Summer Reading Program

Of course, Alex and Sabrina once again participated in the library's Summer Reading Program. The pictures are from the kickoff for the program. Alex, who keeps growing, is now on the tween program. Both kids won prizes such as giant cookie coupons,  coupons for Rita's Ice, beads, free books, and a pass to the shark reef. Both kids are done with the official program, meaning they have read over 20 hours, but are continuing for raffle tickets and extra small prizes.

Marie-Anne

Tournament of Kings

For family day at Frank's work they paid for us to go see Tournament of Kings! I got to meet several of his co-workers. Of course, we loved the show, (it was the same as last time). The food was great and so was getting to spend time together.

We weren't allowed to take photos during the performance, but afterwards several actor posed for photos.

Marie-Anne

P.S. We were thrilled that the company paid for us to go, so we were shocked by what we won in the drawing: Sabrina drew a number out of an envelope and won four 7 day passes to Sea World, San Diego Zoo, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park! We plan to use them in February.

Pen pals

Alex and Sabrina have become pen pals with several of their cousins. They love getting mail and writing letters. I think it is a fun way for them to get to know their cousins who live in other states. I bought colored envelopes and cards to make it even more fun.

Marie-Anne

Grilling for Memorial Day

 

We invited the members of our church over for lunch the Sunday before Memorial Day. We had a great time, even if the meat was burnt...Heehee.

Marie-Anne

Fun at a friend's pool

Our good friends from Boulder City invited us to play in their neighborhood pool and for dinner. We had such a good time.

Their new home is right on the edge of the desert. After we ate, the grown-ups were sitting on the patio talking when I saw a neighbor using a blacklight. I mentioned that he was looking for scorpions. We reassured our friends that we had never seen a live scorpion since we moved here. Right then, George saw one, a big one, on the wall behind Frank!

Marie-Anne

Park with homeschool group

We joined a homeschool group right before Easter. We meet them almost every Friday for a park day or a pool day. We are part of a great group and I am very glad we have joined. Alex and Sabrina are making friends and learning to get along with others.

I do not remember the name of this park, but it was nice. It had lots of climbing things for the kids.

Marie-Anne

Date night- Ethel M

Ms. Sharon babysat the kids so Frank and I could go on a date. We went to Ethel M to walk the trails and because they had booths set up and several radio stations there. We really enjoyed ourselves and we also got to see the baby rabbit.

Afterwards we went out to eat and to the bookstore. It was a lot of fun.

Marie-Anne

Friends at a park

 

Sabrina and I met our friends Abby and Megan at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park. We really enjoyed ourselves.

Marie-Anne

Ethel M

The kids and I enjoyed a walk around the cactus garden at Ethel M.

This bunny was so adorable we spent quite a while watching it. It ate the flowers that fell from a tree- fun.

Marie-Anne

Siegfried & Roy Park

We discovered a fun new to us park: Siegfried & Roy Park. My kids absolutely loved the zipline! They did not want to leave they ere having such a good time.

They also liked this spinning ball. I would be so dizzy, but they love these things.

Marie-Anne

Louisiana part 4- Misc

We found a snake skin, a very long snake skin in my Mom's yard.

We went to a revival service at a local church. We got to hear Ben Waiters sing! He is amazing. We bought one of his CDs.

We visited my Dad, Jimmy and sister Courtney. He gave me some clay marbles that my grandmother's brother made, I didn't even know she had a brother.

I shared a sad bit of history with the kids. I took them to see a "colored man's" grave that is actually outside of the cemetery's fence! The story goes that he was an old man when my grandpa was a boy and was the only African American living in the area; he was well thought of  and even protected the white women and children during the Colfax riots. Yet, he was still buried outside of the fence!

We met my brother, Adam's girlfriend, Julie.

And finally we had to say goodbye and start the long drive to New Orleans to catch our flight home. It was a wonderful trip.


Marie-Anne

Louisiana part 3- Alexandria Zoo

 We went to the Alexandria Zoo with Jennifier, her girls, and a girl she babysits, (whose Mom was one of my very best friends growing up), Jessica and Maggie. I am so thankful that we got to spend time with my sister, sister-in-law, nieces, and best friend's daughter. We had a lot of fun.

We don't have a zoo near us so I was very happy that the weather was nice and we were able to go. My kids love animals and were very happy to get to see some.

I printed out some educational worksheets from the zoo's website. The kids' favorites were the animal scavenger hunts.

Marie-Anne

Louisiana part 2- Lakes and Chandler Creek

Here is Louisiana! (Iatt Lake) You can almost imagine the alligators lurking in the water.

 

 

Chandler Creek was one of my absolute favorite places when I was a kid. It is within walking distance of my Mom's house and I spent countless hours there growing up. It brings me great pleasure to take my kids there and watch them enjoy a place I loved so much as a child. (Not sure if Jake the Snake is a water snake or a cotton mouth; either way he has teeth and we left him alone.)

 

We had family pictures taken at Stuart Lake. It was so pretty! (Not everybody, but glad for those who could make it!)

Marie-Anne