School Thanksgiving

4th annual Thanksgiving dinner hosted by Landon’s school was last night.  The 7th and 8th graders had prepared the quad area with tables and chairs under the white twinkling lights.  All the families in the tight school community brought foods to share with one another.  The administrators gave a wonderful speech on families and joining together; the cheerleaders performed and the 4th graders sang a turkey song that gave Landon rolls of laughter and a huge applause.  The evening was wonderful, as we met other students, chatted with the parents and teachers, and discovered that Landon is known and knows quite a few of the “upper class” girls (6th,7th, 8th graders) and cheerleaders.  Following the dinner everyone took a walk around the school, they are huge promoters of healthy living (love that), prior to everyone lending a hand to cleaning up.  A great start to the Thanksgiving season!!

Homemade glass tile coasters I prepared for Landon’s teachers (credits to Pinterest).

Feast preparations

 

The weather was cool and clear, a perfect night for dining under the stars!

The pre-show in the auditorium.

Go black, white, and gold!!

Senior administrators, Darren and Tamara Lee.  The family that founded Landon’s school, strive to give the school community a strong family bond and closeness, in addition to the incredible education these children receive!

Love, love, love this face!!

School picture time.  Landon helped pick out his outfit and was the perfect little model for the camera.  Ohh, I just can’t get enough of this sweet face!!

Finalizing Trick or Treating

I think we gave Halloween the attention it deserves this year, but we are so ready to move on to Thanksgiving and Christmas!!  My last final note is a few snapshots of our final days of October.

Scot and Landon attended our friend’s Jessie and Errol’s charity Halloween party, while I worked.  Errol happens to be a photographer (toshimagery.com) and took photos of the kids in their costumes for a food bank donation.  Love this pic of our lil’ fireman!!!! 

Haunted by the 31st, the official day has come!!  Landon and Scot out to fill the candy bag!

Halloween Month

Trick or Treating all month long……1st came Disneyland and this weekend marks the start of more and more and more Halloween time!!!!  Norterra Shopping Center is where we begin.  Initially, our boy picked out a SWAT policeman costume to wear to Disneyland and then last minute donned his fireman costume (he only had the jacket on a short while, as it was warm and I think kinda bulky walking in the crowds).  Last night, I asked Landon what costume he wanted to wear, mind you we have several to choose from as he loves to be in character. However, those who know Landon know how serious he takes his fire fighting, and he needed to be a fireman again!  He put together his own costume, fire boots, hat, shirt, no jacket, but his water tank.  (I think he thinks the fire jacket isn’t as necessary, the many, many, many times we have visited with our local firemen they are not were a jacket, but only pants and a t-shirt.) That is where a wonderful night began, allowing him to gear up and off we set to meet our friends, the Wesolowski’s.  The crowd was less that last year, but the stores ran out of candy quickly, which then led to them handing out discount coupons. With all the candy we have been getting, the coupons were a nice treat to take advantage of later.

Trick or Treating at a little boutique

MacDonald Ranch

Feeling festive with our warm Fall weather, Landon and I invited our friends Karen and Keenan to enjoy MacDonald Ranch’s activities.  Hay rides, pumpkin patch, BBQ, and horseback riding. The Ranch was a perfect backdrop for a perfect afternoon with our great friends!! I was a little surprised and thrilled by how much Landon loved riding his horse, Clyde.  He was petting and talking to him as we left, sad to walk away from him and anxious to ride again (which we will definitely add to our list of fun activities to frequent)!!  Being at the Ranch solidified his desire, for months, that he wants a cowboy themed birthday and that you will get, my sweet little cowboy! 

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Scorpion R.I.P……not

As I eagerly look forward to the upcoming fall season for the holidays, winter fashions, and delicious smells of fall filling our home; to further sweeten the deal of the upcoming weather fortune, is the end of scorpion season!!!! 

I absolutely despise these evil, venomous disgusting bugs.  This season of scorpions (and the fact that they have a season, is all the more horrific), has been the worst in our area.  Thank goodness for an effective bug exterminator, as these suckers are usually found dead in and around our home.  For Landon, is has become a fun little hunt, I say that with a huge hint of sarcasm and disdain.  When a scorp, as we say in our house, is found, he is boyishly fascinated by it topped off with a healthy sense of fear to NOT ever touch it, but please alert mom and dad if found!! 

This morning’s find….

Yep, it is a dead baby scorp…..the worst!!

