Mastering the Monkey Bars

I've been practicing every day at school.  

Taking Care of the Class "Pets"

Tommy was busy jumping off everything in sight last week while I was at school...

And when they picked me up I had exciting news: I got to take home the class "pets", Shamu and Seal Pup for the weekend!

I read them their favorite book, and then set up this ball for them (and Tommy) to play with.   

Then I fed them some food (all meat, since they're carnivores)...

And taught them to play Uno.  Shamu is really good luck as a partner!

Zoo Members

We just became members of the Santa Ana Zoo, and this giant anteater is now one of our good buddies.  Tommy likes to walk up and down the fence with him.

We got to give this sweet little armadillo some pats...

Look at those huge claws and that cute little face!

Of course we had to ride the train and the merry-go-round.

Tommy spent most of the time trying to figure out the engineering...

And I kept pretending I could fly.  On the back of a cheetah, of course.

This makes me glad we weren't twins.  

Goooooaaaalllllllllll!

Set up...

Kick....

Goal!

High 5 from Coach Tucker...

And for the first time in my life, I was speechless.

It was so fun!  I scored the only goal for our team... 

And Coach named me MVP.  He said I played great offense and defense.  I really love soccer this year!

Movie Making

Daddy showed us a stop motion animation clip, and decided we should try to do one ourselves with our camera and movie making program.  The first one we made was "Fetch with the Rancor", where the Ewoks throw a club and the Rancor monster fetches it.  Then Mom and I made "Wyldstyle vs. the Shark", set in a Lego swimming pool.  The next one I made all by myself, called "Feeding Jungle Animals".  I see many more in our future.  Maybe I'll add film school to my list of future endeavors...

1st Soccer Game with the Green Gorillas

I had my first soccer game last weekend.  Mom is team parent again this year (sucker!), so here's the banner she had made.  I thought up the name, and all the other girls voted for it.  I was so proud!

Ready for action!

Check out my kick and crazy follow-through!

Tommy was more interested in relaxing in the shade and playing iPad than cheering for me, but I wasn't offended.

I actually asked if I could play too, but Mom reminded me I was playing a game of soccer with my team.  Oh, yeah...

Team meeting...

I had lots of fun playing defense with Devyn.  Defense is my favorite part.

We blocked so many goal kicks!

Halftime and string cheese break!

That's me, number 5, giving the ball a huge kick!

Mom and Dad were so proud, I really got in there and played hard!  I've come a long way since last year.

 There's me with my assist for the last goal...

And we won 5-1!  Go Green Gorillas!

First Day of First Grade

Today was my first day of first grade, and Tommy's first day back at preschool after the summer. 

We're both excited to go back and see all our friends!

Super excited!

I chose to wear my new cheetah print skirt and socks (cheetahs are my favorite animal) and my new sparkly pink shoes.  I also told Mom and Dad this morning that before I become a paleontologist and an astronaut I want to work at the fair.  I don't think they teach anything about becoming a carny though.  

Tommy had a fun day at preschool and was super excited to see his friend Kailee and compare light-up shoes with her.  They were hugging and giggling when Mom left, no tearful goodbyes.

Kayla and I are so ready to be big first graders!

So glad I have my buddies Kayla and Natalie in my class!




No tearful goodbyes from me either.  Not sure I can say the same for Mom...

Contemplating Costumes

These costumes were a fun impulse buy at Costco.  I still definitely want to be an astronaut (and a paleontologist and animal trainer) when I grow up, but I may change my mind about what I want my Halloween costume to be in the next few months.  

Tommy Hulk's head is very soft and fuzzy, and his huge Hulk hands are pretty cool...

And we have lots of fun in these costumes.  We'll see how we feel next month.