Tulare Sprint Triathlon

It is simply amazing to me how athletic Jason is.  He was injured for a lot of last year and wasn't able to compete the way he wanted to.  He went to physical therapy for months for an IT injury last year and wasn't able to run in the San Francisco Marathon as he had hoped.  He has gotten in touch with some guys who he used to work with and has gradually started up a training regimen.  They've gone running, biking, and spent time at the gym training.  Wanting to dabble in something competitive, Jason signed up at the last minute for the Tulare Sprint Triathlon at the end of September.  He did such a great job- he placed 4th in his age division.  It was his first time doing a swim/bike/run.  I am so impressed that he set a goal and so easily met it.  Wish I had his drive and determination! :)  I am very proud of him!

My First Brand New Car!

This past summer, Jason and I talked about how our goal this school year was to put away some money every month to get ready for a new car.  Both of our cars are 2001 and we knew we wouldn't want to have to get two new cars too close together in the future.  We haven't had a car payment for almost 7 years, so it is interesting to think once again about having a car payment.  With Jeremy going to school this year, some of the amount that we paid every month last year for preschool could be put aside for a new car. 
 Well, our timeline got messed up this past week when my Toyota Rav4's transmission started stalling.  Our friend checked it out and said that it'd cost around $3000 to repair.  We decided just to "go for it" with a new car.  We knew we wanted a crossover with good gas mileage.  Jason reads a lot of car magazines and had a good idea of what to look for.  We narrowed down our choices and test drove the 2014 Mazda CX-5 and the Toyota Rav4.  In the end, it didn't take too much to convince us- we got the Mazda!

We actually went through Costco's new car program and were very happy with it.  The cost was cheaper, which allowed us some money to get options like an upgraded stereo system and a hitch.  LOVE my very first brand new car!

Boys will be Boys

I LOVE that Jeremy goes to the same school that I work at.  It was certainly true on this particular day.  I got a call from our secretary saying, "I think you need to come to the office at recess." 
"Did Jeremy have an accident?"
"Yes, but not the kind you're thinking. He fell in the mud at recess." 
"Ok, I'll come down in a few minutes."
Just as I hung up, my GIA (vice principal) came into my room and said, "You need to go see Jeremy right now.  He's crying and really upset. You're probably going to have to take him home to clean him up.  I'll watch your class when they get back from recess."
So, I hurried to the office and he burst into tears.  He was covered in mud, front and back!  It was actually pretty hilarious, but he was crying, so I held in my laughter.  Our secretaries had been consoling him, and our janitor came to hand me a garbage bag to put in my car.  Such a "village!"  Jeremy and I ran out to the car and I sped home.  He quickly stripped down and got into the bathtub where I scrubbed and scrubbed.  By then, the mud was caked on.  We quickly dressed him, got back in the car, and I sped back to our school.  I was gone a total of 35 minutes, which was very fast!  Not long after I returned, my principal came by my room to check in.  He said, "Even if he was in trouble, I don't think I'd do anything because he was so darn cute when he was crying."  LOL  In the end, we found out that he and his friend were spinning around while holding hands, one of them let go, and Jeremy went flying towards the mud that was in the playground as a result of a broken sprinkler... What a day it was- boys will be boys! 

Jeremy's Two Front Teeth

When I took Jeremy to the dentist over the summer, he did let me know that the xray showed that Jeremy's two front bottom teeth looked like they would be coming out soon.  Well, he lost his first tooth on Aug. 30 and then his second tooth within a week.  His first tooth came out at school.  I overheard his classmates saying that the tooth fairy left $10 for one, and $6 for the other.  I wondered what it'd be like if the tooth fairy only left $1 for Jeremy after hearing what his classmates got.  I don't know why I care because he doesn't fully understand the value of money yet!  I guess it's just one of those things I figure that kids will always remember when they get older- "Can you believe the tooth fairy only left me $1!?..."

So... the tooth fairy left $3. 

Lots of people commented that the tooth fairy was being way too generous with that amount... Jeremy's tooth made me think of Modern Family and the episode when the tooth fairy leaves $100 for Lily... (LOL)  Anyway, when Jeremy lost his second tooth a week later, the tooth fairy left $1.  

 Another milestone- my little baby's growing up so fast!

Dad's Birthday

It has been 7 years since Jason's dad passed away... We miss him so much!  Here are a few pictures from our family's annual memorial celebration on Sept. 7.  We release balloons and have teppanyaki at Yoshino's (one of his last wishes).

