Alyssa's thoughts about the holidays

All on her own, without any help, Alyssa wrote about her favorite food for Thanksgiving (corn on the cob, buttered that we didn't have for Thanksgiving) and though not a food item, the presents at Christmas.  She is really starting to take off with her reading and writing!

Oahu, Hawaii

Lincoln City, Oregon

Vanilla Cookie Recipe

Hannah decided to create her own cookie recipe.  The only help I offered was a suggestion to look at other cookie recipes to see if there was any ingredient that she might need to include.  At first she did not include egg and her ratios were a bit unbalanced.  She also wanted to use the zest of a lemon and orange and knew that you don't need to add salt to a recipe if you did (something she learned from Grampop!).  This is the final product:

We did make the cookies and they were yummy!

"Don't I Look Bizarre!" (Quote from Hannah)

What started off as "putting on a little make-up" in fact did get a little bizarre... the girls used washable markers...  thank goodness!  And then we forgot about Alyssa's first soccer practice and had to leave in a hurry.  Alyssa had washed her face, but Hannah didn't.  

Mix 'N Munch Summer fun

We took the train down to Mission Street to a fun, though not often visited eatery called Mix 'N Munch.

Fruit or veggie?

Backyard Summer Fun with Friends

Swim Lessons

Alyssa did not want to jump off the diving board during her second session of swim classes.  The first time unsettled her a bit.  Hannah refused to even try that last session, but a pack of gum or her choice was all the incentive she needed to try this time around!  There are two pictures of Alyssa's one jump.  Hannah actually jumped off the board twice! 

Camping Mount Whitney

Another summer camping trip to Mount Whitney for Ryan and the girls.  This year daddy's friend Steve came along with his daughter, Faith, pictured with the girls.

Amazing Rainbow Cloud!

How cool is this?  It was Hannah who spotted these glowing clouds as we arrived at the gym where they take their trapeze class... called daddy who was on his way to the Dodger's game and he could see them too!

Fourth of July

 We went to watch fireworks up in Tujunga with friends who live across the street from a high school that had a fireworks show.  We sat on their driveway and looked up into the sky.  Huge fireworks went off above our heads... so cool!  Then the kiddos got to set off their own little show with a little help from Ryan.


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VBS @ AFCC

This year we went Hawaiian at VBS and the theme was "Walking in His Promises".

Hannah and Alyssa at Trapeze class

Alyssa LOVES doing this class with her sister!

Summer is here!

For our family, summer officially starts with our first summer concert.  What better way than to go see "Surfin' Safari" at Temple's City's Wednesday night concerts. 

Dear Alana...

Alyssa has a friend named Alana who moved to Arizona.  Alyssa misses her friend to send her a few things.  She did an awesome job writing this letter, working to write the lower case letters to the best of her ability and allowing mommy to guide her and give her instructions.  I am so proud of her!

Preschool "Graduation"

As a program for their final day of preschool, Alyssa's class sang "My Favorite Things", "Peanut Butter and Jelly",  and "Make New Friends."  Mrs Lynne asked each child to come up so they can tell what they plan to be when they grow up and to receive a certificate and a sunflower.  Alyssa plans to be a ballet and tap dancer. 

Christopher (in the back row on the far left  with "I'm a Big Brother" on his shirt), Nate in orange in the front row and Megan sitting behind Alyssa have a have been friends with Alyssa since they were babies!  

When I asked Alyssa if she is sad that she won't be at preschool anymore she said, no.  She would still see Mrs. Lynne at church.  That is the benefit of attending the preschool at our church. 

American Heritgae Girls Court of Awards Ceremony

Hannah officially receives her Joining Award at the American Heritage Girls Court of Awards Ceremony.  She also received a pin for completing the PRAY program with her troop.  We are so proud of her!

Promotion Night Talent Show

We have a Promotion Night with our homeschool group. Park Academy.  Each family gets up and talks about the achievements of their kids.  Then after a potluck dinner, the kids hold a talent show.  The middle school aged kids MC and everyone has a chance to recite poems, tell jokes, sing songs or play instruments.  Hannah and Alyssa chose to sing a song called "Scarlet Ribbons."  The pictures say it all.

Hannah wrote this up to read to the audience, but changed her mind at performance time:

It's Show Week at The Little Gym!

Hannah performed four routines which included group tumbling, uneven bars, beam and individual tumbling.  Overzealous about the bars, after her own turn was over, she kept asking for another turn before her classmates had a chance to get up on the bars!  It's hard to believe that at one time she completely shied away from performing in front of people!

Alyssa performed a ballet and tap routine, group tumbling, bars and beam routine.  She actually went up on the beam again after everyone was done to do a few other skills.  Alyssa also did an exceptionally beautiful hand stand during the group tumbling routine.  

Both did a great job and love to show off what they can do.  

Eaton Canyon 2012

Looks like we won't be watching the tadpoles turn into frogs this summer!

Hannah is a Flying Fish at Focus Fish!

Alyssa's Open House @ AFCC

Alyssa's final year at AFCC Preschool... bittersweet. We're glad she's growing up, but we are sure going to miss preschool! Click here for more pictures

The girls get their hands on the camera...

Hannah at her Circus Class

Look what Alyssa found in the garage...

Upon finding this treasure, she ran into the house and changed her outfit for more appropriate attire.

May the 4th Be With You...

Ryan tried to explain to the girls why he kept saying, "May the 4th be with you."  We were sitting down on their bedroom floor getting ready to read from the girls' evening devotions book.  Then, as Ryan began reading from the girls' evening devotion book, he began inserting "Luke Skywalker", "R2D2" and other Star Wars names for the usual names.  It CRACKED the girls up.  Ryan said the first name, Luke Skywakler so casually, but it didn't take Alyssa a second to look up at surprise and then start to laugh.  She gets daddy's humor!