A Night Of First Grade Highlights

10 or so years ago Mrs. Solares and her husband left Anchorage, AK to finish out their careers here in Saudi. They both will be retiring in September making Zach's 1st Grade year her last as a full time educator.

We were so blessed to have her as Zach's teacher. It is obvious that even after all these years she still loves teaching by her dedication, patience, and love for the children.

Highlights night was special not only for the children-they get toshow off their hard work and receive a special book from their teacher-but also as the closing and final chapter for Mrs. Solares career.

Zach read us several original stories including one about camping with Grandpa Slocombe. One of the illustrations shows a grizzly bear coming into camp and Zach running away. Grandpa on the other hand is not phased at all and while roasting a marshmallow says, "I'd rather stay." All and all I think the story sums up our camping experiences rather well.

Here is a scroll where Zach has been writing his numbers up to 1300's.

After a small potluck it got a little crazy for Mom and Dad trying to keep G and E entertained and out of all the school materials.

When Zach and his best friend M* showed up in their suits and ties for the event some of the kids thought they were just trying to be silly and dress up as George and Harold from Captain Underpants. Instead they were just following one of their teacher's final instructions to please dress nice for the evening.

These six are the last remaining children from the original class of 12. Some moved away during the year and others have already left for the summer.

We are thrilled with the progress Zach has made this year in school. His reading is on a 3rd to 4th grade level, his math is right on schedule, and his writing, though the spelling is often unique and sometimes difficult to read, is always entertaining.

It's Official

He's now a Gas man!

According to my sister he's unofficially always been a Gas man but now it's official.

When we returned from Spring Break Chris found out his division had been dissolved including his new position as a Stimulation Engineer. Now 3 weeks later it has been decided he will move from Oil Production to Gas Production, which will be hopefully a good change.....
only time will tell.

And one last thing.....

Make your own free digital greeting

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

A Surprise Southerner

During the planning stages of our trip we knew we wanted to get to Louisiana to see Chris' Grandpa but weren't sure how we would fit the drive in and still have time to visit everyone.
Then Chris' Dad pitched an idea we were excited about but weren't sure Great Grandpa would go for it because it meant a full days drive and sleeping away from home which he hasn't done in about 10 years.

SURPRISE! He agreed to have Grandpa J. fly out pick him up and bring him to Houston for a couple of days and WE ARE SO GLAD HE CAME! Zach was so excited to show Great Grandpa N. the Lego set he'd bought with the birthday money he'd sent. That is one thing about Great Grandpa: he never forgets a birthday and always sends the nicest greetings.

Ethan was also really glad to see Grandpa J. He monopolized all his time insisting on playing guessing games like, "What's in my ear?" and having stories told to him. It looked as though both mutually enjoyed the time together.

For dinner one evening we headed over to Lupe Tortilla. I don't know which is better the amazing FOOD or the DIRT PIT out front. We thought going on a Thurs. night would alleviate a long wait but we were wrong this place was hoppin'.

In actuality the wait was less than an hour and as far as the kids were concerned with a place like this who needs food anyway.

The toughest part was the boys hardly touched their food and wanted to be back outside. We the parents wanted to eat but as you can see above they did need some supervision to keep them from getting run over. It was nice to see many of the children taking turns with the cars. I think I only witnessed one spitting match and for a change Ethan was on the receiving end instead of the giving. Next time we'll try to get prime seating by the pit so we can have the best of both worlds.

Back at Uncle Roger's house we gathered to celebrate an early Surprise 83 birthday for Great Grandpa N. We thought it appropriate to do so since we were all together and we wanted him to know he is loved, especially by his Great Grand Kids.

I Got Off Easy This Time....Sort Of

This handsome young man just turned 7.

As far as cakes go this time I got off easy....sort of. Zach was eager to have a Ben 10 Ultimate Alien character on his cake. When he began to describe how to draw it I knew my frosting skills would not match the description. I offered to print off a picture and stick it on the cake but in the end he had an even better idea. He drew the picture then I stuck it on the cake with seven candles in the shape of a seven. There wasn't much debate about what kind of cake either, a vanilla with chocolate cream cheese frosting. So I went to work thinking this would be a breeze. Until at the last minute the day of Chris had to say, "Don't you think those cake layers are kinda small. Shouldn't it be four layers." Zach quickly agreed then they all went back to work and school leaving me to quickly get another two layers mixed, baked, cooled, and frosted!

The cake was huge and oh so yummy!

Zach and his birthday buddies worked up an appetite practicing their Ninja moves before dinner and dessert.