Heart of Gold

Every parents knows the ins and outs of their precious child, but when someone witnesses the random gracious acts, that sets a new luminance to the tone of their sweet child.  This week at school, when Scot was picking up Landon, Ms.Francis pulled Scot aside to have a chat.  She went on to tell Scot that today in class there was a new student doing her "shadow day" (meaning a test run of the school).  Landon, without any prompting, approached the new girl grabbed her hand and escorted her around the class.  I can envision him asking her her name and where she lives, his 2 favorite questions when he meets someone new.  Ms. Francis said Landon held her hand the whole day, including on the playground, making her feel comfortable and pointing out the important things she would need to be aware of....as Scot and I had done on his first day of school.  His teacher was so overcome by seeing this random act of kindness from a child; she was absolutely touched.  To add a little more sugar to the story, Landon had a conversation with Ms. Francis, saying, "Your my best buddy and favorite teacher in the class.".

We always see this kind, sensitive side to Landon and know it is something so special about him.  He loves to cuddle and is quick with compliments, recognizing emotions, and overflowing with "I love you so much" as he holds your face in his hands.  He has a heart of gold, a gentle yet strong soul, and words that make us melt.  It was only a matter of time before others got to witnesses the many qualities Landon has to offer and brilliantly show!! We are so proud of him!

Picture Perfect

The final touch on Landon’s “Beach Party” themed room……a canvas print Maui wave.  The picture is over 6 1/2 feet long and is the perfect compliment to his huge room and walls.  With the lights dimmed low, the room transcends into such a calm, peaceful place for Landon to rest.  This is our newest favorite piece in our home!!

Forks Optional

Who needs a fork when you have a claw??!!

35 Days and Counting

Our countdown to Disneyland is on!!  I made Landon a “chain link calendar” and each night he tears off a link cheering that it is almost time to visit the Magical Kingdom!!

 

Meet Jack

A perfect example of Landon’s multi-dimensional imagination.  His school art project of naming the members of his immediate family included “Jack”. With a few questions to Landon on who was in his picture and a quick email to his teacher, we have come to the conclusion that we might have an imaginary friend.  Landon taught us that he plays with Jack at school, at home, and at Home Depot, and he doesn't know where Jack lives.  New to this subject I started doing some research and found it so fascinating and dispelled some myths related to the topic.  Children that have imaginary friends, tend to have an extrovert personality, being sociable and taking multiple friends. They can easily play in fantasy or role playing for extended periods of time and can instantly change their play in creative ways to explore many facets.  They also know that their imaginary friends are pretend without an adult pointing out the obvious. 

Landon’s teacher did a follow up with me this week, stating she noticed the other students making up members of their family to copy their peers on the following days after this project on Tuesday.  Whether Jack is present on not, we just love learning about Landon growth, personality, and thoughts.  He is certainly not linear, he is incredibly creative, thoughtful, hilarious, and kind!!

Thoughts of a 3 1/2 year old…

What’s your favorite color?  “Yellow” (this changes weekly)

What is your favorite body part?  “eyes”

Would you rather eat crab legs or shrimp? “crab”

What is your favorite food?  “chicken nuggets with strawberry sauce” What??

What do you what to be when you grow up?  “hmmmm, Superman”

Would you rather swim or play on the playground?  “playground”

Do you like to swing or slide?  “slide and go on the the bridge and slide down the fire pole”

What is your favorite number?  “7”

What is your favorite TV show? “Baby Einsteins” aka Little Einsteins (this changes daily)

Just can’t get enough of him and I love to pick his brain!!

Some Like it Hot!!

Landon has a palate for spicy foods, just like his mom and dad!!  Tapatio goes on every bite of his breakfast burritos and Mexican foods.  He loves hot salsa and whenever there is a hot pepper near, he wants a taste!!

This morning's breakfast!!

Jambo

My friend, Kristia, and I took our kiddos to Jambo.  What is Jambo, you ask?  It’s a jungle themed indoor  amusement park for kids.  This place offers hours upon hours of excitement.  It was a perfect escape from the heat and something new to do.  The Children’s Museum was our favorite default outing, next to The Quarters splash pad, however, even being out at the splash pad is just too hot.  Needless to say Jambo will now be added on our list of outings!

The flying swings were a hit with Landon right off the bat.  Miss Ella enjoyed the spinning for a few rounds, then she wanted off.  This may have spoiled it for her, because she was not too eager to ride on anything else.

The flying elephants.  It amazes me that he can spin and spin and not get dizzy.  I was dizzy just watching!

