Opening Ceremonies

Two Opening Ceremonies makes for a very long day! Afton is playing softball and Dax is in T-ball and they both had their opening ceremonies on the same day (March 27th) at two different parks. So Logan and I took Afton to hers and Jason took Dax to his. And they both had pictures and their first games. Afton's game was first and we were hoping to make it to Daxon's, but her game took soooo long and we didn't make it to his game. What were we thinking?!! They actually only have one game that's on the same day at the same time, so it shouldn't be too bad. Afton and Dax are both really excited to be playing. They've had lots of fun so far. Afton's team is the Queen Bees and Dax is on the Mudcats (btw...a mudcat is a catfish!)

Doesn't she make the cutest Queen Bee ever?

Getting ready for the opening ceremony and pictures.

The Queen Bees!!

Playing some coach pitch. Afton at bat and playing in the field.

Jason took a few pictures from his phone of Daxon's opening ceremony. When I get them on the computer I'll post them.

the belt

At Afton's gymnastics class back on the 24th of March, their teacher pulled out these belts for them to use. They put this belt on which has ropes on each side and the teachers use the ropes to help them with back hand springs.....I think. I'm not sure that's the move they were doing because I know nothing about gymnastics, but I think that's what it was. Anyway, this was the first time they did this in Afton's class so she was very excited and loved it.

Wicked....again!

So when my mom and sister were visiting we went to see Wicked on the 20th of March. It was my second time but it was their first time. Afton also came with us and she was really excited to see the show. We decided to go to the matinee showing so we rode the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport, kind of like a subway for San Fran.) to San Fransisco in the morning and did some site seeing before the show. We went to China Town then walked down to Fisherman's Wharf, got some yummy clam chowder, then got a taxi and headed to the show. Afton was so excited to ride in a taxi, don't know why. But we were debating whether to take the trolley or a taxi and she begged for the taxi. We decided on the taxi because we were running a little late and the trolley is really slow and usually really busy on Saturdays. So we hopped in the taxi and drove up to the Orpheum Theater. Wicked was still amazing the second time. I love it! My mom and sister loved it too and Afton loved the singing the most. The only down side was the really ornery guy in front of us he told me to be quiet and then to shut-up. Yeah, apparently I was whispering too loudly, cuz that's what I was doing.....WHISPERING! I just leaned over to Jessie to tell her that I really liked this song and he bit my head off. Geez, I guess you have to keep your mouth shut for the entire show. Besides the jerk, we really had a good time.

Riding on the awesome BART!

Afton with her super cool aunt Jessie!

After we got off the BART, we had to walk a few blocks to China Town.

China Town

Dining on the wharf and enjoying our very yummy clam chowder.

They had these really beautiful flowers down at the wharf so I snapped a picture of Afton by them.

Afton and I posing by the non-existent sea lions. I don't know the reasoning but there are not as many right now. Something to do with the weather and the time of year.

Afton was so happy to be taking pictures.

We actually saw some of the cast members leaving while we were taking pictures. It was pretty cool!

Happy Birthday Afton!!

On March 18th, Afton turned 7! I still can't believe that she's seven already. She's getting so big. She had a great birthday. She woke up to lots and lots of presents. That girl was spoiled! Then headed off to school. I brought some birthday donuts for her class and then they sang to her while her teacher gave her 7 big spankings! (not real ones). The kids think that's the funniest thing. They can't wait to get their birthday spankings. After school, she had to go to softball practice and then we went to dinner for her birthday. She chose the Elephant Bar and got a very special cupcake for her dessert. Happy Birthday Afton!

She was so excited to get this "A" bag. She's been asking for it for a very long time.

Getting her b-day spankings. I love her teachers face in this picture. She loves giving them pretend spankings.

The yummy birthday donuts.

