Halloween

Happy Halloween from the Kaizen Klan!  As is our family tradition each year we pick a theme.  It was a close call between pirates and cowboys but in the end the older two siblings actually agreed on something.  They picked cowboys.  We'll see what happens next year when Asher is able to voice his opinion a little more.  Anyways, we started off by participating in the Munchkin March for the 2nd time.  This is where we parade through downtown San Luis Obispo and raise money and collect food to go to the local food bank.  It is for a wonderful cause and the kids always have a great time.  On the actual day of Halloween we met up with Cousin Aleah and friends and trick or treated through Arroyo Grande.  The kids had a blast!

The Kaizen Cow pokes at Avila Valley Barn

 Cowgirl Tea

 Cowboy Caden

 Ashy the little Buckaroo

 Picking Pumpkins from the pumpkin patch.

 She was having trouble deciding.

 Munchkin March Time.

 Asher in his Horse Buggy.

 The older two kids rode in the chuckwagon.

 The Kaizen cow pokes

 All the little Trick or treaters.

Cadens 6th Birthday

Happy 6th Birthday Caden Bradley!  I can't believe my baby boy is 6 already.  Where have the years gone?  As usual Caden continues to amaze us.  He started off the year in a special day class.  A short time later his special day teacher and the regular kindergarten teacher unanimously agreed that Caden should be main streamed....completely!  I had my reservations but agreed to a slow transition to see how he would do.  He completely blew Don and I both away.  He has been in the regular class since the beginning of the school year and has continued to thrive and improve.  He is reading at a 1st grade level, doing addition and subtraction and making lots of new friends.  It still feels like yesterday that he was born 16 weeks early weighing 1 lb 13oz and given less than a 50% chance at surviving.  Some days I have to remind myself that he is the same kid. That this smart thriving child is the one who wasn't even supposed to be here with us.  He continues to amaze us daily.  His newest obsession is the piano.  He has always been musically inclined but he recently blew us all away by teaching himself to play the piano.  We're quite convinced this could be his calling in life.  Happy birthday to our wonderful talented little guy.  Thank you for changing our lives and changing them for the better.

For his birthday we had a Thomas the Tank Engine Party.  We played lots of games and have fun with family and friends.  Here's a glimpse of the birthday.

The Birthday Boy

 

Traffic Jam

Some of the decorations.

 The kids painted their own trains.

 They also had to toss coal into the coal car.

 The kids also got to play smoke stack ring toss.

 Thomas was there with Annie and Claribel!!!

 James was there too!

 Cranky the crane.

 Harold the Helicopter

 And of course a choo choo cake.


 

Summer Time

We are so lucky to live on the beautiful Central Coast.  This summer we tried to take advantage of it and made some trips to the beach.  One of our favorite things to do is to have a bonfire.  The kids had a blast playing in the sand, throwing balls and splashing in the waves.  They also got to experience bonfire food, aka hot dogs, potato salad and the favorite smores.




Caden playing in the sand.

 Caden's favorite part was rolling in the big hole we dug in the sand.

The kids playing catch.
Asher liked eating the sand.
Best friends and cousins Tea and Aleah.


Smores Yummy!



Daddy and Ashy.
The Crew.


They all were pooped after the fun filled beach day.

 

On another note.  Asher is getting so big.   Here are some things he loves.

1. To Eat


2. Cars

3. To Climb.



4. To torture the animals.






Also here are some of the beautiful sunsets we've been enjoying this summer.