Poolparty

What a wonderful ending of this school year. Cassie got invited to a "Last day of school party/ poolparty/goodbye party to one girl in her class. A really sweet girl that unfortunately is moving, which was very sad as her mom turned out to be so very sweet and if they would have stayed here, I would definitely made a big effort to get to know her better and meet up.

Kimberly and her family is moving to Washington State next week, so this was for sure the last time to see each other. They had a lovely house with a nice pool in the backyard. Cassandra loved the pool and wanted to move right away. Even if it would have been possible for us to move, the house was too small in the living area. They had 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths, and the bedrooms were devided up great with the master suit in one corner, one bedroom with bath in another, and in another corner two smaller bedrooms with bath. But living/kitchen/dining area was much smaller than we have now and the yard was no grass and only patio and sand. The pool was nice though.

The girls had a great time for 2 hours and they had time for pizza, lots of pool time and ice cream cake. I took these photos quick with my phone when I dropped her off.

When I had picked her up at 6pm, she was full which was a little sad as we were having a great meal here at home to celebrate Summer vacation. Grilled Filet Mignon, Grilled Chicken breast, Roasted Rosmary/Lemon Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli and Bearnaise Sauce. Yummy, it was so good! She'll have some of it tomorrow I'm sure!

The little ones took their time to fall asleep tomorrow, they were tired but I think the weather is taking it's toll on them a bit. They were running around outside this evening after 7pm, but it was still very warm outside. It's been really hot again today and the next couple of days it will stay this way. Tomorrow it will be 111F/44C and on Friday the hottest day so far here this summer with 114F/45.5C. I don't think that we'll be doing much outdoor activities then!

Awards & Grades

Chris had a meeting after work this morning, but came home in time to stay with the little ones, so that I could go to school. I'm happy that I left early, because there was no parking anywhere, and I had to park further away from school. Still, I was in time before the Award Ceremony started.

Cassandra received 3 awards today. A certificate for Academic Achievement for outstanding performance on Galileo testing in reading, Honor Roll for the 4th Quarter and again the highest award of them all - The Principal's Award in recognition of her commitment to Academic Excellence with GPA of 3.71 or higher during the 4th Quarter. I was filming during the awards and my memory card got full, so I had to change that in the middle of everything, which couldn't have come to a more inconvenient time, but that's how it is sometimes.
 

The whole ceremony only lasted about 15 minutes and then it was over. The parents that were there, all three of us, could sign our children out and take them home, the rest had to wait for dismissal at 10am. We said our goodbyes and then it was time to go home. 4th Grade is over - Summer vacation here she comes!!!

We are so proud of her for receiving those Awards and also of course of her outstanding grades. She has continued to stay on top - with Exceeding standards in all her subjects (except Art, Music and PE where all students always gets Meet the standard). To see the nice comments about her and to see what the teacher thinks about her work study skills, makes me a very proud and happy mommy! Well done Cassie - you've worked very hard and to see that it paid off should make you very proud of yourself!!

Last Day Of School!

My pretty girl going to school today the last time as a 4th Grader! In the pictures with the flower that she bought for the teacher. Here in the US, or at least in all the schools that Cassie has gone to, there isn't a special "Ceremony" for the last day of school. Not at all like in Sweden, where most kids dress up really nice in new summer outfits and where they have songs and music performances - sometimes in church. When I think back to my last days of school before summer vacation, it brings back much memories from typical Swedish summer songs and the smell of lilacs. Most of the time it used to be wonderful weather and Sweden always showed off in the most beautiful way with it's flowers and trees all green. That day normally came the first week of June, and sometimes it was extra special because it happened to fall on my birthday.

I remember that we used to bring our teacher small gifts or handpicked flower bouquets, or at least from the garden. Here in this climate, there is nothing to be picked so a bought flower had to do the task. It seemed like we were the only ones that brought the teacher something for the last day, I don't understand why though. Normally we give gift cards or/and a flower but as we already bought a few things for Teacher Appreciation Week, I thought that a nice flower would be enough. A few nice words in a card are hopefully also taken to heart. It surprised me to see that only 3 other parents had showed up this morning and Cassie's flower was the only one on the desk. I asked Cassie if the kids had brought gifts that she had already put away, but no, not at all. I guess that it might not be the standard here? Well, I was happy that Cassie had, as I think that the teachers do deserve a little something.

Sometimes the kids don't have any kind of ceremony at all, just a few games or something and then sent home. The parents were invited to the classroom for Award Ceremony and Grades at 9am, so at least there was something going on in this school. Cassie went on the bus this morning the last time before summer, but before she left I got a few pictures. Not the typical Sweden summer dress that I associate with the outfits for the last day of school, but the shirt and shoes were new, so she felt special! A "tougher" outfit than the sweet little girl that I'm used to, but to me she is always sweet anyway!

Exciting Movietime!

