Color Me Rad 5K

I have been "running" for a while now. Let me clarify. I have been jogging slowly for a couple of months. My endurance has been building up--no where near where I would like it yet, but it is coming slowly but surely. I have made it from dying after 30 seconds of jogging to being able to go about 2 miles before I start whining heavily. Looking for a race to check out my endurance, Jim and I signed up for the Color Me Rad 5K. We ended up bringing the kids--and basically walked the whole thing. So, it was a fun family event--but no running involved :) I will have to keep persevering as I am currently signed up for a 1/2 marathon in January? What was I thinking?!

So nice and clean!

My buddy, Tim, from work

Zane going for a ride--3 miles is far for short legs

Colorful family photo!

Tim and his girlfriend, Brittany

Our "rad" RAD tattoos. I am leaving mine for work on Monday :)

SeaLife

Sunday morning, before we started our trip back home, we went the the SeaLife Aquarium next door to Legoland.  We didn't stay too long as we had a long drive home ahead of us.  However, we had fun checking out the fish and sharks and the "Claws" exhibit they had set up for Halloween time. 

SeaLife!

The slide at the start of the aquarium.

Popping up in one of the tanks!

Huge crabs!

Couldn't resist Lego Spongebob!

LegoLand

We spent 2 fun days in Anaheim at Disneyland. Friday night we drove to Carlsbad so we could go to Legoland.  Our Saturday morning started off at the Minute Clinic so we could get Caden's throat checked out. He had finished antibiotics for strep on Tuesday, and by Wednesday night was complaining that his throat hurt again. The rapid strep test came back negative (the culture would come back positive a few days later) so with ibuprofen in his system, off to Legoland we went! 

Legoland also had a bunch of stuff set up for Halloween. Including Brick or Treat nights--you dress in your costume and follow designated paths to collect goodies!  

Lego Vampires

Favorite thing at Legoland is the Volvo Driving areas

A sleeping lego tourist

All dressed up for Brick or Treating

Start of the Brick or Treat Trail

CANDY!

Disney!

Jim and I planned on taking the kids to Disneyland. We also decided not to tell the kids. We left Wednesday after school--and told the boys we were going out for dinner. Our trusting kids whined only minimally as we drove for almost 1.5 hours before finding a McDonald's for dinner. And then didn't really question WHY we drove so far for a restaurant that is 1 minute away from our house. After we had some chicken nuggets, Jim explained that now we would have to drive home. So, as we continued our drive to California, the boys thought we were heading home. We made it all the way into the valet parking area of the Grand Californian Resort before I POINTED out that the signs said Disneyland. I asked who wanted to see Mickey? Zane started crying and saying he didn't want to. Caden started panicking because Jim said he made a wrong turn and Caden thought we were lost. Not exactly the reaction we were looking for, but it was late after a long day. Once we go checked into the hotel, and the boys found that they had bunk beds to sleep in--and Zane realized that Mickey was not in our room, the boys were SUPER excited. 

The last two years we have gone to Disneyland in the summer. Lines are long and weather is hot. So, this year we decided to go in the fall. What a BIG difference it made!  Disneyland was all set up for Halloween. Some of the rides had "Halloween" effects and lots of decorations everywhere!  The weather was perfect and since we stayed at a Disney hotel, we got the "Magic Hour" which allowed us in to the park one hour prior to the park opening. That was so much fun! We got in some rides that would've taken a long time to wait for otherwise.  

First morning at Disneyland!

My 3 favorite boys on the Jungle Cruise.

Cars Land was AMAZING!

Breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen

Zane still way too skeptical to be in pics with characters by himself!

The Tooth Fairy Visits

Not too long ago I posted that Caden had not lost a tooth yet. Caden discovered last week that he had a loose tooth. It was barely loose, but he was excited to have a wiggly tooth. A few days later we noticed a grown up tooth coming in--behind a tooth that wasn't wiggly at all!  We made a quick call to the dentitst and were advised to come in and get things checked out.   Caden's grown up teeth are so much bigger than the baby teeth that the dentist was concerned about space. And since the grown up teeth were already coming in, Dr. B. said it would be a good idea to pull a few teeth. Four to be exact. The front four on the bottom. 

Caden has a little bit of anxiety. So, we decided sedation was the best course of action. They gave him some "sleepy juice"... which contained Versed. A drug of wonders :)  They gave Cade the medicine and then sent us to the "Quiet" room filled with stuffed animals to relax while the meds kicked in.  Caden loved it in there. They came 10 minutes later--took Caden back and 15 minutes later caden came out in a wheel chair--a little loopy and missing four teeth!

Caden was pretty out of it for a while. He could hardly walk--and kept yelling at me to tell him what was wrong with his eyes because he was seeing double. A little funny, but....

Caden was excited for the first visit from the Tooth Fairy. We managed to get a picture of the Tooth Fairy visiting Caden's room!

If you look closely, you can see the fairy dust on the dollar bills.  

