More Baseball Highlights

Here are a few more baseball pictures--from dugout to catching behind home plate! We had beautiful weather last night and Kyle had a great game! Kyle excels at first base and is also a favorite as catcher--seeing he can actually "catch" the ball and throw it accurately back to the coaches at the pitching machine. Keeps the game moving--a crowd pleaser. Other highlights of the night were two lazer hits, diving for balls (getting down and dirty) and tagging out a runner on his way to third base! While we don't keep score--technically, Kyle was happy to beat the Dodgers! *wink* Of course having Dad there to coach is always a big plus as well! Kent is great with helping the boys understand the bigger picture of the game!

Another funny note is the gum chewing. Kyle and several of his ball playing buddies are chomping away as they play. I even caught him blowing a few bubbles while running the bases. The mother in me thinks that's not so safe, but boys will be boys! Gotta let 'em play ball!

Can't Believe It!

I just can't believe that these kids only have four more days of school left! Where did the year go? It's always interesting having the kids back to back in school. I get double doses of curriculum and it's kinda sad when the Kyle completes a year and we say goodbye to a grade level never again to be experienced. This year is goodbye 2nd grade. No more addition/subtraction fact memorizing, butterfly raising or family traditions/origin reports. Plus, goodbye to the "little kid" playground--Kyle will join his sister and the "big kid" side. WOW!

Next week should be a fun one! Lots of parties to celebrate learning milestones and Karly and I will dress in our pioneer gear and head to Apple Valley Schoolhouse for a day. I will be teaching the children how to make "leavings dolls" out of scrap material and Karly will learn how to churn butter, make biscuits, do laundry, make leather, and much more! Starting this week, each 3rd grade classroom is already simulated as an 1854 schoolhouse. Karly's name is Maria and she is a nine year old, Mexican American. She has three siblings at the school as well, and has had one sibling die. Her best pal, Chloe, is a freed African American. This history nut wishes she could attend Apple Valley! I just love how they are teaching history to these kids! Very cool.

Kyle is down to three baseball games and turns eight next week! WOW! I can't believe it!

Ah! To Get Away From It All!

Here are some pictures from our Memorial Weekend trip to Almanor. The weather was unseasonable cool but we enjoyed time doing a bunch of nothing. Movies, darts, ping pong, Monopoly, smores, naps and more! Great down time together!

Sleuth For a Day

We have a super sleuth on our hands! It's dress like your favorite book character day and Karly is sporting her best Nancy Drew look and talking of magna-fine glasses, clues and recalling the details of her past solved mysteries. She's read 19 of the classics! There's no mystery about it, Karly loves her Nancy Drew!

PRICELESS!!!

Daddy driving across town for lunch at the school with the kids.........cost: 50 minutes

Finding volunteers to work the school Book Fair so Mommy could sit with the kids too..........cost: 45 minutes

Sitting together with nothing to do but talk about peanut butter sandwiches, friends and school work..........cost: 30 minutes

7 books, 1 puppy poster and 1 travel game...........cost: $65

Making an ordinary day extraordinary for two little kids....................PRICELESS!

Solar System

Here's Karly as promised!

A Ride Through the Solar System

The Kern house has been singing about the solar system for a good six months now! Neptune and it's moons, Venus is hot, and poor Pluto has been kicked out of the System all together. Songs about gasses, Saturn's ring (which isn't really a ring), and the measurements of planet temperature and mileage from the Sun. All of these facts came together last night as families gathered together for the musical presentation, "Journey to Mars". A fabulous learning tool for Karly and her fellow 3rd Graders whose curriculum this year covers the Solar System.

Karly was delighted months ago to receive her first pick in roles: EARTH. A darling solo about our planet. Then just two weeks ago, one of the students who played one of the lead roles, moved away. At the request of her teacher, Karly was asked to take this additional role and she welcomed the opportunity despite the challenge of memorizing dozens of lines immediately. So EARTH was now also "Ariel"-- the daughter in a family of four seeking a NEW and EXCITING vacation opportunity. It's hard to convey with words what we witness with Karly's enthusiasm and grand personality on stage. Not overbearing nor is she unaware like so many other nine year olds. She's got a great balance, truly in her element, and is just so likable along the way.

Kent and I hope to get some video downloaded this weekend so you can hear Karly sing (Auntie Eunice, up north in Canada, has made a special request) and we'll do everything we can to try to bring it here!

Bleacher Mom!

I'm seeing a decade of bleacher sitting ahead of me! Little League is now in full swing (literally) and at least twice a week this Mama sits behind the plate and cheers! Kyle is having a fabulous year, especially fielding the ball. He has great instincts defensively and really enjoys making the plays. His favorite positions are third base, first base and catcher. Here are a few pictures from his Saturday game--we've just switched to machine pitching (thus faster pitching and slower hitting) so my batteries ran out before I was able to catch more action! I promise more pictures will follow! My favorite amongst the pictures is the one of Kent and Kyle. Kent often coaches third base and I swear you can just see the same thought processes spinning through the minds of father and son. They are in the game!

Birthday Surprise!

Kent really outdid himself this year! He surprised me big time for my birthday with a day of spoiling starting with the very fact that he had taken the day off just to be with me! Kent rolled over early in the morning announcing that he wasn't going to work for the day--wahoo! Then he and the kids headed off to starbucks for breakfast and coffee to bring home to me. We took the kids to school together, made a short stop for a mini workout at the gym and then off to our surprise adventure.

After winding our way through town, Kent took me to an amazing spa where we enjoyed a delicious chicken salad lunch followed by a 1-hour facial and 1-hour couples massage. For three hours we were pampered and enjoyed just hanging out together! It was Kent's first spa experience and it will not be his last! He loved it just as much as I had thought he would! An awesome birthday treat that I had no idea was coming in such grand fashion! Hats off to Kent, usually he's so excited he can't keep a secret. This secret was well kept and executed to the last detail. Wow is all I can say! I am most impressed at his creative idea and the fact I was able to enjoy an afternoon of pampering along with him.
Of course I didn't have to cook dinner that night either! Out to dinner with the kids was a perfect end to a great birthday! Thanks sweetheart for a fabulous birthday surprise!