Cupcake and Daisy

Our 13 year old cat, Cali, passed away this summer while we were in Canada.  She had a tumor on her head for several months and when Jason took her in to the vet, they said it was likely cancer and gave us a list of possible medical options that all cost near or over $1000.  We were told that a good life expectancy for a cat is 13-15 years, so we knew her time would be near.  She didn't react when we touched the tumor and her eating and sleeping patterns were unchanged, so we just let her be.  Our neighbors, Sasha and David, texted us to share the news about finding her body and to let us know that they buried her in the empty lot next to our home.  We told the kids the news while driving in the car.  Grace burst into tears, and Jeremy sat quietly... for a minute... because then he said, "When are we getting a new cat?"

Months have passed, and Jason and the kids haven't stopped talking about getting a new pet.  Personally, I would be ok without a pet- they're work, in my opinion!  Well, on Labor Day weekend, the topic came up again over dinner.  I casually mentioned that one of my former student's mom had posted pictures of some kittens they were hoping to find homes for.  I showed Jason and the kids and they immediately wanted to go see them.  I called the family and they invited us over.  As soon as we saw them, Jason and the kids were in love... I thought we were going to get one kitten, but Jason and the kids' responses were, "They're sisters! We can't separate them!"  or "Each kid can take care of a kitten." or "They're just so cute!"  So... we brought home 2 kittens!

 Meet Cupcake (Grace's kitty) and Daisy (Jeremy's kitty)

They can be very sweet!  Their mom wasn't able to take care of them, so they're pretty tiny and didn't get to have any mother's milk.  We got them as 5 week old kittens, and their mouths are so small that they are barely able to eat dry kitten food.  We've been feeding them kitten canned food and milk replacer.  It has been a few weeks now, and they've started being able to eat dry kitten food (thank goodness- the canned stuff smells disgusting).  They are still learning how to clean themselves, so Jason has given them a few water baths.

In the few weeks we've had them, though it has been fun to have little kittens, it has also been a lot of work.  We didn't have a litter box in the house for our other cats- they just sat at the door until we let them outside.  With such little ones, we can't let them out yet, so they've been using a litter box.  Yuck, I hate the smell!!!!  During the day, we leave them in the kids' bathroom.  They've been doing pretty well with that (haven't torn anything up yet). 

They have become increasingly playful (especially Crazy Daisy) and though they have plenty of "lovey dovey" moments with each other, they also fight and wrestle a lot!  We're now training them not to get on the furniture and not to scratch the curtains or anything fabric!  Despite the work, Jason and the kids totally love them to pieces and are so thrilled to have them in our household!

First Week of School

Our kids' homework projects to start the year:

 

My projector bulb burned out in May and even though I immediately asked for a new one, I was told that with the year winding down, I wouldn't get it until this new school year.  I wrote a reminder note on my check out papers when I left on the last day of school and returned this school year to find that it still hadn't been ordered.  So I have since had to drag out my overhead!  So much for technology!  It turns out that my projector is now considered obsolete because the bulbs are no longer produced by the manufacturer.  I now have to wait at least a month while my school follows school budget protocol to get me a new projector.  It's very sad- my teaching style is definitely not the same without one!!!! 

Fourth day of school and Jason already had to call for a sub.  Jeremy woke up with this! 

Luckily, Uncle Aaron is an eye doctor and was able to help out.  He came over during his lunch break to check it out and gave us some eye drops.  Thank goodness it wasn't pink eye (something viral)! 

The Start of a New School Year

What a busy summer! Softball, cleaning out our garage, Yard Sale, Maui, Edmonton, and Disneyland...  Just like that, summer vacation is over, and here we, into a new school year! 

Jeremy:  Our big boy is a kindergartner!  We were faced with having to decide whether he should attend our home school, Kratt, or attend kindergarten at my school.  There were several factors to consider.
1)  If Jeremy went to Kratt, kindergarten there is only half-day, so he'd actually be in daycare for more of the day than in school!  In Central Unified, kindergarten is full-day. 
2)  I had taken a leave of absence the year Grace entered school to make sure that I could focus on her transition, and while we decided it wouldn't be an option for Jeremy's kindergarten year, having him come to my school would actually allow me to still be able to "be there" for him.
3)  Harvest is far from our home, so it'd be out of the way should Jason ever need to drive him or pick him up.
4)  Where would he go afterschool?  

Well, in the end, we decided to have him come to my school.  It has been GREAT! I have loved having him at my school.  I get to help him get situated in the cafeteria for breakfast in the morning, I get to see him here and there throughout the day (cute watching him walk down the hallway with his classmates), I get to see who his friends are, I can talk to his teacher whenever I want, and then we leave together. Our afterschool program's director agreed to let Jeremy attend the program even though it's for 1st-6th graders.  She figures that if Jeremy's ever any trouble, she could just send him back to me.  So, I am able to continue prepping and working without having to entertain him afterschool.  All of this sounds too good to be true, right?  And yet, it's true!  We are soooo thankful that everything worked out!

