Spring Break & Grandma/ Grandpa Whitney Visit

We had a nice Spring Break week this year. Kai, Rori, and Lance all had the same school break this year which was different than last year. Lance still had work that week though. The kids and I spent the first few days just hanging out around the house which was nice. We are on the go so much in life that sometimes it is nice to just be home all day. On Wednesday my parents and my sister all came to visit as my Mom was also on break. The kids were besides themselves with anticipation of their arrival. For weeks leading up to the trip Rori was talking about them coming and asking how much longer until they were coming. It was very sweet. We kept them busy the whole time they were here: baseball practice for Kai, checking out and playing some basketball at the new playground close by where we live, hitting the mall and toy store (where Rori quickly and painlessly picked the pink and purple basketball for her toy which my Dad of course thought was great) with us, driving around some places they hadn't seen before, learning new speech games on the IPad, writing a "book", and taking us out for some of our favorite meals. Apparently we were so busy having fun that we didn't really get any pictures that had anyone but children in them. We had a great time being with them and were so grateful that they made the long drive to come. Here are a few pictures that Mom and Dad took of the kids with their camera:

Last Day Before Break

Rori's class had an easter egg hunt in their school courtyard the last day of school before Spring Break. It was good prep for the real deal a little over a week later. Part of the reason she loves school so much is they are constantly doing fun things.

First Ponytail

Zuri was born with a good amount of hair (unlike her big sister Rori). Most of it is on the very top of her head so we are now able to sport a pretty decent size ponytail smack on top. It took a LONG time to be able to do this with Rori so it is a little extra exciting. :)

10 Months Old

Another month has flown by. Little Zuri is getting big so fast. I know that if I blink it is going to be her 1st birthday and that is wild. Zuri continues to be such a fun little baby. She is so social and loves to be part of whatever is going on around her. These days she is busy smiling at everyone she sees, clapping, crawling as fast as she can all around, pulling up on the stairs and even the couches and side table on occasion, clinging to as many binkies as possible and her soft blankie when in her bed, racing to get to the dollhouse toys in Rori's room, and sampling any yummy food she can beg off of the rest of our plates. This afternoon I caught her pulled up in to a standing position in her crib for the first time. I'm pretty sure she was stuck and terrified. She is so super sweet and cute which results in much of the rest of her time being loved on by all the rest of us.

Princess Day at Dance

It should be noted that I had to take these through a checkered glass window in to a room with huge windows, but it gives you the idea. :)

Hanging Out at Home

New Favorite Trick:

And Those Eyes:

Nice Boys that Let Little Sisters Sometimes Play Too:

Rocking Her New Favorite Purple Shirt:

St. Patrick's Day 2012

Our little red headed Rori hopes you had a fun green filled weekend like we did. She accompanied me to the grocery store last night and the checker sent us home with a flower for the "little Irish girl".

Sunday Fashion

I guess I only remember to take a picture of the kids before Church when the girls are dressed alike because I think it is so fun.

Weekend Happenings

Lance got the rough draft of his paper in this past week so we were all so excited to get to spend time with him this weekend. Saturday morning we got a few errands done and then decided to go on a little adventure. We rode scooters over to the local grocery store to check out this M&M Nascar thing they had going on in the parking lot. Rori actually rode all the way to the store which is pretty cool. The kids thought it was fun to check out the race car and get to play this driving simulator thing they had. After that we continued the big loop back toward our house and made a stop at the playground. Kai will start baseball soon so he and Lance were getting in a little practice. Rori made for a cute, but rather ineffective outfielder. It was a nice comfortable sunny day. If only it would stay like this for a long time.

Sneaky

She's a sneaky little thing now that she officially started crawling everywhere last weekend. Lance got this picture with his phone of her hiding under Kai's chair while he is working on the computer at the desk.

Proud Card Holder

Last Monday night Kai finally became the proud owner of his very own library card. He had been wanting his own for a long time and is thrilled to officailly have it. Infact, he even took it for his weekly show and tell item at school. The first things he checked out with it were about the Moon, Space Camp, and the Titanic.

Princess Party

Rori after her friend Kinzie's princess and bounce house birthday party today:



Kai happily spent the morning with his Dad at the park playing basketball and baseball instead.

Shark Reef Field Trip

Rori's class got to go on their 2nd field trip of the year on Friday to Shark Reef Aquarium. Got to love Vegas- nothing like field trips to a casino on the Strip when you are in preschool. The Aquarium is at Mandalay Bay which is actually quite nice though and the Aquarium has its own entrance so they didn't have to parade through the whole place.

My friend Ashley (Peyton's Mom) went with Zuri and I, so the 2 of us and another Dad were the helper parents for the class. Zuri was her regular cute rock star when out and about. I was glad we were there as it was a bit chaotic. In all of Vegas there is only 1 other preschool program like Rori's. That class (which is located up in North Las Vegas) met up with Rori's class and a handful of other hearing impaired 1st graders for the field trip. So, that many little ones combined with the place also being filled with regular aquarium visitors and lots of dark viewing rooms was a bit nerve wracking in regards to keeping track of everyone.

They did great though and the kids seemed to really like it. We'd been there before this past summer so Rori already had an idea of it all. She kept reminding me though that she was NOT interested in getting too close to the sharks or touching any actual animals- she gets that from me. :) Afterward I asked her what her favorite part was and she said- "the bus and Peyton". She and Peyton are so cute together and they really do have a blast together.

I think the bus was actually a highlight for all of the kids- it is pretty exciting when you are in preschool. I had asked Ms. Wheeler earlier in the year about any ways I could help out the class throughout the year. One of the things she had mentioned to me was it was going to cost $100 for transportation for the field trip and it would be great if we could get it paid for somehow. I knew that $100 would be nothing for most businesses so I knew that would be something I could easily get done. I was happy when I called up a local business that has worked with several of the kids, Ear, Nose and Throat Consultants of Nevada, and they agreed to donate the money. Rori alone has seen 3 different people there in our search for answers. So now we will be making a big thank you card for them with lots of pictures from the trip. Rori's teacher was a bit surprised when I handed over the check as she had only even mentioned it to me that 1time and I don't think they see a lot of that sort of thing at her school. I've already suggested to her that she dream a little bigger next time as I think a lot of places might be inclined to give to something meaningful for this super cute class. I've also identified a sorority at UNLV that has a philanthropy which has something to do with the Hearing Impaired and Speech Therapy. I think there could be some great opportunities to get them together with these kids to create some really cool experiences for both groups. I've talked to the sorority President, but I need to catch them at the right time of year- perhaps right after they get a new philanthropy chair that is ready to plan forward. I can't help it- it's the past fundraiser/ events person in me.

Anyway.... here are a few pictures from the fun adventure.

(I should probably note that the bump/ scratch thing on Rori's head happened 2 nights before when she was playing in the kitchen entrance and suddenly ended up head down and feet up on the metal edge that the fridge sits on. I have no idea..... Other than a few immediate tears the mark has been the worst of it.)