Family Picture

The Richardson clan cleans up nice.

Living in Paradise

Just another beautiful day on the lake with some friends from off the mountain.

Water Play

We went down to one of the neighboring towns on our mountain recently and the kids got to play in the water park they've created on their lake.  It cost a small fortune to get it but they seemed to enjoy themselves.  They even found friends from school to play with that they hadn't seen since school got out.  Add that to mommy getting to rest on the beach and the small fortune was worth it.

Boys are not Girls

My little guy got to have his first sleepover recently.  His sister was gone to church camp for the week and he was feeling her absence.  So a couple of us moms whose boys were in the same boat decided to let them tough out their sisters' absence together.  It's funny because up until now, I had only seen a little girl's sleepover, which they really should call a "Stay awake over".  Not these boys.  When it was time for bed, it was lights out.  No gossipy whispers, no crying, no fussing. 

The play was different too.  The girls do each other's hair, play barbies, dress their baby dolls, practice gymnastics, giggle, gossip, play games and put on fashion shows all in an hour's time.  It's a madhouse.
The boys played legos. . . . . . That's it.  Just legos.  And it was enough.  No crying, no fussing, jeez, they barely even talked except as it pertained to their lego imagining.  Now I get it.  THIS is why they say boys are easy.  They really ARE easy.  This mom was so excited at how well they got along and how easy it was that we celebrated by going to the pool the next day where they swam all day.  Boys are AWESOME!  Not that girls aren't, but it's a whole new awesome I didn't even know existed.

In Suuuuummmmmeeeeerrrrr!

The movie "Frozen" by Disney is HUGE right now.  My kids are in the perfect age range for it and they both loved the movie.  In fact, they memorized several songs from it.  One of the songs was chosen to be their team's theme song this summer while they were at acting camp.  Their team was called the "Olafs" and their big finale performance was singing "In Summer" (Olaf's theme song in Frozen).  The song is about a snowman who dreams about summer coming because he has never experienced it and wants to romp in the sunshine and get a tan.  I guess it's kind of like those moments when a mom dreams about about her babies growing up without fully realizing that when they do then she's going to melt.

A Greener Thumb than Mine

I can NOT grow plants.  I grew up in Oregon where you put seeds into the ground and shortly thereafter you have a plant.  That doesn't happen here.  Mother nature doesn't work that way in Southern California.  Plants must be nurtured, fed and protected.  I do not have the attention span for that.  Luckily my son does.  Here he is with the fruits of his labor, grown from a seed in his kindergarten class.  Well done buddy!

I Have No Spine

I admit it.  I couldn't handle it.  This was my princess's first year going away to camp for a week with the youth group and I had to go down and visit her.  She was fine.  I knew she would be.  But some part of my mommy brain wouldn't let me be until I could check on her...twice.  She had a great time though and is already begging to go again next year.  Little by little I have to let her go but nothing says I have to like it.

 

I Miss THIS

A girlfriend of mine had her son a little over a month ago but we were in a plane headed to Hawaii at the time so I didn't get to be there.  Luckily, she had a high school reunion recently and let me watch him and his sister for the night.  My kiddos were occupied playing with his sister so I got this little guy all to myself!  I SO miss the warm heaviness of newborn babies on your chest, how soundly they sleep and how sweet and innocent they are at this age.  He was a breeze to take care of, barely woke up during the night and the kids all enjoyed their sleepover playdate.  Win - Win! 

Tennis Anyone?

One of the advantages of being a member at the local club is being able to participate in their tennis tournaments.  Although we didn't win this one (2nd is the first loser), we burned enough calories for a celebratory cocktail.  So it wasn't a total loss.  Congrats to the mom & daughter pair who won.  Cheers~

Calling All Ninjas

When they hit 6 years old, the kids get to have a party with just a few friends, doing whatever they want.  In previous posts you will see my daughter chose a tea party, riding horses and a cupcake sleepover.  Last year, my son chose to take buddies to a movie and In n Out.  This year he decided that he wanted a ninja party.  They all dressed up in their best ninja attire, ran the obstacle course, squirted sticky string everywhere, played in the back yard and had a LOT of candy.  My son specifically requested a cake filled with candy (seen here).  Those poor moms probably came home with their little ninjas who were both exhausted and had sugar-sick bellies, but they sure seemed to have a great time at the party.  Happy #7 my sweet boy~

Because It's Funny, That's Why

Buddies

Because we do a lot of traveling, we were gone the day that they took "buddy pictures" at school.  So our little princess did not get her picture in the yearbook with one of her little girlfriends.  So instead, her friend's mom took a picture of them on their recent playdate and now they have the picture to frame in their rooms.  Aren't they adorable?

Pointers from a Pro

My husband's dear cousin got married right after we got back from Hawaii and my daughter was her flower girl.  Since the bride was very active in ballet growing up and throughout college, she asked my little ballerina to perform some dance moves down the aisle.  Of course, my princess was thrilled to get to perform and especially to get some pointers from the beautiful bride.

Pictures from Our Hawaii Trip

There's just too much to tell in a blog.  Next time you are at my house then ask to see the scrapbook I made of the trip.  It was AWESOME!

From A to Z

Every year, the kindergarten classes have a recital at the end of the school year to celebrate learning their ABCs.  Each kiddo dresses up as something from the alphabet and they each have a little ditty they sing about the characters.  In previous posts you will recall my daughter was "Gertie Goose" Below is a picture of this year's "Willy worm", "Benny bear" (my darling), "Zelda zebra", "Mr x-ray" and "Vinny volcano".  Oh yes, boys, I AM saving these as blackmail.  You are just TOO cute!

Recital 2014

In the latest installment of my daughter becoming a prima ballerina, she dons a navy blue and white tutu and dances beautifully at their end of season recital.  She is becoming very graceful and poised.

 

Youth Track 2014

Here's a few cute shots of my little track stars and their teammates this year

Headed North

We went up to the great state of Alaska last month to visit my sister and family for my niece's graduation.  It was a nice chance to visit with everyone and catch up on all those things we miss over the miles.

Me and my beautiful mom

My 3 favorite sass-tastic nieces

Farewell Awanas

Here's a pic of our most recent year-end awards ceremony.  The kids have participated in a neighboring church's Awanas program for several years now but recently decided that they would like to try the youth group at our church instead.  This would be my daughter's last year as a "spark" (grades K-2) anyway so it seems like a good year to change.  I am looking forward to their new adventure but will miss the good leaders and friends they have made at Awanas. 

His Good Luck Outfit

My little prince charming has decided that his fireman outfit is "lucky".  That means that for most occasions it makes the attire appropriate.  He wears it to the super market, the swimming pool (although I don't allow it IN the pool), and even sleeps in it sometimes.  So it was no surprise when recently he decided to wear it fishing with Daddy.  It obviously worked because they caught fish.  Although the fishing luck may also be due to their tradition of kissing any fish they catch before they throw them back.  These two traditions are independently cute, but when I caught a picture of them simultaneously in action it was priceless.