  First Day of School- Kindergarten

 (he said he chose to wear this top because "it's Harvest colors")

 leaving for school together

 Jeremy's teacher, Mrs. Ghelardi

Grace: Every year since kindergarten, I have walked Grace to her classroom on the first day of school.  When I asked her if she wanted me to walk her this year, she thought for a few minutes before saying, "I think I'll try going on the bus this year."  I felt a little emotional hearing that- a sign that my little girl is growing up!!!  Definitely moving into "upper grade" this year!  Good thing her school has a Meet and Greet where kids can come meet their teachers and see their classrooms.  Our whole family went, and I was glad that I got to take some pictures and officially meet her teacher.

At her desk was this handout.  She had to write down one thing she was nervous about, and one thing she was excited about.  Nervous:  that the work would be hard this year; Excited: to learn new things and learn about the state.   

 Grace's teacher, Mrs. Snyder

First Day of School- 4th Grade

Grace saw this top in Target a few weeks ago and knew that this is what she wanted to wear on her first day.  The Target near our house didn't have her size and she was so disappointed.  Luckily, Grandma found it on their Back-to-School shopping spree.  Such a cutie!

Jason:  The start of this school year marked a new beginning for Jason.  He has worked at Wawona Middle School for the past decade, but decided it was time for a change.  There have been changes at Wawona this past year, including his principal's retirement, and it just seemed like a good time to start something new.  Jason went to Fresno Unified's lateral job fair last spring, and Tenaya Middle School offered him a position.  So, Jason is now a Tenaya Brave, teaching 8th grade history.  Tenaya is the same distance to our house as Wawona was, but it's closer to Grace's bus stop at Kratt.  So, he's been picking Grace up from the bus stop every day after school and then the two of them return back to Tenaya for him to prep.  It has been a good change so far- he has connected really well with his department, and parent involvement and student demographics are noticeably different from Wawona.  With this new start, he probably won't get to coach this year, but the break is welcomed!

Jane:  Interestingly, I don't have anything to share about this new school year...  In all honesty, I had  imagined months prior that I too, would be starting something new this year.  I applied to be our district's GATE instructional coach this past spring.  As someone who has embraced differentiation in my classroom and has worked hard to incorporate varied learning opportunities for all learners, it was exciting to think that I could maybe help other teachers do the same for their students.  I was very reluctant to try for such a position, but I received so much affirmation and doors kept opening that I decided to see where it could lead.  It was an interesting process- I had to create a 10 minute presentation based on differentiation, instruction, and GATE principles and my interview panel consisted of six people.  I have been told by several panel members that my interview was outstanding.  However, I ended up not getting the job.  When I got off the phone with our district GATE director, I truly felt no emotion- I was... surprised (not to sound overconfident, but I'm not joking when I say that I received a lot of affirmation and doors easily opened in the whole process).  I wasn't upset, I didn't cry, I didn't feel rejected... I am usually a very emotional person and I cry easily.  It was very strange to me, that I didn't feel any of that.  In the weeks following, several things happened that made me think, "Gosh, I really am not ready to leave the classroom... I love being in here and having my own class, building personal relationships with my students, and I'm not ready to leave Harvest."  All of these events just confirmed for me that I'm exactly where I need to be!  Overall, I had a wonderful year last year- I am looking forward to another rewarding year and it's off to a good start!       

Here's to 2013-2014!!!

Highlight of My Summer, LOL

Even though our summer travels took us all over, can you believe that this is the most time we've spent in Fresno in the summer since we've had kids?  Having more time here meant that we finally got around to cleaning out our garage!  It has been at least 5 years since we've been able to park both cars in the garage.  That's pretty embarrassing!  When I took my leave of absence from teaching for Grace's kindergarten year, I pretty much had to store all of my classroom items in our garage.  It has been a mess ever since!

In process...

 We had so much junk, we decided to hold a Yard Sale.  All kids seem to equate Yard Sale with Lemonade Stand- so that was Grace's responsibility.

The end result?  Our junk that has been sitting around our house ended up making us $250.  We didn't even have any big ticket items and were selling things at cheap prices to "clear them out!"

The result...

 Jason moved his work bench, organized his tools, and bought some new cabinets.

He bought some cabinets with doors for more storage.

Ta da!  Now we can park both of our cars in our garage!  This is a definite highlight of my summer!

