Raine's Luau

Miss Gina & Raine after a long Luau of fun.

Cleaning up and setting up for the next group of kiddos.

Showing Daddy their crafts.

Raine's BFF Carissa.

Raine's preschool had a Luau today and it was so much fun. I was able to volunteer and attend one of Raine's school functions like every other parent does. I love her school and her teachers and couldn't wait to work with them. I was running late and ended up helping in the craft room. The kids were decorating a flip flop with foam flowers and fabric markers. The staff took pictures of the kids to put in the center of the flop. They turned out super cute. I didn't get a chance to say hello to Raine before we started and she was very upset wondering where I was. Lesson learned, go say hello to daughter before helping all the other children. Reece came along and was a great little assistant, cleaning up the tables and passing out more supplies. After all three groups rotated through the room it was time for lunch. Everyone donated such yummy food; we ate like kings and queens. The kiddos even tried bubblegum flavored icing on their cupcakes. I loved being a mom that could actually attend my child's school event!

Last day of school for Reece and Mom

Sum sum summer time! I can't get this song out of my head. Today was the last day of school. Reece had a half day and went to play with the Manabat boys. We are so lucky they are in our lives. Reece has played with Dominic a few times this year during staff developments or after school trainings. The boys would also hang out in the mornings and afternoons at school. When I picked Reece up from Dominic's house he didn't want to leave and just walked out the house without saying good bye to anyone. I couldn't find him, looked all over and then he opened the car door and said, "Mom don't forget my booster." When I went over to talk to him about saying good bye and thank you he didn't have any shoes on. I headed back to the house with stubborn boy to get his shoes and seat.

While driving home, I asked how his last of kindergarten went he said, "It was sooooo fun, we played games all day."
"Oh, like what kind?"
"Mommm, video games, I brought my leapster and we played the WII."
"Did you eat all of your lunch?"
"Mommm, we had pizza, I told you we were eating that."

He was obviously too tired to speak very kindly so I stopped talking to him. All in all I think he had a great day!

As a teacher, mine was hectic and busy trying to get last minute things completed. We had 5th grade awards and a slide show. I took a lot of pictures of the kids this year, so I was very glad to see my class had quite a few big screen moments, if not the most. Then we had our ice cream party for most box tops and back to the classroom for organizing, autographing beach balls and the reading of "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" I cry when I read it to each class, such a sap I know! Then I pause when I get to this part because it is the most important for my soon to be middle schoolers.

You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know.

You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step.

Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act.

Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.

And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

I like to remind myself of that last part too. Overall, it was a productive morning and afternoon of socializing at our speech teacher's retirement party. Tomorrow I will pack up my classroom for the summer.

First to Last

August 24, 2009 ~ First day of Kindergarten

Raine and Reece 1st day

Raine and Reece 180th day

June 1, 2010 ~ Last full day of Kindergarten

Today was Reece's last full day of kindergarten and tears are streaming down my cheeks as try and share with you how my 5 yr old wiggle worm has grown. He absolutely loves school and his teacher and was rather sad when I told him he would be on summer break soon. I am so grateful he had an amazing first year of school. Thank you so much Mrs. Glover!

Reece can:

~Read level 14 books, which means like a middle of the year first grader.
~Write full stories with a beginning, middle and end.
~Read 2nd grade level sight words.
~Add and subtract very well.
~Count by 2's & 5's & 10's
~Recognize all of the coins and tell me how much I have in my change purse.
~Sing songs from memory with actions.
~Explain detailed facts about the animals they have learned about all year.
~Draw castles, dragons, Batman and his family.
~Follow directions when someone other than his mom is giving them.
~Share with his friends and is always looking out for them.
~Come with me to school any day because now he acts like he owns the place.
~Still get weepy and scared if he doesn't see me near by in my classroom or someone elses.

Reece can't:

~Stop asking if today is a stay home day.
~Stop giving me big wet kisses and big hugs.
~Stop playing superheros or building things with legos.
~Stop singing in the car and make me laugh right out loud at the words he sings instead of the real ones.
~Grow up so fast~

Reece's Kindergarten Graduation Play

Kindergarten plays are so much fun. Reece has been singing his songs for weeks now and was so excited to perform on stage. Check out how cute he is as the Old Man in Tikki Tikki Tembo.

Here he is talking about how Tikki Tikki Tembo fell in the well.

Helping get him out with the rope.

Lifting Tikki out of the well.

Reviving him.

So proud of this handsome little guy. He played his part so well, I think I will sign him up for Drama Kids next fall. Reece loves to sing and act out all the parts of the song. He teaches them to Raine at the dinner table. The children also performed the play Three Billie Goats Gruff. It was also very cute. We laughed quite a bit this evening. I can't believe my lil man is finished with Kindergarten. Sigh.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MO

Today is daddy's birthday. He is 37 yrs young. He acts like he is 15. When I asked the kids what they love about their daddy Reece said:

• He brings me to McDonalds.


