End of School Year Programs and Activities/Anniversary Trip To Sonoma

 A couple of weeks after we got back from Florida my co-worker and good friend, Katie, and I hosted a bake sale to raise funds for The Multiple Sclerosis Foundations.  One of our mutual friends has MS and each year we try to support her and the Foundation.  We were able to raise $365.00!!!  Amazing.  I spent most of the week baking with much help from the kids. We had a good time and although it rained off and on throughout the sale we were able to sell most all of our items. 

  Kennon and I got to participate in Maddox's Walk A Thon at her grade school in mid May. They walk for fitness and to raise money for the school. This particular year the funds were going for a shade structure for her playground. They always welcome moms, dads, and siblings to the event. Kennon had a good time walking and running the track with all of Maddox's Kindergarten classmates. 

Proud kiddos! 

 Maddox giving me a hand with one of the bake sale items- white texas sheet cake. YUMMY! This was our favorite item we sold and have made this recipe several times since. She enjoyed spreading this frosting that was primarily butter!! 

  One of my good  neighborhood friends, also named Katie, ( I have 4 good friends named Katie!) hosted a Cinco de Mayo party the weekend of May 5th!! She really did it up right…the kids got to make maracas out of paper plates and take a swing at a piñata and she has all kinds of yummy hispanic food.  The kids had a grand time. With each neighborhood event I am so thankful Eric and I settled on Judge Road 8 years ago. Never did I think that our neighborhood would be such an important part of our lives.  I have made some of my best friends here and the kids are influenced and have so many opportunities with our great neighbors! This week starts Backyard Bible Club which Maddox will attend and Friday we are hosting the first Flamingo Friday neighborhood party.

 As I mentioned in one of my last posts Maddox has really taken an interest in reading. She loves to read picture books to Kennon and chapter books herself. She has 3 chapter books going right now and both kids are working on filling up their reading charts through the Bettendorf Summer Reading Program. 

 Maddox reading while walking…not the safest but how can I intervene! 

The beginning of May we said goodbye to our live in niece- Chelsea. She was doing her final student teaching this past semester in Durant and bunked in for the duration in our guest room. Eric and I enjoyed having her and the kids were SUPER sad to see her go. She was able to watch the kids a few times while Eric and I had overlapping commitments and while we got in a date night or two. She really became part of family for the four months. I'm not certain she learned any great parenting strategies from Eric and I but I am CERTAIN she'll contemplate motherhood a bit longer after living with us for four months!   Hah Hah!! .. parenting…the hardest job ever!! Chelsea will just be down the road this fall. She was able to secure a job in the Columbus Junction school district and will be living in Muscatine. Congrats and best of luck Chelsea!!

Chelsea was very kind and got the kids a going away present- for Maddox a Frozen themed necklace and a big box of Minion puzzles for Kennon. She knew just what the kids would want.  Thank you cousin Chelsea! 

 The day of the bake sale for Multiple Sclerosis I took Maddox to the sale with me and Eric took Kennon to the City of Bettendorf's  Spring clean up day.  He and Eric got to walk along the Mississippi River and clean up the bank.  He had a ball as this is right up Kennon's alley…cleaning up type tasks and hard labor!! The kid lives for it.   Between the bake sale and the garbage clean up we sure felt like community supporters by the end of the day. 

 Kennon with his garbage sack of trash. He and Eric had all kinds of stories about the cool trash they found along the river.

They found this huge rope from likely a barge or tugboat. Not sure how that ended up fitting in the sack or if that was a 'drag to dumpster by Eric' item. 

You all know Eric and I were able to take an early 10 year anniversary trip out to Sonoma, CA back the end of May.  We secured Grandma Jean, Grandpa Jim and a sitter to watch Maddox and Kennon while we were gone.  Eric and I had a wonderful time. It was SO so nice to have an absolute complete break from the tasks of The Planning Center and operating 5363 Judge Road.  We were able to actually have lengthy, heart felt conversations over a glass of wine in an alert and un-tired state  It was fabulous. We really enjoyed Sonoma more than Napa, as we had been to Napa for our honeymoon. We are certainly thankful for Grandma Jean, Grandpa Jim and our best sitter Jamie for keeping watch of the kiddos and for carting them around to all of their end of year activities…soccer, swimming lessons, programs etc. Thank you Thank you!!!  These pictures got a little out of order.  Sorry for the confusion. 

 Our first day we took a great wine tour at Benziger Family Winery.  This ginormous eucalyptus tree radiated a wonderful smell about their property.  That along with the smell coming from their beautiful rose gardens and I could have stayed all night! 

 The lavender barn at Matanzas Creek Winery

 Stopping for a quick photo after we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge on our way up to Sonoma Valley.

 Our home away from home for the week- Jack's cabin named after Jack London who was the author of The Call of the Wild and who lived and owned many acres near this property once upon a time. 

The cottage was decorated sort of vintage farmhouse and so well done with lots of little details and amenities. It was super comfortable and cozy. 

Eric and I would get up each morning, not necessary with the roosters who were crowing at the farm property next to us, but in the morning nonetheless and go for a run. Then we'd head out into the countryside for some wine tasting. Each day we'd usually visit about 3 to 5 wineries and then head back to the cottage sort of late afternoon. The owner of the cottage would always have the fountain running at that time which provided the most serene, peaceful, setting. It was so easy to just sit and take a short nap in the comfy yard chairs listening to the fountain and the birds, specifically a mocking bird, sing. I was almost convinced that this bird singing was a recording because the thing sang into the night…it was crazy!! Till I finally did a little research and then saw the little bugger… and sure enough it was a mocking bird and likely a male looking for a mate. The bird sang and sang and sang all day/night long. Hoping the little fella has found a mate by now :)

 The night we arrived in Sonoma there was a farmers market going on at the town square. It was a great place to test out some local food and get a feel for the town. We had a good time just walking around the square, staking out shops and restaurants we wanted to go in to during our stay. 

 J.B. Cohn winery- our first official wine stop in Sonoma. I quickly learned the wine tastings were quite generous and I would need to have some food to go with my wine! Eric and also started sharing the wine tastings after that.

 Amidst the grape vines a VJB family winery.  The weather was just as it looks in this picture- absolutely perfect…sunny and dry our entire stay. No humidity and mid 70 temps…and no pesky knats like we have in Iowa right now. 

 The eucalyptus tree at Benziger Family winery. 

 Getting a tour in the wine caves at Benziger. While Eric and I throughly enjoyed the tour and the property itself we did NOT enjoy the wine at this particular winery.  

 An interesting fact board about grapes and wine. 

 This was taken at our absolute favorite winery in Sonoma Valley, more specifically Bennett Valley which tends to be a tad cooler than the majority of the Sonoma Valley therefore allowing them to grow and harvest white grapes more than red grapes. White grapes do NOT like the hot weather like red grapes do so they have to be grown in a slightly cooler climate such as the Bennett Valley section of Sonoma Valley.  This particular winery was called Matanzas Creek Winery and they are also known for their lavender. They grow loads of lavender and although it wasn't quite blooming when we were there, they had  their barn stuffed full of lavender that was drying from last season. It was so so cool and smelled fabulous. The above and below pictures are lavender ( not grapes in case you are thinking..that doesn't look like a grape vine)

 The lavender barn at the Matanzas Creek Winery

 Matanzas Creek Winery

 This was our favorite spot at Matanzas Creek. There was these shaded picnic tables that overlooked both the lavender and grape vines in the valley. You could hear the water running in the water fountain and sit and feel the cool breeze or play a game of bags.  Such a peaceful setting. 

 Chalk Hill Winery

 The picnic area of Matanzas Creek and one of my favorite white wines from the winery called Journey.

