The BIG day!

The BIG day has arrived and we all survived. Chris was so excited to head off to Kindergarten this morning. It was quite the change to have to load the kids in the car and actually drive to school.....we have been spoiled the past few years with pre school across the street.

Chris anxiously awaited outside the Kindergarten building at George Kelly School for the bell to ring. As the kids started to pile in to the class the found their name tags and had a seat on the carpet. His teacher, Mrs. Vasquez, welcomed them and started them off with some great music. Who doesn't love a good chicken dance in the morning. The kids read a book and then it was time for them to turn and wave goodbye to their parents. I have to say it did make Bryan and I happy to know that Chris was very comfortable with staying there and leaving us beyond, some other kids in his class were not doing so well. As we headed out the door Dani was yelling to him....."Bye , bye Beeper!!!"

Chris had a blast today at school. Tonight when we were leaving the gym he said to me, "Mom we need to get home quick, I have to get to bed for school tomorrow." So here we are at the next chapter of our lives with Chris is school now.

We are so proud of our little man and all he has grown up to be. It was quite a day watching him march in there with confidence and be so excited for school. Chris you will always be our little baby, we love you and are so proud of you!

Vacation in Tahoe (part 1)

Sorry to disappoint but there are no pictures for this one. Just a little preview of whats to come from our 4th of July "vacation". My mom was nice enough to rent a great place in Truckee for us to spend the 4th at so we could relive all the great traditions of our youth being here in Truckee ALL the time. Bryan has to work all week with the holiday, shocker, I know.....so it is me and the kids. I think the craziness started Wednesday when I was trying to get out the door to drop the kids off and get to work. I could not drop Dani off because they thought she had pink eye, wonderful. So I have my companion for the day now trying to get things done and get her in to see the doctor. By the time 3pm rolled around and my mom showed up to get me and the kids ,I was already beat and Dani had yet to nap. We get Chris, go by Safeway to get all Dani's prescriptions and headed to Tahoe.

I got nothing done that day that I needed to and I was determined to get something I wanted accomplished done. So we made a slight detour through Walnut Creek so I could see my good friend Kristina and her little baby Caden that she had had that afternoon in the middle of all the craziness. I am still very glad I did that so I at least started the trip on a better note.

Traffic was not too bad and we were sailing along, but the kids were a wreck. Dani still had not fallen asleep and Chris was attempting to watch movies on my moms laptop. Not sure how I made it through the drive.....did I mention that Dani finally did fall asleep, ten minutes before we got there. Nice!

I decided this morning would start a new fresh day. Unfortunately Chris was in my bed at 6am ready to go. We had coffee breakfast and showered for the day. My mistake was taking Dani in the shower with me......she pooped in the shower. I will spare you the details. I was pissed. We packed up the rowdy and slightly disobedient children to go get groceries. If any of you have ever been to Truckee you know that the Safeway here is not super big. Let's just say don't go there right before a major holiday, especially with the previously described kids. Dani was at her melting point by check out time so I walked around with her outside to spare the 5000 shoppers in a 1/2 sized Safeway from my screaming child. We headed back in for purely selfish reason, I need a Venti Double Shot on Ice. While waiting there for the drink my monkey ( aka Dani) decided to try and climb the counter and in the process got a bloody lip. It was not even 11am yet people.

Fast forward a few hours......I got the kids fed lunch and Dani down for a nap. I figured I take Chris to the pool to let out some energy and also give my mom some peace and quiet. My sister was almost here, so I had her meet me there.. Chris and Amy played in the pool while I got a moment of rest. Soon after we return my still rowdy and even more disobedient children were still running around the house. Dani was heading downstairs so we could play outside. Well around three steps from the bottom she took a header and went head first with no bracing onto the slate floor. Instantly she had a purple golf ball sticking out of her forehead. The poor thing was so upset but the ice seemed to help. Not really knowing what to do I figured I would take them to the park. Chris wanted to play Rally Ball and the driveway was really not the place since he was almost hit by a car, I didn't need that. At the park I noticed that Dani's walking and movements were more of an old drunk guys. A little concerned I called the doctor to just check and see at what point do I take her in to be seen, especially since I was getting the evil eye from every parent at the park. She called me back and talked me through a few tings and decided it was really up to me as to whether or not I should take her to the ER. But mainly just watch her to make sure it did not get worse. Seriously this trip does not need a trip to the ER. Although Tahoe Forrest hospital is quite nice, I have been there a few times myself.

