Jensyn's Joy School Graduation

Jensyn graduated from Joy School (Preschool). I am happy for her and kind of sad at the same time. Soon she will be off to kindergarten. I just can't believe how fast the last five years have gone by.

Jensyn was in Joy School, which is a wonderful program that is designed for the mothers of the children in the school to be the teachers. I loved that I was able to be Jensyn's teacher once a month. The mothers would rotate weeks of teaching. It was awesome to see how she interacted with the other kids. I really enjoyed this opportunity and I hope that when Hurley starts preschool (in a year) that I will be able to do this again with other moms in my neighborhood.

The graduation ceremonies lasted 20 minutes (the perfect amount of time for any graduation). The kids of the Joy School sang goes and did cheers. They sang, "Oh Boy! I have joy!" It was soooo cute!!!

Joseph, Lilianne, Jensyn, Lily, and Braydon



This is the presentation of our family flag that Jensyn and I made. I am pointing to our family flag and she has a duplicate that she made that is right above it.

Darwin said thanks to the mothers on behalf of the fathers and then had the kids come and get a ribbon for their moms that said, "Super Teacher".

Group picture. This is of the moms/teachers and the kids in Joy School. It really was such a fun experience. It was a lot of work but it paid off. I highly recommend doing Joy School.

Jen, Delena, Jensyn, Joseph, Janna, Lilianne, Braydon, Amy, Lily, and Sabrina.

Jensyn loved that she got a graduation present. It was an art set and she has already put it use. She was telling Hurley this morning, "If you go to Joy School you will get a present too." The kids opening the gifts.

A picture of all of the graduates. With their report cards and certificates. Jensyn, Joseph, Braydon, Lilianne, and Lily.


This picture should have been before the last one. This is the graduates recieving their certificates from Sabrina.
This is a happy group of kids. They all got along very well together. We are lucky to have such wonderful families that live so close by.

Spring Break

For Darwin's Spring Break we went to Southern Nevada and stayed with Darwin's aunt, uncle, and cousins. It was fun. Darwin didn't have to take any work off, he just took his work with him. Darwin and I went to Mandalay Bay and saw the Lion King. I loved it. Darwin was somewhat impressed. (Maybe I should have gone by myself.) I would love to see it again.

Jensyn and Hurley and I went to a chocolate factory that smelled so yummy. Jensyn wanted to buy something at the store but I just couldn't pay $2 for a small piece of chocolate. Instead we went to the M&M Store and spent money on cups (I probably should have just got the chocolate....)

After the chocolate factory we walked through a cactus garden. I was very impressed. It was so pretty. The weather was perfect and the kids were happy to be outside.

Jensyn and Hurley on the "tour". Nothing was happening at the factory so we just looked at the machines-lame. Hurley at the park.

Jensyn at the park.

We went and saw the new bridge at the Hoover Dam. It is incredible. I didn't know that Darwin was afraid of heights. He had butterflies the entire time we were on the bridge. Hurley slept the entire time, so he missed the fun.

Jensyn on the border of Nevada and Arizona. She loved the bridge. She liked that she could run outside.

We went to the Adventuredome at Circus Circus. Jensyn and Hurley LOVED it. Darwin and I were happy to take them. I think we are on a bus ride in this picture but I am not sure.

Hurley loved the Helicopter/Airplane ride. He was a wonderful pilot.

Jensyn did too.

This ride was very cute. The kids would ride up and then drop. Jensyn and Hurley LOVED it. I dare say it was their favorite. Jensyn would help Hurley get on the ride and then they would put their arms above their head while the bar lowered and then smile during the whole ride. When it was over they would hop off and run to get back in line for it.

Darwin refers to this ride as "The Whiplash Train." The kids kind of liked it.

We had a fun vacation. It was good to get away. We love staying with Darwin's aunt and uncle.

Jensyn's First Piano Recital

On December 11, 2010 Jensyn had her first piano recital. She played Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Twinkle B (Left Hand). She did a wonderful job. She practiced everyday like she was supposed to. The two weeks before the recital she needed to practice five times a day, and she did! She has a wonderful piano teacher. Jensyn loves going to her house. She has one private lesson a week and one group lesson a week.

At the beginning of the video she says,"I am Jensyn Parker. I am four-years-old. I am going to play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Twinkle B."

Jensyn did such a great job. I think it is funny that she started playing before Melanie (her teacher) was finished getting Jensyn ready.

I think sitting still and quiet for 45 minutes was too much for Hurley. He did his best though and he took lots of pictures of himself.

