My Kindergartner

Well...after months of thinking and various meetings and screenings my little boy is officially a KINDERGARTNER. He has made such tremendous progress in the last six months that he is ready for kindy land. He knows all his letters and sounds and numbers. His cutting skills and speech are great. He is going to be going to private school at Mt. View. He has already met his teacher and is super excited. I am too. I have gone back and forth about is he ready? He is. So...I did the only thing a good mother would do...I wrote a huge check to the school to begin paying for his education. But honestly...what price can you really put on educating your child?

My New Job

Well...I got a new job for the fall. I am an Early Childhood Educational Specialist for Vancouver Public Schools. I am very excited about this outstanding oppertunity to offically begin my career. I recieved my new hire packet this week and there was a letter stating that 4,000 canidates applied for their 250 jobs that they will hire for this year. I apparently was one of the 250. This of course changes everything for us. But...hey... change is good!

Memorial Day (Honoring My Grandpa Bert)

(The first year I took Luke and Grace 2006)

(Luke, mom and Grace 2008)

Every year, since we have had Grace, I take the kids to my grandfather's grave at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. We buy the same flowers and we visit his grave site. It is a promise that I fulfill as a wish that my dad had. My mom told me that my dad wanted to make sure that some one cared about his dad's grave site each memorial day. So, I pack up the kids and we drive up the hill to the cemetery and weave back to the great hill where he is buried. The kids get out and help. This is the third year we have gone.

Wild Waves

(Luke riding the train at Wild Waves)
(Luke riding the "speed boats" at Wild Waves)

Well...our youth group went up to "Big Splash" on May 31. I drove up the boys (Luke and Baby Z). Grace went to Grandmas. I was suppose to have respite care for baby Z, but that didn't happen. Anyway, Luke had a blast! He loved riding the rides. It ended up raining most of the day so we didn't get in the water because it was so cold. But they had a great time at the amusement park.

(Kids from our youth group)

Some Interviews

I haven't made it public knowledge, but I have some interviews coming up tomorrow and again on Monday for a couple of teaching positions. I know after my last experience I vowed I would stay home, but the honest truth of the matter is that we need some more money each month. The economy has really taken a toll on us in some regards, food, gas, etc. Plus we have our two babes enrolled in private school (which is so important to us). So, I have some interviews. I have applied for over 30 jobs (both public and private schools), so it is nice to finally get some feedback. I won't say to much more. If anything becomes the positions I will of course update.

Why I love Disneyland...

In a few days our family will visit "The Happiest Place on Earth" courtesy of a Jet Blue Vacation Package.  I always feel so giddy about getting to visit no matter how many times I have been there.  The kids are "over the moon" excited to go.  I think the anticipation is one of the best parts.  Talking over dinner and sharing about our favorite rides, treats and places to eat is a fun way to look forward to the "adventure".  They are especially excited to see Aunt Katie and Uncle D's dog Kehei!  This is a MUST do this trip!

I also think it reminds me of growing up, of the protection of my family and how happy our childhood was.  Disneyland also reminds me of my dad.  Sometimes just standing in spot where he once stood, gives me a peace and allows me to feel close. 

So in honor of our upcoming trip...I wanted to *re post* one of my favorite blog posts about Disneyland (with updated pictures).
 

For me Disneyland will never lose it sense of awe and wonder. It will always evoke deep emotion when driving down Harbor Blvd., where the huge Disneyland Sign use to be for the first time of a trip. I will never lose the urge to jump up and down when I am eagerly awaiting my first entrance into the park.

It is forever a "magical world" that is apart of the make-up of who I am. When I go to Disneyland, it is like going home to some extent. I can remember my earliest of trips made to Walt's Kingdom in the great "green van". Us cousins (and parents of course) would get up early and drive from my grandparents home in Lancaster, California. I recall all the sprinkled donuts and tiny boxes of milk with striped straws (except for Ryan who did not like milk. It was juice for him) that would magically appear an hour or so into the trip. The moms would have us start looking for the top of Matterhorn Mountain long before I am certain it should have been there, in an attempt to control the mass kayos in the last two rows of the van. We would spend the day riding the attractions and of course eating. You think my favorite restaurant would be the Blue Bayou, but for me it will always be the "Mexican Place." We would eat our tacos and beans and rice, while watching train after train make the turn back into the station. Then of course we would always ride it after eating our meal.

Based on the year, I can recall the way in which we "attacked" the park. First.... Star Tours was the "it" ride. We would wait for hours to ride the simulator attraction. This was the best because growing up each of us cousins had our assigned "Star Wars Role". I, of course, being the oldest was Princess Leia. My cousin Bobby was always Luke Skywalker and David was Darth Vader, no surprise there. Although he always said he was "Dark Vader". I have to admit, it wasn't until Phantom Menace came out that I realized all those years it was "Darth" and not "Dark". He he. My cousin Sarah being another girl, I had to make up a role for her because there weren't any cool girl characters. So I assigned her the role of "Princess Leia's little sister." In my recollection Ryan's role would change from time to time. He might be Chewbacca one day and Han Solo the next. Ryan loved to build things and was very logical. I think he enjoyed his trucks and trains more than our silly pretend games. Oh the good ole days.(Grace on Pirates...Daddy on one side, Uncle D on the other)

Then... when Splash Mountain debuted, it was all about the log flume ride. That put Star Tours on the back burner because then we were on the other side of the park. I will never, ever, ever, forget RUNNING to Splash Mountain the first trip we made when it was open. I couldn't believe we were running through Disneyland, but what was even more amazing was that we loaded nine people (yes NINE people) into one log.

