Staycation...

Every year I take Morgan's birthday off from work. Since the 4th was on Monday and her birthday Wednesday it only made sense to take Tuesday off too. :-) For the first time in as long as I can remember we stayed in town the whole time. It's been quite relaxing and fun.


We - went to open gym at her gymnastics center..... She actually ran into her friend Emma from school while we were there.

Sunday was church (and seeing two more friends in her church class), swimming, and an Aces game. The Aces always have a special 4th fireworks show, but they weren't playing on the 4th so they did it on the 3rd.  Morgan was also lucky enough to get a ball. We were at the front near the visiting team dugout so when they came in they would hand kids a ball (at least in the beginning they did). She would wait until the 2nd out and get ready to head down to wait and try to get one. She got a wave once from a player but no ball. At the very last inning she was heading back to our seats and a boy in front of us handed her a game ball. He had gotten two that night, one for him and one for his brother and his mom noticed Morgan going down inning after inning trying to get one, so he offered his up to her. It was such a nice thing. Grandpa told his mom she did good raising him and I have to agree.  Morgan loves her ball... 

It was a great fireworks show too. I don't know when I've had to crane my neck up to watch them. Morgan also ran the bases afterward, needless to say she feel right asleep in the car.

4th of July - we slept in - made breakfast - watched Mr. Popper's Penguins (her favorite penguin is Nimrod) - went swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool (and worked on her cannonball) - made smores in their new firepit and then had an emergency run to firework watch #2. I had asked her in the morning if she wanted to watch fireworks again and she said she was good - she had seen them at the Aces and they are loud so that was enough for her. But when it got close to firework time she told Grandma she wanted to see them so they made an emergency trek up the street to the top of the hill where it overlooks town and were able to see them perfectly. Good to know for next year..

Today we slept in again (late nights in a row have added up) and then headed up to Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe. I didn't dare try it for the 4th and was a little worried about today - it fills on busy days and if you can't park in the lot you have to seek out another beach. We got in no problem and found a spot right near the water.  We finished our afternoon with a stop at Yogurt Beach - a new frozen yogurt shop in town that definitely beats the other one we have.  Then home for showers (including Stripey the tiger) and early bed. Early bed was a request of Morgan's - she wanted to make sure she is well rested for her birthday tomorrow. T-12 hours to 7!!!!

Summer Is Here...

Summer is officially here... Yesterday was Morgan's last day of school - she is now a second-grader. She said goodbye to her classroom and her very favorite reptile Poseidon. 


We find out her new teacher next week, she is very hopeful it will be Ms. Lolli, but either way she'll be fine. 


In the mean time she has six weeks off, her birthday right around the corner, Girl Scout day camp, sleeping in, swimming, and lots of other great summer events to look forward to.

Rodeo

Thursday night we went to the rodeo, Morgan's first time actually sitting in the arena and watching all the event. She liked the barrel racing and bull riding best, plus the pony herd that ran around.

And, was lucky enough to run into a nice lady who let her try roping.

Ragamuffin & The Dog

This last weekend we went camping. I have one theme that is common throughout camping photos - ragamuffin status. At camping showers are optional, so is brushing ones hair as you will see modeled below. Camping = freedom from grooming. A much welcomed freedom for a 6-year-old... She is a proud ragamuffin.

We also brought the mutt... Okay, we never really call her a mutt. She HATES baths - but she actually went fairly far into the lake (she also hate swimming) and got cleaned up a bit so while one gets dirty the other gets clean . Fair trade I think.

The Lonely Puppy

Yesterday was Morgan's "Author's Tea" event. They have been writing and illustrating their own books for the last month or so and this was their day to show off their creations to parents. 


Morgan's book is "The Lonely Puppy" and you can see her "brag" piece below about the book. :-) 


The sound quality is not the best - DVD to come from the teachers this week - I'll repost when I get the updated version.

It's Been A While...

I know it's been awhile... And my blog tells me so. 


The last post was April, the background of snow.


I'll get back to it - hopefully someday soon.......


until then here's some pictures: 


(thought I would finish in a rhyme didn't you.. ha ha)


Morgan and her "pig" balloon... 

During Easter we made a bunny cake - my first chocolate one ever. I always think of Grandma Dutra when I make a bunny cake since she is the one that taught me. So they make me especially happy!

We were busy with Girl Scouts. Our final 2010-11 meeting wrapped up just a couple weeks ago. We had a good year and did a lot of fun trips. Next year is going to be even better and they will be BROWNIES! :-)

 Took a really long day trip to Six Flags for Girl Scout day. Highlight of my day - Morgan is too short for any of the big coasters still..... Okay that was not really the highlight, but I was secretly grateful. This was her first big trip with a friend and she LOVED it.  We did it all in one day - drove down in the morning, stayed all day, and then were home right after midnight. Normally I might not have set such a schedule - but a birthday party and GS meeting the next day said - one day it is! 

Managed to have a little Spring Break time. It just so happens the week of Spring Break was also the week of focus groups at work. Groups that were scheduled for the evening hours - luckily I was able to have a couple long lunch breaks to take her to lunch, and on one day golfing with Brandon.

And this..... this is a recent picture that I could not help but take. I saw her sleeping like this and instantly was brought back to when she was a baby. She would sleep flat on her back with her arms up like this right near her face. (when she slept that is...) 

And now.... back to work and school. She has just over one week left and then Summer vacation!!!  I actually have a few days scheduled for a little staycation in the next couple of weeks too.... 

We're both looking forward to some "free" time,  and she of course is counting down the days until her birthday. Seven arrives in T- 20 days.

Two Wheels

This last weekend Morgan asked if she could try riding her bike without training wheels.

She tried a couple of times Saturday night and had the concept down pretty quickly, unfortunately we were only able to stay outside for a short time because it was COLD.

Sunday brought us sunshine and warm weather and after about two tries she was able to pedal by herself with no help. Now she is racing around on two wheels like she has been doing it forever.

She also took her first ride on Grandpa's motorcycle.

On the 4-wheel front, she is also learning to ride a skateboard. And, again for only having done it a couple of time she seems to be getting it quickly!