We were ready to leave the winter illnesses behind us since they were heavy hitting this year (especially for mom!) so we greeted Spring with a big smile. The rain continued in the spring but it turned Poway into a superbloom. Poppies everywhere, wild purple flowers growing on the hills and everything has been so green. We will take it while we can get before everything turns a monochromatic shade of brown. We had some fun vacations this spring, celebrated Foster's birthday and wrapped up the school year which was bittersweet for all of us.
Grand Cayman Islands
For Rob's 60th Birthday, he and LeeAnn decided to celebrate by taking all their children and their spouses to Grand Cayman. Talk about a trip of a lifetime! It was such a treat for Scott and I to be away with family, having fun and soaking up some much needed sun. Some of the highlights of the trip were swimming with stingrays at Stingray City, snorkeling, hanging out around the pool every afternoon and spending time with family that we don't get to see very often. We'll never forget the wonderful week we had.
Stingray City
 |
| Mike decided to put a piece of fish in the straps of my bathing suit so that stingrays would attack my back. Not cool Mike. |
 |
| This picture is everything. |
After Stingray City, we took a boat to Coral Reef for some snorkeling. We saw sea turtles and more stingrays plus gardens of coral. I love going adventuring with Scott.
Casa Del Olson
Everyday we would get back to the house in the late afternoon and we would grab drinks and sit around the most beautiful pool. It overlooked the ocean and was a great place to chat and relax. Some of my favorite times during the vacation took place in this pool.
 |
| The hose where we stayed was out of a movie. We each had our own private suite, ours opened up to the pool area. The grounds were beautiful and the pool was like heaven. Coming home to this house everyday after spending the day in the sea was unreal. |
 |
| Peter taught yoga classes in the morning on the grass near the ocean. It was a great workout and with the pool so close by, we couldn't help ourselves but to jump in when the workout was done. |
Beach Time!!!!
We spent most of our days on the beach. Seven Mile Beach was our favorite. It had snorkeling just off the shore and an ice cream truck. And not just any ice cream truck, he served scoops of delicious ice cream so of course we had to have one everytime we went to the beach.
 |
| Beach Bump |
Other Fun Adventures
 |
| We visited Queen Elizabeth's Botanical Garden and saw the blue iguanas. |
 | |
We also visited Hell while we were there. That's the actually name of the city. And by visited, I mean we hopped out of the car to take this picture and then left. Hell is not all it's cracked up to be.Easter
The boys found lots of eggs at the Ewell's Easter Egg Hunt
   
Easter Morning Family Picture
 |
Foster Turns 6!
For Foster's birthday he requested a trip to Disneyland with mom. Of course I had to oblige but we decided instead to take the dad and James too. We spent two days at Disneyland and even stayed overnight. It was a great trip and probably one of our last as a family of four. The highlight for mom was the treats of course. Chocolate covered coconut patties, chocolate dipped caramel bars and lemon soft serve ice cream.
The highlight for James was riding Guardians of the Galaxy with his dad for the first time. He thought the ride was so awesome that the 90 minute wait didn't even bother him. Scott is like a big kid at Disneyland and loves the rides with the boys, looking in the shops and eating the treats. And it's safe to say that Foster enjoyed it all. From being woken up to presents on his birthday to riding all his favorite rides, to a special birthday breakfast and lunch equipped with a birthday cupcake and lemonade with glowing ice cubes.
The highlight for James was riding Guardians of the Galaxy with his dad for the first time. He thought the ride was so awesome that the 90 minute wait didn't even bother him. Scott is like a big kid at Disneyland and loves the rides with the boys, looking in the shops and eating the treats. And it's safe to say that Foster enjoyed it all. From being woken up to presents on his birthday to riding all his favorite rides, to a special birthday breakfast and lunch equipped with a birthday cupcake and lemonade with glowing ice cubes.
Mom couldn't ride Space Mountain because she is pregnant so James had to ride by himself. Despite the look of concern on his face, he had a great time.
Our last Disneyland trip as a family of four.
Disneyland has always been such a fun time for our family and this trip was no exception!
Stats on Foster:
Favorite Friends: Hagan Thomas, Christopher Mattix, Colin Kirschbaum
Favorite Sport: Soccer
Favorite Food: Cauliflower and bacon
Favorite Treat: Lollipop or popcorn
Favorite Toy: Ipad, Trampoline, Grocery Gangs
Favorite Movie: Brain Child, Halloween Wars, Nailed It, British Baking Show
Favorite Place to Go: Disneyland and Boomers
Favorite Thing to do: Have playdates with friends
Favorite Restaurant: McDonalds, Luna Grill, Corvette Diner and In N Out
Favorite Book: Fly Guy series and Junie B. Jones
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Song: I Love You More than Bacon (from his singing Valentine Card)
Foster is growing up so fast and seems to own whatever room he walks into. He has made so many friends this year and is loving school. He aims to please and always tries his best and we are really proud of all of the progress he made this year. He is reading chapter books and has a real love for reading. He has started adding and subtracting up to 20 and is always eager to help out in his classroom. He also started piano this year and has been committed to practicing everyday. This kid knows his mind and is a real problem solver. He loves being the class clown of his class and is often doing what he can to get a laugh.
