Early Start to Decorating

The past few years we have been late starters on inside decorating for Christmas and Chanukah.  But this year, mom and dad took care of business early and the boys appreciated it!  It helped that our Christmas tree was pre-ordered and ready for pick-up December 5th.

Chanukah

This year the boys really were interested in Chanukah celebration.  Every night Ryan and Ethan fought over who would "Light the Lights" in the celebration of Chanukah.

Ethan's First Day of Preschool

Ethan's first school experience was  mommy and daddy's first day too, August 20.  Ethan is currently going to school at Parkside, a special pre-k & k school aimed to meet the needs of challenged students, as a typical peer.  When Erin dropped off Ethan, he knew what to do after watching Ryan the last 2 years.  He quickly said his good-byes to Ryan, Mommy and Grandma and was off to ride the tricycles and play on the equipment.  We knew he was in great hands with his teacher, Mrs. Kara.  She was also Ryan's teacher.  Now Ethan comes home, potty-trained, talking about his exciting days at school.  We couldn't be happier with his placement in this school. 

 

Ethan Reunion

In October Daddy took off to Pennsylvania to visit his family and attend a good friend's wedding. Once a momma's boy, Ethan like his brother slowly realized his true calling...a daddy's boy. Every time daddy comes home, and mommy too, Ethan runs and jumps in my arms. However he still isn't too willing to hand out those kisses. As daddy was gone for 5 days, Ethan was missing his daddy rough time fix. Once I got home, it was time to play hockey, drop the sticks and fight, head to the play ground for some play time, and finally bath and book time. Here is a photo prior to daddy reading Ethan's favorite book, Wow Wow Wubbzy and the Halloween Party.

Honor Student

On September 30, Ryan received his first award, Myford Elementary Scholar of the Month, for academic excellence. As teachers, Erin and I know the type of student that receives the first award of the school year, easily singled out students that are always on task, helpful with their peers, above standard work, and positive role model. Like father like son or as Erin states more like mother like son. Mommy, Daddy, Ethan, and Grandma were able to see Ryan receive this award!

Ryan's First Day of Kindergarden

Wow, has it really been three months since I posted new photos? I guess I have been caught up too much with work. Sorry! Ryan's first day of school was September 1st. Surprisingly Ryan really resisted going to school on August 30 for a Meet & Greet. He put up a fight even though Erin and I were going with him. He was thoroughly excited when he learned that there were four other kids from our community at his table of six students. Plus in his class he already knew about 4 other kids from our community or playing tee ball with them. Now Ryan was at ease!


Dropping Ryan off at school made Erin and I realize how much he as grown up. No tears shed except from Mom and Dad. Ryan took his seat on the carpet with the rest of the students to listen to the teacher book read aloud and began his first day like this was nothing new. We are so proud of the big guy!

Alyssa's Last Day

The boys had a great time with their cousin, Alyssa. They took her to Disneyland, California Adventure, Lake Arrowhead, the beach, the zoo, baseball games (watched the Yankees lose), and the pool. Two days after she left, we asked Ryan if he missed her...his response, "No, now I get my room back!" We know he misses kicking her tush on Wii Sports. Today, Ethan saw mommy with her hair covering her face. He said, "Your hair like Alyssa."

Swimming Lessons

Erin and I enrolled the boys in swimming lessons through the community center. They are in their third week of the program and loving every minute of it. Ethan is practicing red light green light. Red means relax, yellow blow bubbles, and green kick away. Ryan looks like a natural resting on the side of the pool. He is practicing kicking with straight legs.

A Day at the Local Zoo

During our summer vacation, we took the boys to the Irvine Park to see the zoo and ride on the railroad. The zoo features animals that are found in our local area, mountain lions, hawks, eagles, bears, and coyotes. The boys even had the opportunity to feed and brush some animals too. It was a nice afternoon despite the heat.

Fireworks Display

The night of the 4th, the family took the boat out on the lake to watch the firework display at Lake Arrowhead. We could tell that Ethan was impressed because he yelled, "Yeah Baby!"

Lake Arrowhead

Ryan and Ethan are having a blast in the mountains fishing, playing games, and watching the other kids play in the water. So far we have been unsuccessful catching any fish.

RKL Wedding

On June 20, Uncle Ryan, Daddy's good friend, got married in Martha's Vineyard. The whole family enjoyed the wedding and stay at the vineyard. At the reception, Ethan called it a night early, but Ryan and some of the other boys his age took over the dance floor breaking out moves from the vault. (More photos will be posted later as I need to get the photo cable for the camera from work.)

Summer Beach Fun

Yes, it has been awhile since my last post. My apologies. A few weekends ago, Grandpa and Daddy took the boys across the street to play on the big beach with their kites and boomerang (a gift from Aussie Dave). As always the boys managed to have a great time flying the kite and watching dad attempt to throw the boomerang. After Ethan got tired of flying kites, Grandpa took him wave chasing. The rest of the morning was spent at the fun zone where the boys tested their skills in the arcade and rode on the merry-go-round and ferris wheel.

Haircut

On Thursday, both boys got a much needed haircut according to Daddy. Mommy however loved how Ethan's hair was wildly crazy! At first Ethan put up a fuss refusing to get a haircut, but Ms. Kelly bribed him with animal crackers and a Leap Frog Alphabet Movie. Ethan was a great sport during the whole haircut. Ryan as always sat still except when Ms. Kelly broke out the clippers to trim around the ear. He did not like the sound of the clippers or how it tickled him.

Preschool Graduation

Ryan had his preschool graduation last night from Parkside Elementary School. As with all graduates young and old, Ryan was enthusiastic throwing/ripping off his cap and gown.

Garden

The boys wanted to plant a garden full of tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, and watermelon. As you can see, they have been successful. Yesterday, the boys picked lots of pea pods and one cherry tomato. They broke open the pea pods to take out the peas, and they ate them for dinner. As for the cherry tomato, Ryan gobbled it up and gave the thumbs up that it was tasty. They are looking forward to many more harvests.

Ducks Playoffs

The boys got the opportunity to check out the Ducks in their 2009 Playoff run one last time before the Ducks lost to the Red Wings in game 7. Both Ryan and Ethan always enjoy going to the games as Grandpa fills their bellies with pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, licorice, churros, and ice cream. They as well as Mommy and Daddy are looking forward to the 2009-10 season.

GO DUCKS!

Ryan's Last T-Ball Game

On Saturday, May 16 Ryan played his last game of T-ball. Ryan did a great job getting an out and hitting the ball coach pitch every time. His next step will be the coach pitch league which he is definitely looking forward to.

Ethan's 3rd Birthday

Ethan's 3rd Birthday

We spent Ethan's 3rd birthday at the Honda Center watching the Ducks beat the Sharks and advance to the next round of the playoffs to play against the Red Wings. Uncle Ryan got a special message posted on the jumbo-tron that it was Ethan' s birthday.

A's T-Ball

Ryan has started his second season playing baseball playing on three different teams, Cardinals, Dodgers, and now the Athletics. Mommy has been enjoying her time helping the team as assistant team mom. She helps keep the players organized on the bench. Daddy has his hands full as the coach, but enjoys every minute of it. While Ryan is hitting HRs and getting outs, Ethan is running around making several trips to the snack bar with his grandpa.

Ryan and Ethan enjoyed their time at the mall since they were able to visit with the Easter Bunny. They also got a special treat riding on the Easter Bunny Express Train.