10

This post might be all over the place...but then again so is my brain lately!

1. Summer is supposed to be relaxing, right? So why does it feel like i have been running, running, running???

2. BIG news to share...I have a new job! I was offered a position teaching 5th grade at the kid's school. It was too great of an opportunity to pass up! I am thrilled to be able to be at the same school as my kiddos and have smaller class sizes, and students that love school, and so many other great reasons!

3. This past weekend we took a little trip to Newport Beach, to escape the heat and celebrate Father's Day. The weather was just amazing and the beach was beautiful as always. We are so lucky to live so close to the ocean.

4. The kids and I spent almost 2 hours at Barnes and Noble yesterday picking out summer reading books. Way too easy to spend lots of $$$ there. Thank goodness for the educator discount!

5. Brennan tested for his green belt this past Friday. He is an awesome job! Even broke his board with a drop kick!

6. We celebrated Domenique's 6th birthday a week ago at the bowling alley. What a fun day! The kids just LOVE bowling!!!

7. Summer is so great for doctor appts. We have already been to the eye doctor for both kids. Ped. for Emerson for swimmers ear. I am off to the dermatologist this morning. So much easier to make appts. when you don't have to limit yourself to the hours of 3-4:30pm.

8. Vacation Bible School! We experienced our first year of this amazing program. The kids had an absolutely fabulous time. The theme was knights and princesses and dragons. Talk about being able to draw boys and girls of all ages!

9. Had a great visit this past weekend with the Spencers and Nanas'! It is so fun to see everyone's little ones. A bunch of little mini-me's walking around! So fun:)

10. VEGAS....one more day and we are off!!!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Off to Kindergarten!

Brennan's preschool graduation was a great celebration! We are so excited for the little guy to be starting kindergarten in the fall.

Brennan receiving his diploma.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Wish List

I can't possibly be alone in my love of travel....right? Loving to see new places, explore, and see amazing new things. Everyone must have a list of places that they *have* to see sometime in their life....can you figure out 5 of mine?

1

2

3
4

5

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Memorial Memories

A break from the daily monotony, the daily grind...what better thing to do then to unwind in a city not too far away. I love that San Diego is a relatively quick drive from here, and you absolutely feel like you are a world away.
We explored Corondao, then settled in at the hotel pool for what turned into a great afternoon of sun, relaxing, and swimming.

What would a good ol' Amercian holiday be without an old-fashioned baseball game?!?! We took the kids to their FIRST baseball game. It was a gorgeous day outside, with the sun shining and a nice breeze.

It was Navy day at the park!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Willy Wonka

Emerson's Willy Wonka Dance Recital was so much fun! The dances, the costumes, the music...the kids did an amazing job!

Girl have a lot of preparation to be ready for a big production!

The little Gobbstoppers!

A beautiful snowflake. Emerson showing off her ballet costume after the finale.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

10 on....oh who cares.

1. Today was definitely one of those days that started out blah and continued to be blah. Woke up in a foul mood that never quite went away. Anything and everything was irritating to me. I hate that. The kids must have sensed it, as they were perfect tonight. Then Emerson gave me a beautiful picture that she colored. How can you not smile after that?

2. Have you ever witnessed a flash mob in person? I haven't, although I have seen them on a few TV shows...and although I don't watch Glee, I hear it is awesome. I saw this Flash Mob link on another site. Very cool!!!

3. Emerson has her big dance recital this coming weekend. She is SUPER excited. Probably more excited that she gets to wear makeup than the fact that she is dancing...haha!

4. If you haven't watched the Private Practice finale yet. Wow. Have your box of Kleenex. That darn show gets me every time...but this finale was the kind of crying reserved for true emotional experiences and here I was bawling at the darn show. So well written, I am not sure how any parent couldn't have been moved to tears. Loved it.

5. So the end of the school year is always crazy...but when you throw in tie dying 100 t-shirts, a musical production, a novel study, and the normal day to day craziness...well needless to say you have one crazy teacher. Who is almost convinced that she has completely lost her mind.