The real party started the next day. She wanted to have a Rock-n-Roll party for her birthday, so rock-n-roll we did. She invited a few friends and family and we rocked out. The girls started by drawing their own "Hollywood Star" on the sidewalk with chalk and then we had some yummy pizza for dinner. After dinner, the girls played the game Just Dance on the wii. It was fun to see them all dancing together. They loved it! It is a very fun game although I'm not so great at it. I'm lacking in the rhythm department. While playing Just Dance, the kids took turns getting their faces painted. I had a friend from church come do the painting and she did an awesome job! The kids loved their fun faces. I especially loved Daxon's basketball pirate face. After the dancing, we pulled out the stage/curtain for the girls to show off their star talent. They took turns coming through the red curtain to perform for us. We had some singing and dancing and extravagant hand shakes. We had a great time rockin out with family and friends.

Waiting for the guest to arrive. Afton with my mom and sister, Jessie.

The party decor. We went with a purple/black/silver look. Afton even fit in with the decor. Her aunt Bri gave her the cute purple shirt. Love it!

Making their Hollywood stars.

The cute rocker chicks! Emma (she was a puppy dog rocker), Halle, Afton, Alyssa, and Dylen.

The girls playing Just Dance.

"Who let the dogs out!" This was the song they were dancing to.

She makes such a cute tiger!

The awesome rockin party!

Afton, the tiger, with her friend Halle, the kitty cat.

The guitar cake. My mom helped me make it and I thought it turned out pretty cute even though the licorice wouldn't cooperate and stay straight.

Blowing out the candles on her awesome guitar cake.

Dax the basketball pirate!

Opening her presents

The magnificent performers!

St. Patty's Day

Well, we had a great St. Patrick's day this year. For one, the kids love this FUN day, and for another, my mom and sister, Jessie, were visiting us. They came to visit for Afton's birthday so we were all very excited to have them stay with us for a few days. When the kids woke up on the 17th, they found a note from the sneaky leprechaun. He left a treasure map to a really cool treasure. It started in our bedroom and ended in the laundry room with their treasure hiding in the dryer. The kids thought that was pretty cool. Since they didn't catch the leprechaun this year, he decided to leave them a treasure and tell them better luck next year. The kids got some rain boots, wintergreen lifesavers, and green & yellow tic tacs. They also found out that this sneaky leprechaun turned our milk green! They couldn't believe it!

This picture makes me laugh because it was the best one I could get of all three of them. I even had my sister sit with them to help, but they still weren't cooperating. The little stinkers! I'm never going to get a decent one of all three actually looking at the camera and smiling. I've decided it's impossible.

The note/map.

We found it!

Logan in his cute new very green rain boots.

showing off their tic tacs

Afton doing some ribbon twirling for us.

Awards

On the 9th of March, Afton received some awards at school. She was awarded for perfect attendance and for meeting her accelerated reader goal. They had an assembly in their little cafeteria where they acknowledged the students and gave them certificates. Afton was really excited to get her award and we are just so proud of her. She's been doing so well in school and just loves it. She also received some awards during their 1st trimester and that happened during my major slump in blogging so I never posted anything about it. I'm such a bad mom! She received an award for perfect attendance again (she hasn't missed a day of school yet), for passing her 1st grade high frequency words, and her teacher chose her as Student of the Month for the month of October. She was so excited and shocked. The teacher writes a short paragraph on why they chose that student and then they announce the student, so the kids don't know they are getting the award. Her teacher told me beforehand so we knew to come to the assembly. Afton was so excited when they announced her name and we were so excited for her too.

Afton walking up to get her award.

Sorry the picture is pretty dark. My camera doesn't work very well in their cafeteria.

Getting her award.

Logan enjoyed the assembly too.

Her are some pictures from her 1st Award Assembly.

This is what her teacher, Mrs. Jones, said about her:

"One of my outstanding students this trimester is a young lady who was a little shy when she stared 1st grade. Well things have changed! She is learning 1st Grade concepts and skills very well, is exceptionally focused, intently listens to directions, and always shows responsibility for completing her work on time and with excellent quality. I'm so pleased with how she always goes above and beyond by writing stories and reviewing skills so she can improve! Each day she displays great citizenship, comes in with a positive attitude and a great smile to go along with it! I feel fortunate to have her in my class and proudly congratulate Afton Daley."