Caden will be disappointed to realize that he won't be eating any corn on the cob any time soon, but is pretty impressed with his gaping smile!

Caden turns SIX!

So hard to believe that my first born, Caden, turned six!  I must be getting old!  He had a 3 day celebration starting on his birthday with cupcakes to celebrate with his classmates.  That night, we had a family pizza party.  

Caden, Zane, and Nana

Caden's ice cream cake!

 On Sunday Caden had a "kids"  birthday party at Skyzone. Skyzone is an indoor trampoline park.  Jim and I and some of the other parents jumped too... Left us crippled the next day!  We are old!  Caden had a great time playing with two of his old friends from Joy that he doesn't get to see daily anymore!

Climbing out of the foam pit!

Blurry jumping!

Caden and his best friend EVER, Dylan!

One of many sets of wonderful legos!

At age six, Caden has not lost any teeth but has some grown up molars popping up in the back!  His favorite snack currently is "Fruit by the Foot". The kid is a bottomless pit. A breakfast for him can consist of a egg and cheese bagel, cereal, yogurt, and juice. Breakfast is his favorite meal of the day. Caden enjoys swimming more than anything and has become quite a swimmer! Caden loves Legos and of course that means we will find lego pieces everywhere!  We will be starting soccer again next week...and Caden loves being a part of a team, but is less than aggressive on the field. He still enjoys it, though!  Caden knows how to push his brother's buttons, but will protect him fiercely if needed.  Amazing that my little boy is SIX!

First Day of First Grade

It is always amazing to me to see how fast time goes by. Caden started 1st grade today at Sierra Verde. It was a long, exhausting process making the decision of where Caden would go to school. He had been going to Joy since he was 3. Hard decision to make but we are hoping that Caden will excel at Sierra Verde just like he did at Joy.

Caden was pretty excited to start school. We had gone to meet the teacher night last week and Miss F. had given the kids bags of goldfish crackers--because they were "o-fish-ally" a first grader! Caden loved it. (Food will win him over every time!)  We checked out the Viper Den which is the before and after school care. We were ready for school to start!

Caden and his new backpack

Zane hiding behind his backpack

 It is a good thing we left in plenty of time this morning to get to school. We had to park about 1/2 mile away (probably not much closer than walking form the house).  It was at least 100 degrees outside. Got  Caden over to his classroom and snapped a quick picture with his teacher!  Way before I was ready, it was 8:40 and time to go in the room. I gave him a hug and he walked away without any hesitation. So proud of him!  I couldn't resist snapping one last picture of him settling down in his desk.

OREGON-Part 2 Crabbing!

My Dad's cousin, Duncan took us crabbing. We unfortunately didn't catch any crabs that met the requirements to keep. The ones that were big enough were females, and the males were too small. So, they all went back. But the kids had a great time--and as far as they were concerned, we caught some crabs even if we couldn't keep them. After crabbing, we went to another dock and Jim and Gabe took the kayaks out.  We had a great time being together and hanging out!

Zane, Jim, Caden at the docks

Duncan leading a serious crabbing conversation

Dad throwing his crab trap out

See! A crab!

Jim in the kayak

Playing at the dock!

Caden and Brandon

Oregon part 1

Thanks to my VERY generous parents, we went on a week long trip to Seaside, Oregon. We stayed at a gorgeous beach house across the street from the beach. It was great to see family we don't see nearly often enough. 

Dad and Gabe

Jim and the boys

The water was FREEZING-but didn't bother the kids one bit!

Mom and Dad at the beach

Beach = exhaustion!

Kindergarten Graduation!

So the school year has come to an end. Last day of Kindergarten was today. As I was leaving work, I told a co-worker that I was leaving early to attend Caden's Kindergarten Graduation. She asked if I was going to cry. I said no with emphasis--this was a happy occasion. Why would I cry?

And then I saw Caden walk in with his class. I watched my brave, tall, well spoken 5 year old boy lead the classes and audience in the Christian Pledge.  I teared up.

I saw Caden's medal--which means he completed all of the tasks for the Kindergarten Olympics--he can recognize shapes, he can read, write, count by 1s, 2s, and 5s. He can recite the Pledge of Allegiance, the Christian Pledge, the Bible Pledge, the Kindness Pledge, the Lord's Prayer. He can tie his shoes-well, almost. Seeing the medal and how much he has grown in the last year made me tear up.

 Hearing Mrs. Kempf, Caden's teacher, tell me that Caden was an amazing kid, a born leader, and  truly one of the most special students she has ever had made me tear up. (Even though I am well aware that she probably says that to all of the parents!)  Hearing that Caden's favorite part of Kindergarten was the Mother's Day Tea warmed my heart and made the tears well up again.  Seeing Caden with his friends made me tear up.

So, I technically did not cry during Caden's kindergarten graduation. But the pride and love I have for Caden made some tears of joy appear. Congrats Caden on your first amazing academic milestone!  So proud of you!