Girl's Night Out...

Brenda and I were lucky enough to be able to go out together last night, just the two of us!  Wow, that was a needed night!  

We first went to Elephant Bar for dinner and dessert and then we went to the mall for a little while.  Then we went to the movies.  I had lots of fun and lots of laughs.  I don't know what I'd do without Brenda in my life.  Thanks Brenda for the date!  =)  Next time can you please touch up your nails....

Primary Activity...

On Wednesday of this week we had a Primary Activity at Micke's Grove Park.  They added a new water park and new playground area.  They had a great time with all their church buddies.  =)

Chase's first trophy day...

At Gymstars when you are there for a year and each year after that they present you with a trophy for all your hard work.  Chase had his first trophy day last week.  Chase at times can be shy but he wasn't when he got his trophy.  He was on the other side of the gym when they presented it and called his name and he went running to get that trophy.  He was so cute.  After he got it and gave it to me he got a hug from his proud sissy.  They were so cute.  

New Gymnatics Teachers...

Isabella and Chase had to get new gymnastics teachers because of Isabella starting full-day Kindergarten.  They both love their new teachers and even though Chase wasn't 3 yet they let him go into the 3 year old class.  He's done way better than I expected!

Kat Country visit...

I know that I talked about when Kat Country came to UPS but I never had any pictures to post when I talked about it.  Here are a few pictures from that event.  

Gymboree Play & Music...

At the beginning of August right after Isabella started school I figured Chase needed to do a fun activity.  I took him to what I though was an art class at Gymboree but I got the times mixed up and it ended up being a gym class.  It all worked out great because he LOVED it.  He had a ton of fun and didn't want to leave.   

Setting the record straight...

My niece Britney came to Stockton to spend a few days with us.  (At least someone besides my Mom comes to visit me.)  When she came down here she really realized the how my brother and I compete on who my Mom loves the most.   She compiled a list on her blog of the pros and cons about both of us, which you have to check out, so I need to set the record straight....

-I talk to my Mom more than once a day.  If I didn't have my Mom to call I don't know what I'd do.  She my one constant person that I can always count on to talk to.

-I love hockey.  Oh heck yes!  

-Of course girls take the favorite vote because my Mom is a girl.  And it doesn't matter that she had only one boy.  She had two girls because girls are better.  Right, Jimmy!?

-I take my Mom on vacation with us.

-I visit my Mom more in Bakersfield than my brother does and he lives in the same town not 3.5 hours away!

-Even though my Mom is a homebody like my brother.  She enjoys getting out and doing things which I take her to do.  Then I give her her homebody time too.  Best of both worlds.

-Well, I don't cut Grandma paychecks but I try and get some of those paycheck. =)  Just kidding.  Love is more important than money.  

-My music taste is just fine.  I love anything that is good.  I like a huge variety.  I just don't like crappy groups like Weezer.  Oh, did I just say that?  =)

-Now, I think you would have to agree that my brother can clear a room much better than I.

-Now let's talk about our style of dress.  At least I don't go out with pants that have chicks on them, my wife's pink slippers and a red shirt, which by the way doesn't match, that says chick magnet on it.  I think I've got him here.

-When I tell my Mom that I'm going to buy her something for her birthday I actually get it instead of her waiting months for it, which her birthday is in February and she still doesn't have her BBQ.

-Also, my Mom wants a mans-man for a son not a girly-boy who goes scrapbooking!

As you can see the correct choice would be Me not Britney!  =)  Even Lori thinks so...gotta check out the comments on Britney's page.  Thanks for the love Lori!!  =)

By the way, my brother and I are nothing alike.  I need to set the record straight on that one too.  =)

Weberstown Mall in Stockton and UPS...

University Public School is part of a program at Weberstown Mall called "Earning for Learning".  Each dollar spent is one point earned for the school. (Certain dates you can earn double points by shopping at certain stores, check it out by clicking here.)  The school that wins gets $5,000 toward their school.  If you have your receipt and shop at the Weberstown Mall or Weberstown Property between August 3rd and September 27th then take your receipts downstairs to the administrative office and tell them that you are there for UPS (and Mrs. Tiede's class if they ask, Isabella's class can win a pizza party) or you can give me your receipts and I will turn them into Isabella's school.  You will receive your receipts back.   I just thought if you were already shopping there then you could help her school out.  Thanks so much!  =)

UPS on Kat Country...

