Doodles

Cheyanne is finally starting to draw pictures of people. Her favorite right now is Daddy:

Nathan drew the animals - from left to right:
Dusty, Luna and Kiehloe.

Cheyanne The Great

This last Friday was Cheyanne's last ballet class for this session so all the Parents were allowed to sit in on the class.  I did video tape it, but used my camcorder and its too complicated to upload.....so its for my viewing pleasure only.
Anyway, in the beginning of class during roll call, Kim asks the girls to show some ballet position (I don't know the name) and a question.  Sometimes its "What makes you feel pretty?" or "What do you want to be when you grow up?" etc etc.
This particular class it was "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  As she went down the line of about 10 girls, each named a princess.  Some said "Aurora".  Some said "Ariel".  I think one girl even said "An Elephant". 
When she called on Cheyanne this is exactly what she said "I want to be a very very good doctor who takes babies out of mommies bellies".  I couldn't have been prouder at that moment. *tear*

Gymnastics

As a time filler for the summer months we signed the kids up for a Gymnastics class at California Sports Center.  We searched around for the best price/facility/activity for a while before deciding on this place.  The room is brightly lit, super clean and has 2 trampolines, bars, rings, a slide and a foam pit.

They have had 2 classes so far and love it.  I like it because it wears them out and they are exhausted afterwards and they like it because they get to run around like crazies.  Nathan is in a class with only one other girl so he gets loads of attention during class.  Cheyanne is in a class with 4 boys.  Funny enough, we were worried about Nathan being the only boy in his class, turns out there are more boys taking the classes than girls.

Here are some pictures & video:

  Coach Anna

Warm Up

No, But Really, My Next Ride:

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. 

Our Durango is on its last legs and we are tired of putting money into it.  We are at 98K miles and know that its going to need some major work soon.  The check engine light has been on for as long as I can remember and it misfires out of the 5th cylinder.  Do we want to get it fixed?  No, not really.  We need something bigger anyway.

Thank god car companies are trading in that HORRIBLE spaceship-minivan-look that has not changed since the early 90's for something more classy. 

I have come to terms with the fact that 'practical' is  more important than 'cool' and I need a spacious car with gaps in between the seats so my kids don't poke and bother each other for long car rides.  Not only that but I need a car where my kids are farther away from me and the repeated LOUD singing of "Three Little Fishes" just doesn't seem so loud.  Oh, we are also apparently (according to Sal) getting a huge dog pretty soon, so we need room for him as well.  I have come to terms with the fact I am no longer cool and probably will never be again....I am a mom of 3, and will be a taxi for many years to come.  Because I have finally accepted that, it is OK for me to buy a minivan - especially when it looks like this:

  

My Next Ride:

Kid Funny

While driving to the gym the kids were asking about old friends that used to be in the Kids Club. 

Shy: "Why doesn't Natalie go to the gym anymore?"
Me: "She's 6 now, so she's at school right now".
Nathan: "Oh my god, 6 is SO SO SO OLD!"

Baby Caterpillars

One of Cheyanne's birthday presents this year from Grampa B was a Butterfly Garden kit.  The kit comes with caterpillars, food and net.  You watch them grow, change and eventually turn into butterflies.  You can then choose to keep the butterflies or release them.  We've done this once before and it was awesome. 

There are all different types of kits you can buy, like, Praying Mantis, Ladybugs, Frogs etc. but I draw the line at butterflies.  While cute and all, they are still bugs.  The Frogs would actually be OK, but you aren't supposed to release the adult bull frogs.  I really don't need anymore pets especially a bunch of frogs.

Cheyanne's baby caterpillars came in the mail yesterday.  There are 5 in the cup (you can't tell by the pic).  They are the tiniest little things I've ever seen.  They are probably each about a centimeter long.

She named them:
"Nemo"
"Nemo's Dad"
"Dorie"
"Warehouse Mouse"
and "Rich"

She checks on them all day and has introduced all her babies to them individually.  She kisses them goodnight and earlier today I caught her reading them a story.

Cheyanne Turns 3!

For Cheyanne's birthday this year we decided to keep it simple. We had a small party here with a bouncy house and pinata. We BBQ'd burgers and hot dogs. We invited about 15 people, most of whom were family. The weather was crappy and it rained a little, but all in all, it was a non stressful event and I think everyone had fun.

Highlights of the party:

*Cheyanne's 3 outfit changes in 3 hours.
*The kid goo my dad brought getting stuck in Uncle Angelo's beard. (totally disgusting)
*Uncle Robert's mini-chopper that the kids got to go for a ride on.

*Poppi sneaking a ride on the chopper when no one was looking.

*Poppi running out to get candy when the pinata broke.
*My weirdo neighbor pulling up to all of us in front of my house, asking if we wanted to buy his truck cause "he really needs the money".

The birthday girl!  Outfit #1

Outfit #2

Addie playing with all Shy's jewelry and headbands

Pinata!

The Pinata breaker!

Yes, that's Poppi stuffing his pockets

Outfit #3

(please keep in mind I'm 9mo pregnant in this pic)

Mini-Chop

Cheyanne 3yr Stats

Today Cheyanne had her 3 year "well baby" check up.

Her stats are:

33.9lbs (80% for her age group)
3ft 1.75in (62% for her age group)

In the last year she has lost 1.10 lbs and grown 3 inches.

She is in perfect health except for the Thalassemia trait that Nathan also has. To be more specific she has 'One-Gene Beta-Thalassemia'. She inherited this from Sal's side of the family. Interestingly enough, Sal is NOT a carrier (meaning he does NOT posses the trait). His mother, twin brother as well as a handful of cousins do have the trait though. With good diet and nutrition she is in the clear and will never become seriously ill or need to monitor it. However, when she does want to have children if the man she wants to have babies with IS a carrier they will most likely choose not to have kids. If they do choose to kids together the baby will have moderate to severe symptoms of anemia.

Kid Funny

While waiting in the check out line at Safeway, Cheyanne found a folded city map. She opened it all the way up.

Shy: "Mom, what stadium do we live in?"
Me: "You mean what STATE do we live in? California. Do you know what city we live in?"
Shy: "The Giants!"