 The train ride reminded me of Willy Wonka….so colorful and magical looking.

Ready, set, bowl!

Gearing up for laser tag.  This was Landon’s favorite activity!! I went in to watch, (was a little hesitant to send him into the dark room with some older kids and expect good results) they geared me up with a vest and laser gun too.   He had a blast ducking behind walls, running after the boys shooting his laser gun.  The room was small and not as dark as I envisioned, and the kids (and myself) had a blast!!

Mini golf was NOT a hole in one!  Ella and Lan putted everywhere, not excited to learn how to play.  This photo captures the best scene of them.  Landon is attempting to dislodge his ball and Ella is putting around him.  

Climbing up into the spider web maze!!

Stopping for a little lunch break.  FYI, should you decide to venture to Jambo avoid the pizza!  Sweet Ella was determined to never smile for me!!

Ella’s favorite….skee ball! 

Thanks for a great afternoon girls!!!

The fun never ends……

Playdate after playdate, from one fun activity to the next!  There isn't one day that has gone by that we felt bored or cooped up in the house, we are always on the go.  I forgot to post this last week, swimming and snow cones with the Paoletti’s.  Absolutely fun way to watch the afternoon set!!!

 

Water wars….Karen hiding behind Hayden!!

Alyssa prepares all the snow cones.

Yum!!

Having a little heart to heart conversation with Hayden.  Landon just adores him!!

Summertime yum and tumble

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chef  Landon has been embarking on culinary skills and eating his way through his Little Chefs class.  Little Chefs has been his favorite summer class, from making a fruit rainbow (pictured as a before and after), homemade pizza, and worms in dirt, to name a few of their menu items.  Landon continues to love love love cooking!  Being in this class spills over more and more to his creativity in our kitchen, making is own creations with sandwiches and mixing bizarre concoctions from the pantry and frig.   Little Chefs has now prompted us to enroll him into further cooking classes.  Watch out Food Network, he comes the next Food Network Star or Iron Chef!!

Ruff and tumble, hop and skip, roll and run……tumbling class has been KINDA fun.  Pictures are scarce, as there is only a small window to view class.  Initially Landon was into tumbling, enjoying all the activity, fun music, and kids.  However, whenever I would peek though the window to catch a glimpse, the boys were always sitting on the sidelines looking bored, but Landon still reported he was having a great time.  That great time was short lived, when last week, Ms. Suzie, his teacher, had a major freak out, running out of class, and shouting, “Jacob threw up!!” . As Jacob’s mom ran to retrieve him, the kids in the class looked shell shocked and Landon’s face was near tears.  Ms. Suzie exclaimed to the parents that Jacob’s mom needed to clean the puke up, she just can’t handle it.  What the heck was with the rudeness, I don’t know…..as if the poor child puking was worst sight she had seen and was blaming the vomiting incident on the the puzzled face parents, as to why she was melting down.  I offered to help Jacob’s embarrassed  mom clean up the vomit, but she reported she was a nurse as well, and wasn’t bothered by the tiny amount of puke on the floor.  As class ended, Landon announced to me he is not going back to tumbling, his teacher is mean and she was mean to kid that got sick!  I certainly didn’t witness the vomiting incident and Ms. Suzie’s initial response to poor Jacob. However, seeing her in the aftermath leads me to believe she did not respond with calm empathy.  Whether you can handle a little vomit or not, I certainly will listen to Landon’s request to not make him endure returning to his awful teacher when this time was to be enjoyed.  So we move on to other exciting activities!!!

How old are you again?.

Scenes from yesterday and today that force to me to say, “Please stay my little baby forever”

Casually hanging on the couch playing Bistro Chef on the droid.

I’m in the shower and I hear, “I’m going to get a strawberry, Mom.  I’ll be real careful.” (There’s my cue to see what he is up to.)  I hop out of the shower, hear the phone ringing, the refrigerator door open, strawberries out, and Landon walking over to answer the phone.  As he sees me, he hands me the phone, “here you go, Mom”, steps up to  the counter on his stool and proceeds slicing his berries.

Too top it off, his hilarious one-liners (“Gimme some sugar, sugar!”, “Sock it to me.”),  maturing vernacular (“Mom, I’m freakin’ out”) and now adding a “your mom” joke is over to top hilarious hearing it come out of your mouth with the voice of innocence!!

Seriously, kid, you need to stay little forever……all these little independent, self sufficient tasks remind me you are growing up waaaaaay to fast!