4th of July

We spent the 4th of July this year with our friends the Omojola's (Terry, Karin, Mona, Kelvin & Zhena). We went over late in the afternoon for BBQ burgers & hot dogs. When it was dark enough, we had our very own fireworks show.

The big kids had fun hanging out together. Kayode and Zhena finally became friends. He enjoyed helping her play with Sade's Nintendo DS. Too cute!

Mona is off to school in Germany for the year, so the girls had fun hanging out one last time!

"Why" sung by Sade

Sade sang the song "Why" by Nicole Nordeman at church on June 22. She did a beautiful job. I accompanied her on the piano! Many of the moms were in tears, not only because the song is so beautiful, but they've watched Sade grow up since Kindergarden. I'm so proud of her for getting up in front of an audience and singing her heart out! :) Hope you enjoy listening!

We will miss you!

All of our beautiful children... (From top to bottom, Left to right) Picture 1: Kayode, Elias & Ayodele; Picture 2: Sade, Kiersten, Derek, Marley, Konaloa, Kayode, Elias & Ayodele

Our wonderful friends moved to Kansas to be closer to family on June 20th. We will truly miss the Kalua's. Dele and Cameron met in college. They moved to Las Vegas shortly after we did. Cameron and I immediately hit it off as we were both teaching at Edison Schools in the Clark County School District. We would watch each other's kids for date night, have dinner at each other's houses and play games that kept us laughing all night. They even convinced us we should go camping with them the summer before we moved back to Washington. Thanksgiving had become a tradition that we picked up again when we returned. They were our local "family" and we miss them already! The two weeks prior to them leaving, Sade, the little boys and I spent many hours at their house trying to help any way we could. Sade absolutely adored the twins and was very sad that her only babysitting job moved away. She even babysat for "free"!!! What a terrific daughter! She babysat with Kiersten's help while Cameron and I went to the movies, out to dinner & even while we enjoyed a wonderful pot of chocolate fondu the night before they left! We already miss them and hope to see them again soon! :)

"Rock Band" with the Kalua's

Our new toy...

For Father's Day Dele bought a new PS3 and RockBand game. It's very cool! So when we spent our last with the Kalua's we had a blast Rockin' out! It comes with a guitar, microphone and drum set... hopefully someday we'll add the 2nd guitar so all four kids can play together. Unfortunately, with my love of music & competitive nature, I find myself playing more often than some of the kids! Lots of fun rock music from waaaayyy back in High School (there's actually music from the 60s-current). Anyway... it's a fun way to spend time with the kids! :) As you can see everyone is able to play! Some need a little extra help (like Kayode) but he still has a good time playing! You really have to have good eye-hand coordination to finish a song!

Week with Papa & Grandma Sweeney

We had a wonderful visit with my dad and Annie. We saw them briefly the day they flew in and then we were with them non-stop from Church on Sunday until Friday morning when they flew out to Seattle to see Jeff & Carter and the rest of the family! They rented a condo on the South end of the Strip, so the kids and I moved in for the week. Dele joined us for dinner and basketball several nights. We filled the days with swimming (in a very cold pool), an Indiana Jones trilogy fest and then went to see the new Indy movie, yummy food, movies & we even went to see a traveling youth group perform a wonderful musical! The best part of the week was being with family! We love spending time with Papa and Grandma whenever we can! :)

Confirmation

Derek and Sade completed confirmation at our church on Sunday, June 9. Beginning back in April they both were assigned a mentor to help them learn more about our Church and being a Christian. They went to a weekend retreat at Camp Potosi, attended two 2-hour sessions with the Pastor, met close to weekly with their mentors & met privately with the Pastor Bob. On their own, with no pressure from anyone, they chose to reconfirm their faith and become members of the Green Valley United Methodist Church. I'm such a proud mom! :) Papa and Grandma Annie came all the way from Connecticut to help celebrate, too!

Luckiest Mom in the World!

Yesterday I turned 37! Wow, do I feel old! Sade asked me on Sunday if I was excited about it being my birthday, and I just kind of shrugged my shoulders and said, "Not really...!" The look she gave me was priceless! She truly is my treasure!

Sunday night after I made sure everyone was in bed and I crawled into bed myself, Sade got up, made signs and posters and planted them around the house and even hid a few extra in her room for me later! When I woke up on my birthday, there were signs on the table, counters and microwave wishing me a "Happy Birthday" and telling me "UR the bomb" and how much she loves me so I should Smile today!

After school, Sade and our friend Julie went to the store because she "Needed Coke and Chocolate" (okay, there's your proof she's my daughter!!!) When they got home, I was prohibited from getting off the couch! She gave me a card that read

"Dear Mom, You are the worlds most greatest mom ever to be created. Parenting is in your blood. But now today is your day off, for it is a holiday today. It's your Birthday. Down below is a certificate for being the worlds greatest mom. It is also a ticket to get hugs and to receive a present and a card from your kids. We won't tell you who it will come from, it will just come to you at anytime during the day.
Job for you: Nothing...relax and enjoy your day.
Job for me: Make this your best B-day ever!!!!!!
Congratulations on being World's Greatest MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Well... if I couldn't get off the couch, the next best thing was for me to take a nap. So I took a nap and enjoyed the smells coming from the kitchen. Occasionally, I'd hear her call Kayode to the kitchen for something-or-other... but I respected her wishes and stayed put!

Throughout the day I got calls and birthday wishes from my loving family and special friends! Finally I was allowed into the kitchen and was shown the most yummy looking cake! Chocolate with chocolate fudge frosting and really cool "Happy Birthday" candles! (Question: What 12 year old makes their mom a cake for her birthday? Answer: The most wonderful one in the world!!!)

When Dele got home, Sade bugged him for money for dinner (I mentioned making lasagna and she about flipped...) so we ordered Pizza and chicken wings from Pizza Hut. After we ordered pizza, I was given my card! It is wonderful! Sade chose one of those music cards and it plays "You'll be in my Heart" by Phil Collins... the same song we had played at our wedding reception as a song to dance to with the kids! Very special! Dinner came and the kids and I devoured 3 medium pizzas... I guess we were hungry!

I finally got to open my present from the kids! I could hardly stand the wait! I got a bag full of goodies... Doritos, Reese cups, Twix & Snickers, oh... and a Coke! I think I've made it known what I like to snack on! :) Finally, Sade lit the candles on the cake, they all sang "Happy Birthday" to me and I made the most important wish a mom could make! I know it will come true, because today was the most wonderful birthday ever!

We concluded the night by watching a movie together. We watched "For the Love of a Dog." Not necessarily the very best movie ever made, but a good family movie! I'm so blessed to have such a fabulous bunch of kids! Especially a daughter that went out of her way to make sure my day was the best ever!!! What a lucky mom I am!!!!!

8th Grade Awards Night

Derek was invited to the 8th Grade Awards Night at Grant Sawyer Middle School. The kids and I went and sat through an hour and a half waiting anxiously to see what award Derek received. I am so proud of him! He received an award for exceding the standards on the state reading test. He received a 431 out of 500! Way to Go, Derek!
It was a very nice ceremony. The advanced orchestra performed, the Valedictorian from Durango High School spoke to the kids, next years Durango High School Senior President spoke and all of the teachers and administration were there to show the kids their support and kind words for their preparation for High School! (Can you believe Derek's going to High School?) Only the top kids in his class were invited and I'm so proud that Derek got to be part of such a special event!