Birthday Party Fun

The boys were invited to their friend Parker's birthday party last weekend. Parker is Max's second grade teacher's son, so it was an added treat to go visit a teacher's house! It was good fun, that ended in a full on water fight.

Fishing at the Lake

We live in a community called Yosemite Lakes Park, and as the name would imply, we have some little lakes very close by. Sadly, we haven't been very good at taking advantage of them, but today I took Max and Isaac fishing before their swim lesson (this little lake is right by the swimming pool). There have been a few failed fishing attempts in the past, but today was the first "real" fishing venture. While Max had a few close calls, Isaac actually caught his very first fish! Shortly thereafter, he caught his second fish, so all in all it was fairly successful (except I have hands that smell of fish and worms, and slid on my butt into the lake trying to help a friend retrieve and hung up line. Much to Martin's amusement. Sorry, no photos of that!)

Fun With Clothes Pins

It's funny the things that will grab a kid's interest.....the other day the boys (and their friends Alani and Siena) spent a good hour playing with a package of clothes pins. Their favorite creation was the Clothes Pin Magic Top Hat.

Pollution Makes Great Sunsets!

With California ablaze with wild fires, the air has been really smokey up here. It's terrible to be out in, but the upside is it makes for great sunsets. I snapped these out in our driveway last night.....The sun was literally blood red.

Swim Lessons at the Local Pool

We're quite lucky to have a community pool just about a mile down the road from us, so every summer, we spend a good amount of our time there. In particular, the boys always take swimming lessons every summer. Here Isaac is finishing up the first two week session of level three and Max level four. Since today was the last day, there was lots of goofing around and silly noodle races (Isaac won his!)

Max Turns Eight!

For Max's birthday this year we had a little party at the local pool. Considering it's in the 100s here, that was a pretty good choice! Click on the link below to see the birthday cake video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPr7h0Tz8TU

Hau`oli La Hanau Max (that's "happy birthday" in Hawaiian to you mainlanders)

Since Max was born in Hawaii, we went with a Hawaiian Luau theme. Of course, here you can't get the real thing, so we had to settle for pizza, "tropical" punch, and fake flower lei, but the idea still worked.

Isaac Graduates Kindergarten

It's hard to believe that my "baby" is graduating kindergarten, but there you have it! Isaac had a pretty good celebration today....the graduation, cake in the classroom, lunch out, AND a graduation party at the pool with cupcakes! I'm beat! Here's also a photo of him with one of his best friends Joseph and underneath that is a link to a short video of him receiving his diploma. Sniff, sniff.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_pxJogYPME&feature=user

Isaac Turns Six!

Isaac had his birthday party this year at Chuck E. Cheese. He got to invite all of his classmates. We had a pirate theme (which is why he is dressed up like one). It seemed to be a big hit (but I'm too tired to know for sure!) There's a video link under the photo for your viewing pleasure (Also look at Max "dancing" in the upper right corner. I didn't realize he was doing that, but it's pretty funny).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAN1TSbPQVs

Isaac has a Party at Chuck E Cheese

More party photos! There's another video link of Isaac below the last photo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2V3oifWPYI

Max the Magnificant

For the second year now Max has brought the house down at his school talent show as Max the Magnificant. He was a hit, and was even asked for his autograph (and to do another paying gig at a birthday party this summer.)

Chalk Drawing by Isaac

We were leaving Isaac's kindegarten classroom the other day and saw this on the sidewalk. :o)

Octopus Garden

Max's class performed Octopus Garden in the Spring performance. Max was a green sea turtle.

You can see it in video (not the best quality) by clicking on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qamcvbYM8kk

Isaac Turns Six!

Isaac's Kindergarten Play

Isaac's kindergarten play was called "Bugz." Here you see him in his stickbug costume delivering his line. He had the flu all week, so he was a real trooper!

Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, after hunting out all the eggs left by the Easter bunny at our house, we joined our friends for brunch and guess what? There was yet another egg hunt! This time, the Easter bunny left a map for the kids to follow. That rock looks like the mother of all Easter eggs!

Isaac makes a haul as usual....

The haul......

Even Martin got into the spirit....