• He brings me to Walmart to buy toys.


• He is so very nice because he makes me breakfast everyday.


• He hooks me up on the computer whenever I want to play on there.


• Thank you for helping me be a better boy at t-ball.

Raine was very eager to share all the things she loves about her daddy, especially:

• He takes me to McDonalds on Fridays.


• I like when we sing songs in his truck on the way to school.


• He takes me to the butterfly park.


• He gives me horsey ride up to bed.


• When I write him cards and pictures.

I especially like it when Mo cooks us dinner, plans our summer vacation and is around to play outside with us. We love you and wish you the Happiest Birthday ever!

10 years...

Happy 10 Year Anniversary My Love
I am shocked at how fast the past 10 years have gone by. I am also very excited about what we have been through. We were owners of an amazing chocolate Lab Dublin, who travelled across the country more than some humans do in a lifetime. We bought our first home, short sold our second home and are now trying to live a debt free lifestyle. God blessed us with two beautiful children who bring us more joy than we could ever imagine. We are so lucky to be parents to Reece & Raine. Our family has traveled to some amazing locations. San Diego, Anaheim, La Jolla, Temecula, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Park City, Moab, Cedar City, St. George, Denver, Colorado Springs, The Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Phoenix, Santa Fe, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Ocean City, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, Niagara Falls, Killington, Danbury, NYC, Christiansburg, Charlotte, Raleigh and Hilton Head. I probably missed a few because we have been so many places! I hope we continue to travel to many more throughout the years. We have learned so much over the years and grown up together. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years brings us. I am so blessed you chose me to marry and spend all these years with. I love you so much.

My Perfect Mate
After many years of trying

To be the perfect mate,

You've still keep up the effort,

And that's why you're so great.
My love for you keeps growing,

With each year that goes past;

The enjoyable times I spend with you

Are really quite a blast!

Mother's Day Weekend Part 3

I love being a Mom, it is simply the best thing in the world. I am so blessed by these two precious gifts from the Lord. I am so thankful they love the outdoors as much as I do. When I asked Reece if he would like to go up to Mt. Charleston and have a picnic for Mother's Day, he shouted, "That would be better than going to the race cars!" He is all boy and was on a mission the minute we hit the trail. The kids loved that there was still snow leftover and they could stomp in it and make snowballs. Look at how excited Raine is to play with her brother. It was like this the whole time we were up there. Follow the leader, Reece calling her to come check this out or try this. I wish we would take advantage of the mountains more often; my kids absolutely love it! It was the best picnic I've had in a long time.

Mother's Day Weekend Part 2

After Lowe's the kids were getting hungry so we stopped at Arby's, yes Arby's. It has a fantastic dollar menu with curly fries, yummy shakes and scrumptious chocolate chip cookies. The kids have never eaten there before so I thought it would be a fun new place for lunch. My two sugar loving kiddos enjoyed each bite. Check out the best dollar dessert in the world.

Mother's Day Weekend Part 1

I had a fantastic weekend with my kiddos and man. On Saturday, we did our usual trip to Lowe's Build & Grow Clinic. They are so much fun. Reece has become pretty skilled with the hammer and has even starting to read the steps all by himself. Our project this Saturday was a Mother's Day Trellis Planter. It was a little tricky but we did it. Raine was a bit impatient, as any 3 yr old would be! They love having their picture taken afterward. Reece & Raine have earned 5 patches for their aprons and love it when we get home and pick out where to hot glue them on. If you haven't taken lil ones there yet I highly recommend it.

Did I mention it is FREE!!

Double Trouble I tell ya; there were both very needy at this clinic.

Reece took this pic of Raine and I. He was quite proud of himself!

Raine was frustrated but trying her best. I love her side ponytail!

This guy is one determined carpenter and hates it when he makes a mistake. A perfectionist like his daddy.

Thankful for this new month, May is so marvelous for the Hauguel family. I can’t wait to see how much fun it brings us. The weather is finally staying warm and we are able to wear shorts, Raine loves this! She is a summer loving girl with flip flops in hand. I can’t blame her one bit.

The countdown is on, only 17 and half more days of school. We can subtract a few because of field day, field trips and bbq’s. I love the end of the school year because is it crammed with super special days. Kindergarten graduation is one of the most special in our house. I can’t believe that my baby is going to be graduating from his first year of school. It blows me away when I think back to that first day of walking around his classroom, giving him a kiss on the cheek and walking away with tears streaming down my face. I am so thankful he has had such an awesome experience in Kindergarten. He has talked about every moment with such enthusiasm and joy. I should have recorded those dinner conversations in ink or on tape or something.

