Summer Bucket List # 44

44. Read w/the Kids

We spent the morning watching Tangled... yet again, and snuggling on the couch the kids and I.







It was wonderful :)



Then we cleaned the house because it was a mess from having 9 kids all weekend. And then we all showered/bathed and got ready.

I decided a trip to the library was much needed. So we drove there, got a library card, and then went at it looking for books. They kids would have taken everything from there if I would have let them! Diego had his list "chapter books" and goosebumbs, Alayna wanted Olivia, and Arielle wanted Fancy Nancy!

But as for me I was in uncharted territory. I don't read. I had no idea what to look for, what I like, and I browse by what the cover looks like. If it catches my eye and looks pretty chances are I will pick it up. I ended up with a pink book, an aqua book, a purple book, and a book that says Mother on the cover... if that tells you anything. So if you have any book suggestions throw them my way. I really gotta start excersizing the part of my brain that reading is supposed to excersize.





We ended up with 26 books total.



And right away we sat down to read.










But it was interrupted after a while by a fantastic lunch. You know corn on the cob, seasoned fries, chicken nuggets, and pasta salad... all leftovers thrown together from the day before's lunch and dinner. Oh and I made Jello for the kids and put them in the gerber containers I had been saving from Atalie... they loved that they had their own personal serving.



Arielle didn't even complain and she usually has something to complain about.



And the rest of my day was spent reading to my kids. I haven't even started my own books yet. They just want me to read them stories all day long.

Have I mentioned how much I love the Fancy Nancy books?! Man I had read them before and I still just love them. And Arielle loves them too. She has to have her Fancy Nancy doll with her while we read.

Just Another Day in Paradise

Yesterday I babysat my 2 nieces and 2 nephews and they stayed the night because my sister-in-law's Mom is in the hospital and my Brother had to work today. So I had 9 kids in my house. My 4, my brother's 4, and my sister's son... all I was missing was Laila... but she cries at my house.


But it was very nice. The kids were all really well behaved. I was expecting chaos... it usually is... but surprisingly they were in good moods and happy kids. Yeah!

I mean my nephew Juanito even performed a concert of songs at the table while eating!


I decided it was a good day to have salad for lunch...


It was very good... and Diego agreed!


While I was cleaning up after lunch Diego noticed a fire out the back door... so we ran upstairs to Alayna's room to get a better view.




This evening was Diego's final baseball practice. His last game will be Wednesday and Monday we have closing ceremonies. Of all the activities Diego has done so far I have enjoyed baseball the most. It's in my blood I guess.




Even Alayna has really loved watching them practice and play their games. Don't tell her I told you but I think the real reason in Diego's best friend Detrick. She swears she is going to marry him... she tells him all the time :)




And this little girl is obsessed with Rapunzel now... like overly obsessed... it's all she talks about.


Arielle: Mom I am going outside.
Me: Okay but you have to put your shoes on.
Arielle: No I am Rapunzel... she doesn't need shoes.
Me: I don't care who you are I said you need shoes.
Arielle: But Mom... I am am Ariel... mermaids don't need shoes.
Me: If mermaids want to walk on land then they need shoes so go put them on.
(She goes and puts her shoes on defeated)
Arielle: Okay Mother I put my shoes on...
Me: I told you Rapunzel... Mother knows best! (A quote from the movie)
Arielle: (Giggles) As she walks out the door singing the Mother Knows Best song <3



My littlest Princess is always content to be outdoors... and even in June the weather is great to spend the evenings watching baseball.




And here's my boy in action! (I can't figure out how to put more than one video together so you get 3 little clips... sorry!)







After the game we headed home but as we approached the cemetery Diego screamed, "Oh Mom can we please stop and say hi to Jamma?!" And Alayna followed up with, "Yeah please I really needed to talk to her!"

So a quick right and we parked to visit with my Mama.

Alayna was the first one to the spot... Diego got lost trying to beat her (Alayna has a good memory sometimes) and Alayna stopped right at her stone and said, "Grandma I needed to tell you I graduated Kindergarten. You would be so proud of me!" And she said it in the most confident proud voice ever. And then she said, "I hope you got the balloon that my Mommy bought me for my Graduation that me and Diego and Ducky sent to you with all our kisses on it."

Diego kinda looked at her insanely when she sat there literally talking her heart out to the ground. I sat there the entire time with a smile from ear to ear just watching this amazing little girl. I love that she could just sit there and talk not worrying that we'd think she was crazy. Not embarrassed that she was talking to a plaque on the ground.

Because this wasn't the case at all. She was talking to her Grandma the only way she knows how. And sitting there with the hopes that Jamma heard her every word. Amazing is all I can say.

