Belt Promotion

 Trent has been taking Taekwondo since March.  He REALLY is into it! He has had 3 belt promotions since he started.  He went from white, to orange, to orange tiger stripe, to yellow.  I don't know how many belts there are before you get a black belt, but Trent want his black belt for sure!  He works very hard and takes it very seriously. 

This belt promotion was very special in that he was promoted to his yellow belt the same day as the black belt promotion.  

Eddie came to watch him and he was very proud that Grandpa came to support.

 Oma and Opa also came to watch! This is an amazing perk of them moving back to California!

 Todd and I are very proud of our yellow belt guy!

Taelyn's friend Ava came to support

They had a really cool  ceremony that Trent seemed to really be into. 

Master Simpson and Trent

Second Grade and Kindergarten

Taelyn and Trent started school and are super excited for their new adventure!  Taelyn is now in the second grade and Trent, my little baby boy, my last child started kindergarten. *TEARS*

Taelyn's 1st day of 2nd Grade

I am 7 years old.

I am 46 inches tall.

I weigh 47 pounds. 

My best friend is Ava

I want to be a Professional Dancer when I grow up. 

Trent's 1st day of Kinder

I am 5 years old. 

I am 44 inches tall. 

I weigh 44.6 pounds.

My best friend is Matthew. 

I want to be a Firefighter when I grow up.

 

New year, new adventures are to be had! I pray that they foster new friendships learn above and beyond their ability, learn that they can do anything they put their mind to.  Watching them grow up is seriously the hardest thing.  I'm struggling with this new season in life, but I am going with the flow and helping them along the way and I'm trying to document and savor every second! 

Thurman Flats

The kids started school this week.  The last day of summer, My friend and I took our kids to Thurman Flats.  It is a fun little hike that leads to a beautiful rocky creek.  The best part is, this beautiful place is only 10 minutes from my house. 

5 kids 2 moms

The kids found walking sticks

Such a beautiful backdrop

We brought a picnic lunch

These kids had the best time exploring

The water was cool and refreshing

Kids being kids!

 

 

We got there at 11am and didn't leave until about 2:30.  We could have been there much longer, but we both had something else to do for the rest of the day.  The kids had a blast exploring and playing with sticks and rocks and mud.  It was seriously so perfect.  The weather was beautiful, the kids were completely occupied the entire time and my friend and I enjoyed great mom conversation.  This was the BEST way to end our Summer!

Yucaipa Regional Park/Redlands Bowl

The very first time I went to Yucaipa Regional Park, I was so unprepared.  Jess invited me and I went on a whim.  I have gone every single summer since then and my have I come a LONG way!

I have everything I need!

When we would come before, we would get there at when they opened at 10am and stay until about noon, that was about all the kids could handle.  This time, we stayed until nearly 4pm!

They had an absolute blast!  They played in the sand and swam and played in the sand some more. 

These are the mama's that made all of those crazy kids. 

We probably would have stayed at the Regional Park longer, but we needed to get home and showered and ready to head to the Redlands Bowl for their Summer Show of Tarzan.  We met up with our dance family. 

We had an ultimate surprise ready for the girls.  This is their birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and next year's Birthday Presents for the next 5 years.  We payed a small fortune to get the girls a VIP suite to the Katy Perry Witness Concert in November.  (Taelyn has already seen Katy Perry for FREE as an employee appreciation gift from Todd's work)

 

When they opened the bags, they all seemed confused and a little underwhelmed.  I'm sure they will be excited when the time comes, but I didn't get the response I was expecting.  These are some super lucky little girls and they have no clue how lucky they are.