OK, to tell the story correctly, we have to back up to before we actually entered the ride. My POOR brother. He wasn't so brave back in the day. He did NOT want to go on the ride. Truth be told he was horrified. So... we had just huffed it on over from the entrance of the park to Critter Country, and were almost to the boarding area. Poor  David was deathly afraid. He started clinging onto every rung of the side rails that led the line to the log. My dad was pulling him off one rail and he would immediately lock onto the next. I am sure CPS would not have approved. And it wasn't that he was just clinging on for dear life, he was screaming in high pitched shrill sounding cries! The cast members must of felt sorry for David and offered to watch him while the family rode. NOPE. David was riding and gosh darn it, he was going to like it. I am sure my dad made some statement, and then bribed him to go on the ride. As I recall my brother made $20 dollars when my dad decided it was time for David to experience an upside down roller coaster. (That is another story). Anyway back to the NINE of us in the log. We sat... Sarah, Ryan, Me, Bobby, David, My dad, My mom, Aunt Mary, Uncle Bobby. The log barley floated. I took on most of the water since Sarah ducked under the log and Ryan was so little. It was great. (I just want to take a moment to mention Disney doesn't allow running through the park anymore, and the logs have been updated so that 9 people, not matter how small, are never allowed). Again, the good ole days.

When I think of Disneyland I also think of my dad. It was the last place he took me on vacation. In the early years of our marriage, Mark worked so much and for weeks at a time. So in spring 2000, a year before they opened California Adventure, the four of us (dad, mom, David and myself) went on a cruise and stopped at Disney for a couple of days. We climbed up the ladders to look at the construction of the new California Adventure. My dad was very excited to visit the new park, but he never made it. I did show him pictures of our trip in 2001. I have a picture of my dad and I sitting by each other at the Mexican restaurant. And a sweet picture of my mom and dad on the Tea Cups with Matterhorn Mountain in the background. My dad and I would love to ride Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain. WE loved those rides. He loved the Haunted Mansion because at one point the "doom buggy" you are riding will turns backward and drops you. He always said it popped his back. Then for weeks after going to Disneyland he would talk in his version of "Pirate Talk". He would do it out of the blue and it would be so off the wall! We would all laugh not because it made and sense, but because he was hilarious. I WISH my dad could see Disneyland today. I WISH we could of had one last trip. I WISH he could have pushed our stroller (I know how much he hated being ran over by them).  I mostly WISH for his company while being there.  I WISH him to know his grand kids.  To see the joy on their faces as they "find a love" for the Happiest Place on Earth.  So many WISHES...

Disneyland is woven into my makeup.  My parents believed in Disney (as did my whole family). It means so much more than just an overpriced theme park. I have been to Disneyland with of course my family, my youth group, youth pastors, concert choir, my husband and now my children. It is my childhood, my memories and my dreams. My dream is that my children would realize the MAGIC that Disneyland unlocks every time you set foot inside. So maybe I am a little crazy to not be able to tell you how many times I have been ( I know at least 30 times). For me....EVERY visit holds the magic of my very first trip.

(Family...that is what it is ALL about!)

Our New Baby Z

So...Yes...I know....it has been a long time, but in my defense our lives have been changed since welcoming our new friend "Baby Z" into our home. He arrived Friday, April 18, and he is the most handsome little person with a sweet spirit. He is the most challenging baby that I have ever had. I can't share too much but his story is sad. Baby Z is 20 months old but doesn't look a day older than 12 months. He came to us with no words. We hadn't planned to take any more kids, but the Lord had other plans. I know that in my heart I have prayed for Baby Z to come for such a long time. I am excited to see what it is that the Lord has instore for us and baby Z.

We just began our therapies this week. Z has OT, PT and Speech. Anyway we have had him almost a month now and things are finally beginning to settle down. So you can pray for us that we can make a difference and meet this little persons needs.

One...Two...Three...Hit It!!!

Well...as you can tell Luke finally saved enough money to buy is "kitar". It is the cutest little thing I have ever seen. He can strum it and everything. Gracie thinks it is so fun to dance around to all the songs. I call her the "groupie." She thinks his "kitar" is "so fun". Thank you to everyone who sent him birthday money.
We have had a busy week. I joined the new Firstenburg Community Center Gym this week so I have been taking the kids swimming. Gracie and I have been going to "Baby and Me" swimming class, and I am sure I have gone down the water slide about 100 times with Luke. It is nice to have something fun to do whether it is nice outside or not.
Today we went to the zoo to celebrate a friends birthday. It was a beautiful day. My kiddos were so exhausted by the time we finally got home. Come to think of it, I am exhausted too.
I am working on my paperwork to re-enroll to finish my master's degree. I am about three classes and one massive project away. I am wanting to finish up. Well, that is about all for now. I am sure there will be more to tell you soon.