I am so excited because I emailed Kat Country to see if I could get an audio clip of when Isabella's school was on Kat Country.  I know that a lot of you missed it so now you will be able to hear it, especially those from out of town.   It is too cute!  =)  Enjoy!

UPS on Kat Country

UPS and Kat Country...

Isabella's school has the opportunity tomorrow to be on the radio.  Tomorrow morning University Public School (UPS) will recite the Pledge of Allegiance Live on the air with D.J. Walker In the Morning.  Tune into Kat Country 103.3 FM at 8:20am and listen to them perform.  So if you are in our area and are up at 8:20 in the morning tune in and listen!  =)

9 years...

I can't believe that we have now been married 9 years!  Time flies!!  Above is our engagement picture that we put on our invitation and a picture from our wedding day.  It was nice to reflect back to that day.  =)

I woke up this morning to my hubby singing the anniversary song.  Too cute!  We actually heard the anniversary song from about a handful of people today.  That songs always makes me laugh!  =)

Then, I had a great evening with my husband.  We went to see an early movie which turned out to be a great deal.  We went to see Hancock.  It was an excellent movie!!  When I went to the counter to buy the tickets and she said $7.  I couldn't believe it.  I guess in Manteca on Tuesdays certain movies are $3.50 each.  Our anniversary just landed on the perfect day and we picked the perfect movie.  =)

Then we went to Olive Garden for dinner.  It was very yummy and very expensive.  It seems that every time I go there the prices are higher and higher.  But, it was worth every penny!

The bouquet of flowers are from my sister-in-law, Lori, and my brother.  They are beautiful.  I love the lemon slices in the vase!!  Thanks Jimmy and Lori!!  =)

Only 5 more days...

I am so excited because it has been forever since I scrapbooked!!  This Saturday I am going to the scrapbook expo in San Jose with Heather and Brenda.  We have 3 classes with the first one starting at 9:00am.  We say that we aren't going to do this every time and every time we schedule a 9am class!  =)

Then we are going to the crop from 5:00pm-11:30pm.  I am going to be so exhausted but it is going to be worth it!  

Frustrating....

So I got pulled over by a cop and for the first time I wasn't doing ANYTHING wrong.  I guess I had a brake light out and he caught me without proof of insurance because stupid me forgot to put my new one in!  AHHHHHHHHH!!!  So now I have a stupid fix it ticket.  I have to find a cop to sign off on my ticket when I show my proof of insurance and then I have to take it to the courts, pay a fee, and then it will get signed off.  I am so frustrated that I now have something else added to my overflowing plate!  Just had to vent a little.  =)

What a great friend...

From my earlier post, I have a great friend who gave me some awesome advice.  She did some research on full day Kindergarten and told me all about it.  

She also gave me a great quote that I had to share, it said:

"It is a gift to our children if we help them realize that they are capable of getting through difficult moments, and teach them the pleasure of knowing that they have mastered something that was outside of their comfort zone."

Thanks Brenda for helping me through a really difficult day.  You are amazing!!  =)

Update on my sad girl...

So, I called the school today and asked them how Isabella was doing.  The secretary at the front actually went back to Isabella's classroom and checked on her.  She came back and reported that she was doing great.  I was really surprised after our morning and it made Mommy feel a little better.  I was also so surprised at how awesome the school is about little things like that.  =)

Then when I went to go pick her up she came bouncing out the door and was so happy.  I was like, where did my little girl from this morning go.  Of course, I was so happy to see her so happy!

I went up to her teacher and asked her how her day went and she told me that she had a great day.  She also told me that she moved Isabella to a different group and that now she has a different partner who is as nice as she is.  I'm glad that she considers my daughter nice.  =)  Isabella talked about Giselle the entire afternoon and how she likes her a lot.  I think this helped make her day better.

I was very worried because on top of dealing with her new school schedule I had to change her gymnastic schedule and she has a new teacher.  But to my surprise she was so excited to meet her new teacher and couldn't wait for gymnastics.  Gymnastics went great for both of my kids.  Chase did 30 minutes of his 45 minute class all by himself.  I was quite surprised since the class started out by him yelling, "I don't want her I want Miss Jessica."  All I could do is laugh!