So far Dani is still good, bruised but good. I have been checking on her every few hours, hence the late post. I am really hoping that there will be some miracle that will happen in my kids tonight. You know the one where they are able to process the words thee hear me speak to them and actually do what i am saying. Again this would be a miracle, so my hopes are not high. If not I will just hope that between the good old fashion Truckee 4th of July parade and fireworks on the lake with the Benson's will still allow for a good day. We can dream right!!!

Oh did I mention that my camera ran out of battery and I forgot the charger. Nice.

It is Fair time

Ever since we got married we have gone to the Alameda County Fair every summer. I have to say that each year it has gotten more fun as the kids got older. Back in the day it was just our Young Married's Bible Study heading to the fair with NO kids for a night out. That was when you could actually walk through all the displays and see everything in the exhibit halls with the kids getting bored. Those were fun times.

This year was great though. Since Bryan and I seem to produce large children Chris was able to ride on everything since he is at the golden height of 48". For those that did not know that is the height to be if you want to have any fun at an amusement park these days (that is without having to go with them). Dani on the other hand still need us on a few rides, but I have a feeling we will be in good shape next year (we are hoping for 42" by next summer). We were wise in making the best $25 investment of the day when we got Chris the unlimited rides bracelet. This allowed for Chris to enjoy all the rides with his buds Caleb, Carly, Brooke and Sydney as much as they wanted. I think we made our money back on the giant slide alone. We stood there for 30 minutes while the kids continually ran up the stairs and came down the slide. Even Bryan had to get a few of Dani's tickets to "help" Chris down. I think he wants the unlimited rides bracelet next year.

It was a perfect day to be there weather wise and people wise. I think the 100+ temps all through the weekend scared everyone away so we were able to enjoy the 80 degrees and no people. Dani loved the pig races and every time the race horn sounded she had to show off her dance moves to the crowd. Oddly enough the bunny exhibit was a huge hit for the family. Now I am sure you are thinking Chris and Dani loved it.....NO it was my husband begging me for a bunny. What??? Yeah he really wanted a bunny. The same guy that has a German Shepard at home and that just got a new Belgian Malinois the size of a small pony on Friday was begging me for a bunny. Someone please tell him that bunnies are not a man's man's pet!Thankfully I won that one and the only thing me came home with was a gold fish. I can handle that.

After 8 hours at the fair we were all pooped and headed home. This morning the kids could not stop talking about it. Good thing we now have Fishey as a souvinier.

For some reason Brooke, Chris, Sydney and Caleb thought the foot massager's were a great game to play on. Hey it was free alright.

Caleb and Chris were brave enough to let Bryan ride on the tea cups with them.

Chris was so serious while pumping the water at the well.

Big kids can ride the slide too!

This was ride number 48 on the slide.Ready for the helicopter ride.The whole family fit on this ride.....minus mom.Bryan and Chris got to enjoy their treat while Dani was taking a nap.

**ok so after looking at all my pictures I realized I barely got any pictures of Dani or myself at the fair. So take my word we were there and we had a great time. Next time I will be better.

Preschool Graduation

Chris had a great day on Friday when he celebrated with his classmates their graduation from Little Learners Preschool. All the kids did a great show for the parents of all the things they learned in school this year. They sang and signed their alphabet, counted to 100, sang about the days of the weeks, seasons, and animals. The kids were so proud of all they learned and so were the parents. The kids got to celebrate afterwards with a pool party in Miss Julie's backyard.

Ryan, Emma, Lily, Bella, Chris, Aiden & James watching the slide show from the year.

Our little graduate.

Chris and his teacher Miss Jodee

Mastering the Slip n' Slide

Chris and his bud RyanChris and Ryan enjoying a treat.

All grown up

As I sit here catching up on email, it hit me that tomorrow is a big day for the Francis family.

Chris is graduation from pre-school. What, how did that happen? We have had such a great time the past two years at Little Learners and I know we will be sad to leave. I am still trying to figure how the heck I am going to get Chris to school at 8:00 without the luxury of being able to just open the door when school starts and have him walk across the street. Now I will actually need to be ready by 7:40, get the kids in the car and rive the mile to school. This will be rough.

Tomorrow will be a great day. I will try and take lots of pictures, Dani will be at a friends so it will be a little easier to actually take the pictures. Unfortunately Bryan will not be able to make it tomorrow since he will be taking Fasco back down to Riverside and getting his new dog.

See I told you tomorrow was a big day!

Flash Back to '89

Had a little bit of a flash back last night. I headed to the Giant's vs. A's game with some friends in the city. I realized on the way there the last time I went to a game featuring these two teams.

October 17, 1989 was the day that I got to go to with my dad to game 3 of the World Series, aka Battle of the Bay. We were just stepping off the escalator at Candlestick Park when the stadium stated to tremble and the crowds stared running for the nearest exit. Quite an experience for me at age 12. It was a day I will never forgot.

