Lindsey's 6th Grade Graduation

My baby girl graduated 6th grade today and I couldn't be more proud. She worked really hard in keeping her grades up. We've been blessed in the sense that Lindsey has always shown responsibility when it comes to her school. All I can say is prayer is the greatest resource for any parent. Ask the Lord to protect your kids guide them and fill their spirit with His love. I pray that God continues to give my kids wisdom and that they will commit everything they do to the Lord and trust Him to always show them the right way.

Lindsey was so happy today. At first she was a little worried she wouldn't get her hair to look just right. She has partially straight and partially wavey hair. She prefers straight hair. I wasn't able to get off work early so I could help get her hair done in time for the 6:00 graduation. Thankfully her bff Lisa's mom, Liz, offered to pick them up from school early to take them to get their nails and hair done. When she dropped her off I was surprised to see Lindsey with make-up on. But she was so happy and did look very pretty, although I do prefer a natural look for a 12 year old. So I left it alone and decided not to make an issue of it and spoil the evening. Her friend Lisa also had make-up on and so did a lot of the other girls in her class. So I thought "okay, just this ONE time"...lol.

We intended to have a graduation party in a couple weeks but Lindsey doesn't like all that much attention centered on her and said she preferred a gift card to Target or a spa day with me. She'll get a card. Anyone know of any spas that offer a mother/daughter package?

Gian's Graduation Ceremony and Dinner

My cousin Giancarlo graduated from Berkley Law School this past Saturday and I couldn't have been more proud. Way to go Gian! His twin brother Tony graduates from medical school next year. So proud of them both. Here are some pictures taken after the graduation ceremony and the dinner celebration that followed. It happened to be my little cousin Noalani's and Lindsey's birthday that day 5/16. So move over Gian, birthday girls are in the house too!!

Tony holding birthday girl Noalani

La Familia, Joey, Noalani, Claudia, Makani and Tony

Rawhide Ranch

While it was difficult letting Lindsey go on this 3-day camping trip without tagging along to protect her and keep an eye on her (yes folks I AM one of those hovering mothers and proud of it!!), I knew it was necessary for her and for me. She was thrilled to be on her own and promised me she would exercise caution when sitting on or standing near a horse. Lindsey had an awesome experience at this horse camp. Aside from the less desirable responsibilities like cleaning up horse poop and feeding the animals, she learned how to horseback ride and how to perform a horse gymnastic routine known as "vaulting". She even made a new friend, a horse named "Bonnie". She said it was tough saying goodbye to her. Bonnie was all she talked about when she got home. Lindsey even thought it would be a good idea to buy the house behind us so we could tear it down and build a horse stable. Pretty creative thinking. I told her that she must have our avocado tree mistaken for a money tree...LOL!! Anyways, here are some pictures she took of her and Bonnie.

Nikki's Speech Meet

Nikki won 2nd place ribbon in the speech meet. She did a wonderful job and showed a lot of expression. Too bad we were not allowed to video tape or snap pictures. But here is a nice one outside the school where the speech meet was held.

Piano Recital

Lindsey and Nikki did a fabulous job on their recital. Sometimes I worry for Nikki because I feel she doesn't get as much practice in as she should but when it comes time to perform, she always delivers. Here are some pictures and videos of their performances. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to take a complete video of Lindsey's piano performance. My camera ran out of memory.

This is Lisa Yamamoto, Lindsey and Nikki's piano and flute instructor. The girl on the far left is Lisa Mae, Lindsey's BFF.

Nikki playing "Oh Susana"

Lindsey playing "Romance"

Sundance

Gonzalo brought home his new labrador puppy today. We drove all the way to Simi Valley to get him. Isn't he cute?

Welcome home Sundance. Here he is checking out his new digs.


Here we are at the breeder's house




The breeder had a a beautiful bird that loved to poke Lindsey's shoulder. Not hard but enough to give her goosebumps.

Rainy Day

It's been over a month since I last posted. Where has the time gone? I admit I've been lazy about posting. I could say that I've been busy with work, kids, and life in general but in the end I have to blame it on laziness. So life is good. I took the day off today because the kids are off from school. My mom is still trying to recup from a bout with pneumonia and my mother in-law is in Oakland visiting Kelvin. It's nice to stay home especially on a rainy day like today.

Lindsey participated in the Spelling Bee last month and came in 6th place out of 24 kids. She did quite well. Would any of you know how to spell "b-o-r-e-e-n"? Last year she won 1st place and even though she didn't take first place this time, I told her that in this life we all need to know how to win some AND lose some and to just keep trying to do her best in everything. Nikki didn't get to go to the spelling bee this year but we kept the list of words that Lindsey was given to study so we can at least have a head start for next year should Nikki get invited.

Ernie has been playing with his new laptop he just got. With the way the economy is now I don't really think it's a wise idea to be making big purchases like that. We had a long discussion on the subject and in the end we agreed it would be the last big purchase for either of us for a long time. Our jobs are "ok" at the moment but one never knows from one day to the next what may happen. Work has been busy which I am grateful for. A hospital can't run without a volunteer department so the need is there to have at least two people run it. Ernie's job is staying afloat and so far hasn't seen the need for cutbacks. I only pray that continues on for as long as possible.

Mom was in the hospital two weeks ago for pneumonia. Anything that gets in your way of breathing is definitely scary stuff. At one point she was coughing so badly in the ER that she barely had enough breath in her to tell the nurse she couldn't breathe. But she was okay. The machine monitoring her stats showed she was doing "fine" according to the nurse. She just choked as she was trying to cough up the bad stuff. It's so hard when your parents get old. I think back to when I was a kid and how mom and me would have a water fight right there in the kitchen or how we'd go for power walks in the neighborhood. Now at 75 she has slowed down so much and not as quick on her feet or as energetic. But she is a fighter who has such a strong will. She still amazes me!!