"The Happiest Place on Earth"

Everyone's childhood memories should include Disneyland, right?  Jason and I decided long ago that since we love to travel and experience new things, our family would probably not be the kind that went to Disneyland every chance we got.  We definitely wanted to take our kids, but if we only went a few times, we wanted to make sure it was for something special.  We decided that it would be to celebrate a milestone- starting kindergarten!  Our family went several years ago for Grace, and with Jeremy entering kindergarten this year, our family has been looking forward to this special trip for quite some time.  Hard to believe that we're celebrating our "little boy" becoming a "big boy" and heading off to school!  

We returned from Edmonton on Saturday, rested up, did laundry, and repacked our bags to hit the road on Sunday.  We got a 3-day hopper pass and decided we'd spend a whole day in Disneyland, a whole day in California Adventure, and then the last day would be spent between the two parks.  We stayed at a suites hotel several miles from the parks and took advantage of their shuttle buses.  

Jason's mom came with us for Grace's trip, so of course we wanted her to come for Jeremy's trip.  Our friends, the Wiens family, got annual Disney passes this year, and so they also joined us. 

Jason's Memories
Jason's favorite ride was the Tower of Terror, and he somehow convinced Grace to go with him.  She did (and says it was her worst).

 He loved California Screaming (and went several times).  

He also says he loved hanging out with our friends, and that I went on some rides, particularly me on the Radiator Springs Racers.

Grace's Memories
"I will never forget going on the Tower of Terror.  It was so creepy and kinda scary.  I remember meeting lots of characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Mary Poppins.

I loved Star Tours, California Screaming rollercoaster, the Toy Story one, the Matterhorn, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jedi Training."

Jeremy's Memories
"I remember the Cars Land rides.  I went on the water one (Grizzly Run).  I liked Buzz Lightyear and the Toy Story ride and Star Tours and Space Mountain and Water Mountain (Splash Mountain) and the one that goes around and around (Astro Orbitor).  I liked meeting Mickey and some other ones."

Jeremy was heartbroken he didn't get chosen to train as a Jedi (Grace did), and he cried for most of the show.  We felt so bad for him (he loves Star Wars), so we decided to get him a custom lightsaber so he could keep training at home. 

Jane's Memories
I am not a risk-taker... I get nauseous very easily... I do not like roller coasters...  I do not like that "tickle-in-your-tummy" feeling...  (I blame my parents!  I often think that if my parents had encouraged me to take more risks when I was younger, I wouldn't be such a scaredy-cat!  I can blame my parents because my sister and brother feel the exact same way as I do when it comes to roller coasters and stuff like this! It must connect back to my parents!)  Knowing this about myself, I am perfectly content to go along anyway and be a spectator.  I expect to sit around and wait while others go on rides and do "crazy" things, hahaha.  However, this trip was huge for me, in that I worked up a tiny bit of courage to go on a few rides.  It mostly came from thinking, "If Jeremy isn't scared, maybe I should try it..."  It's amazing, right, that my 5 year old son could make me totally re-evaluate fears I've had pretty much my whole life.  Anyway, I am proud of myself for going on:

 Splash Mountain (Mom and I got completely soaked!)

 Radiator Springs Racers (omg, what a ride)

I loved the shooting rides we went on- Astroblasters and Toy Story Midway Mania.

And while I waited for the others, I treated myself to snacks like:

I also spent time watching Gabe so that Aaron and Christa could go on rides (I wasn't going to ride anyway, so I was happy to hang out with him so they could go)

Such a cutie! 

Here are a few more random pics from our trip:

We overpaid to have breakfast with Micky and Friends (such a rip off, but since we did Ariel's Grotto with Grace, Jeremy got to choose Surf's Up)

We stayed late one evening for fireworks, and then next night, we stayed for the World of Colors show.  We enjoyed both, and the kids did great despite waking up early and staying up late for all of our 3 days.

Things We Could've Done Without
-Our musty and damp hotel room
-the awful traffic driving down to Disneyland (due to construction)
-Mike & Sully to the Rescue Ride (considering that we spent 45 mins. in line, this ride was a let down for all of us)
-can you believe that we can't think of anything else?!

Things We Want to Remember in Case We Go Again
-we brought our own food for lunch and snacks and then bought dinner in both parks
-no more character meals!!!
-Turtle Talk with Crush and the Animation building was a nice break from the heat
-California Adventure closes earlier than Disneyland
-the 2nd showing of the World of Colors is later, but would give us better views
-get Fast Passes for Radiator Springs Racers as soon as we get into the park!!!!
-buying Disney t-shirts beforehand at home saved us money as opposed to buying them for more at the parks

Our whole family had an AWESOME time and we are so glad we got to share such wonderful memories with Grandma and the Wiens family!