Bale Grist Mill

Ricky chose the Bale Grist Mill in Napa County for his 4th grade California Landmarks project. Since he chose a nearby location, we were able to take a field trip and gather information for his project.



There is a Miller who tend to the mill and still mills flour to this day. He gives great demonstrations and was really helpful to Ricky as the Miller knew all of the history of the mill. We also provided a donation and took home a couple small bags of flour which we’ve been enjoying really yummy pancakes from. Ricky also used it for his oral report.

Ricky was able to write an excellent report, made a really cool model of the mill (It helps to have an Architect for a Dad), and gave a great oral report. He earned himself an A+ for the entire project. We are so proud of him!!

Jordana’s New Smile

The week right after Easter Jordana lost both of her front teeth. It’s really funny to listen to her talk. What a great smile!

Posted by Jena

Girl Scout Luau
Jordana’s Daisy Troop participated in a Luau hosted by a Cadette Troop at Rincon Valley Park. The girls had fun learning how to do the Hula.

After the dancing we all enjoyed a tropical picnic lunch and then it was craft time. The girls got to make their own lei’s and fish mobiles.

Then they finished with a sandcastle building contest and some fun playtime before the sister circle to say good bye.

Posted by Jena

Easter

Easter Sunday started really early at our house as Jordana woke up at the crack of dawn and noticed that the Easter Bunny had come. He had moved her empty basket to her night stand during the night so Jordana was anxious to begin the hunt.

As you can see Ricky and Jordana were very good and the Easter Bunny left them lots of eggs and other fun surprises.

After having candy for breakfast, it was time to get ready for church. I had Ricky and Jordana pose outside in front of our beautiful dogwood tree. (They HATED doing this and so I had to take many, many pictures.)

Then we headed off to church to enjoy a healthy brunch and take part in St. Mark’s annual Easter Eggstravangza. The kids had to find 6 eggs, each of a different color and then they took them inside to make a craft before we headed off to church.

If you scroll down to an earlier post you will get to enjoy the song which the Sunday School performed during the Easter service.

Posted by Jena

Video: Rose Parade

Here is a quick video of the Strawberry Eagles Marching Band playing "Rock Around the Clock" in Saturday's Rose Parade. Ricky is the second one marching closest to my camera. I will post links to the online recording of the parade after I get a chance to figure them out. But I know that many of you are interested in hearing how it went so here is a quick tidbit.

Posted by: Jena

Easter Eggs

The entire family dyed Easter eggs a week before Easter. It was fun again this year, but we all decided that the good ‘ol fashioned PAAS tablets mixed with water and vinegar result in the very best colored eggs! No one had fun farting around with the other dye we bought. It took too much time and the eggs did not look nearly as good.

Posted by Jena

Ricky Turns 10

Ricky’s 10th birthday fell during Spring Break again this year. So he spent his special day at the YMCA Sunshine Day Camp. However, I was able to surprise him with a giant balloon and ice cream treats for everyone.

Since it was Spring Break he got to have a friend come home with him, join in the celebration and spend to night. He picked his good friend since 1st Grade, Xavier Nacol.

Ricky was so excited to finally get the Lego Star Wars Trade Federation MTT. It was one of the lego sets he had been wanting for a really long time. (He ended up talking his Dad into working from home for a day that week so he could stay home from day camp and put it together.)

On Saturday, March 28th we had Ricky’s birthday party at the bowling alley. The kids had a lot of fun bowling; especially since the bumpers were put up.

After 2 fun filled games it was time for ice cream cake and presents.

Posted by Jena

BALLET

Jordana still loves to take ballet. This year we changed schools and she is now dancing with the Santa Rosa Dance Theater. I wasn't sure about this school at first, because it is a serious ballet school. Most of the high school kids spend their summers training with the American Ballet Theater on scholarships they earn and they have just as high expectations of the young kids too. However, Jordana just loves it and is doing well. She got to dance in the Nutcracker this past Christmas and will likely get moved up a level in the Fall.

A few months ago the school decided not to hold their annual spring ballet performance due to the economy, so they've been letting parents come in and watch at the end of the class where the kids put on a short performance. Thankfully, I remembered to bring my camera one week and was able to capture a few shots.

Posted by Jena

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

There was lots of love around our house on the day of love. Hope yours was just as full.

Posted by Jena

SOCK HOP FUN

Ricky and Jordana had a great time at the Bennett Valley Schools annual Sock Hop. It is held at the Veterans Building and all of the kids in K-6 are allowed to attend with their parents. That means that there are about 750 kids dressed up in 50’s gear who are grooving to the oldies.

Jordana spent the time running around with her friends, Ruby, Aurora, and Cora.

Ricky had fun hanging out with Janie

The group dances are always the very best part. The DJ for this even is fabulous and does an expert job leading the kids through the Hokey Pokey, Limbo, Hand Jive, and various other dances. The kids just have a blast.

The highlight of the dance is when each grade gets to go up on stage and do their own special “decade” dance for the crowd.

The 4th Graders did the Hand Jive

The Kindergartners did another cute dance from the 50’s.

Posted by Jena