Move Over Katniss and Merida

 Ready???

Aim

Fire

And that's how you do it.

Just watch out for Lou & Nana cruising in the jeep. 

1st of 2nd

 Our summer vacation is officially over. And although that is super depressing, we are also super excited about school. The Phi especially. She is very excited. Which is awesome and if I can get her to feel the same way say the first day of 7th grade that would be even more awesome.

The night before I had to get back into the swing of packing lunches.

Yea I still got it! Then I started to dread that morning routine. And by routine I mean me yelling at Phi to ABM (always be moving) and telling her what she needs to get done. I decided that this year I was going to let high school Vinnie Binnie do the job for me.

This is a picture of my friend Vince. Vince is awesome and this picture as been hanging in my medicine cabinet for over 10 years.  Not only does he motivate me to have the best day ever, he now helps The Phi get ready for school. 

After getting through Vinnie Binnie's to-do list we were ready for the annual front door first day of school pictures. 

Ugh! My beautiful tiny baby! Is it just me or does she look so much older here. Still hard to believe that I am the mother of someone so grown-up.

 But I am and I am so proud of her. And Phi's schedule is not the only one's to change. Since Lou wakes up the minute I walk into their bedroom she is now up early. So what is Lou up to while we get ready????

Yea she takes over my side of the bed. I managed to get her out of my bed to take a picture with her sister.

Before getting in the car I took a few more (hundred) pictures.

I decided to walk her into class this morning. Mostly so that I could get even more pictures.

There she goes with her rolling back pack.

Getting a welcome to 2nd grade from her new teacher. Already she seems like a great teacher. Super organized and I totally appreciate that.

And then she walked over and sat down at her desk. That is always my cue to put on my sunglasses because that is always the moment the water works start. She has been in school for 5 years and I cry every single time.

The Phi has never cried. She loves school and was so excited to go back and be with her friends. I got to my office and there in the sky was a rainbow.

 I am taking it as a good sign that The Phi will have an amazing school year.

You go The Phi. Kick 2nd grade's ass. You will rock this year. You always do.

Project 366- July

Just me and The Phi. Doing what we do. 

Good Grades Trip Part 2

The aquarium was pretty packed for a weekday afternoon. Lots of summer camps. The weather was perfect  and despite the crowds we were able to see the whole place.

I was impressed with the animals they had there. Even penguins!

Now Schmonkey was there because according to The Phi, it had been a life long dream of his to go to an aquarium. Glad we could make that happen for you Schmonks.

We got to see a diver feed the fish and rays. The Phi got a front row seat. It was very cool.

Then The Phi got to give the diver a high-5!

After a spin at the gift shop we left the aquarium. It was already close to 3pm and we were starving. And strange enough craving seafood. Luckily there is a Bubba Gumps next to the parking lot. While we were there eating we were telling The Phi all about the Forrest Gump movie. I need to get that on our Netflix queue.

Run Phi Run!

Life is like a box of chocolates.

Lou was very happy when we found Nemo at the aquarium. Then she found him in the parking structure and proceeded to jump all over him. She is a very violent creature that Lou.

After a great lunch, our day was not over...

Come back tomorrow for part 3 of our good grades trip.

Good Grades Trip Part 1 of 4

We got The Phi's report card in the mail and we were beyond happy because she got straight A's. All year long.

She may look like her Daddy, but she is a true nerd like her Momma.

Now we don't believe in paying for grades. That is what Grandparents are for. But we do believe in rewarding her somehow. So we set up a little day trip to somewhere fun (and educational). A Good Grade Trip. This time the place kind of landed in my lap. While at a Chamber of Commerce meeting one of the members had 2 free tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. We had never been and had always wanted to go so on a Friday we headed out to Long Beach for what turned out to be an amazing and exhausting day.

Lots of underwater creatures to see and study. The Phi really loved it. And I loved watching her get excited about everything. I really am in awe of this kid. She has been dealing with her skin issues all her life and I am the one that seems to get frustrated with it all. She just rolls with it. She is getting to an age now where other kids are starting to ask her about her rashes and her wraps, or why around her eyes are red. She just shrugs and explains she has eczema. Watching her scratch, itch and bleed is so hard for me. But she has always handled everything like a champ. I guess I am proud of my Phi for a lot of reasons.

Patrick?

Phi is not only a nerd like her Mom, but she is also a big ol' chicken like her Mom. I try really hard not to let my fears project to my kids so when its time to touch a shark or a sting ray I let Joey go with her.

Oh yea Lou was there too. And since she has become a bit obsessed with Finding Nemo, this trip was right up her alley.

Watching the Sea Lion show.

Lou always gets the best seat in the house.

Come back tomorrow for the second half of our visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific. And if you want to see Phi's web-show episode about the aquarium CLICK HERE 

NERD ALERT!

We have been waiting anxiously by the mail box everyday.

 Waiting for The Phi's report card to show up.

 It finally did last week.

All A's.

All year long.

And with her report card was this...

What I hope is the first of many Honor Roll certificates.

We are so proud of our Phi. My beautiful, funny and super smart girl.

Time to celebrate!

American Girl Doll Birthday!

For her birthday this year The Phi decided that she wanted to have a party at the American Girl Doll Cafe. So I set it up for a lunch and The Phi sent out invitations to The Chone & her doll Marie, Lili and her doll Horse, Nana, Tia Day-day, and her Nina Patricia.

When the big day arrived The Phi was beyond excited. We were seated on the balcony and the weather was picture perfect! Each of the dolls got their own chairs, cups, plates and party hats!

The Phi and Renee

Beautiful Lili and Horse

The Chone and Marie

Then the food started. It was a four course meal!

Course 1: Warm Cinnamon Bites

Course #2: Vegetables with ranch dressing, strawberries and cheese, and pretzel bites with honey mustard dipping sauce.

Course 3: The Main Course

The turkey burger with sweet potato fries

Lili and Chone had the Butterfly Bow Tie Pasta

The Phi had the Bitty Bites (a mini hot dog, mini cheeseburger and mac and cheese) 

On the table was a small box with different questions to keep the conversation going. We all got to answer things like...

If you could switch places with one person for a month who would it be?

If you won 100 pounds of anything, but it can't be money or jewels, what would it be? 

Then it was time for Course 4, birthday cake of course!!

Time for gifts!!

My Mom gave her the funniest card! Phi's head on American Girl Doll bodies! 

Lili gave The Phi a best friend charm. Aww

After lunch we met back up with all the guys (Tata, Tio Luis, Felix, Nino Jovan, Matias, Andres, Joey and Lou had lunch somewhere else!) and strolled around The Grove. We spotted the blonde dude from Lost and Burt the Conqueror.

I can't believe I have a 7 year old! 

Our group photo!

After we made a stop at The Fast Life so Joey could buy a few new FSAS shirts.

Then we made a stop at Sprinkles Cupcakes to pick up a treat for Grandma Kim for her birthday! (On a side note I have not given in to the fancy cupcake hype but then I tried the salted-caramel cupcake from Sprinkle and it was mind-blowing!!)

My goal was to give The Phi a birthday she would always remember. She is such a good kid. Joey and I are really lucky to have her. She never gives us any real issues. She is funny, smart, beautiful and a kindhearted person. She is so patient with her sister and always rolls with any changes life throws her way.

I think we succeeded and gave her a special day she will always remember.
Thanks so much to Nana, Tia Day-day, Nina Patty, Lili, and Chone for celebrating with us!