6. I am SO excited to watch the new Bachelorette. Pathetic huh?

7. I am political at times. I find certain causes that are very worth fighting and voting for. I definitely lean towards one side of the political arena. But, honestly all the information coming in the mail, on TV, in conversations, everywhere are starting to get a bit annoying. I can't stand it! I will vote for who I want. Stop trying to sway my opinion with your stupid flyer every few days in the mail and the same darn commercials! UGH!

8. Brennan lost his 2nd tooth the other day. My little boy is killing me...

9. Most every night I watch Grey's Anatomy on Lifetime. They are all reruns from past seasons. The kids have taken to stopping to watch from time to time. But Emerson has become fascinated with the medical side of the show (trust me, I censor a lot of it). But, one has to wonder if I have a medical professional in the making?

10. Do you take care of you? Manicure? Quiet time for you? Pedicure? Shopping time? Massage? Hair appointment? Do you take care of you? I read an article the other day that so many woman have found that they are always taking care of others and forget about themselves....do you take care of you?

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Milestones

So, birthdays are all about milestones, right?

Well, on Brennan's 1st birthday he started walking...

I know on other birthdays he has achieved many more milestones.

Well, his 5th birthday is no different...

How can you not love that little toothless smile???

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Water Fun!

We had a great time celebrating Brennan's 5th birthday at Knott's Soak City!

Lauren enjoying her cupcake


The boys playing in the water house

Emerson enjoying one of the slides

Hanging out with Joseph

Think Ryan enjoyed his cupcake?

Lots of love,

The Grady's

5 years...little man

Brennan Thomas (BT),

Little man, peanut, buddy, B, dude, little guy....I cannot even believe it has been 5 years since you entered our lives. I cannot even imagine a time without your beautiful spirit in it. You have grown so much, obviously, but in such a way that most people cannot understand. You are getting ready to start kindergarten. Just look at you, with your amazing little smile, ready to tackle each and every day.

I feel like this year has been full of milestones, yet at the same time, I am sure that it has flown by in a blur. You have learned how to ride a bike without training wheels, you learned how to read short words, you have made so many new friends at school. You love your taekwando classes each week with Master Oh. You really enjoy playing with cars, and making forts, and playing golf, and bugging your sister. All typical boy things.

You continue to be the most lovable little guy. Out of the blue, you will walk up to me, still, for a nestle in to give me a sweet little hug and kiss and say "I love you mommy". Then just casually go back to what you were doing before that sweet moment occured. You know exactly what to do to make my heart melt. On the other side, you are the most stubborn little guy I have EVER met. If there is something you really don't want to do, it won't happen. Period. (take after me much?!?!).

Where did 5 years old happen?!? I am so amazed at how far we have come from that little bed in the NICU at 5 days old. Really amazing is your strength.

Little man, Happy Birthday....I am so privileged to be your mommy. I love you so very much!

Lots of love,

Mommy

1. Driving home from the gym tonight...I couldn't help but stop and snap this picture. Wow. Isn't the sky amazing?

2. I signed Brennan up for swim lessons today. Small world, found the teacher that taught him to swim years ago. This time around we are going to work on learning to dive and use all the proper strokes. Looking forward to it!

3. I bought the newest Sunset Magazine the other...and if I didn't have the travel itch, I certainly do now.

4. Playing a game on the computer is sooooo exhausting!

5. Completely addicted to the Costco three-layer hummus dip. I am not sure I have eaten anything else for lunch in over a week.

6. Emerson has her first report that we are working on for school. They are doing an animal report and diorama of it's habitat. She finished the report part, but who knew that this was really a "parent" project!

7. Told you I had the travel bug. Anyone wanna go?

8. I actually felt a little proud today in my classroom. I was walking around as my students were taking the 2nd part of the language arts exam, peeking over their shoulders, looking at their answers. Wouldn't you know it? They were making great choices, using all the strategies I have taught them, and even going back to check their work. Wow. Maybe they really are listening to me. Maybe.

9. I am really loving "Brothers and Sisters" lately. I remember watching Sally Field when I was a kid on "Gidget". She is such an amazing actress.

10. ....

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Spring Dance Theatre

Brennan's final preschool Spring Dance, Lost in Space!