So my bad day turned into a really good day.

My sad girl...

Today was a horrible day for Mommy and Isabella.  Before we left the house she got upset and said that she wanted me to stay at school with her.  When I told her that I couldn't she didn't want to go.  She sniffled a little on the way to school and in line at school she started crying a little bit.  We gave hugs and kisses and then Mommy told her that as she walked away we'd do our special I love you sign.  So as she walked away with tears in her eyes she looked back and gave me the I love you sign.  Mommy can't handle this!  I got in the car and just lost it.  I feel like I'm breaking my little girls heart!  Poor little thing.  

Isabella says that she loves school but that it is too long.  Which I have to agree with her since she goes from 8:00am-3:00pm.  I know that it is just going to take adjustment but Mommy and Isabella are having a hard time with this adjustment!

Any suggestions on how to handle or deal with this better would be much appreciated!! 

e.l.f. makeup for $1...

You have to check this out.  Makeup from Nordstrom's that is $1.  Stock up now!!

e.l.f.

First day of BIG girl school...

My baby girl is now a big girl.  She had her first day of school here are some of my favorite pictures of it.

Isabella picked out every detail of what she was going to wear on her first day from her outfit, to her shoes.  She had to pick out every detail.  Isabella wanted to wear her blue dress with her white shirt and with blue socks.

This is her Minnie Mouse backpack and lunch pail that she picked out.  She was so excited to put things in her backpack and get it ready.

She wanted to wear her apple hair ties and she wanted her hair in pig tails.

Thanks to Grandma Hockey Isabella had a brand new pair of sketcher shoes to wear on her first day.  Isabella was so excited to have a cow charm on them.  (It broke off 1/2 through her first day.)

Isabella and Kayla met in the parking lot to walk into school for the first time together.  They looked so cute together.

Here is Isabella waiting in line for school to start.

Every Monday they have an assembly before they go to their classrooms. (Parents are invited to it.)  Today the teachers sang a song, they did the school cheer, the teachers introduced themselves and told us what college they graduated from, they sang happy birthday to all the kids who will have a birthday this week, they did the pledge, two teachers sang the National Anthem, and then the Principal spoke for a few minutes and they were dismissed to class.

Here is Isabella's class at carpet time.

Isabella and brother saying goodbye to each other.

My big kindergartner standing at her desk after completing all of her morning routine.  She had to take her chair down, put her pack back up, put her lunch away, and put her lunch card on the chart.  She did such a great job.  Then the parents were asked to leave so they could finish the rest of the day by themselves.

Chase and I both miss Sissy being at home.  I asked him today what he'd like to do with Mommy and he said to go pick Sissy up from school.   I knew that he'd miss her.  =)

Gilroy Garlic Festival...

I have always wanted to go to the Garlic Festival so this year my Mom came down and we decided to go.  We had a lot of fun despite the heat and the terrain.  I ate garlic chicken, garlic fries, and garlic bread.  I also ate GARLIC ICE CREAM.  Surprisingly it was pretty good.   Not something I'd go out of my way to find and eat but it didn't taste bad like I expected it to.  You could taste garlic in it.  Isabella and Chase ate up all their ice cream.  They loved it.   =)

Isabella and Chase rode on a few rides and then we left.  It was fun times!  =) 

Kindergarten Tea

Isabella had a Kindergarten Tea on the Thursday before school started.  It was about an hour long and we did so many things.  When we first got there she gave her teacher, Mrs. Tiede, a gift that we put together for her. (Thanks Brenda for the cute idea!)  After that Isabella signed in on the sign in sheet and took a picture for the teacher.  Then we found Isabella's desk.  Isabella was so excited to see all the fun things that were hers!  Then we made a self portrait of Isabella out of construction paper.  I was having a hard time trying to figure out what to do with the hair and thought of curling the paper.  I love how it turned out!  =)  Then they went on a tour of the school.  They found the bathroom, drinking fountain, and where they line up.  We went back into the classroom for a cookie and apple juice and then Isabella and I went on a scavenger hunt to find her name in the room at least 3 times and the library.  It was tons of fun!