Diego and I sat there more quietly, I imagine he would rather be alone with his thoughts... I did the same.

-Mama, We Miss You
A year a half has gone way too fast...







And for good measure... here is my conversation with Arielle about Rapunzel:

First Day of Summer Vacation

Started our summer off with a bang already.

Today was our very first summer movie. Clifford. It was boring for me but of course the kids loved it. I think it was just all the excitement. But Arielle really did like it. And she liked the popcorn too she said.

So here's my gang. Ducky got to come with us and use Jr's ticket because Jr had to go into work that morning to pick up his paycheck. So he was pretty happy about that.


Ready to watch the movie... munching on their snacks.


Me and my Princess


Me and my Mermaid


After the movie the kids HAD to take their picture with the Transformers




And we can't WAIT to see Cars 2!!!


Then the entire rest of the day was spent at stores... with all the kids. And by the end of the day we ended it with an hour and a half trip to Costco... 6 kids... 2 men who are like kids... equals one tired ME!

Alayna's Kindergarten Graduation

Well my Princesa gradutated from Kindergarten tonight. The second kid of mine officially on their road of education. Kinder is a good start but too easy for my little smarty pants. She is ready and anxious for 1st grade and her teacher is so ready to let her go because all year she has expressed to me how above the class she already is. The girl reads everything. She can spell like no ones business (she gets that from me) and she even got a special award and ribbon for getting 4th place in the Math Olympics. She makes me very proud in her schoolwork on a daily basis. She loves to learn! I am gonna assume she will be just like I was in school. I was always the same and I was good at it. I really flew through school, even high school was easy and enjoyable (schoolwork-wise) for me... and I am hoping I can keep her on track to do the same.

Before the graduation I snapped a picture of her with her proud brother and sister


Grandpa and Arielle waited together... and Arie showed off that her doll and her had the same dress


The Princesa up on stage ready to start the show


While we were waiting for the show to start we had a ball catching Alayna's attentions and then we'd all start waving at her all at the same time. It was hilarious. And she smiled this shy little smile every time. At one point she even turned to the girl next to her and pointing to my Dad she kept saying, "That's my Grandpa" And every time he waved again she tried to point him out to her again. So funny!



Congratulations! You're graduated! A Princess balloon for a true Princesa




Here she is with her teacher Mrs. Cronover. She is SUCH an awesome teacher! I really really love her and I couldn't have asked for a better teacher to help my baby girl through her first year in school.


And then she posed with her friends


And this little boy adores Diego. He looks up to him and ask Alayna about him all the time. He even gets sad when he doesn't see him after school. His Mom asked if Diego could be in the picture too.


And finally her family got a litle love too






And her certificate! Now I can put it with Diego's.


Want to read my Daddy's post about this lovely Event? Click Here

Summer To Do List

With only 1 more days until the kids are on summer vacation (yes I look forward to this) and all the ideas swirling through my little head... I thought it would be a fun idea to make a Summer To-Do List! So the plan is to try and do all of these things before the end of the summer, take pictures, and then blog about it. I am pretty excited! Most of these things involve the kids but I also added some personal ones.

Here is the list I compiled. Think I can get it done? There is only one thing on there that I am iffy about... but we'll see! Now I challenge you to go and make your own!

Summer Bucket List:

1. See Cars 2
2. Go to California
3. Summer Movie Program @ Harkins
4. See a movie at the Drive-in
5. Read a Book
6. Disneyland
7. Have a Summer Party
8. Take a Roadtrip
9. Go out for Ice Cream
10. Fly a Kite
11. Do a Craft
12. Go Roller Skating
13. Bake a Treat
14. Make a Fort
15. Summer Reading Program @ Library
16. Do a Puzzle
17. Have a Picnic
18. Movie Night @ Home
19. Splash Park
20. Eat Watermelon
21. Children's Museum
22. Enjoy Popsicles
23. Take Diego on a Date
24. Take Alayna on a Date
25. Draw with Chalk
26. Have a Water Balloon Fight
27. Grow a Plant
28. Blow Bubbles
29. Make S'mores
30. Have a Slumber Party
31. Camp
32. Go to the Beach
33. Get a Sno Cone
34. Have a Tea Party
35. Back to School Shopping
36. Play Dress Up
37. Play Mini Golf
38. Go to a New Park
39. Cook a New Recipe
40. Date With Hubby (Somewhere we've never been)
41. Swim
42. Paint
43. Peter Piper Pizza
44. Read w/the Kids
45. Pedicures [Girls ONLY]
46. Coloring Contest
47. Game Night

And here is our printed version that I taped to our fridge so we can actually see where we stand! The kids were so excited to see some of the things I chose... they are looking forward to this summer for sure!