I made Zach's Ultimate Favorite Peas, Bacon, and Cream Pasta. I was glad that his two best friends liked it too.

After a hearty rendition of Happy Birthday followed by the ever popular ooh la la cha cha cha a birthday wish was made and candles blown out.

Zach's first gift was accompanied by a homemade birthday card. Zach was so sweet to Max telling him what a great job he did on the card and how much he liked it.

"M" moved here this summer and spent some time at our house while his parents settled into their new teaching positions. They couldn't help but become inseparable with the same love of all things Star Wars, Legos, and Wii. His other friend "C" got back into town just in time for the party. He surprised Zach with a super cool gravity defying Hot Wheels track the next day.

I think Zach was excited about his family gifts to. He finally got the Harry Potter Blu Ray set he has wanted for ages. He is pretty bummed that he's not old enough to watch them all and keeps trying to convince us he is mature enough.....we'll see. Lastly he got three Magic Tree House books. He's been asking for more and more chapter books and we have trouble satiating his reading habit. (Yahoo! Gotta love that as a parent.)

Just before the boys settled in for a movie Graham pulled out the light sabers for a quick battle with"M". Graham so thinks he's one of the big boys and puts up a good fight. Several times he got hurt came over to me for a quick kiss on the wound and went back for more. Poor "M" didn't have anyone to kiss him better after Graham got several solid hits.

I'm Such A Loser!

(Photo courtesy of EHJ)

I'm not the BIGGEST LOSER but I feel like a WINNER!

Because.....
all my pants are falling off, I'm getting stopped in the street by people asking me what I've been doing to look so good, and friends have said I've inspired them to lose weight too.


Between the 7 final competitors, in our family weight loss challenge, we lost a total of 151lbs. in 3 months.

We all had various methods and strategies and in the end we all felt like winners. I led for the first half of the competition but when I hit my desired goal weight I kind of hit a mental wall. I could still be at a healthy weight if I lost more but from the beginning I told myself once I hit 120 I'd be happy with that.

I am really proud of my self because it took a self discipline I didn't know I had to achieve this. I've never before lost this much weight on my own without the help of lactation (if you know what I mean).

CONGRATULATIONS TERESA !!!
For pulling ahead the last week I was really surprised, I thought Mr. P90Sexy (Reggie) had it in the bag.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE REST OF YOU LOSERS!
For all your hard work, encouragement, and smack talk along the way.

Although the money was an incentive I hope we can all keep up our new healthier lifestyles just because we feel so dang good. Lets all celebrate in HAWAII Christmas 2012;)

Fortunately He Turned 5

Fortunately 4 and 5 year old kids will overlook any lack of artistic ability when sugar is involved.
Thanks Aunt Megan for the Star Wars cookie cutters. They were a hit in E's K4 class as well as in the Jenkins household.

Fortunately we were able to gather a small birthday crew for a treasure hunt, pizza, singing, and cake after school but before T-ball.

Fortunately we had an excellent reader (Zach) to guide us through the journey.

Clue 1: A hop skip and a jump is all it takes to get to this place where Graham loves to run and escape.

The Park
Clue 2: In fairy tales of old trolls live under here but in Udhailiyah there's nothing to fear.

The Bridge in the Jebel Courtyard

Clue 3: Splish Splashing at this fountain can be so much fun but your feet will turn black on this ground when you run.

Splash Fountain Park
Clue 4: For a while it's been a trial to get here as a family but now that you're 5 we can all go together happily.

The Pool

Clue 5: Youth gather here for stories and crafts but for you there will be a birthday surprise right before your eyes.

Fortunately it took Ethan a few minutes to figure out where his present was otherwise I would not have been able to snap a picture....they ran so fast. Even the one legged boy in the cast.
Fortunately Ethan got some new wheels because....

he looked like a circus clown riding a teeny tiny bike that

had been loved so much and ridden so hard the chain doesn't stay on anymore.

Fortunately it only took a few minor adjustments and he was off.

Fortunately we had just enough time to rush back to the house for the requested Thomas cake.

Fortunately I was able to score a few boxes of powdered sugar just in time for the festivities.

Fortunately Ethan joined our family 5 years ago because otherwise we would probably be a very boring family. You add a spice and color and bit of drama, you also have the ability to make us cry out in pain as well as laughter and joy. You have a very giving heart and desire to share not only what you know but what you have. As your mother I have thrown my arms up in the air in exasperation but I also have ample opportunity to throw my arms around you and be swallowed up by your incredible hugs and loves.