Saila's Graduation from Pre-school to Kindergarten!

Beautiful in her cap and gown!

Next to Joseph and Kitomi

The (bored) big brothers: Eddie, Jefferson,
and Johnny

Receiving her diploma from Miss Patti!!

Getting her huge "Me Book"

Miss Patti makes them these special stars
for their graduation!

Johnny's Last Day of Elementery School!!

Yes, Michael is Johnny's age

Johnny and his awesome teacher for the year,
Mr. Dalton

I thot it was so sweet cuz Emilio was crying on
this last day- so were a lot of other kids!
Johnny seemed to be SUPER happy!!

Johnny's classroom set up

Last time out on the playground!

Saila'a Last Day at Pre-school!

Elizabeth and Saila!!

When you fall and get a booboo and you bleed, you
get a popsicle! She got one on her last day
of school and YES the popsicle thing WORKS!!

This was a sad day but we all managed to
smile! (yes, Johnny really IS that tall!!)

Circus!!!!

Yay!! Circus day!! We all went, even Papa
and Mama came to see Saila be a Gypsy
Snake Charmer!

Saila in her Belly Dance outfit- thank you,
Marlese! This is kinda big on her but will fit
her for a while still, yay!!

We both had crystals on our foreheads!
My job at the Circus was drawing "Quick Sketches"
of the kids.... it actually turned out great!

Beautiful Gypsy holding a little chicken

Here they are, charming the snake out of the
basket!

Waiting to go on (this picture should have been
before the one above) and you can see
Kotomi as "The Snake!"

My precious Angel! You KNOW she'll
be taking Belly Dance lessons with me SOON!!

Saila's Birthday Celebration at School

Saila is the only kid in the class who has a Summer
Birthday and since Miss Patti does something extra
cool for each kid on their day, she had an "Un-Birthday"
Celebration for Saila. I brot icecream sandwiches for
all the kids and Johnny got out of school early that
day (teacher work day), so he got to be there too!

I'm telling her to make an extra special wish!

Silly crazies!

She was so happy about her day!

Johnny, all sweaty from running around
with all the little boys- they think he is SUPER cool!!

Miss Patti telling the Badger Story about "Saila
the Badger" on her Un-Birthday!

Jake, our last rat's Funeral

Outside in the backyard, before the funeral
and remembering good times.

Today Jake Keohan Lens Tucker died. He came
to us in December of 2007 and left us June 4th, 2009.
He was big and brown and liked to eat.

The tomato plants are turning into Monsters!!

Yes, my lettuce is going to seed, but I still eat it!

Jake's shroud and funeral candle and incense...

Johnny filled the first bit of dirt...

Sad that another pet has passed away

Johnny: "I remember when we first got him. I knew
that this day would come. I didn't want to get too attached
to him, but I did. We had lots of fun, he would poop on
me all the time, but I still loved him."
Saila: "I love you Jake, I hope you're in heaven, I
really really love you and I hope you had fun."
Linda: "Jake, I know you are just waking up in a new place, you have
just begun a new journey, you are not over. No matter how
small or large a living thing is, it's spirit is powerful and ultimately
free. Your spirit is no exception."
Rob: "I'm very glad the kids loved you so much- I'm also glad that
you never bit me..... that's probably because I never really
held/touched/petted you much. I'm sure you're in a better
place without a cage."

Family Party at Rosy and Joe's

Elena, Eddie, Rosy, Joe, and Evonne: We
LOVE you guys!!

Gorgeous picture of Saila and Grandma!!

Johnny and his cake of the evening

Chalo, Eddie, Pepe, Candy's sister, and Johnny
We were celebrating all their Birthdays....
Chalo and Johnny have the same Birthday (May 22nd)
and Eddie's is two days later

My big kid and me....I love you Johnny!

We are all listening to Papa's speech in Spanish and
I'm translating for Johnny. Papa made a very
good speech to and for Johnny, in English.

Saila- listening and soaking it all in....

Marylou and Papa

Sweet little Izzy!!