Hip Hop Hoopla

Justin and his friend, Hunter started a hip hop class last night. It's a 6 week course where they get to learn mini routines each week. He had a blast and was all smiles at the end. I was surprised at just how much he loved it. And he did a great job catching on to all the steps. Here are a couple of pictures I was able to snap real quick. Aren't they too cute?

Going private

In about a week I'm going to make this blog private. I've been getting a lot of spam lately (one being very vulgar) in the comments section and I've had enough. So, if you would like to be on the list of approved readers email me or leave a comment and let me know. Thanks!

Sara's visit

My friend from Boston came to So. Cal. for a visit with her family last week. She stayed with her aunt in Newport Beach and had lots of family stuff to do, but we were able to sneak a whole Saturday in to spend together. We spent the day at the beach right outside her aunts house and visited and laughed and laughed some more while the kids all played. Then we showered (well, the kids showered) and we walked about a half mile to the pier and had dinner at the end at our old hangout, Ruby's. We had such a great day! I love this girl and her cute family. I so wish they lived closer!

Andrew, Thomas, Devin, Mason, Avery

Avery and Thomas

Newport Pier

Eating at Ruby's

Cute Apke's

Sumida and Apke kids

First day of school

Wednesday was already the first day back to school. It was also Devin's first day of kindergarten! This year I am carpooling with my neighbor, so the "extra" child in the picture is our friend, Hunter. Avery (who started 2nd grade) and Devin got great teachers and as of this coming Monday Justin will be happy with his class as well. He was in a 4th/5th grade combo class, but I got that changed and so next week he will be in a regular 5th grade class. Yay! On the first day of kindergarten the parents go to class with their children and stay for only about an hour while they get a tour of the school and have a little story and basically the kids just get a taste of what it will be like. That day went fine and Thursday went fine and he said he liked it, but this morning he had a pretty hard time. He cried and didn't want to go. But when I picked him up he was smiling and said it was fun. Hopefully the newness has worn off and it won't be too scary when it's time to go back on Monday. As for us, Thursday Kirk had the day off and we did errands and went out to lunch! It's such a weird feeling having no one home for so many hours! Time to start cleaning out the house. Here's to a great 2011 school year!

Spontaneous last hurrah of summer

Last Saturday we had Kirk's family over to celebrate his mom's birthday. We had a fun time visiting and watching the kids ride bikes out in front (yes, we were out at the prime time of day and the weather was fabulous!) and play. After they left Kirk said we should go camping once more before school starts on Wednesday. That was at 3:00. By 4:00 we were packed and on our way to San Dimas for 2 nights of fun. Normally in the middle of summer we wouldn't dream of going to San Dimas, but since we've had such a mild summer it ended up being perfect. We had beautiful weather! We rode bikes, went swimming, played catch, had bon fires, played video games, took a drive around Kirk's old neighborhood where he and his brother lived for a few years. The kids found a soccer ball down the hill a little and after retrieving it they had fun with that too. It was a good time and even more fun because it was such a last minute decision! What a great way to rap up the summer.

Finally...warm weather

This summer has been the coolest summer I can ever remember. Every year we have gone to my parents in Huntington Beach every week of summer break to spend a day at the beach and then spend the night. But this summer it's been too cold! So, last week when the sun finally made an appearance we went and enjoyed the warmth that we have so missed this year. The kids had fun playing around the week before school starts. Such a short summer with it only being 8 weeks and 2 days. The kids really got ripped off between the short break and the cool summer. Boo hoo. :-)