Wordless Wednesday

Our "Accelerated Reader”

Caty’s teacher called me aside last week after school and let me know that Caty has tested as an “accelerated reader”.  We’re so super proud of her!  We knew she was reading well and now she gets to be part of the Accelerated Reader program at school.  I guess that Kindergartners aren’t usually included in the AR program but Caty and one of her  kinder buddy’s were!
Here’s a video (sorry it’s so long – it was a long book) of her reading one of the two books that she brought home.  Pinocchio is an AR 1.2 level book.  The 1.2 means that it’s 1st grade, 2 months into the school year.  This video was taken on the day she brought the books home.  She’d never seen it before.  The other book is called Pal and Sal and it’s a 1.4 AR level. 

Today she had to return the books and take a test on the computer about the books.  I can’t wait to hear how she does and for her to get two more books tomorrow at the library. 
She’s AWESOME!!!

Simple Woman’s Daybook – September 27th, 2010

FOR TODAY – September 27th
Outside my window...   it’s already getting warm – supposed to be 101* today – YUCK!!
I am thinking...  about what to make for dinner tonight – probably Swedish Meatballs.
I am thankful for...  the fact that Hanna slept all night long last night!  WOOHOO!!
I am wearing... short and a t-shirt
I am creating... nothing right now except for this blog entry.
From the kitchen… the dishes that need to be put away are calling my name.
I am going... to the eye doctor this afternoon – hoping that I can go back to wearing my contacts instead of my glasses. 
I am reading... The Time Traveler's Wife – by Audrey Niffenegger
I am hoping... that it won’t be too hot on Saturday for our LPA Pumpkin Patch trip!
I am hearing... Sesame Street and Hanna playing.
Around the house...   Hanna’s made a mess – she’s so busy but completely content, so I let it go. 
One of my favorite things...  is watching my girls play together.  There is so much love between them!
A few plans for the rest of the week… eye doctor appointment this afternoon, my mom’s working in Caty’s class on Wednesday, Saturday we’ve got our LPA Pumpkin Patch trip at Countryside Farms and on Sunday we’re going to Apple Hill with my parents. 
A picture that I am sharing...

LPA Weekend in Pinecrest

We hosted an LPA weekend up at the cabin over the weekend of Sept 17th-19th.  Scott, the girls and I headed out on Friday, leaving after Scott’s half day of work.  We got to Pinecrest around 4:00.  Had dinner and walked over to the campground.  We quickly found the Heuer family, David, Shannon and Sienna.  They live in Fresno, so we unfortunately don’t get to see them often.  We first met them back in September of 2007, when Caty was 2.5 and Sienna was 1.5   Here’s a picture of the two girls from that LPA event

Now onto 2010…  we stayed at the campsite for about an hour while the girls rode Sienna’s bike and Hanna discovered the dirt. 

 

Bringing out the “old school” toys.  These toys have been at the cabin since I was a little girl.  It was discussed on my Facebook picture of this camper, that Mr Hooper was the driver back in the day.  Hanna thought that Ernie should take over.

Saturday we headed down to the lake in the early afternoon.  The girls had a blast playing in the water. 

Saturday evening we invited those that came up for the weekend over for a dinner.  There were a total of 4 families that made the trip.  Not a lot but enough for a great time!

Caty and Joscalynne

Sienna and Airah

Bonfire time = smores time!

I asked her to show me her smore – didn’t realize with was only half the smore – the funny face is because she didn’t like it too much.

Group picture time
 
Caty, Joscalynne and Sienna

Caty, Sienna and Airah

How cute are these girls!

Caty with Shannon and Sienna

Ready for bed

 
Family picture time!

Thanks to those that joined us!  Can’t wait for next year – hope that have even more attendees!

Flashback Friday

I’ve always enjoyed when friends share these “Flashback” posts.  It thought that I would join in on the fun. 

If you saw my “Wordless Wednesday” post, you will know that someone else LOVED the dirt at the cabin.  Here’s Caty, back in September of 2006 (age 17/almost 18 months) exploring the Pinecrest dirt.  Seems to run in the family.  

If you didn’t see my post from the other day, here’s what I’m talking about. 

Help Bring Kullen Home

 

I would like for everyone to stop by my friend Tracey's blog - she and her family are in the process of adopting an adorable little boy named Kullen who has Achondroplasia. They are having a fundraiser to help raise some funds to this process.

If you can help out, please do so!

Wordless Wednesday

I Love My Country Music!

I’ve been enjoying some live country music lately.

Caty and I went to Country in the Park with the Chase Family.  It featured – The Eli Young Band, Sunny Sweeney, Jack Ingram, and Dierks Bentley.  It was such a beautiful day and we had a blast!

 

On Sunday September 12th, I went to the Air Wolf concert with some friends.  This show featured Josh Thompson (who we had seen at the Grand Ole Opry back in July – love the song “Way Out Here”).

Craig Campbell

And former American Idol Josh Gracin 

    

My favorite song of his is “We Weren’t Crazy”

Even got to meet Josh Gracin

On September 14th, I met some friends for yet another music filled night.

These next pictures are of the Chris Gardner Band – a local favorite of mine.  I’ve become friends with them and they put on an awesome show.

Chris

Nikko

 

Joey

 

Dwight

Aaron 

Here’s Chris with Hanna at a Meet and Greet with John Rich – we walked in and he came up and asked if he could hold her.  I gladly passed her over to Chris because I knew that I’d be holding her enough during the show. 

Justin Moore, who’s currently touring with Brad Paisley, made a stop in Sacramento.  My friend Junette happens to be in his fan club and was able to get us Meet and Greets.  Can’t say it was much of anything except for a picture.  After taking pictures with the fans he took to the stage.  He put on an awesome show!

My favorite Justin Moore song – Small Town USA

And another friend of mine, Cheryl, won Meet and Greets for John Rich, formerly with Big & Rich (you know the song “Save a Horse, Ride A Cowboy”).  Her friend wasn’t able to make it, so Hanna and I joined her.  He answered audience questions and sang a few songs.  Then graciously took pictures with all 75+ people that were there.   Thanks Cheryl for inviting us!!
Hanna discovered a tiny piano during the meet and greet and she, unfortunately, started playing it quite loudly while he was answering questions.  Oops!!  Thankfully I had a stash of graham crackers so I was able to side track her from the piano. 

Check out Hanna’s signed picture!