Skate Park fun...until the big kids pushed us out!

 Lauren and Ben love the skate park that is 2 miles from our house. In the summer we usually go in the morning when the big kids are still sleeping. Yesterday we went at 3:00...not the ideal time we learned. 

I told the kids to stay out of the big kids way and we were staying in our own area, away from where they were riding. Well that didn't matter. After about 10 minutes a little group came and put their backpacks on top of my purse and started scooting over until I was almost off the bench. Then a kid came flying up on his bike and swiveled the back wheel around so that it almost hit the kids and I in the head while yelling, "Oh Sorry, I almost forgot this is an f&$%ing family park." While I really wanted to stay to show him he isn't in charge I decided it was best to just leave. Ugh, how I wish there was a way for us all to share the park and be happy...oh and I wish I had the guts to give that kid of a piece of my mind, though something tells me he wouldn't have cared what I had to say! 

Anyway, here are some shots from before that happened. 

 Lauren loves it there. 

 And she's kind of a dare devil on her bike! 

 Coming up the ramp. 

 Ben is a little more cautious but still loves it!

We decided to go play on the toys for awhile and they have a really cool 1/2 mile trail through the wetlands that the kids rode on so that was fun. But as you can imagine Miss Lauren was very mad that the big kids weren't sharing and didn't think it was fair. She assures me she's going to be a nice teenager, not a mean one like those kids. I'm going to be sure to remind her of that:) 

Ben's First Day of Soccer

 Ben started soccer on Saturday, he was all ready with his Adidas jacket on:) 

 He is playing at the Y. They changed their program this year and it is wonderful, so much better than last year!!! Yay! 

 It's much more of a parent - tot class, which is just what Ben needs. He liked having us out there with him. 

He loved stopping the ball and just taking a brief pause with his foot on the ball.

 I think he felt cool. It was really cute! 

Our Sales Girl

Lauren came home today with a list of people she needed to call. When I asked why she said, "Because my teacher wants me to have a job and she is having me sell coupon books, I need to call all these people and see if they'll buy my book, it's $25. Okay." I did let her call 2 people, both which she left messages. It was pretty hilarious listening to her leave her little sales pitch. 

Anyway, I'm not really going to let her call everyone in my phone book but if you are someone who usually buys an Enterainment book each year Lauren would LOVE it if you'd buy one from her. It's for her school PTA (not for her teacher like she thinks). You can buy it for any city, doesn't have to be in Washington. If you are interested in one give me a call or e-mail me, or leave a comment. 

Thanks for considering:) 

~Val & Lauren

Ben's First Day of Preschool

 Ben was feeling good and ready to go to preschool for the first time today- yahoo! He was pretty calm and cool about the whole thing, kind of acted like it was no big deal. 

 Excited to see his buddy Bennett who is in his class. 

 Bennett went on Tuesday already so he was able to show Ben the ropes:) 

When I picked him up he was happy as a clam. I was surprised to see he had participated in the craft tables because he has zero interest in anything crafty at home. He drew a "race track", made 2 macaroni necklaces, and decorated 2 apple trees. Who is this kid? So happy he had a great day. And mama, well I had 2 whole hours to MY SELF! Walking around Costco by myself with Starbucks in hand was pretty darn fabulous! Funny what I think is fabulous these days:) 

Taylor Swift!

 Last night Lauren, Nana, & I went to see Taylor Swift! (I know, seems weird to go have fun when Benny is feeling miserable but Kevin took extra good care of him.) 

 We had dinner at the Spaghetti Factory in Tacoma, along with 400 other preteen girls who were going to the show. It was CRAZY in there!

 At the show! 

 I bought the tickets from a mom of a former student. She sold the other tickets to some of my other former students. It was so fun to see these girls who I knew so well as kindergarteners. They are all 13 now!!! Lauren was in heaven sitting next to them and was chatting it up with them about kindergarten:) She was also trying to strike up a conversation with them about texting. It was hilarious. 

 She pulled 1/2 of her dress down so she could be like Taylor Swift. 

 having fun. 

 A few shots of Taylor. She puts on an AMAZING show! It was very theatrical and really cool. I would've liked to stay for it all but we lasted until 10:15 and then Lauren just lost it. She was so overtired that she just started crying so we left. I hear the finale was amazing. Oh well, gotta leave something for next time:) 

Such a fun night! 

Ben's Surgery

 Ben was so brave yesterday and Kevin & I were so proud of him. 

 Of course he had no idea what was coming. But he had a ball playing around in the waiting room. He looked so cute in his little gown. 

 The doctors just loved him, after the surgery the anesthesiologist came over and told us how he just thought Ben was the cutest little boy. Maybe they do that for everyone but we liked it:) 

 His "cozy blankie" and "dolsin" came with us of course. 

 Surgery was postponed by 45 minutes so we had a lot of time to play in our little room. Ben thought it was great to have all our attention on him. His only complaint was that he couldn't eat or drink. 

 Only one parent was aloud back in the OR so I went. I was just in there long enough to watch them put him to sleep...and for me to shed a few tears of course. Ben did much better than mama:) 

 The dr. was out about 20 minutes later to tell us all was well and about an hour later we got to see the little guy. He slept most of yesterday and has spent today on the couch. 

This is Ben's home for today. He has gotten up a few times and walked around for a minute or two, but then lays back down. We are hoping he'll get some energy back and feel a little better by this weekend. Its no fun to see him feeling so crummy. 

Kindergarten Poem

A friend sent me this poem last night about letting our daughters (really could be about a son too) go off to school and start to grow up. I thought it was perfect and wanted to share. 

She started school this morning, And she seemed so very small. As I walked there beside her In the Kindergarten hall. And as she took her place beside the others in the class, I realized how all too soon Those first few years can pass. Remembering, I saw her as She first learned how to walk. The words that we alone made out When she began to talk. This little girl so much absorbed In learning how to write. It seems as though she must have grown To girlhood overnight. My eyes were blurred by hastily I brushed the tears away Lest by some word or sign of mine I spoil her first big day. Oh how I longed to stay with her And keep her by the hand To lead her through the places That she couldn't understand. And something closely kin to fear Was mingled with my pride. I knew she would no longer be A baby by my side. But she must have her chance to live, To work her problems out, The privilege to grow and learn What life is all about. And I must share my little girl With friends and work and play; She's not a baby anymore -- She's in Kindergarten today.

Last meal before tonsils come out

Ben chose pizza as his last meal before he has his tonsils out tomorrow. Then he got to go out for ice cream with Oma & Opa and Auntie Meg, Uncle Ryan, Hadley & Carson. The boy has no clue what his throat is going to feel like tomorrow. We aren't really nervous about the surgery, its more the recovery period that has Kevin and I feeling anxious. Not looking forward to seeing our little Benny Boo feeling crummy. Crossing our fingers for a quick recovery! 

Too cute!

Oma got crafty this week and sewed Lauren and Olivia matching dresses! So cute! 

Animal Rescuers

Lauren and Ben are still into rescuing animals. I get to play too, my name is "Veterinarian Val"and I perform surgeries on all the animals. Love the crazy stories they come up with when playing. The animal next to Lauren looks like an elephant but it's really a jaguar. That is not a trunk you see on it, it is a device to help it breathe because it has breathing problems...the girl gets credit for creativity for sure! 

Remlinger Farm

 We decided to go to Remlinger Farms on Saturday. We've been there a million times to pick berries but we'd never done the rides. Boy, were we missing out- we all had so much fun! The kids LOVED the pony rides, they each rode twice!

 The train was a big hit, especially with Ben.

 Loved that all the rides were perfect for Lauren and Ben's ages, this ride was a huge hit!

 The roller coaster was a little faster than expected. Ben was not a fan, of course Lauren had her arms up in the air the whole time. No pics though, I was too busy holding on;) 

 Look at those cute strawberries!

 We ran into one of Lauren's preschool friends there and she was so excited. We hung out with Finley and her family the rest of the day. 

 There was an old bus that Ben of course wanted to drive. He's trying so hard to reach the peddles. 

 Driving the antique cars was Ben's favorite, he rode them twice. 

 Lauren with Finley and her mom Jenn. 

 Riding the kiddie ferris wheel. 

What a fun day! We will definitely be doing it again!!!