Color Run Fun!

Look what fun Cora and Violet had our school's first Color-A-Thon fundraiser!

It was a fun thing to look forward to as we returned to school from Spring Break. On Thursday, the students headed over to the park , where they ran laps past various stations where parent volunteers threw colored corn starch powder at them.

By the end, the children were a colorful sight to behold, and our school was about $15,000 better than it was before. Thanks to all who donated!

After the primary kids completed the run, it was time for the upper graders. I kept Violet with us - Aunt Patty and Stace were helping, as well - and she helped Elaine run a color station. She had so much fun!

At the end of the run, the children gathered in the center of the course and tossed up color packets they'd earned through donations. (Just in case they weren't colorful enough already!)

The event was so much fun; we're already excited for next year!

Work Picnic

Stace's company picnic was Saturday, at a grassy ranch down Sierra Highway in Canyon Country. The party organizers encouraged everyone to come dressed in "Dapper" wear, so we did our best. Cora is dressed as a dapper boy, mainly so she could wear one of Stace's flat caps.

Violet had her face painted as a cat by the balloon lady, who also created a balloon mouse for her.

The weather was gloomy and showery off and on, but two huge tents were set up to keep the main part of the party dry.

The food was really good! Barbecued chicken and beef, and hot dogs, macaroni salad and fruit were on offer.












The girls loved the children's contests and carnival games; here, Violet is walking on tin cans.

The sack race was a lot of fun, too. The girls collected loads of prizes - though not necessarily the valuable type you cherish the next day.

After the races, we went back under the tent for bingo. We didn't win any cards, but thankfully Violet shed no tears.

The mock Western town made for a nice photo backdrop.

We had a lot of fun, of the good, old-fashioned kind.

Spring Break Tidbits

Cora was away at Sam and Riley's house Thursday night, so Stace and I took Violet to Yogurtland for dessert.

I like this shot Violet got of us!

Cora had a great day Friday, go-kart-racing at MB2 Raceway with Sam and Riley's family. Afterwards, she repeated her desire to have her 10th birthday party there.

Violet and I had a quiet day Friday, but it was pleasant. She made me this lovely rose-petal necklace out of yarn, tape and the petals.

Stace taught Cora how to make crepes, and even how to flip them. She's getting old! Cooking on the stove top! She also will make eggs without any help.


















Violet is reading so well now. She and Stace spent some quality comedy time together, with Violet reading jokes from her magazine.

Every now and then, it rains. When it does, we do a rain dance, running around like crazy people.

Once again, spring break was glorious. We will miss it!

Disney!

My annual pass to Disneyland is the lowest-level pass, meaning it has a LOT of blocked out dates - all summer, all weekends, some additional Fridays and all holidays. The two weeks around Easter are also blocked out.

Luckily, our Spring Break started Easter weekend, meaning our Disney passes were all open the second week of our break. We decided to book a hotel room near the park, to get in two solid days of the magic.

Since Auntie Mel wouldn't be subbing during Spring Break, I invited her to come along.

We drove down Tuesday morning, and got into Anaheim by 10 and were inside Disneyland by 11. Our first stop was the Matterhorn, the ride Cora has been itching to try out for months.

She enjoyed our bobsled ride, despite the Abominable Snowman chasing us through the snowy mountain.

We got fast passes for Splash Mountain, and then got in line for Thunder Mountain. Violet rode with Auntie Mel, and I rode with Cora.

Though the park was busy with people like us - those still on Spring Break - we didn't wait in many lines longer than 30 minutes. Thank goodness for the fast pass system!

Thunder Mountain is just a fun coaster!

We were hot afterwards, though, and so we went over to California Adventure to ride the Little Mermaid ride. The air conditioning there felt divine!

We met up with Elaine and Vivian back at Splash Mountain, which we rode together. Elaine and Vivi were in the middle of a three-day Disney trip for Vivi's recent birthday.

Melanie suggested we head to a tiki-themed restaurant and bar near the Disneyland Hotel for dinner, an excellent choice. We enjoyed yummy tiki drinks (and dinner) under palm trees, with a Hawaiian-style singer playing live music.

On our walk back through the Downtown Disney area, we came upon a stage with a Rockabilly group playing. Cora broke out of her comfort zone - risking TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT - and danced with Vivi and Violet.

We then stopped at the massive Lego store, where the girls spent their monetary gift from Andy on new Legos. Thank you, Andy! The girls had such fun choosing their toys. Cora also bought new Disney charms with her money, while Violet chose a small Star Wars print to display in her bedroom.

We spent the night at a nearby Travelodge, which was cheap and cheerful. We were close enough to have a great view of the fireworks.

We got up and out the next morning, because the parks opened at 8 and we wanted to be there as early as we could manage.

We first got our fast passes for Space Mountain, and then went to California Adventure to get passes for the Cars ride.