Here Jensyn is playing her songs.

Jensyn waiting for her turn. She played with her headband the entire time.

Jensyn and Melanie. Jensyn loves Melanie! She is a wonderful teacher.

Random Things

Lots of random thoughts
#1 Today we are watching Jack and Lily. It is wonderful for Jensyn and Lily because they play the entire time. They love to be with each other. They take turns going to each other's houses. As for Hurley and Jack they only thing that they do is fight. It is frustrating! It is best to keep them in seperate rooms.
Jensyn and Lily are playing "Princesses".

Jensyn is Aurora and Lily is Cinderella.

#2 Last night Hurley wanted to sleep in our bed. Sometimes I don't mind if he gets in bed with me but I don't want it to become a habit. I could hear Hurley by the bedroom door last night saying, "mom your bed." I would tell him to get back in bed. Darwin and I could hear him playing with toys and crying. Eventually there was no more noise. Darwin opened the door and this is what he saw.

When I showed Hurley this pitcture he said, "Shopping cart, oh sleeping, aw Hurley sleeping on floor." When I asked him why he was sleeping on the floor he told me, "Cuz." I like how he using his bear as a pillow.

#3 We went to the Treehouse to have cookies and milk with Santa. We all love it. There is not time for one on one time with all of the kids and Santa so we went into a theater and sang songs and Santa came and talked to all of us. There was a box to put letters to Santa in. Jensyn wrote her letter to Santa at the first of November and I had already taken care of it. Santa asked if any of the kids had already mailed their letter to him. Jensyn raised her hand and Santa pointed at her and said, "Oh I remember your letter." Jensyn smiled and was so excited that Santa remembered her letter.

After singing with Santa the kids played in the rodeo area. They make the cutest cowboy and cowgirl.

#4 Darwin wanted to have an early Thanksgiving at our house with his parents and little sister. So the Sunday before Thanksgiving Darwin got the house and dinner ready. Everything turned out yummy. I was very impressed. Darwin is a wonderful cook. He is ambitious too. I have never wanted to cook Thanksgiving dinner.





This is the only picture I have of Jensyn from that day. I cannot remember why I took this one.


We love hot chocolate. When it is cold we have almost every single day. We like to whip our own cream too. Hurley loves licking the beaters.


Adele and Ellen watching TV.

Alan watching TV (I don't think any of them wanted me to take their pictures).

Darwin and I (Jensyn is the photographer).

So that is some of what has been going on around here. I wonder if I will get better at blogging things-I doubt it.

Jensyn's Left Ear

Today I heard a CRASH and then a CRY.

Jensyn was running around the house and she "hit her head on the coffee table." (Her words.)
I am not quite sure how she did it since the coffee table is only two feet tall or so. I can only imagine that she was falling and smashed her head on the table. Here is the damage as of today.




The back doesn't look so bad, but it really is. It is purple all the way through. The bruise is about the length of a quarter.

I hope it heals quickly.

Disney Magic!!

We had the BEST week! Last week we headed to Disneyland. We went with Darwin's family. We stayed in Primm at Buffalo Bills. It was a long car ride, I am so impressed with how great the kids did in the car. Jensyn did not sleep at all on the way down.

Jensyn and Hurley dragging a suitcase.

I packed lots of treats and drinks, coloring books, crayons, markers, stickers, and movies. Grandma Parker gave the kids a backpack filled with fun travel things. Hurley lost priviledges to the markers after he colored his legs, face, and clothes with marker. He is a stinker.

Happy Hurley in his car seat.

Jensyn must have asked "When are we going to be there?" one hundred times.

We woke up early Sunday morning to finish our drive. We stayed at the Grand Californian Hotel. It is so nice. Robyn and James got us the hotel rooms and we are so grateful for their generosity. We shared a room with Ashley and Dwight and their girls. Jensyn's favorite part of the whole trip was playing house each night with Jovie.

Hurley and I waiting for a ride in A Bug's Life.

Jensyn playing at Goofy's house.

In Minnie's House

Minnie's Bed

After I took this picture of Hurley he took his shoes off and dropped them down the side.

Darwin and I in Minnie's kitchen.

Woo hoo! Mickey Mouse

Grandma Parker holding a sleeping Hurley. We were waiting for the fireworks to start and he fell asleep. The fireworks were awesome!

Lightning McQueen (I love Hurley in this picture!)

With Mater

Jensyn, Ellen, Hurley, and Darwin waiting to go on a ride.

Bright and early

This is the view from the balcony in our bedroom. We were right by California Adventure.

Every night Tinkerbell would visit our room and leave presents for the kids.

Hurley in his new sunglasses and hat.

All of us at The Storytellers Breakfast.

The world's cutest boy

With Dale (Hurley was trying to get away from him).

Grandpa, Ellen, Grandma, and Hurley eating a yummy breakfast.

Robyn, Quincie, and Jovie

Happy Kian

Grandma and Hurley with ?

Us with ? (I guess I need to learn some names).

Grandpa Parker-smiling :)

Darwin, Hurley, and Princess Aurora (Jensyn was mad so she wouldn't be in the picture).

Jensyn with Ariel

Getting ready to watch World Of Color (I highly recommend this-it was amazing!!!)

Darwin, Jensyn, Jenni, Alan, Adele, Hurley, and Ellen

With Mickey Mouse (once again Jensyn was upset so she wouldn't get in the picture).

Jensyn and Hurley in Toad's Car

Hurley on the Merry-Go-Round

Hurley and Jensyn waiting to have breakfast with Minnie. (Wondeful-I recommend this too!)

Mommy and Hurley

Daddy and Jensyn

Eyeore and Jensyn

Look how Hurley is pulling away again

Hurley and Jensyn with ?

Ellen loves Alice in Wonderland. The Mad Hatter was so funny.

Alice, the Mad Hatter, and us

Minnie Mouse and Jensyn

Darwin loves Tigger!

Tigger and Grandpa

In Tarzan's Treehouse

Still in the treehouse

Taking a break from all the walking.

Getting ready to go Trick-or-Treating at Disneyland.

Jensyn dressed up as Snow White. While we were in the park the workers would say, "Hi Princess, how come you aren't in the castle." She would look at them and then at me and then tell me, "I'm not the real Snow White." It was cute.

Snow White and Woody

Woody was done being photographed.


The grandkids all ready to go: Kian-Mickey, Delaney-Alice, Jovie-Belle, Jensyn-Snow White, and Quincie-Cinderella


Waiting for the Halloween Parade to start.


A repeat picture.
Dwight and Hurley

Jensyn and Jovie waiting for Dumbo

Quinice got sick so Ashley and Dwight took her to the doctor and then to the ER. She had pneumonia. While they were gone we took Jovie with us for the day. (Quincie is doing much better.)
Here is Jovie waiting for The Muppet 3D movie to start.

Jensyn and Jovie in Downtown Disney.

Jovie and Jenni with Pinocchio and Geppeto


TIGGER

We rode "It's a Small World" and Jensyn and Jovie pretended to fall asleep.

Nothing like being coated in sticky cotton candy.

Jovie eating her cotton candy.

Jensyn, Jovie, and Hurley in a teacup that had two inches of rainwater at the bottom.

The grandkids posing outside of Toad's Wild Ride.

Delaney, Quincie, Kian, Jensyn, Jovie, and Hurley

When the Parkers went to Disneyland 13 years ago they took a picture just like this.

Robyn, James, Dwight, Darwin, and Ellen

Same picture-just add Jenni and Ashley

Woody made out of Legos

Hurley, Darwin, and Jensyn on the teacups

Ashley, Jovie, Dwight, and Quincie on the teacups

Hurley fell asleep again

Jensyn with Belle

Jensyn with Ariel

Jensyn with Tiana

Eating YUMMY barbeque.

Darwin and Hurley in line for the Buzz Lightyear ride.

After we left Disneyland we went to my cousin Staci's house. We spent the night (the parents stayed up late talking), the kids played, and we went to Rocky Beach.

Staci with Rio and Zee

Staci's kids are funny. Jensyn and Hurley had so much fun with them.
Jensyn, Zee, Rio, and Taft.



Jensyn and Rio

Hurley fell in the water right after we got there (that is the reason he doesn't have clothes on).
Us at the beach

After we left Staci's we headed to Marc and Julie's house. We arrived 3.5 hours late due to stop and go traffic in LA.

We stayed there for two days. Jensyn and Hurley loved playing with Haley and David. Darwin and I went on a date and Marc and Julie watched the kids for us. The day we left we ate at Claim Jumper which was very yummy.

Jensyn and Haley outside of the ice cream store.

We had so much fun. I hope our kids will have good memories from this "vcation". The weather was rainy and cool and I was surprised how happy the kids were. We had a lot of fun spending so much time with our family and cousins.

I appreciate everyone who made this trip magical.

P.S. We are already saving money for our next trip to Disneyland!!!