Mission Beach, Part II...Boardwalk!

The first night that we were all there, we went to scout out the Boardwalk. The kids had fun going on a couple of rides, and us big kids had fun going on the Giant Dipper. Well, three of us did, I'm not sure Conal's girl-like squeal could've been constituted as fun! We finished our night there with a visit to the ice cream shoppe. Big mistake, or greatest memory ever..not sure which one, yet! That turned in to a nightly adventure! Each night after we put the kids to bed, we'd go get a cone! We'd bring my mom a treat, since she stayed with the kids while they were sleeping! ALTHOUGH...the first night...after we all got back from the boardwalk and the kids and my parents were in bed, we were sitting on the rooftop deck listening to the roller coaster. It sounded like so much fun that Pam, Bub, Con and I snuck out to take one last whirl for the night! Boardwalk...'After Dark' ;-)

Mission Beach, Part III...Outtakes

Tay's first day of Pre-K

Following in Hayden's footsteps, yet making her own name for herself, Taylor was off to pre-k at St. Tim's on August 16th. Miss Krystin, Miss Monica and Miss DeAnn all share the teaching assignment for Taylor's class!
I think Taylor really likes school, even though she insists that she doesn't, and tries to talk me into letting her stay home almost every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon! This is her last school year before Kindergarten, which is a very bittersweet feeling.

Burger Bash 2010

The common joke around here...the non-griller was co-chair of the Burger Bash. It was rather comical to me, not so much to him! Chandler volunteered him, and somehow, I ended up taking over the event for the PTO board. So, to say the Marquette's invested quite a bit of time into the BB this year is a bit of an understatement. ALTHOUGH, it was so very worth it! The kids had a blast, everything went off without a hitch, and both the Dad's Club and the PTO made some money!

It's a lot of fun doing events at a school where the parents are so involved and make things as much fun as possible!

Westin Kierland

We did an overnight 'staycation' at the Westin Kierland with the Moore's and the Sprungman's. It was nice to get 'away' for a night, sit in the pool allll day and night, enjoy a lazy river and let the kids go wild with waterslides and a Dive-In movie!

We packed all our food, drinks and even crock-potted a dinner! Yup, that's how we roll! ;-)

^^^^^LOL^^^^^

The Little Mermaid

For Hayden's birthday, which was actually on a Saturday this year, I surprised her and Taylor with tickets to the Hale Theater's version of the Little Mermaid. The girls and I had a great morning together!

This girl is Lucky Number 7!!

Interview with our 7 year old!

(unedited, as she told it!)

H- Mo'om (rolls eyes)

Me - Hayden, just give me 5 minutes

H - Whatever

And so we begin....

Me- Tell me a few things about yourself

H - Umm...I'm 7. I have blonde hair and I'm tall.

Me - How tall do you think you are?

H - Probably tall enough for fun things

Me - You're right...You are 4'3" and weigh 46 lbs

H - So I'm like a really big kid, huh?!

Me - You're kind of tall, very skinny, but right on track with kids your age

H - Yah, I'm older than the kids in my class.

Me - Yes you are, just a little bit though. Lauren and Hal, they're only a few weeks behind you

H - Yah, it's cuz we're smart and stuff

Me - True. So, what are some things you like to do?

H - I like to go to the beach. I like to play school, play on my swings and I love to swim.

I'm learning to read! I like Junie B. Jones and How to Eat Fried Worms that Memaw read at the beach! Grooooooss!

Me - How is school going?

H - I wish I had Mrs. DeHart again.

Me - But you like Mrs. Jaramillo, right?

H - I do, she's really nice and short, but I miss Mrs. DeHart. But I see her and give her hugs

Me - You're a kind girl Hayden.

H - I know that Mommy! There are people that are not kind, but I just ignore them.

Me - Good for you!

H - Oh! You know what? I like Oreganos! It's my favorite restaurant. And I like the Little Mermaid and watching Derek Jeter! Cooper goes to a different school and I miss him, but we went to the beach together this Summer. Does he still ride Charlie? I don't get to ride Charlie anymore.
Me - Yes he does, we can probably work something out to get you back on Charlie.

H - Why?

Me - Because you don't ride him anymore. Do you want to?

H - Oh yah! hahaha! Can we be done?

Me - Yah, I s'pose. Anything else you think I should know, so we can remember what you were like at 7 years old?

H - Yah, I'm NOT having babies!

Me - Fair enough, I will adopt grandkids if I have to!

Party at the House's House!

We were invited to the House's annual end of Summer pool party! Wait, maybe it's a Back-to-School pool party, since it's in July, and that's clearly not the end of Summer? Oh, I don't know! Regardless, there was a party...which is not unusual in this neighborhood...but this one included a formal invite and not a last minute pop in! And I must say, it was by far, hands down, one of the most fun family parties we have been to in a looooong time!

We had an awesome barbecue and potluck, accompanied by my first experience with Sailor Jerry! The kids had fun swimming, so did some Dads. Heck! So did I! I was doing flips off the diving board by the end of the night! lol...haven't done that in at least a dozen years! Their backyard is like a resort, I feel like I'm on vacation when I'm back there...so your worries really float away, and you're truly able to enjoy great time with great friends!

20 years from now, when my kids are all gathered at my house with their families and we're talking and reminiscing about their childhood, I truly hope the memories we make with our friends and family are their most cherished thoughts.

Hayden's first day of FIRST grade!

July 26, 2010Not as thrilled for 1st grade, as she was for Kindergarten.

Her nerves were on overdrive that morning, until Faith walked up to say Hi. That seemed to make her feel a little better!

Hayden's teacher, Mrs. Jaramillo