Open House 2012

I can't believe we haven't gotten to the time in the year when Open House rolls around.  Charlie, our big kindergartener and Ryan, our dy-namo second grader loved showing us what they have been up to in their classrooms. 

Here is Charlie.  Proud. Proud. Proud. 

 With buddy Ava.  Don't they look like sisters? 

Charlie with her famous teacher... Mrs. Baker. 

Charlie is wearing her tour hat to show us around!

 One of Mrs. Baker's signature Open House activities to display.  All the grown ups gravitate to this area of the room where these are displayed to read about each other's kids.  The teacher interviews each child and it is absolutely amazing how 6 year olds view the world.  Enlarge the pics so you can read Charlie's interview.  The first page is about Steve and the second is about me and what she thinks of our lives.

On to Ryan's classroom.  Ryan had to come straight from soccer that night so I hope that explains her pink cheeks and crazy hair-do!  The most recent activity in her class was to do a report on a famous inventor (she chose Eli Whitney) and then to create her own invention.  We loved seeing all the kids' neat ideas. 

 Ryan and buddy Abbie and teacher, Mrs. Bailey!

 Ryan's invention:  Changeable Headbands. 

We took plain headbands and took velcro to attach different ribbons and fabric to cover the surface of the headband.  Then, we took simple silver clips and hot-glued bows, flowers, stars, flowers, etc.  You can choose any fabric/ribbon combined with any accessory to create a customized headband!  Perfect idea from our girlie-girl!

Okay... I had to add this picture from Open House.  It's not even Ryan's picture but the story is worthwhile.  When we went to Big Bear, 2 of Ryan's classmates were with us.  On the day that we went sledding, Steve suggested that the kids all make a train with their sleds.  They did.  And attempted to go down a steep run.  About a 1/3 of the way down, ALL of the girls in the train (5 in all) crashed and rolled down the hills.  Tears were everywhere! All the girls had a major breakdown right in the middle of the sled run and they all blaimed Steve for "MAKING" them do a train.  Each week Ryan class writes "weekend news."  EACH girl wrote and drew a picture about their big crash and how Steve was to blame.  I almost peed my pants I laughed so hard!

Another successful Open House for the Grace Girls!  I can't believe that the year is already more than half way over!

Snow Days

We rented a cabin with our friends, the Panzicas, in Big Bear over the President's weekend.  We had the trip planned for quite a while and were convinced that it was going to be a snow-less weekend for how dry the season has been this year.  But... lucky us... a quick storm came through earlier in the week leaving us just enough snow to have some fun!

Friday afternoon... First stop:  The Sled Park.

 Grace and Panzica kids.  Ryan and Olivia are in class together.  Charlie Grace is in kindergarten.  And twins, Ben and Charlie Panzica are almost 3.  Charlie loves having another Charlie around.  Can you tell?  Haha.

 Sister Love.

(Sometimes.)

 The snow park wouldn't let me in with my knee brace on so my friend Jessica and I stayed outside the "gates" and watched the fun.  We laughed at having to feed one of the twins through the fence like a zoo animal...lol!  Anything for nachos and chili I suppose!!

 Awwe... daredevil Char Bear Panzica couldn't get enough of the sled runs!  Unfortunately, the poor little guy ended up getting sick and had some runs that weren't so fun!  Oo gross... I know... but I couldn't help the pun! LOL!

Back at the house, the kids realized that we had our very own fort in the backyard.  They loved it!

"Party of 14 please!"

Another family that we are close to were up on the hill too.  We met them at the sled park and then met later for dinner.  6 adults and 8 kids makes a pretty crazy dinner!  Good thing for the pitchers of margaritas for the grown ups!

 Ava is sandwiched by the Charlies!

 Ryan helps Ben pick something from the menu.  She is going to be a great babysitter some day!

This picture oddly reminds me of my many childhood trips to Big Bear.  My parents used to let me bring friends and this restaurant, La Montana, was one of our favorites even back then!

 EARLY Saturday morning playtime!

Snow play sure works up an appetite!

Another round of sledding.  This time we went over to our friend's house where they created an awesome sled run right off the back of the house.  I loved it because the mommies were OFF duty and the daddies had it covered!

 The hardest part about sledding is the hike back up the hill, huh Charlie?

Sledding time = Mommy time = Relaxing time

Oh okay, I guess we'll give the guys a break too I suppose!

Saturday Night back at the homestead.  The Panzicas had to pack up early because poor Char Bear was not getting any better.  He was a pretty sick little guy. 

 Daddy taught the girls how to play pool.

And the Stevens' family came over for pizza and R&R.

If you know the Graces even just a little bit, you know that as soon as Sunday morning rolled around, it was time to head out!  No looking back.  No time for pictures.  No time for anything.  

I wish I could say we'll get up there again this season but somehow with school, soccer, and softball, trips like these seem to get fewer and further between!  Bummer.

Play Ball!

Another Season. Another sport begins!  Here are our softball players this year! 

Come out to see the California Cuties and the Bubblegum Bombers kill it on the field this year!

Picture Day and Carnival was super fun!  Opening Day coming up next weekend!

Awaiting Baby Annie

On Saturday, February 3rd we celebrating the mom-to-be with a baby shower at Old Ranch.  Claudia Traver and I shared the hostessing responsibilities with lil' Miss Ryan and Charlie Grace.  Ryan and Charlie had many duties leading up to the shower of their soon-to-be born baby cousin, Annie.  They were in charge of decorating the tree branch centerpieces and making the placecards.  They made small talk with the guests, were in charge of the "game" and helped bring the gifts to Julie.   The weather was beautiful and besides some horrible freeway traffic that led up to the event, the day was great.

Our "twig and bird" centerpieces.  Claudia took care of getting the beautiful flowers to surround the tree branch.

 A closer look at the girls' handy work. 

 The mother-to-be and the hostesses.

 Oh Charlie, what will we do with you??

 We delayed the beginning of the shower to wait for the freeway traffic to lighten up so most of our guests could arrive.  The girls didn't have an issue... they ran out to the golf course to see their daddy, uncle Jeff, and buddies.

Look at the fabulous gifts that were starting to load up as our guests started to arrive!  Lucky Annie!

For the "game," Ryan and Charlie developed a questionnaire for Uncle Jeff and Aunt Julie.  They secretly asked Jeff the questions the week before and then asked Julie the same questions during the shower to see how similar their answers would be.  Julie enjoyed hearing how Jeff had answered and whether or not her answers were very different.  It was obvious that Jeff and Julie have had lots of baby talks in preparing for Annie's arrival because they were definitely on the same page. 

 Ryan stood on chair to make sure she had a captive audience...lol!

 Gift time!

 Uhhh... apparently some little people got bored with the gift opening (they weren't for them...haha!) so they ran out of the course again when daddy was in sight!

 They came back just in time to watch their own gifts being opened (Of course!)

The most important of any shower is always the guests... thank you to everyone for coming out to celebrate Jeff and Julie!

 Lindy, Ginny, Marzie, Casey, and Katie

 Dottie, Marcia, and Terry

 Liz, Terry, and Cathy

 Michelle and Dana

 Colleen and Claudia

Jill and Julie (and baby Annie)

 The whole group!

This last picture shows one of the tree branches that held the little bits of advice the group had for Julie and of course the birdie cookie favors.  We hope everyone had a great time and look forward to Baby Annie's arrival as much as we all are!

March can't come quick enough!!
xoxo