Fire Department Open House - October 2010

Our local fire department has a yearly open house - with free hotdogs, punch, bounce house and activities for the kids. We were able to stop by after one of Jacob's soccer games. Here are the boys after getting some balloons.

Jacob had a turn using the fire hose.

Getting a wide spray.

Levi using his muscles on it.

The water feels funny.

Jacob sliding down the large blow-up slide. Levi is not very fond of these large ride on toys. He prefers not to jump in a bounce house - or go on this slide.

We look forward to next year - and maybe Levi will be more adventurous and ready to enjoy all that it has to offer.

All Ready for Bed

Levi is about ready to be done with naps - so when he does nap - he has lots of energy at night while he is supposed to be going to sleep. He goes through several changes of jammies - and often dons footwear. Here he is - passed out on his bed - after removing his shirt and putting on some "new to him/hand me down" tennies that were in his closet. Oh - silly boy....

Big Kid Desk

One of my good friends gave me a desk that she used as a child. We painted it and replaced the drawer handles - and put it in Jacob's room after he started school. After getting a cool chair from IKEA - look at the studious student now!

He loves school - and enjoys doing most of his homework. Although - numbers and letters are not his favorite...

Here he is working on some more homework. Isn't he the cutest thing?

He now has a lamp on his desk too - and he is able to store all of his prized possessions in his desk drawers.

Thank you Jen for this cool desk - that is getting some good use 30+ years later. They don't make desks like these anymore!

Sacramento River Cats 2010

We got free tickets to a Sacramento River Cats game for Saturday, August 28th from Jim's work. The River Cats are a AAA team for the Oakland A's. This was the boys first experience at baseball. To start it off - it was the coolest day in August - at about a 73 degree high. With a wind, we thought we were going to freeze our booties off in the evening. Luckily, my 3 year old human blanket worked quite well keeping me warm!

Jacob took this picture. Even though we had some of the cheapest tickets - the view was pretty good. Being a fairly small stadium, there aren't many bad seats.

The boys did well and we stayed to the top of the 7th inning. We were glad we had free tickets - with snacks being so expensive and parking - we still spent about $30. With the tickets - we would have been out about $80. Before we even got there, Jacob was looking forward to cotton candy and a sno cone. Well - he tried 1 bite of cotton candy - didn't like that - and wasn't too fond of the sno cone either. Levi enjoyed them though!

So - we also had some licorice and popcorn. The popcorn was a big hit. What could be more fun then eating tasty snacks, watching the mascots be silly, dancing to the music, and cheering with the crowd. Oh...and watching the game! After every hit - Jacob would ask if it was a homerun. I guess I need to start teaching my boys about baseball!

It was a fun evening! With the boys getting older - I can see more first time events in our future. Looking forward to checking out a Sacramento Kings game someday!

First Day of Kindergarten

Jacob started school this Wednesday - on August 25th. He is in the afternoon kindergarten - that meets from 11:10a to 2:30p. We chose the afternoon partially due to him being about ready to be done with afternoon napping. He is going to a school by his daycare - where he gets to walk with the other kids to daycare after school. The daycare is about 2 blocks from the school.

There are about 20 kids in his class. The morning class was in session - so we took a picture outside the door. His teacher's name is posted on top of the door - Mrs. McDaniel.

He loves recess time already - loves the jungle gym. Before his first day - he was constantly asking when he would get to go out and play on the monkey bars.

First experience in class - sitting on the number rug and listening to some class rules. He did so well sitting still with his legs crossed and hands in his lap. His name is posted at his spot on a table - with about 3 other kids sharing the table with him.

We filled out a few forms on orientation Monday night - and one of the questions asked about his strengths. We noted "verbal communication." That is an understatement! He is full of questions as always - hopefully he doesn't make his teacher crazy!

He was so ready to start school. Amazing that we have one beginning his elementary school journey - and the other is potty training and doing very well. They are growing up fast!

Summer Vacation 2010 - Los Angeles

Our annual Blair family vacation was in Los Angeles this year (many years we have gone to Lake Tahoe). Most of us drove down on Saturday, July 31st (Nana, Poppop, and Caleb left on Friday and made the trek in 2 days). It was a good drive - the boys did great! We got to the house around 3:00p that day. We went to the beach 2 days, mini golf 1 day, the association pool 1 day, Knott's Berry Farm/Magic Mountain 1 day, and relaxed the last day before heading back home the following Saturday. Here is the crew - Joey and his family (Caleb, Salma, Antonio, and Ofelia); Guy and Jackie; Jim and our family (Jim, Levi, Jacob, and Holly); and Nana and Poppop.

We didn't get many pictures in the house or the surroundings. It was located in Woodland Hills and had beautiful views. Salma and Levi hung out together most of the time. Here they are - being goofy together.

It was a great week. Along with our daily outings - we had our family dinners. For four of the nites - a family selected to make dinner for everyone. Joey and Ofelia made enchiladas, Nana and Poppop made meatloaf (which Jacob LOVED!), we made spaghetti, and Guy and Jackie made turkey. The meals were all tasty - and we only went out a few nights due to being at the theme parks and the night some of the crew went to a Dodger's game. Also - we played "Rock Band" several times on the WII - both Lego Rock Band and The Beatles Rock Band. Too much fun! We played poker 3 nights - didn't lose too much money. And - many people participated in putting together a large puzzle (not me - I couldn't find one!). Although it was a bit of a drive - LA was a good place to visit with several new memories.

Summer Vacation 2010 - Venice Beach

On Thursday we ventured to Venice Beach - where the infamous Muscle Beach is located. We shopped some - walked up the strip - and had lunch there. Lots of interesting signs with plant pictures - and letting us know "the doctor is in." Levi was much more interested in the ocean this time.

The boys running from the waves. They were having fun!

Such fun to see them experience new things!

Salma and Antonio - chillin on the beach -

Jackie getting some sun with the cousins - she was working on her "Blair burn"!

Is this not the coolest picture - Joey with Salma and Antonio - checkin out the waves?

We enjoyed this beach a bit more than Santa Monica. More gradual slope to the ocean - plus fun shopping - made the experience great.