So walking into SBC park last night hear the roar of the stadium made me think of that night 19 years ago. Here is Sara and I enjoying the game and a nice walk around the stadium.

Fun visiting Daddy

This past week Bryan was at a conference in Dublin all week. Every year the Eden Consulting group puts on a conference for all the K9 handlers on the west coast, the sheriffs department hosted it this year . There were over 100 handlers and their dogs from CA, OR, WA and Mexico in Dublin for a week of training, scenarios and seminars. Let's just say the Dublin residents did not really know what to do with all the police cars in the city for a week. Bryan stayed with his friend Keith in their toy hauler all week since the conference went late into the night and started early in the morning. This also saved a little money on gas. :)

By Thursday the kids were ready to see daddy....and so was I. I headed out their with Lori and her kids. We met the guys for dinner and then they took us up to the RTC (Regional Training Center) to watch the helicopter deployments. I think Dani has a new love. She could have stayed their all night watching the helicopter take the dogs back and forth between the RTC and Camp Parks. Bryan was able to take Fasco up in the helicopter on the first night. He did great, you never know with the dogs how they will react being in there. Lori was able to get some good pictures.

Chris could not have been happier

Dani put her seatbelt on and was ready to go.

After the fun with the helicopter we all loaded into Big Foot (ACSO's bomb truck) and toured around the conference to watch a few of the scenarios and see the dogs in action. At one stop Keith got out and put on the bite sleeve to take a bite. Chris found that extremely amusing. Bryan had a great time at the conference but unfortunately got some bad news on the second day. Fasco had been recovering from a torn ligament in his rear knee. After resting for three weeks he got a clean bill of health from the vet and was able to participate. On day two though the injury came back. To make a long story short the vet has advised them to have him get a new dog before going through the time and money to go to school.

Yet another change of plans. Bryan was suppose to leave for school this week for 6 weeks. With poor staffing and also the need for a new dog now this was postponed until August 4th. He will hopefully go to Riverside some time this week to take Fasco back and get a new dog. I was very sad to hear Fasco had to leave since he has been such a nice dog and so great with the kids. We are just praying that the next dog will be just as great.

The one good thing is he will be around for the summer and get to be there for Chris's first day of kindergarten.....27 days and counting.

Bryan and Fasco

Party time!

First off let me say my apologizes for totally slacking on posts. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind and I feel like I am just now getting my feet on the ground. Last weekend was the Party weekend of all times. We kicked it off with Sara and Justin's wedding reception on Friday night. In true Linse fashion.....it was a blast.

The next morning we jump right into party mode to prepare for the invasion of the short people (aka both the kids birthday parties.) This was crazy as usual but the kids had a blast. IT was half princess and half Speed Racer. I think this may have been our last year tat we can get away with the dual parties. When the cake highs faded and the kids settled for the naps, we then headed to a friends 30th birthday party that night.

As if that was not enough Sunday night after church was the kickoff BBQ for the Sheriff's department K9 conference they were hosting. That was a great night with all the handlers and their wives, great BBQ, a hilarious comedian and 100 of the top K9 handlers on the west coast.

I am still lacking in the nice camera department so the picture from the kids party are not great. Not to mention that for the first few hours the camera got locked in our room (don't ask how) I am just glad Bryan knwos how to break into our own house.

Attempting to blow out the birthday candles. The only problem being that we love in Tracy and there were gale force winds and we had to pretend.

Chris and Dani enjoying their cakes.

Dani's princess cake

Chris's Speed Racer cake

Our two lovely trouble maker's......we love them both.

Sand??

Dani had her first experience in the sandbox the other day at the park. After about 10 minutes sitting on the step she finally took the plunge. She has not come to a final decision yet as far as if sand will be a friend or foe? I will keep you posted

5 years old.....WHAT?

This post is two days late but it has been a busy weekend......my little boy turned 5 years old on Friday. This is a big one for him because it will be a big year for him. In a week he will start tee ball, in a few weeks he will graduate from pre school and then the big one is on July 7th, the first day of kindergarten.

Chris has really started to change this past year. He continues to grow like a weed and expand on his personality. Chris and Bryan love taking a ride in the jeep with the dogs to go train them a thee park. This has become a special time for the two of them to hang out. Chris is so good with the dog and loves helping out. Chris and I get our time together during Dani's nap time when Bryan is home. We go to the car wash, walk around Home Depot or his favorite is a nice meal at the golden arches.

It has been so fun to see him grow into a true boy the past five years. He continues to make us laugh and has turned into one of the greatest big brother's to little Dani.
So Happy birthday to our little man.....we love you!