Today I was doing some filing of papers and the little ones wouldn't leave me alone and I really needed to get this done, so to show them something totally different, I looked up some movie clips on You tube. As Isabella loves the My Little Ponies, I surprised them with a short movie of this! This they had never seen either on TV or as a DVD, so they were both stunned that you could actually watch the little horses even on the computer!

 Totally into the movie!

Look at the picture on the top in the latest collage! Isn't that so cute the way Benjamin is holding his hand over her shoulder, patting her as he would say "Look sis, your little horses!" "Just because I love you, I'm not going to argue about putting Cars on and will actually watch My Little Ponies with you!

Memorial Day

The United States of America is the land of the free because of the brave! Freedom isn't free and today on Memorial Day we honor and say THANK YOU to all that have served, continue to serve and especially to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice! A special thank you to my husband - I love you!

Weather Changes!

I have been a little absent here this weekend, and haven't found the time to sit as much by the computer (hardly at all) as I'd like. We've had lots of things to do here at home, this weekend Chris has been off work so we always try to keep busy then.

Some shopping has been done, we've been outside a lot and the kids have had later naps and we've been eating dinner a little later and therefore the kids haven't been in bed by their normal 8pm, but more like 9pm. Then it normally takes another hour before I have both of them sleeping. Coming out in the light after sitting in the dark trying to shush kids to sleep for a long time, makes you very tired, and top that with major headache that has had it's grip around my skull for the last couple of days 24/7. I always have problems when the weather changes and now we had a few days that was cooler temperatures compared to what we had before. Even if it's been around 85-95F/30-35C it's still very warm, but it feels so much cooler than the over 110F/42C that we've had for weeks now.

Yesterday we even had a little breeze and it was wonderful. When we went out to have breakfast outside around 8.30am, it was still cool, not hot and sticky! So great!!! We had pancakes and strawberries. They are now so sweet and we are eating them every day to enjoy them to the fullest. My girls likes them just the way I do, Ben smells them, sometimes take a small bite, but that's it. Isabella I have to say stop after a few so that she doesn't get tummy ache. They are so different.

It soon warmed up though but that first hour outside, wonderful!! I opened up all the windows in the house and had the "cool" breeze go through the house. Even if we have the AC running every day (not all day long due to enormous bills..) the house gets hot and sticky right away when you turn it off. And when you never can open up to let "fresh" air in, it makes such a difference when you can! As it never rains here (so very rare) the air never freshens up.

Anyway, with that said, I've been to tired and haven't been able to sit by the blog. We had some appointments with the twins last week, that I still haven't written about, but it'll come soon.

It's a long weekend here, as it's Memorial Day tomorrow. Chris isn't off because of it as many others are, but he'll be home (sleeping) during the day to start work night shift in the afternoon. Cassie doesn't have any school, so we'll be here at home. After that, it's only fun stuff left in school. Tuesday is fun water day in the morning and movies in the afternoon, and on Wednesday it's reward ceremony at 9am where the parents are invited and then after that and the grades have been given out, release of the students at 10am! Then - Summer vacation!

Sunscreen

We use a lot of sunscreen here - a lot! This might last us about a week or maybe two depending on how much time we spend outside. I can highly recommend the "Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Quick Cover Lotion Spray 50spf." I've tried a lot of different brands of sunscreen for the kids and I love this one. The normally creamy ones is difficult to spread out as they are really thick and leaves the kids sticky and they touch it and gets it in their eyes and mouth. The normal clear spray ones are great for older kids or myself, but some of them are so strong you really want to hold your breath not breathing it in when you spray it, and try to tell a 2 year old that! Plus it's a wide spectrum and that makes it go in your face and eyes if you don't watch out, so for younger kids I would never use them.

But this lotion spray sprays on easy covering, you spread it out with your hand afterwords, but it's not sticky and the skin feels dry afterwards. For the face I just spray some in my hand and then apply it on their faces. It's instant water protection which I like as they play so much in water. 

I've used the Coppertone before but never tried this one out, but for sure, this will be the one I continue to use for the little ones. I'm happy to have found a good one as this is like I said an item that we'll have to use almost every day here! Even with sunscreen, I like to add the sun protection t shirts that they wear, and hats, as that gives them even more protection. My kids have never had a sunburn and I'd like it to continue that way!

Lunch & Popsicles

To surprise the kids, I took their lunch outside too. To make it even more special and interesting, they got to sit on the blanket on the patio and share a big plate. Very fun and they were doing very good. Normally my kids don't like to eat lunch until they have had their nap, and only have a Pedia sure before they go down for their nap, but since we had our breakfast so early and been playing and being busy all morning, they were hungry and the added excitement helped to make them eat.

To top it off, I gave them a frozen Sunny D Popsicle as a dessert. I found these really good containers to fill up and then you use them to hold the Popsicle with, much easier for little hands than just a stick! They really liked them, but unfortunately for Benjamin, he didn't do well eating it. Today his little butt is all read and he has a bad rash. As he doesn't eat much fruit or any citrus fruits at all, I didn't think that he would react like this, but oh boy is he red today. Poor little man. Isabella has no problem, but I remember that Cassandra couldn't eat any citrus fruits or drink any juice either when she was little or she would turn really red. Thick layers of cream today hopefully makes it go away fast for Ben.

