A September to Remember...

Air and Space Museum

Pleased to meet you Mr. Lindbergh

air legend

piloting fun

maneuvering a smile

leaving on a jet plane

out of this world

fly me away

take me out to the ball game

buy me some peanuts and cracker jack...

angry birds dinner

angry birds = happy kids

the black out = traffic

black out dinner

look who's prepared :)

another emergency essential...

fun in the dark

couch party

lighting up the night with our smiles

all wrapped up

happy campers

time to BBQ

time for ice cream

it would have melted otherwise

Mommy's dinner

Bronco fans

9/11 memorial

fly over

salute to those lost

let's land some planes

family photo opp

heels, a crown, a phone and puppy- all the essentials for our after school pick up

cutting the golden locks

surfer boy to clean cut

happy birthday young Jedi

make a wish

'the force' is still with this one

getting the big bucks

Phinneas and Ferb concert

grab that flag!

Go AJ go!

the more you sell, the more you earn...

he does his own dental work

5th position- kinda

ready for action

AJ Pierce was the ball carrier

Harry Potter Pierce

Harrison hosting a family art class

time for color

crafty teacher

polished

tiny dancer

Yes we Cain!

September was a month to remember... first, we spent a nice afternoon in Balboa Park exploring the various areas.  We settled on the Air and Space Museum, and the kids really enjoyed the different planes and space ships.  It was a fun afternoon full of learning and adventure.  We also took the crew out to a ball game... Padres vs. Giants.  We gave them some peanuts and crackerjack... and hotdogs, and ice cream and french fries... really, you name it.  If they were selling it, our kids wanted it.  It's funny how an experience quickly turns into something completely unintended.  We figured they'd want a snack or two, but they wanted everything.... so we had dinner at the ball park.  Go with the flow, right?  

One of the most memorable moments in September has to be the black out.  I was driving home with the kids around 3:30 in the afternoon, and suddenly, the radio just went 'woomp,' and then dead air.  Then I noticed all of the street lights were off.  It was kind of scary, but more confusing than anything.  When I got home, I was met by a neighbor who was asking if my electricity had gone out.  I shared my experiences with her, and we decided something bigger than a 'rolling blackout' was occurring.  Then, I tried to call Jason, but I couldn't get through.  For some reason, he could call me, but I couldn't return his call.  So we texted each other and eventually learned this blackout was widespread... and we probably wouldn't have power until the next day.  So, we made the most of it.  It was not a good night for the waist line, as we feasted on hotdogs, cheese and ice cream, but it was so much fun.  We were camping in our house!  And when we learned they called off school the next day, the kids celebrated!  I will tell you, living through something like this makes you realize how important it is to be prepared... you never know when something unexpected is going to happen!

On September 11th, our crew spent the day on the Midway air craft carrier museum in downtown San Diego, where they were hosting a very special memorial for those lost on that tragic day.  The navy fly over alone was worth the trip.  It was a very moving experience.  It's hard to believe that happened 10 years ago... 

And our young Jedi, Anderson, turned 6 on the 15th of September.  This year he wanted to celebrate his birthday at the Live Phinneas and Ferb show.  It was pretty cute.  I was actually amazed at how much the parents around us seemed to know about the characters... the host was asking questions before the show began, and some of the parents were quite up to speed on Phinneas and Ferb.  Jay and I know nothing about this show- just that our kids think it's funny and they watch it every now and then... and to be honest, Anderson just likes the platypus, so none of us knew, "this character's favorite...."  but wow, some parents were ON IT.   We watched thirty and forty somethings yelling about a fictional character's favorite place to hide, or their favorite snack, or name the street they lived on... it was truly unbelievable.  Their enthusiasm was off the charts.  Kudos to the creator- I had no idea it was such a sensation with parents as well.  

The first of many school FUN-drasiers began in September.  They got AJ... hook, line, sinker... the kid was ready to sell and win it all.  I am not kidding, he came home with the sales aid and immediately made plans for his prize packages.  Unfortunately, he was selling overpriced wrapping paper and tchotchke items for the most part.  Fortunately, we have some very supportive family members who helped him achieve his goal of being one of the top sellers in his class.  He didn't win the play station, but he did win a very nice set of Japanese erasers, a new watch and a book mark... so he was THRILLED.   (*Thank you to everyone who purchased something- you helped put a very big smile on our lil' guys face).  He was so proud of himself, and the fundraiser supports the art program... so it's a win-win for both of our boys.  Speaking of art, Harrison is still taking private lessons with a professional artist, and his work is unbelievable.  I sincerely hope he's able to incorporate his talents throughout his life.  He's so gifted- and it's not just me (doting mom) saying it- his mentor agrees!  

The kids were super busy throughout the month with football and dance and art and birthday parties, but they wouldn't have it any other way.   It's one adventure after another...