Brennan and his friend Brooke, aren't they adorable little suns?!?

And....he is obviously done! Haha!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

It's Friday...

1. Where did the week go? Spring Break over? :-(

2. I love Spring Break. It always comes at a time that I truly need a break from work. This break I didn't go anywhere, just hung around the house all week. It was great! We did some major spring cleaning around the house, cleaning, laundry, organizing, shopping, and just plain nothing. Perfect way to actually feel like I accomplished some things around the house.

3. Personality much???

4. I love this show.

5. If I wasn't thoroughly convinced before, I certainly am now. Our little boy is 110% boy! UGH. Being his mom is certainly not for the faint of heart. This kid has knocked his head in two different spots twice in one week. The first hit is obvious by his lovely, lingering black eye. The second hit is evident by the hanging tooth in the front of his mouth. Good grief! I am seriously contemplating a helmet.

6. Brennan got his Kindergarten acceptance letter. Hooray!

7. Emerson had her first friend sleepover this week. The girls had a great time! They fell asleep by 9pm or so...not too bad for two 7 year olds!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Hoppy Day!

We had a wonderful Easter holiday, complete with a 7.2 earthquake! Jeff's dad and step mom Kathy came to visit for the weekend. We took them wine tasting in Temecula on Saturday, and were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful wineries there. We are little spoiled having lived so close to Napa ,of course. But Temecula wine tasting was beautiful!
We headed to church early Sunday, to find that we were some of the last people they let in before having to lock the doors. They were at max capacity 30 minutes before mass was due to start! Crazy! After church, we headed to my parent's house for the Easter egg hunt. The weather was gorgeous out, and there were plenty of eggs to go around. We spent the rest of the day eating, swimming, and hanging out. Oh and I can't forget, balancing on the floor while the earthquake shook us for almost a full minute!

Emerson with Grandma Kathy

Emerson with Grandma Cindy


Brennan and the Easter Bunny

Ready to hunt for eggs!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

10 on Tuesday....or Wednesday, the days are blending together

1. My principal told us yesterday that he received a call from the superintendent telling him to be nice to his teachers. Extra nice. Of course, being the guy he is, he said why? And her response? March is a LONG month, with NO breaks. Be extra nice.

2. Is it Spring Break yet?

3. My amazing daughter read in front of the entire school today...(insert "beaming" mom).... She read one of the readings at the all-school mass today. Jeff was able to be there and watch her. She did a perfect job. So amazed!

4. I cannot stand stupid people. Enough said.

5. Had little man's parent/teacher conference today. He is ready for Kindergarten! Can you even believe it? My little boy is going to be starting kindergarten? Wow.

6. I told Jeff when he came home tonight to watch out. I am irritable. Annoyed. Pissy. Have had two glasses of wine. Not going to filter what I have to say. Beware...

7. This past weekend we took the kiddos skiing! Yep, skiing. Total random thought, end of the season snow. It was a great day! They LOVED it! There were tears at the drop off of their lesson and HUGE smiles at the end. They learned about all about pizzas and french fries. Love it! Meanwhile, Jeff and I dusted off the rusty part of our skiing careers and had a great time on the slopes ourselves.

8. Did I share that my washing machine literally blew up last weekend? I started one of my many loads of clothes and it died before the spin cycle. So picture a full load of whites sitting in a full tub of water. Awesome. Now, I have an AMAZING front loader....I think I am in love. No, I know I am.

9. I never thought I would actually enjoy working out. But lately, it is a huge stress relief and has a great calming effect. Who knew running could do that?

10. (stepping on my political soapbox for a moment)....Read something the other day that struck me as SO true..."So how long before you admit Obama was a mistake?" or this one...."O-Oh, B-Big, A-Ass, M-Mistake, A-America!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Beauty to Me

beauty to me...

The beach

Brothers and sisters

Amazing sunsets

Rosey cheeks from playing in the cold

Angelic smiles

Great friends

Being silly with girlfriends

Sisters and brothers

Moms and daughters

A careless walk on the beach

A beautiful day on the water

Beauty to me....

Lots of love,

The Grady's