Ladd Photos

The boys got to open their presents a day early because we would be in San Diego for Christmas Day. All our family and friends were too generous with their giving. The boys thank everyone for their new stuff.

Christmas Day pandemonium in San Diego.

I tagged along with the boys when they went to school and got to see Gavin’s classroom and the chicks his class hatched. Then Connor and I read a book in the library and he showed me around his class before it was time for the main show.

Mrs. Patwa’s preschool classes put on a wonderful end-of-the-year performance. Connor did so well singing the songs and looked so cute up there with all the other little kids. All the little ones enjoyed the after performance party, complete with cupcakes, strawberries, and lemonade.

Videos of three of the songs they sang:

Gavin and his 2nd grade classmates put on an excellent program. You could really tell how hard they practiced their songs, the choreography they performed while singing, and small speaking parts in between each song.

Gavin was center in the 2nd row, in front of so many parents that it was difficult to even get photos of the event above everyone’s heads. I asked him if he was nervous up in front of so many people, and he said he wasn’t, not even a little bit. He definitely doesn’t get that from me, maybe he is a natural performer?

The evening turned a little sad for a moment, when it was announced that Mrs. Hiel, Gavin’s beloved 2nd grade teacher, would be leaving Turtleback at the end of the school year. She is going to be teaching at nearby Design39Campus. She had spent her entire teaching career, all 18 years, at Turtleback, so there were lots of former students and parents who were sad to see her go.

A video of one of the songs they sang:

It was the first time we got to experience the Legoland Water Park. As expected, the boys had a blast.

We finished off the day enjoying the rest of Legoland. It was Connor’s first time driving!

Connor driving:

The boys on the Dune Raiders slide:

My sister and her family were in San Diego on summer vacation. We all had a fun day seeing the animals at the zoo.

Friendly zoo penguin:

We spent our 4th of July having fun at Legoland. We saw the new One World Trade Center skyscraper unveiled in Miniland. The boys had a blast doing a special 4th of July scavenger hunt. After hanging out all day, we were treated to a fireworks show after the sun went down.

Legoland helicopter ride:

Fireworks:

Connor playing soccer:

Gavin did a great job pitching his first inning ever!

Gavin throwing a strike:

The dinosaurs had their new team banner on display today. Unfortunately, Connor’s name was misspelled, but there wasn’t much we could do about that.

Gavin pitching some strikes:

Connor and the rest of the kindergarten kiddos did a great job singing at their holiday performance. Afterwards, they headed back to class to enjoy hot chocolate and build some fun crafts.

The kindergarten kids singing their hearts out:

Fun and chaos at the after performance party:

Present unwrapping pandemonium with our boys in the morning, and in the evening with the whole Loera clan at Eddie and Sally’s house.

I was lucky enough to get to take in the crafting chaos during Connor’s Valentine’s Day party, before having to head to work. The kiddos spread around a lot of love.

Craft stations:

Spreading the love: