Mid-week Celebrations

It's conference week at the elementary school so we had meetings with both Cameron and Ashton's teachers.  Both boys have are doing a great job and have made improvements since the fall. 
So that Ethan didn't feel left out, we took him out for a special breakfast before school and a quick guitar jam session with Derrik. 
We took the younger boys out for lunch (since they had the day off from school) to celebrate their achievements and for being students of character.

Pickin' Grapefruit

I caught Cameron and Ashton picking grapefruit from the tree on the side of the house.  Unfortunately, no one in our family like it so we're picking it to give to neighbors and the food pantry.

Spring Soccer

Cameron is back in soccer!  He played his first game last weekend and won his game 5-0.  He looks so tall out there on the field!

Winter Rain Storm

We survived two back-to-back winter rain storms (I know, it's rough)!  We had a little drainage problem in the backyard that Cameron took care of.

Concert

We took the boys to a concert in LA last weekend.  We saw several artists all together (Toby Mac, Mandisa, Brandon Heath, Matt Maher, Matthew West).  So much fun!

Awards times 2

Both Cameron and Ashton received awards this week at school.  Ashton was recognized for Effort, and Cameron (who didn't know he was getting an award at all) was recognized for Citizenship.  We are so proud of them  and thankful the school notices how special they are!

Cameron's trying to figure out why he was invited to the assembly?

Grandparents in on the fun!

Pajama Story Night

Ashton and Derrik attended a pajama and popcorn story night at school this week.  Looks like they had fun!

6th Grade Mask Making

Cameron and I made his 6th grade mask this week!  It is a keepsake that reminds him of what his face looked like.  A fun but messy process!

He took step-by-step photos - Enjoy!

Another park trip

We met the Grandparents at a park for lunch!  Soccer was on the menu, some bike riding and a yummy picnic.  Ya gotta love Southern California winters.....

Piano Keyboard Grant

A teacher that I work with (who is also a private piano teacher) and I wrote a grant in December to acquire 15 keyboards for our school.  We found out last week that we won!!  So excited that our hard work paid off and that our students will get keyboard as part of the music program!  They held an award ceremony to recognize the winners.  Here are some photos:

New Glasses for Ash!

What do you do when glasses break on a Sunday afternoon?  Well, first you try to fix them yourself until you accidently super glue them to your finger.  Then you admit defeat and run over to the local Walmart and find some replacement frames.  That's what we did and our big boy looks so grown up in his new glasses!

Valentine's Day fun

We had a very nice Valentine's Day!  Derrik got me flowers, the boys treated us to breakfast in bed and we went out for a very nice lunch together.  Ethan and I finished off the evening playing a little "Heart and Soul" together on the piano.

Old photo from 2011 that I turned into a valentine photo.

The boys each got a box of chocolates from us
 

Chuck E Cheese Fundraiser

We spent Thursday night at Chuck E Cheese for a school fundraiser.  The two younger boys went (Ethan was not going - are you kidding me?) and had fun with their friends.

Both boys also got to take a turn in the "ticket blaster."  You can hear me coaching Ashton during Cameron's video.  He was not sure it was something he wanted to do.

 

Mother-Son Dessert

I was invited to join Cameron and Ashton for a dessert that their boys group at church offered.  Such a fun night!  I felt so honored....I have very special and thoughtful boys. 

They listed things they appreciate about me.

What We're Up To

We had a busy week last week!  Here are the headlines -

Ashton had a play date at his friend Brett's house.  Their activities included doing some "rappelling" on the hill in the backyard and playing with Brett's new kitten, Marbles.

 

Ethan uploaded his second album onto iTunes! 

His creativity and talent continue to grow and amaze us.

 

 

 

 

 Cameron and a few other 6th graders performed recorder with a group of 4th grade students at the Parent Teacher Meeting.  He did a great job and is getting so good!

Saugus High Orientation Night

Cameron with the Centurion mascot

Saugus High School invited 6th graders to their campus to get a feel for what the high school is like.  So we took Cameron and the family there to look around.  They had several classrooms open with displays to see.  Ethan was proud to show off his school! 

Derrik with the cat dissection (Ethan on the right)

Ashton checking out what's under the microscope

The highlight may have been the Forensic Science lab where the
kids had to collect evidence at a crime scene.  (No students were harmed!!)