First Day of Fourth Grade

Summer was fun but its Back to School now! 

Deiana got a "tough"teacher this year but I am happy about it.  She is a little behind in the reading and language area and I am hoping she can catch up this year. Previously they have always told me she is at grade level, but at the end of last year I found out this really was not the case.  Public school thinks she is "good enough" as she is but I know she is capable of much more. She loves school, so that's a plus, but she does not love reading.

 

 Unfortunately for Deiana, NONE of her friends are in her class this year.  She knows everyone at the school and makes friends easily so hopefully this won't affect her attitude regarding school this year.  It could help her learn if she is not doing so much socializing.

She was actually seated at a table with 4 boys and no other girls. Here she is with Nick, the boy across the street that she is friends with. 

 

Posing for the first day in an outfit she picked out.

Updates

Time to catch up on the blog!  We had an uneventful end of the summer.  Just lots of gymnastics and a final trip to the beach. 

 

 Deiana and Becky had fun running on the beach.  Last year Deiana met Emma, her newest BFF who has a beach house by ours.  They are both gymnasts and met doing cartwheels on the beach.  They were inseparable from then on.  We went by their house this year and they were there.  The girls were instant friends again and spent the rest of the week together and even had sleep overs.

We had lots of gymnastics team events this summer like parades and exhibitions.  The summer ended with a picnic at a local amusement park.

 Deiana conquered her fear of heights with this rock wall!  (Didn't know she had any fears)

 Deiana had her 10th Birthday, and celebrated with a slumber party with 9 friends.  Not a lot of sleeping going on but lots of fun!

 

 

The Big Photo Shoot

Get ready for some awesome pictures of our beautiful Deiana!  My very talented friend Debbie took these fantastic shots.  She has been photographing Deiana since she was tiny.  Now that she is older, she is much more cooperative so we got lots of great ones!  I am so thankful Debbie could capture images that reflect the beautiful girl I see everyday.

New Gym

Here are a few gymnastics pics from the new gym.  They did a photo shoot of just Deiana so she can be on the wall with the other team members.  They have been very welcoming.  These pictures are just some that I took.

 

 

Deiana hamming it up for the camera.

 



 The serious gymnast!  Ha

 

This is more like it.

 

She has been working hard four days a week.  Pretty easy now that school is out.  But they sure to work them hard, and do a lot of conditioning.  They also have some parades and public exhibitions scheduled.  Should be lots of fun.  (We do miss out old friends though)

May Updates

We continue to have a full house all through May!  Jeremy's condo finally looks like it will go through, hopefully in June.  Jordan spends very little time here due to the cramped conditions.  All of the moving will keep us busy decorating, organizing and re-organizing. 
We had a fun beach weekend over Memorial day with Aunt Susie and some friends.

 

The biggest news around here is that Deiana is changing gymnastics teams.  This is bittersweet, especially for me (love the moms).  We have been at the same gym for almost 5 years, it is a very nice facility and  Deiana and I have made many good friends there.  I did not have any intention of looking elsewhere.....ever.

However, since January Deiana has had 4 different coaches quit.  There have been about 8 coaches in all leave our gym.  With the coaches many, many girls have left too including four of her best friends.  This left Deiana with not many girls at her skill level, and no coach.  We had a try out at a different gym and it seems like a really good fit.  There are several girls at her age and skill level, as well as good coaches and a gymnastics philosophy more to my liking.  It is a smaller place with a close knit feeling. We really feel it is our best choice and are eager to see how it works out.  June 3 is her first official day!  Wish her luck!

Moving Days

We have had some changes in address in the family.  My Dad finally sold his condo and moved into The Mirabella, an upscale senior community on the south waterfront in Portland.  My sister and I did a lot of work getting him moved but he is now all settled in, complete with all new furniture!  It is a beautiful place and we are excited for his new life adventure.

From the balcony at Grandpa's new place.

Dining at the Mirabella (kid menu)



Complete with yummy dessert!
 

At our house, Jordan moved back home after three years away doing work/school.  He is saving money and making career decisions.  Deiana is excited to have him home even though she had to give up her play room.  Jeremy is in the middle of purchasing a condo and there have been extended delays dealing with HUD, so he has not moved out yet as planned.  So we have a full house at the moment.  At least everyone has full time jobs and extracurricular activities! 


This is the only picture I could get of them.
 

Spring Break

This year we started spring break with a trip to Eugene for the last gymnastics meet of the season.  Deiana did very well and took two firsts and three seconds.  She is now moving up a level and will be working out 12 hours a week! 

After the drive home we headed to the airport for a trip to Las Vegas.  This trip was planned kind of at the last minute so we could go somewhere and enjoy some fun and most of all sun!  Being spring break many places were booked and flights expensive.  We were staying at the Circus Circus, because we thought it would be fun for Deiana.  However the pool was not at all to my liking (I'm being nice here) and the hallway had an unbearable smell.  The rest of the Hotel, and its location were just my idea of a Las Vegas experience.  We made the most of it for a couple days then I got on the Internet and got a great deal on the Luxor, so we moved on up and it was the best decision ever.  Night and day difference!  We then enjoyed the sights and activities on the other end of the strip, and the pool was beautiful.  All in all it was a fun trip  with perfect weather, but the food was quite expensive and for Deiana there was a lot of walking and she seemed overstimulated a lot of the time.  Maybe somewhere more relaxing next year!

You can walk to Treasure Island from Circus Circus!

                                 

Good thing dad can shoot baskets, we got three ponies to lug around!

Need our morning coffee, at least mom does.

                                               

                                                                The beautiful Luxor!

Yes she climbed up here for this shot