Our "Reader of the Month"

Madison was selected as "Reader of the Month" for her class. It was a very special because this was the first reading award of the school year for the kindergarteners. When her teacher told me about it, she said that it is not always given to the best reader...It can also be given to a student who has made a lot of progress or has worked really hard, etc. But, she stated that she always gives the first reading award to the top reader of the class...and that's our girl! We went to breakfast to celebrate. Congrats Maddie...we are so proud of you!

December 2009

December is such a busy month for us. It is full of birthdays...recitals...etc. Below are pictures that chronical the events of the month. (minus Christmas) Enjoy!!

MPG's 6th BIRTHDAY - December 4th

MPG and her cake. Thank you Randie for all of your hard work. The cake & favors were a hit.

"The Gang"

MPG blowing out her candles with her good friend DBD by her side.

QUAIL LAKE CHARTER SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - December 10th

MPG is on the top row & right in the middle next to her BFF, JH.

The kindergarten class performed "O Christmas Tree" and "Up on the Housetop".

MPG's BALLET RECITAL - December 12th

They danced to "I'm Giving Love for Christmas".


Taking a bow!

Our Prima Ballerina!!

Posing with mommy & daddy. We were both so proud of her.

Breakfast With Santa

On December 5th the Fire Department Credit Union hosted a "Breakfast with Santa" for all of the members. We have always missed out because it falls on the Saturday of MPG's birthday. We were able to go this year because we had the party on a Sunday. MPG was ready for Santa. She told him everything she wanted for Christmas. (although I'm not sure he heard her...he was a retired fireman who's hearing is not what it used to be) Anyway, she had a blast talking to him. AJG, on the otherhand, wanted nothing to do with the big guy. He freaked out as soon as we walked through the door. (even though we "practicied" talking to Santa the night before)

The event was really nice. They served pancakes and juice, handed out goody bags and printed out pictures on the spot. The kids had a great time.

MPG and AJG...MPG has a mouthful of pancakes!

We were lucky to see good friends while there. MPG loved visiting with her friend, GT.

ABC Club

On December 2nd, Quail Lake had their Awards Assembly for the first trimester. MPG received an ABC Club award. This means that she knows all of the letters and sounds of the alphabet. (she knew them before she started kindergarten but oh well) Many students received the same award. As the principal called their names, they went up on stage and stood on the risers. They stared to fill the top row first and then downward. When they called MPG's name, the line was on the second row of the risers about a quarter of the way across. Well, we all know how she loves to be on stage and the center of attention...she got her award and went front and center!! Aaron and I cracked up. No one will take her out of her spotlight! The kids whose names were called after MPG didn't know what to do. Some went to the correct spot and others joined MPG (proud as can be) in the front row.

MPG and her award.

She was so excited to get an award!

Mullet Madness!

On Monday, November 30th, MPG decided that she wanted a new hairstyle. All she had to do was tell me and I would have gladly taken her to the salon. Instead, she decided to do it herself. She snuck her homework scissors upstairs into the playroom. I was playing with her and stepped out of the room for literally 2 minutes. When I returned I saw...the mullet. I was devastated! She had an awards ceremony coming up at school, her birthday party, her Christmas program, and her dance recital all within the next two weeks. How was I supposed to put a mullet into a bun? Since she decided to cut it in the evening, she would have to wait until the next day to have it fixed. She had to go to school rockin' a sweet mullet! Look out Joe Dirt...here comes MPG. See below...
One of the things I love most about MPG is her confidence. I wish that I was as confident as she was at that age. She could care less that she sported a mullet to school. I think she liked it! Even though SHE liked it, I couldn't let my baby go around looking like a little Joe Dirt. We got it cut the next day when I got home from work. She now has a cute little bob with layered sides. She says she's going to let it grow out again!

Gotta love her!!! :)

Happy Birthday Pickle!!

I can't believe that our little pickle is 6 years old today!

Time has flown by so fast...I hope you enjoy this look of

MPG through the years!!!


Six months old

One year

MPG is 2 1/2 in this picture - AJG is 1 month

I was taking pics of them for Father's Day gifts.

She was being so sweet with her new baby

brother until I heard him screaming in pain...

she bit his finger...HARD!

Fun at Storyland


Daddy caught a bunny for her.

At Disneyland...I love her smile!


She is holding a HUGE toad. I love the fact

that she is so fearless. (her dad won't even kill

a spider)

First day of Kindergarten

We love you pickle!!!

Getting Ready for Christmas

On Sunday the kids and I decorated the Christmas tree. I wanted them to wait for daddy to get off of work but, they were too excited. They insisted on doing it "right now"...we saved some of daddy's ornaments for him.

Every year I buy the kids a new ornament for the tree. This is MPG's. It plays a tune from the Nutcracker and the ballerinas twirl around. She loves it!

Here is AJG's. No surprise that it is Toy Story. He even has his Buzz Lightyear jammies on. He is obsessed with Buzz!

Here are my cuties. Since it was the last day of our vacation...we decided that it was going to be a pajama day.

Here is a picture of the finished product. (minus the tree skirt) I realize that I cut off the top of the tree...I did it on purpose. We need to get a star or an angel for the top. It looks a little silly without one.

Here are my little helpers in front of their masterpiece. I think that they did an awesome job!

The stockings are ready for Santa to fill.