Connor's 1st day of 1st grade!

Sent from my iPadOur baby is in 1st grade. He has Mr. Knepp as his teacher and he is very excited that he is also a Giants fan! Connor came home from school saying, "It's awesome... it's just like kindergarten but longer and better!'

Fun at Six Flags

Sent from my iPadWe spent the day at Six Flags with our dears friends, the Barreiro's. The kids enjoyed seeing all the animals, riding rides, and riding an elephant! Connor even got to feed at tiger! And no trip to Six Flags is complete without stopping to see Auntie Mal! It's always the highlight of our day!

Connor's 7th Birthday Party

Sent from my iPadWe had a fabulous party, celebrating our 7 year old! We had about 70 friends and family come for a swim party at our community recreation center. Connor had a blast swimming and hanging out with all of his friends!

Connor's Birthday Interview

An Interview with Connor Michael, 7 years old:

• How old are you?  7 years old

• How do you like being 7?  It’s nice. It feels very different, like I’m bigger and different now that I’m seven.

• What are some things you like to do?  I like to play sports with my dad. I like to go upstairs everyday and hit baseballs, I like to read books with my mom. I like to snuggle my mom and dad every morning.

• What sports do you like?  I like baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, tennis (giggles). Did you actually put tennis, because I do like tennis. Volleyball too. I really do (giggling).

• What things do you like to do around the house?   I like to play with balls, play hide and seek with my sister, and I like to sneak out at bedtime and get candy (raises eye brows repeatedly while smiling). I’ve actually never done that.

• What are some of your favorite foods?  Pasta Roni, Oatmeal (giggles), no I don’t like oatmeal. Um, I like pizza. I like candy. I love gum. I like green apples. I like pretzels.

• What do you like to wear?  I like to wear giants clothes and I like to wear swimsuits.

• What’s your favorite color?  Orange and black.

• Where are some of your favorite places to go?   John’s Incredible Pizza, Giants games, River Cats games, Mallory’s house, Poppy and Mimi’s house, Pops and Grandma’s house, home, Mandy and Chad’s house, Trey’s house, the rec center, Six Flags, Disneyland, Oregon, all of my friends’ houses, and that’s it.

• What things make you happy?  To play with dad’s phone, to have dad’s red pillow at night, playing baseball.

• What makes you sad?  When my sister licks me, driving for a long time, when my mom and dad are mean to me, and when Maddie hits me.

• What do you do when you are sad? I throw a fit (laughs hysterically).

• What do you do when you are mad?  I throw my hat down.

• Who are your best friends?  Daddy, Maddie, Trey, Mal, Mandy, CJ, Chad, Poppy and Mimi, Grandma and Pops… I’m going to put you as the last one. Bailey, I already put Maddie, right? Luke, Colton, Andre, Ms. Wiest, Tanner, Christian, and John. And Mom.

• What are your favorite movies or TV shows?  Giant’s games, Frozen (laughs)…. No. That’s it.

• What are your favorite books?  Junie B Jones, Captain Underpants, and Magic Treehouse.

• What are your favorite songs?  I wanna walk on water, and My, My, you give me love,

• What do you like to do before bedtime?  Have dessert.

• What do you like to do on the weekends?  Going fun places.

• How do you like being a big brother?   Fine

• What grade are you in at school? 1^st.
• What’s your favorite subject? What’s a subject? (I explain). Oh, Recess. I have to put recess Mom.
• What’s your least favorite thing to do at school? Reading. 

Summer Fun Continues...

Connor had a great week attending Haggin Oaks Golf Camp through the First Tee organization. Thanks to Poppy and Mimi who gifted the camp to Connor as a way to invest in his development of a sport he loves! He attended with his friend Tanner and they had a great time! Connor told me that his nickname was "Baseball Connor" due to his baseball swing. Something for Michael to work on with him. :-)

While Connor was at golf camp, Maddie and I got to join friends at Fairytale Town and Funderland. We had a great morning hanging out with friends and Maddie was extra brave on the rides, even riding the roller coaster for the first time! 

Connor enjoyed rock climbing at the rec center. I love how he wants to try everything and he gives everything his all. Such a cool kid!

 Relaxing by the pool… Ahhh, summertime!

Auntie Mal came to visit right when she got home from Africa. We went for some pampering and girl time!

Hanging out at the River Cats game on a Sunday afternoon.

Connor also attended a week long baseball camp through Sac City Community College. He had a blast!! He was exhausted each day, but asked me to sign him up for another week. The kid loves baseball. He got to hit in the batting cages, scrimmage every day, and develop his fielding skills. Mike couldn't stay away and would often stay and watch him play. Proud Dad!

Again- while Connor was at camp, Mommy and Maddie played! She chose to go to the zoo and it was so fun to let her be the leader and watch how excited she was about the animals. She asked to feed the giraffes and was brave enough to do so. Another great Mommy/Maddie day!

Connor had his first basketball game through the YMCA summer league. He did awesome, making 4 baskets and helping with 2 assists. Thanks Auntie Mal for coming to see his game!

Right after Connor's first basketball game, we got a call from a friend who invited Connor to play with their travel ball team for a double header. It was Connor's first time playing against live pitches and in a competitive game with score keeping. He did great and had such a fun time. He wasn't intimidated by playing with older kids, but had fun and tried his best. I just love watching him play baseball. :-)

Fourth of July Festivities

Michael and I arrived home from Cabo late on the 3rd, and Dave and Jill were so kind to bring the kids back up to Sacramento and do all the planning and prep work for our 4th of July celebration. We started the day with the Clarksburg parade, followed by wine tasting and a picnic at The Sugar Mill. In the evening the Dirksen's joined us for a barbecue and fireworks. Another fun filled fourth!

Madeline is Three AND A HALF!

The much awaited and anticipated day finally came! Maddie is finally 3 1/2! Since Connor was at golf camp, Maddie got to choose everything that day, including a trip to Target (with a cake pop from Sbux), Chinese food for lunch from Nugget, homemade mint oreo ice cream, and an afternoon at the pool. It was a very fun day with quality time with my sweet 3 1/2 year old!

Cabo!