eight and ten (picture heavy)

This February Abby turned 8 

Her request was a Frozen themed party

(seems to be the party trend this birthday season)

the birthday girl at school

Her birthday happened to fall on the school's annual "Artist Fair"

a cake decorator came to the class and personalized a cake. just for her.

party day!! 

tissue paper garland is the best. cheap. easy. cute.

the party was complete with a runway show

seriously! CAN'T BELIEVE that our baby is 8!

and then... our first born turned 10!

it was Sammy's turn for the "family" party

so it was early morning presents

followed by dinner and presents at Karl Strauss (his choice)

can you spot the PHOTO BOMB

me and my boy 

(don't know what happened to the picture... looks like i have something on my lip)

Now I seriously can't believe this boy is TEN! a WHOLE DECADE! ugh! can I please oh please freeze time!?

Throwback Thursday

 So we just started a new school year last week. FOURTH and SECOND grade! Where or where did my babies go?! Seriously. Time just goes faster and faster. I want to freeze time. But God didn't leave me that ability. He did leave me with the ability to soak up every minute of their childhood and to appreciate them as individuals (and the ability to take a ridiculous amount of pictures).

These pictures below are from last year when they started THIRD and FIRST grade. This was the first year that BOTH kids went full day. Now I have 2 weeks off still of work in between their first day of school and my first day of school. And I remember being so bored that first day when they were at school all day. I mean what was I to do? I had no one to clean up after. No one asking me if I could get them juice. No one asking me to play a game with them. No one asking me if they could watch a t.v. show. No one. It was bizarre. But I found different things to do to occupy my time while counting down the hours that I got to see them again.

 And that takes us to this year. And yup. Here I sit, still bored, with no one. But I will say it's been nice to have quiet mornings knowing that they love their school, teachers, and friends. And I get to do things that are productive... like blog ;)

Abby did miss her first day of second grade due to a fever. She was bummed but willed herself better just in time for the second day.

We are all looking forward to this school year. Lots of learning and growing to be done. I am so thankful that I get to be a part of their education by volunteering and making a difference in their lives.

school's out for summer!

i am way late on posting about the kids last day of school...
but it is official... summer is here

before all i have to share is beach trips and swim days (because that is exactly what we will be doing) i wanted to give ya a peek at their last day as a kindergartner and a first grader :)

so proud of my baby girl

who by the way is growing up. way. to. fast.

 

last day of school 

all set with their gifts for their teachers

{my poor kids had the sun blasting in their eyeballs and this mama right here insisted on getting a picture, sorry kids}

Sammy with his teacher

she will be missed but she is moving up to a higher grade level

so maybe in a couple years he'll get her again!

so happy school is over
that means:
sleeping in
no rush in the morning
lazy afternoons with no homework
beach and pool adventures
outside play til the sun goes down
more hugs and cuddles
and did i mention sleeping in? ;)

eight is great

our little man turned eight while i was taking a hiatus from blogging.

little man scored big time!!

from basketballs to basket hoops

from itunes gift cards to cash

what 8 year wouldn't want to be showered with these things on his birthday?

and to be an eight year old who is truly 100% appreciative of what he has... he is a special one i tell ya

he still has that heart of gold

he still has that "i love to cuddle with mommy" moments

he knows that he has a blessed little life

all the love for my sammy bear makes my heart swell with joy that people see what i see in him. a special, cool, friendly, smart little man.

we love you!

creative kids

the kids were recently BOTH recognized for their artistic abilities

made this mama over here oh so proud, let me tell ya!

makes my heart so happy that they love art and love to show off their passion

little man's class portrayed a piece by edgar degas' Little Dancer by drawing it with oil pastels

and guess what!? his was chosen to be displayed the whole month of february at our local mall

go sammy bear!

and little miss abby babbs was artist of the month at her school 

way to represent those kinders abby!!

her art work was also an oil pastel piece of a snowman

which was hanging in the front office for the month!

mommy & daddy are so very proud of our kiddos 

and the way they shine!!

keep on reaching for the stars kiddos!!

my little artists

gotta love an arts focused school

it's is p-e-r-f-e-c-t for my kids

perfect

they can both shine in their own way while being educated

love that their school showcases different artists twice a year

fall and spring showcase

this year the classes that performed were asked to showcase artists from the top 100 Billboard

made my heart melt seeing all those cute little bodies up there singing and dancing to Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A"

Abby's outfit was complete with her red hair 

Party in the U.S.A. from Bryann Agajanian on Vimeo.

and sammy showcased Zolita Sverdlove

i think our whole family loves learning about different artists and the techniques that were used

take me out to the ball game

it's that time of year again... {or has been i should say} that we dedicate our weekends to pony ball
with at least 2 games a week and sometimes sneaking in a couple practices, you can see why it has taken me since right now to blog about baseball.

our little man... GO #10!

it was such a gorgeous day here in southern california, cool breeze and sunny in mid october, just beautiful.

lots of coloring... lots and lots...

smashing the ball... 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs... not bad, not bad at all.

and our field of dreams... #7
great game! they only held the other team to 2 runs... 2 runs!
great defensive game from our young yankee players