Breakfast Outside!

Yesterday, we spent pretty much all day outside. We went out early in the morning to enjoy the cooler weather, only around 80F/27C and wonderful! To the kids surprise, I took the breakfast outside, and that was a big hit with them. The enjoyed their cereal, their strawberries and were really enjoying their meal.

I had hoped to see the hummingbirds that I've seen in the garden early mornings, but only from the window, and I had brought the camera with me so that I would be ready if they came around. Of course they didn't! Never when you have a camera ready. But - I got lots of cute pictures of my little ones!

The kids were helping me look for the birds, but the only thing they saw was a fly that landed on Ben's nose. Guess if they were laughing about that!

Isabella showing how the fly landed on his nose, both waving with their arms - "away - away fly!" Isabella shouted that, while Ben kept waving the flies away! Ben was giggling and laughing and we were making faces and having a good time!

How do you protect yourself from the flies landing on your nose??? Cover your face!!

Playtime

After breakfast yesterday, we stayed outside. To not having to worry about being too hot right away was so great. Normally it's too hot already around 10am, but now we could really enjoy and take our time.

The kids helped me fill up the pool again, and then they were happily playing for a long time. Ben was swimming along in the pool, while Isabella got really busy playing with the little figures from the water table. She took them up on the slide and was naming them all 4: "Mommy, Daddy, Ben and ME!" Cassie or "Titti" as Isabella calls her, was not there. I asked her where is Cassie? "Don't know" she answered. I told her that Cassie was in school, and then she was happy with that answer. I guess I have to go out to see if I can find some more little figures and preferable a girl.

After a long while, just before lunchtime, they snuggled up in their bath towels. They played Peak-a-Boo and were just giggling away when I was getting them dressed. They were hugging and being so sweet to eachother, and Ben even gave Isabella a kiss on the cheek. With towel in between, but still!

My little snuggle bugs!

Morning Activities

This is what we do these days. We go outside early morning, with early I mean that we are outside around 8am before it gets too hot, and we're playing with water. Yesterday, it got so hot even in the morning, that I had to move the water table on to the patio in the shade, so that they would completely stay out of the sun. 

Then around 10-11am it's normally too hot to stay outside and we go back inside to play until noon and nap time.

Pouring!

Isabella splashing water in her face....

 .....and on her brother, that liked it this much!

 And more pouring!

School Dance Nr. 2!

My beautiful Cassie went to her second school dance this afternoon between 5-7pm. She was so excited, and very happy that I helped her with hair and make up. We had a good time in my bathroom getting her ready and I'm happy that I got a few pictures of her before she left.

My daughter. 10 years old. Looking like a supermodel! I think that she is absolutely stunning! She is always beautiful - with or without makeup, with fixed or messy hair. But - to see the extra little spark of excitement in her eyes, the extra little spark also coming from "Wow, I like the way I look", made her shine a little bit extra tonight.

So hard to only pick one or two pictures when she looks amazing in all of them!

And it wouldn't be a complete photo shoot if Cassie wouldn't play around a little in front of the camera. Normally she will jump around dancing while I take these kind of photos, but this time she didn't want to mess up the newly curled hair! :)

It was really sweet, I asked her if she wanted me or Chris to drive her to school, and she said that she actually would like daddy to take her, that would be special she thought. We were laughing around joking that daddy better come with her inside to let the boys know that they are only allowed to look - no touching! And no kissing any boys - daddy told her! Cassie just laughed and screamed - OMG DADDY! :D We all laughed so much. So much fun! 

Chris dropped her off, without scaring any boys off and I can admit that I wiped away a few tears seeing her walk off to such an adventure - so grown up. It was a first glimpse of what's to come, her growing up so fast and tonight looking even older than she is. "Mammas lilla kicka" isn't that little anymore!

I got the honor to pick her up though, Chris was just putting the salmon on the grill and had to keep an eye on the potatoes as well that we tried out. A new version in aluminum foil on the grill, potatoes almost sliced through with a mix of fresh onion, bacon crumbs, Parmesan cheese and sea salt spread between the slices and on top. Very yummy!

Well, I had hoped to get there a few minutes early to have a look at how they had the dance set up, but no luck, I was there just after 7pm and all the kids were already coming out the gate. She had had the best night in her life she said. The best time ever! I think that sums it up pretty good, and I'm happy that she had a great time. There had been slow dancing, but she didn't dance with any boys she told me! And when daddy asked - as he did the first thing we walked in the door - no kissing either!

She had told him in the car that she wouldn't kiss any boys until she is 20 years old! Sounds good to me - I'll remind her of that most likely way sooner than she now thinks.