Then, we got in line for the new Luigi ride, which featured dancing cars.

It was fun!

Then, it was back to Disneyland for Space Mountain. Violet's there, just too low to be seen. We need to remember to have her sit in the front!

Later in the afternoon, we met up with Vivi and Elaine and went on California Screaming, and I took Melanie to her car so she could get back to SClarita for work.

Then, I met back up with Elaine and the girls, and we said goodbye to Elaine and Vivi. They were going to begin making their way home, while we had fast passes for Star Tours.

After Star Tours, we went back to the other park for the Cars ride. Yes, we did a LOT of back and forth between the parks on Tuesday! Though Violet is almost 6, I was grateful for the stroller.

The Cars ride is so much fun - see Violet's outstretched arms here?

We then went on the newly reopened Soaring Over California ride, which Violet was tall enough for. Yay!

Next, we met up with our friends Jen, Trent and Jack at the Redwood Creek play area. At 42 inches in her shoes, Violet was finally tall enough to do the zip line. She was so excited!

Jen had come with some of their other friends, and they were all staying Wednesday night and returning Thursday. The kids played together for an hour or so, and then we reached our departure time.

After stopping for fast food on the way home, the girls and I were back home around 10 p.m. Not bad at all.

Until next time, Disney!

All in a Weekend's Work

On Saturday, we made our family return to Kidz Love Soccer.
This time, it wasn't Cora. Violet said a couple of months ago she didn't want to play t-ball after her tennis session - she wanted to get back onto the footie pitch!

She did just fine in her class of 5- and 6-year-olds. She's always been good at dribbling.

Later on Saturday, we used some Easter money from Nan and Pop for the girls to go to the movies. We've all been wanting to see Disney's latest, Zootopia, and this free Saturday was the perfect time to go. You can see Violet holding a Tsum Tsum of one of the movie's funny characters.

It was a really good film, one I wouldn't mind owning.

After the movie, we went to Lowe's to get Cora some new shelves for her room. She has big plans to display her new Star Wars Lego toys.

That evening, we rode bikes to the Habit. It was a fantastic time together (and yummy!).

On Sunday, Cora got to work on her shelving. She did just about all the work herself.

The finished result - the dresser and everything hanging on the wall above the dresser have been shifted to the left. The desk is now in the corner, with the two shelves above.

The upper corner shelf holds Cora's sports trophies, and the lower shelf holds her Lego Star Wars figures. She and Stace might create a backdrop to place behind the figures.

Stace also put in Violet's flower light, a present from Grandma for her 5th birthday. At least we got it on the wall before her 6th, right?

They had the cute idea of making leaves to go along the cord/stem. Violet loves being able to have a bit of reading time now after we've said goodnight.

Spring Break, Week 1

On Tuesday, Cora woke up at Sophia's house, where she'd had a sleepover. She had a nice playdate, while Violet and I baked and organized.

On Wednesday, Violet went with Grandpa, while Cora and I had a Mommy-big girl date. We had lunch together and then met Aunt Patty at Passages, a traveling museum focusing on the Bible.

We went to the museum in November, and now that it's about to close shop and eventually move to a permanent home in Washington, D.C., Cora wanted to take one more look. I was happy to oblige, and take the opportunity for some time with my big girl.

She checked out the children's area for a while, where kids could dress up like Bible characters, among other educational amusements.



We also looked at all the other exhibits, but no photography was allowed. We saw countless ancient copies of the Bible in a variety of languages, and Cora was able to write using a quill and ink, and make a stamped copy of a page on a Gutenberg's press.

That afternoon, Cora had a game, and Aunt Patty was able to watch Cora pitch and hit. Her team won, their fourth win. The Ducks are definitely playing better in recent weeks.

On Thursday, Violet had a doctor's checkup, and we ran some errands. The weather was gorgeous, so we dined alfresco for lunch. Lunch with my girls is something I miss now that they're at school.

On Thursday evening, Stace and I left the girls with Grandpa and Grandma, and took Melanie and Nick's new headboard to their home.

Looks amazing, doesn't it? My husband can do anything!

On Friday, we went out to the San Gabriel Valley to visit friends. We first stopped at Melanie's house, where the girls played with Heather and Sienna, and I got to hold newborn baby Andrew. Such fun to hold a tiny one again!

We then went further east, where we met up with JT, Callie and Jonah.
We met them at a park with a playground, hiking trails and a nature center. Here, the girls are feeling skins that snakes have shed.

We then took a mile hike around a beautiful trail full of flowering cactus plants.

After that hiking, we needed something icy to drink - 7-11 slurpees were perfect! I promise that Callie and Cora were pleased with their frosty treat!

We returned to SClarita in time for Cora to go to Hits and Hot Dogs at Coach Cory's house.

So, our first Spring Break week was a lovely combination of time at home and fun with friends.