Mo and I are also celebrating a very special event too; 10 years of marriage! WOW, time has flown by. I can remember my dad walking me down the aisle to that handsome man I was about to wed. The tears streaming down his face were the best part of the day; I was swept away. I’m still trying to figure out what we should do to celebrate but I hope to make it special. We have come so far in 10 years.

I am so incredibly thankful for my Lord and Savior who gets me through all of the chaos and excitement this month brings! Without him I would surely crash and burn a few times. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Good Times at Lowes

April's gone already?

Phew this month flew by; I can't believe it's over already. The weather has been a crazy, warm, cold, and oh so windy!! The allergies in our house have been HORRIBLE!! We are all sniffling and sneezing like mad; even for daddy who swears he doesn't have allergies. The flowers are blooming beautifully in our backyard. I love sitting out there watching the birds fly from feeder to feeder. We have a cute little humming bird that likes to hang around. Mo says it's a female because it isn't as stunning red as other humming birds. I don't think that very fair that all the male birds get to be so splendid in color. Aren't girls the ones always concerned with their beauty. Isn't that why God created Eve? I digress...

Reece and Raine have had a busy month of fun. On Saturday's we have been attending sports class and Lowe's Build and Grow workshops. It's been so much fun watching them learn how to play soccer and basketball. Reece is quite quick and excited about scoring goals; a little bit of a ball hog. ;) Raine could take it or leave it right now. She would play for a little while and then come stand by my side. I thought having her big brother in the class would help, but not so much. She is one shy little lady, nothing like her bold outgoing brother. They are however, the best of friends. They really look forward to seeing each other at the end of the day. Each one asks the other how they did that day. Reece says, "Raine did you stay dry & take a nap?" Raine usually replies, "I stayed dry but didn't take a nap. Did you stay on green?" Of which Reece would respond, yes, or no depending on the day! He has been trying hard to earn a Wall E Leapster game but can't seem to make it because he keeps talking too much! The return to school after Spring Break has been a bit of an adjustment. He is Mr. Motormouth always chatting with his classmates. The other day he had to change his card from green to orange for messing around in small group. A group of 6 kids trying to learn how to read and Mr. Know it all doesn't pay attention. Reece is trying though, he earned a checkered flag in music. He loves to sing and asks for his specific "Dog Train" songs when we ride in the car. The other day I was taking a friend to work and she even pointed out how nice his voice is. Thank goodness he's not tone deaf like his mama!

Raine has also had a somewhat hard time adjusting back to school after Spring break. She was having random accidents and wouldn't lie down for her naps. I found more ZuZu pets at Target and grabbed a few for bribery. She was almost there, ready to receive her Baby Cakes when she hit one of her best friends Cara then did it again the next day!! When we asked her why she did that; Raine said she cut me in line and wouldn't help clean up the dress up area. I told Mo we should probably stop hitting our daughter! Yesterday was a wacky Wednesday and Raine refused to do anything her wonderful teacher Miss Gina said. Raine planted herself on the ground arms across her chest and with a full on pout pout face. AHHH, the joys of raising a strong willed child!

Mo has been pretty busy himself trying to tie up some loose ends on a few landscaping jobs. He is quite an artist when it comes to that stuff; which is why my yard is full of color! I miss him though. The spring is always hectic, cleaning up yards or designing a whole new backyard. We did get to enjoy a trip to the Mini Grand Prix with daddy last Sunday. The kids loved it and it cost us a whopping $2.00. Thanks Lane family for the old b-day tickets for the rides. Reece loved riding the little cars all by himself. Raine was tall enough but probably would have froze out there by herself.

Me well, I'm here, trying to do it all. Just call me Super Woman! My Google Lit Trip was given rave reviews, 69/70 and just needs a few minor glitches worked out so that it can be published on the web!! Yay! I have had some trying times at work but persevered and came out ahead. I called my boss on the carpet on a few issues then interviewed for a special ed position at another school. I think she realized what she would be losing and decided to work with me and another colleague who was also thinking of leaving. I beleive God's hand was assisting me through that one because it was tough. I didn't get the spec ed job, another teacher with 12 yrs experience did. My sister said it best, rejection is God redirecting your desires. I know I am supposed to stay at Bilbray, my family of friends is there. They help me with Reece more than I could ever ask for.

All of that to say that the Hauguels are doing swell. Busy as bees and living life to the fullest!

