JESS and PJ Join Therapy Dogs International

We're very proud of Jessica this summer. She decided she wanted to take a training course with PJ to try and qualify her to be a certified therapy dog. The course was eight weeks and we were pretty ahead of the game with PJ due to all the other fun training and classes we've already done. PJ was definitely the star of the class and although the final test was UBER stressful, Jess and PJ came through with flying colors. We've now submitted our paperwork and once we get everything back, Jess can sign up for a variety of therapy visit options. She is most excited about the program for kids held at local libraries - Tail Waggin' Tutors. She and PJ will need to do six visits a year through the program to stay certified and I think this is a great experience for her. Well done Jess and PJ!

Baby Birds Summer 2011

So we had a great nest right up in the roof of our back porch. Very hard to get a good shot as we had to shoot through the glass and screen from inside. We think the nest had three babies, but only ever saw two at a time. Mom was very watchful and would fly off as soon as we tried to peek.

Paul McCartney in Las Vegas

Because Adrian is the best-dad-ever, he surprised Jessica with tickets to see Paul McCartney in Las Vegas as a special 4th grade graduation gift. We did a last minute drive to Vegas and Jess and Adrian were in the very front row right on the corner above the stage. Yoko Ono and son Sean were sitting nearby and Jess is convinced Paul waved right at her a few times. We have some video also and I'll post that once we figure out how to get it out of Adrian's phone. Needless to say, the show was flipping amazing, and a real once-in-a-lifetime show for Jess.

The Living Gallery Project - 4th Grade

For the final project of the school year, the students have each selected a person that they think is important. This person can be historical or current. The students had to learn about their person, write a paper on why they were/are important, and then create their own 'living gallery' for the school. All day the classes from K to 8th come to the gallery and learn from the 'paintings.' A really fun experience for the kids and a unique learning opportunity. Jessica was John Lennon.

Master Bath Remodel

So it only took us . . . uh . . . 14 years - but we finally gutted our master bathroom for a major remodel. Stripped it right down to the floorboards, many of which had to be replaced. Mr. Nash had final say on all elements (Ms. Nash got to handle the spare bath remodel). Amazing result so far and should be all done in another week.

Fall Track Meet

This year the 4th graders got a taste of track at a practice meet vs five other elementary schools. The kids had four race options - 50 meter, 100 meter, 4x100 relay and the mile. Jess ran the 100 (took second in her heat), the anchor leg of the 4x100 relay (they took second in their heat) and she ran the mile race - which was a huge group of kids and it was really just a challenge for everyone to finish. A really fun day for all the kids and brought back some memories from my own track years. OH, and is it tacky to say we saw Harrison Ford at the meet, there to watch his son who went to one of the other schools.

Maui Holiday 2011

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Yet another GREAT holiday in Maui this year. We loved the fabulous Sheraton at Black Rock - a great location for snorkeling and hanging on the beach. Perfect weather and perfect company as we were joined by Sharon and Jackson Cooper and Jackson's friend Josh. Hoping hubby Scott will make it next year, but work kept him home. We still managed to have an amazing time - snorkeling, snuba'ing, zip-lining, whale watching.

I do think the best day of the trip was the boat to Molokini and then snuba'ing and swimming with turtles. I wasn't worried about going down myself, but when I saw Jess put in her regulator and then dive right in, I got a bit nervous. She was amazing though, but sadly recent colds for both of us kept us from going too deep because our ears would not clear. Something we'll definitely do again on our next trip.

School Science Fair 2011

Another good year for Jessica at the school science fair. Jess chose the Electric Car as her 'important invention of the past, present or future.' We all learned quite a lot and are gearing up to hopefully buy our own electric car in 2013.

Jessica's 10th Birthday Party

A fun time was had by all for Jessica's 10th Birthday Party. We had a great bowling party with snacks and games. Jess had cupcakes and chocolate cheesecake and we are hoping she wished for a big lottery win with her birthday wish.

One Down, One to Go

The spare bathroom is done and now the master bathroom renovation has begun.

Lucy's 5th Birthday

We are soooo out of any time sequence here, but better late than never, I always said. Now if only I could get those Christmas photos sorted!

Yearbook Level 4

So this year we 'had' to get a spot in the yearbook for Jessica. A quick backyard photo shoot with PJ and we whipped up something. Jess loves it since it has PJ AND HARRY POTTER. HP her favorite book series off all time (so far).