 Chalk Hill 

 Our last full day in Sonoma was Saturday and we had been told with it being Memorial Day weekend that the wineries would be packed so we decided to do some hiking instead. We hiked up the Sonoma Overlook Trail to get some great views of the Valley.  It was an easy 3 mile hike along a rocky trail and was a nice relaxing trek after our morning jog down along the bike path in Sonoma.  We got in a leisurely run each morning we were away. All in different parks not far from our cottage. It was nice to run with some beautiful scenery…mountains, grape vines, rose gardens, rolling green and tan hills. 

 A wine and cheese pairing at one of our favorite spots along the Sonoma Square - Pangloss Cellars. 

 Maddox and Kennon taking a bath…or rather bubble bath….in grandpa and grandma's whirlpool tub!

 Kennon graduated from 4 year old preschool while we were in Sonoma.  Thankfully Grandma Jean was able to be present for the celebration and captured some good video and pictures. Eric and I also were able to attend one of their dress rehearsal performances so we got a sneak peek of the celebration before we left. 

Getting a hug from Mrs. Morrisson. 

Mrs. Brei

 Kennon is in the second row up right in the middle. 

 Raising his sign very proudly. 

 Waiting his turn to read the book he authored and illustrated in his reading program, Literally Yours, at the museum - 'Pauly's Adventures'

 Kennon and his main teacher Mrs. Brei. 

 Maddox and her best buddy Avery. Maddox also had an end of year program while we were gone. Her class put on the Hungry Caterpillar play. Maddox was the 'swiss cheese'. My good friend, Megan who happens to be Avery's mom, shared these pictures with me. 

 Getting a hug from little brother her last time coming off the bus for the year. I can't believe she is done with Kindergarten already! The year flew by.

 Maddox with some of the neighborhood girls from her bus. Everyone is all dressed up for the last day. 

'Show me your muscles'!! 

We are really starting to get into a good groove with our summer schedule. Most mornings are spent at some sort of camp or lessons ( VBS, tennis lessons, swimming lessons, sports and games or tot lot through the City of Bettendorf, science camp, theatre camp, church camp), then maybe a quick swim at my good friend Kim's house followed by an hour of quiet time in their rooms then a little school work   ( reading/math/writing thank you notes/journal writing etc) and then out to play before it is time for dinner and baths. I tell the kids they just have to rest for 60 minutes but 90% of the time they fall asleep. They are tired from their morning activities and the heat of the day.  I can't believe it is going to be the 4th of July in just a couple of weeks. The summer is flying by. Still on the to-do list is to teach kennon how to tie shoes…and by the way he did not get into the Transition to Kindergarten program. He is currently on the waiting list but I don't think he'll get in. So he'll go to the 5 year old pre-school program at Our Savior where he currently goes. I'm disappointed he won't have an all day program to attend but the 5 year old teacher at Our Savior is really amazing so I know he'll really learn a lot. He is very interested in learning how to tie and already has the first part down. I am knee deep in audits and The Planning Center keeps Eric busy as always. We are hosting a neighborhood party this Friday and then  Eric and I are going to a wedding this weekend…yes a wedding...we haven't been to a wedding in years. One of the TPC employees daughter's is getting married. It will be nice as we hired a sitter to stay with the kids. Next post will be Kennon's birthday celebration and Maddox's dance recital pictures.  Enjoy the videos ;)

Kennon's end of year program at Our Savior. He is dead center in the pinkish plaid shirt. 

I love his moves in this one. So funny to see him kind of dance. 

Kennon's Literally Yours reading program at the museum. He is standing to the right of the tall fella in the turquoise blue shirt.  He has on the same pink plaid shirt. The performed this cute song all together and then individually got up to the microphone to read their own books. I could tell many of the kiddos, including Kennon, were very nervous.

Kennon reading the book he wrote and illustrated - Pauly's Adventures. Grandma Jean was able to attend the performance and captured this great video. Kennon did a good job!

Maddox reading her part for the Hungry Caterpillar performance.  Eric and I were able to get our own performance of the play before we left as this program occurred while we were in Sonoma too. Note to self…don't plan time away in the month of May every again!!