The Wild West Birthday Bash!!!

Well....I am still cleaning up the straw from the party, but it was so much fun!!! The kids had a blast and everyone enjoyed themselves. We had about 25 people (including kids and babies). It was a full house. We were very fortunate that it didn't rain at all (or snow) during the party. The kids even got to play the games outside.

I spent about three days decorating and moving furniture when I accepted the fact that the weather was going to be awful. A gal from our youth group let us borrow her real saddle and Mark bought a couple bails of straw. We set up the saddle over the straw and took Wild West pictures. They were too cute. We had a BBQ despite the rain. Mark BBQ'd Costco hot dogs and polish dogs. We had a to-go order from Hooters for their absolutely wonderful hot wings. There were many laughs to go along with that :) My mom (Mimi) made my favorite beans and also mac salad (the kids call it noodle salad). We also had chips and dip, fruit salad and corn on the cob. The kids had these adorable boot shaped mugs filled with either Root Beer or Cherry 7-UP with real red cherries. (It reminded me of the time the cousins went to Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor for one of David's famous birthdays and had the cherries and the animals in the soda pop.)

Anyway, Gracie was quite attached to her boot mug and carried it around. Luke was so hyped up I don't know if he even ate anything. He was just beside himself that all his friends were at his party (to which I kept reminding him it was for him and Grace). Then we played games. That was the one thing that Luke really wanted to do. So games we played!!! We panned for gold outside. I had sand and aquarium rocks painted gold. I used pie pans and slit holes in them. I was surprised how much work it took like really panning for gold. Well, not that Knott's Berry Farm is really what panning for gold is like, but it took a long time their too. We played "There's a snake in my boot" where we threw plastic snakes in the boots. We had a Tattoo Parlor with cute western pictures. We had a Guess the Number Win the Candy Stand. There were a couple of jars filled with dum-dums and bubble gum balls. The kids enjoyed the Cowboy boot pinata, and my favorite was the "Pin the badge on outlaw Luke." I blew up the kids picture from the invitation at Kinkos and posted it on the wall. The kids took turns being blindfolded and pinning the badge on Luke. Luke ran around saying, "It's time to pin the badge on me."

The kids loved opening their presents. They got some great presents. It was just the right amount. Most of their presents from us (mommy and daddy) were re-gifted from Christmas and they didn't even know. Mark and I started a Dahl family compact where we are not buying anything new through the end of the year. I will share more about this later. We are almost a month into it now.

Finally they blew out the candles on their cake. I spent about 4-5 hours making it from start to finish. It was a two layer cake (one vanilla one chocolate). I decorated it with the wild west scene. I thought it was pretty cute. All in all it was a great party. I had so much fun planning their party. Yes, it was hours and hours of planning and work. Yes, I was up to 1:30am the morning of the party. Yes, I loved every minute of it. My kids are so special to me and I am so thankful for them and what they mean to me. They are special gifts to me to treasure and every birthday is so important to me. They are only little once. I like the idea of having them together. We will continue to do this until they insist on separate parties. Believe it or not, I am already thinking of next years party. . . Mmmmmm Maybe a Circus theme.

Easter, Easter and More Easter

The kids had a great Easter. Infact, they got so much stuff from Mimi and in the mail, I never even gave them their little easter baskets from us. Mark told me just save them for next year. So, I packed them away.

We had an egg hunt on Saturday outside, and then again on Sunday inside at Mimi's house. They loved finding the eggs. Luke was quick and wild about getting as many as he could. Gracie would find one and talk to it and shake it like it was a prized possession.

Sunday morning we had a church breakfast that was a fundraiser for the youth group. I won't totally get into the whole story, but there is a story there that involves me making close to 100 cinnamon rolls without a lot of notice. The kids were really cute. It was a nice service and just an overall nice day. Mimi and Papa made a nice relaxing Easter Dinner.

Luke's 5th Birthday!!!

Luke turned 5 last Saturday! I can hardly believe that he is now out of toddlerhood and is now a little boy. He is such a wonderful son and it amazes me how absolutely perfect he is. Luke is a delight to my heart.

For his birthday, I took him and he purchased the Disney Movie "Robinhood". Although, Luke calls it "Red Robin Hood." We took him out to lunch at his favorite resturant called, "Cheesey Noodles" aka "Spagehtti Factory." They sang to him at the table which he thought was the greatest thing ever! I also sent a special birthday snack to school the Thursday before. He has been getting cards in the mail with money. He told me he is saving for his "kitar" aka "guitar". He is very excited about his birthday party on Saturday. I have to keep reminding him that it is for him and Grace. It hasn't quite excepted that fact yet :)