He says the absolute funniest things all the time. Some Foster quotes
F: "Hey mom, how come Jesus made nostrils the perfect size for our fingers?"
M: "Should we name the baby Jude?"
F: "You mean so every time Grandma says 'Judas Priest' she'll be talking about the baby?"
What stands out about Foster most of all is his huge heart. He loves everyone and nothing makes him happier than being with his family and snuggling. He always is asking for hugs and kisses and can't get enough attention from mom. He is our Love Bug!
School's Out for Summer
This year was our best yet. Not only were the boys so happy at school, making new friends and really coming into their own; mom was also very happy with her newfound free time. In between school pick up and drop off, I was able start hiking twice a week. Hiking has become my happy place and I cherished all my hikes. They were good for the body and the soul!
It will be awhile until I'm kid free and hiking again. Can't wait to get back at it!
The boys had mixed feelings about ending the school year but of course happiness won out and they were thrilled to leave school behind for freedom.
James Finished Second Grade
James really came into his own this year. Other than the first day of school, I never once walked him into class. He always took off running in the morning, anxious to play soccer before school even started. He made some really good friends this year and has his own little crew he hangs out with everyday. You can find them on the field playing soccer every chance they get.
 |
| James with his buddies Hudson and Christian |
 |
| Letter to James from his friend Donovan |
 |
| James' class at the Roynon Museum |
James ran 90 miles in running club this year!
He enjoyed having Mrs. Washburn for his teacher with her relaxed style and love for Star Wars. She was a great teacher for James and brought out the best in him. I'm so happy for the growth he achieved this year.
Some of James' Work From This Year
 |
| "My Dream is for animals to not be harmed. I want them to have freedom. I want poachers to stop hurting animals. I would like animals to run wild and have freedom." A boy after his mother's heart! |
James completed a 10 page research report titled "The Olson Family History". It included his family tree and information about where his ancestors came from. He did loads of research on Denmark and even created his own Coat of Arms for his family. Then he had to present the information to the class through PowerPoint. He said his presentations was "a lot less scary than I'd thought it'd be."
 |
| He also learned all about the statue of liberty, Ellis Island and why people immigrated to the United States. |
Foster Finishes Kindergarten
Foster loved going to school and being with his friends and his teacher. He did not lack for friends and has really shined this year. He is at his best when being social and has his mom, I love to watch him do his thing. He is not afraid to be on stage and his confidence is astounding at times.
 |
| The Dream Team and his best buddies. Hagan, Christopher, Foster and Colin. |
He also grew to really love art this year, making pictures, paintings or pottery. And he loved Mrs. Greenan mostly because she is the most wonderful teacher on Earth. She sincerely loves her students and Foster was no exception. I received text messages from her all the time telling me the funny things he would say, like when he made an announcement to the class that we were naming the baby Christopher. Which we are not. She loved his spunk and goofiness and gave him ample opportunities to "preform". They were a match made in heaven.
Some of Foster's Work From This Year
 |
| In Foster's rendition of the manger scene, Mary is in a wheelchair. The drawing on the left was at the beginning of the year, the drawing on the right is the end of the year. So much progress! |
The writing sample of the left is the first month of kindergarten on the left, the last month of kindergarten.
 |
| Foster's class field trip to Birch Aquarium |
 |
| Foster moved to pink books (the highest level of reading) in April. He has come so far this year. |
End of the Year Events
 |
| Mrs. Greenan's Class Performed 12 songs for each month of the year. They did so well and we were all so proud of them. Foster got to introduce the song "Fifty Nifty United States" where the kids sing about each state in the Nation. |
After the performance, we had a kindergarten breakfast in the room with all the families invited. I had the children present Mrs. Greenan with the class gift. A planter that said "Planting Love and Knowledge in Children Since 1989." She cried....mission accomplished.
 |
| The night before the last day of school, Foster went to bed like normal and then asked for a flashlight, pretending to be scared. What he really was doing was using the flashlight to help him see as he wrote this page letter to Mrs. Greenan. I will translate: "I am (sad face) that I'm going to first grade because I want to stay in kindergarten for 190 more days but its 2 more days so I have to be fine with that. So that is what I will do. I want to stay in kindergarten because it's fun to stay with Mrs. Gretna and my friends and I can play on the playground and play soccer. But sometimes the soccer ball hits me in the face but it's still fun to play. The most fun thing to do is help Mrs. Greenan. I always help Mrs. Greenan even when it's play time in the classroom. No more room 26 it's the last day of kindergarten." |
 |
| They ended the day with a class pool party at Ian's house. And Mrs. Greenan was the special visitor! |
 |
| James performed in his Grammarasaurus Play. His roll was the "S" and he did a SUPER job. |
 |
| James and his buddy Jacob. The days of normal pictures are long gone. |
 |
| Exactly |
 |
| On his last day he celebrated by having "Camp Washburn" where the kids brought sleeping bags and had s'mores and camp stories. We also presented Mrs. Washburn with a basket full of running equipment since that is her hobby. She felt the love! |
It was an amazing year but now....bring on SUMMER!!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment