Authors Day and a fun weekend!

I was lucky enough to be substitute teaching at Brandon's school on Authors Day this year. The wonderful Mrs. K arranged it so that he could come to my classroom and share his masterpiece. It was awesome to see him read his "Are You Smarter Than a First Grader?" book with such confidence. :) It was a great day for both of us!
Amanda and Oliver came to visit us over the weekend. It was so much fun to see them and just hang out at the beach. We got lots of sun and ate WAY too much! Here are the boys at Cafe Rio...the BEST food EVER!
We went over to Balboa Island and did some walking, shopping and eating. :)
For the very first time in his life, Brandon allowed someone to bury him in the sand. He is funny about getting sand all over him, (he hates it) and would normally never want to be in it up to his neck...but for some reason (I think it was Oliver's example) he was ready and had a blast! We had such a wonderful weekend! Thanks Amanda!

Peeps and Easter Morning

We had fun with PEEPS this year. Putting them in the microwave and watching them get huge is awesome! Eating them is ever better. :)

I made some little treat bags for the teachers at Brandon's school. That school is just FULL of wonderful staff!
Some treats for Brandon's classmates.
This year we tried something a little different. We tie-dyed our eggs and it was so much fun! Brandon did a great job!

On Easter morning, Brandon went straight for the edible grass! It was so funny how there were all of these goodies and surprises on the table, but the very first thing he said when he saw his Easter basket was, "Oh cool! Edible grass!"

Finding eggs. The bunny was very tricky this year and Brandon asked me to help him find the rest of the eggs. It was a great morning. The rest of our day was filled with conference, tons of family and food! So perfect.

those eyes...

are my favorite.

Egg Hunt!

The WONDERFUL Mrs. K had her annual Easter Egg Hunt this morning and we were lucky enough to get invited again! It was so much fun! This is a picture of Brandon last Easter...

and this is Brandon now. Same hair, different teeth. Gotta love those "daddy teeth." ;)London and Lily were able to come too! That made the morning extra special!


This is Brandon last year with the bunny...
and here he is today. Still a cute boy, but a much MUCH cuter bunny this year don't ya think?!


Once again, last year (Brandon and Jacob)...
and this year. Still such great friends! Thank you for the super fun morning Mrs. K! We love you!

backyard bug hunt

While I was busy mowing the lawn, Brandon and Lily were catching bugs. Lots and lots of 'em.
Y.U.C.K. Brandon was so proud. ;)

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's day...so much fun when you're six! Brandon followed a trail of shamrock stickers all the way from his horseshoe in the hall, to the kitchen table. That tricky little leprechaun! I think Tie Tie wanted some of the candy. ;)
The class made potato creations for part of their homework. Brandon came up with this "Potato Pooch." Gotta love first grade!

Herritage Park

Brandon's class took a very fun field trip to "Herritage Park." First thing was a tractor/wagon ride through the orange grove!
Brandon, Jacob and Kenton.

Each child chose an orange, then they washed it, cut it...

and juiced it! Yikes! A cut on your finger + orange juice = OUCH!
It was yummy!

London loved it too!
After they made OJ and drank it up, they took the rind over to another table to make an awesome creation. They got to put pretty "Johnny Jump Up" flowers (dirt and roots too!) into the rind. They were told to take it home and plant it in the ground (rind and all), and the orange peel would make great food to feed the growing flowers. So fun!
After that they got to pick some oranges right off the trees using this cool "picking" device.
Great work London!
The day was so much fun! Brandon wants to go back and pick more oranges to make juice at home. :) We planted his flowers in the backyard and he checks on them several times a day!