meadowood Mall.

Such a fun time though!!! It's always the best when we're all together!!

3rd Grade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We woke up to a special breakfast this morning. I just couldn't sleep. I'm terrible and wish that summer could last another 2 months at least. Don't get me wrong, I love year round. I just want a longer summer too. I don't like sending my kiddos away.

I could tell Christina was happy, excited and nervous. She chose her outfit last night and I just feel like this is a big year. She'll be getting baptized and time is flying right before my eyes. Just yesterday I was rocking her every single day for nap to Musiq Soulchild and now she is up to my shoulders.

She's gorgeous. Her personality sparkles. And she is just a kind soul.

Yesterday Adam asked if anyone in Primary knew what was at the end of the Book of Mormon. Her hand was the only one that shot up. "He, that's Moroni, promises us that if we read the Book of Mormon, we can pray and know if it's true or not." She's read it. All 500+ pages.

She's just so smart, but wise too.

My mom took the girls school shopping and scored big at Old Navy. Thanks Papa and Yaya for getting us all ready for school. And thanks Yaya Sofia for our beautiful backpacks.

Christina is in the mobiles this year. She'll have to walk to the school to use the bathroom. It's a small classroom and I don't know the teacher. She's petite, blonde and a bombshell.... we'll see what happens.

Christina is sitting by Lily (we didn't get pictures because Lily was late) and Olivia is in her class too! Christina is in a group with Cameron... just like in Kindergarten. He bothered her because he never did his work. She's always in groups with boys that are annoying because she's a good example. I understand, but I feel for her.

Sigh.

I miss her already.

I'm so glad I still have my Maria and Eli.

And Jojo watching over Christina at school.

Elijamania 10 months almost 11

This boy is quite possibly the sweetest little thing EVER.

Man oh man. He is my little cuddle squishball.

Eli loves to move. Quickly. He boogies down. He gives kisses.

He laughs. He high fives. He "pointers". He waves.

He understands my tone and actually listens a good amount of the time.

He loves to just put things in his mouth and crawl or walk around with the thing hanging from his mouth.

He is my sweet little singer. We put our cheeks together and get quite loud when we sing.

He loves to hear animal noises, but doesn't like horses or fish.

We were at Wal-Mart once and the fish made him cry.

And at Scheels.

Stupid scary freak fishes.

He sleeps with the wall on the crib now because we were having problems with him crawling out at 9,10,12, 1,2,4,5, 6:30 & 6:40 and on top of me, giggling and poking at my eyes. And at Joe's eyes.

Suprisngly, within 1 night he was used to the wall... we did lots of holding hands through the slats and now I feel so safe. My eyes will not be scratched out, he won't fall out and I just don't have to worry. He's still in our room and 6 inches away from our bed. And he's welcome to stay there until 7th grade. Then it might be weird.

Eli graduated car seats because of his height. He loves his carseat but I feel like his little legs have no room. He has recently discovered a love for blueberries. Strongly dislikes getting his diaper changed.

And has found a new LOVE FOR BOOKS!!!! He seriously could be read to for an hour straight.

Or maybe at least 20 minutes, which is 1 hour in baby time.

Sweet child.

Sweet Baby Numero Tres

I am soooooooooooooooo excited for sweet lil' munchkin to come in September or October.

He or She is going to be absolutely beautiful and... wait... what's that?

I don't know the gender of my best friend's child?

??

For some "odd" reason Ramalat have decided to wait and be surprised.

....

I think I know what the gender is, but I don't want to jinx anything.

But of course I'm happy with a boy or girl!!

Ramaqueen

The gang minus a couple. It's a really nice group of gals and the conversation and company was really laid back and just awesome.

Ram giving birth picture.

Ramasof

...

...

Seriously, I love Ram's face for some odd reason in this picture. And just the whole picture in general.

Ram+Sara+Sof=Go Reed Raider Football

 True fact: Ramya is the most gorgeous pregnant person EVER.

Seriously, I don't know why you don't send these into maternity shops and model.

Or enter pregnant pageants.

However, after googling pregnant pageants, we'll scratch that idea.

So hooray for babies. Amyra and Mya are going to be the very best big sisters!