Belliagio Gardens

Google Lit Trips AHHHH

I am so tired of trying to figure out codes. I have a huge project due tomorrow night by 11:59 pm. I will get it done. I am 2/3 finished. Now that I have a better idea of what I am doing, I can work on some of it tomorrow at school. I hate that I had all of spring break to do this and I (once again) waited to the last minute to finish it. Why is it I procrastinate so much? I would really like to change that about myself, but after 30 yrs of doing it, don't think it's going to happen. I am very thankful I accomplished some other tasks that have been hovering over me. I finally handed in a student intervention file that was long overdue. I graded papers and input grades for tomorrow's progress report. I called and scheduled an appointment with the ear, nose and throat doc for Raine. I cancelled the kids dentist appointment for a third time. I got gas in my car. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment tonight and will now go relax in front of the TV.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was such a wonderful experience for the Hauguel family. The day was very relaxing and full of smiles. Once showered and dressed for church the kiddos searched for their hidden baskets. Reece found his in an instant; it was behind the big chair. Raine had to search a little bit harder. Daddy assisted her by asking her to put her shoes on. Once she opened the closet door she found her basket there amongst the stinky shoes. The kids loved rummaging through their baskets checking out all their goodies. Reece was extremely excited about his new Batman Brave and the Bold DVD. Raine enjoyed her new Dora book and stickers. It was so enjoyable watching them delight in their presents. While at church, I supervised the 2 & 3 yr old classroom. The children were so precious in the little Easter dresses and outfits. After class of the kids went outside to listen to the Easter story and have an egg hunt. Reece and Raine were very thrilled about the egg hunt and the strawberries served at brunch. I was pleased to sit back and watch while Mo took pictures. Brunch was scrumptious and peaceful as well.

Once at home, the kids had another egg hunt in our backyard. It was so funny watching them fight over the eggs and Raine’s pout was priceless. She would get so angry when Reece would beat her to the egg. Daddy did a great job hiding the eggs. Then we were off to nap and rest. Raine crashed hard in her bed with her new bunny in hand. Daddy and Reece enjoyed some Easter candy and watched the new Batman DVD. I parked myself in the sun and read my book. I ended up with raccoon sunburn from my silly sunglasses.

Around 4pm we headed over to our friends The Feldman’s for yet another egg hunt and dinner. Miss Tina coordinated a huge egg hunt with over 50 eggs and prizes. There were 4 lil ones 5 and under and 4 big kids 12 and over. It was like Christmas with the amount of presents my kids received. The final egg said big present. Reece turned his coupon in for a huge Lego set and Raine received a McDonalds cash register. The children were set for the rest of the night!

Dying Easter Eggs

First Baseball Game

Last night was a night of firsts for the Hauguel clan. It was Mo, Reece, & Raine's first time at Cashmen field, Reece & Raine's first time at a baseball game and my first time watching the Dodgers. We sat three rows behind home plate. Right before the game started a Dodger employee walked up the steps and handed Reece a baseball. Reece wasn't sure what to think. We tried to explained how special it was to get a major league baseball; still in disbelief, he asked, "Do I get to keep it forever and ever?" He held onto that ball the entire game, except when he was devouring the peanuts, pistachios and popcorn. As he sat there screaming and yelling for the Cincinnati Reds to win; he told me this was the best night ever. Raine continually yelled, "Go Phillies!" Yes, she is brainwashed, or maybe ready for a game this summer when we head back east. She loved hopping from lap to lap and dancing to the music. Reece and Raine both danced so well they were on the jumbotron during the dance cam session between innings. It was a really fun night out with the Feldman family. They are so fun and helpful with our kiddos. Tina enjoyed filling their bellies with sugary treats. It was an awesome night and memory for the kids, I can't wait to do it again.

Only 3 days away

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring break. I need some "stay at home days" with nothing but noisy children, birds chirping and the sun shining. Finishing a good book would make it pretty great as well. My mind is racing with all the things I would like to accomplish while at home for seven days. Fortunately, the outdoors will be luring me into it's splendor and I will be playing much more than checking things off my To Do list. Anyone up for a hike at Red Rock or Mt. Charleston?



Some of the things I hope to do on my vacation in Las Vegas...

1. Go for a hike at Red Rock & Mt. Charleston.


2. Take some morning walks and mid-day bike rides to all our favorite playgrounds.


3. Listen to a book on my ipod, catch up on my Hillside Sunday Sermons.


4. Finish Eclipse and start Breaking Dawn.


5. Purge and sell stuff we don't use any longer.


6. Scrapbook


7. Hang out with friends.


8. Go on a few family dates and a date with Mo Mo.


9. Bake something yummy.


10. Make the best memories I can so that my children don't want to go back to school. They love it so much they'll just keep asking when they go back. I shouldn't be complaining about that should I?

What are your plans for Spring Break?