Springtime Fun

Friday night found the Riggio boys playing outside with their friends, a regular happening during the warm months.  Dominic and Matthew took pleasure in "bossing" the older boys around as they rode their bikes up and down the street and up the ramp....what fun!! Boy do I love these three handsome little guys!!

On Being Spoiled

I wonder what these two kitties are going to do when their mama returns to work next week?  These two are a big part of my day as they "help" with the laundry, protect us from the perils of an attack of birds from their perch in the window, and freshen up all of our clean pillows and blankets fresh out of the dryer.  They are certainly loved beyond measure.

Welcoming our Newest Neighbor

When we moved to Bakersfield in October 2011, not only did we venture into a new beginning for our family, we also entered as the new family on the block.  After building many lifelong friendships with our Paso Robles neighbors whom I still miss today, I wondered how long it would take to duplicate those in our new home.  The answer was not long.

The Hudnall-Yarbrough family has become a large part of our daily lives.  Creighton and Chancellor are in the same grades as Joshua and Dominic which yields a special bond between them all.  The Hudnall boys are  a big part of all of our lives.  Then there's their mom Carrie.  A woman who has been through so much in her life yet still has an overwhelming amount of love to give.  I have so much respect for her and the family that she has built with Steve, her fiance.

For the past nine months we have watched her belly expand as she prepared to welcome her first daughter in 2013; a momentus occasion since she has three boys (Jammer is almost 2) already.  Last Thursday Steve and Carrie welcomed baby Kaymbrea RayAnn into their family and we were all STOKED to meet our new neighbor.  The boys couldn't wait to hold her and cuddle with this sweet little girl.  Welcome to the world baby Kaymbrea and Congratulations to your mommy, daddy, and three big brothers!!

Surprise!

The boys have been real troopers for the past few months that their mommy has been off work.  We skipped a Spring Break vacation and have had many outings of the "free" nature.  As I approach the beginning of a new chapter in our lives (yes I say our's since we are a family and do everything together) I am eager to do something fun with the boys so where else but Disneyland to celebrate!

A few last minute arrangements and a screaming deal on a hotel will bring some sparkle to three little boys eyes next week when Nana joins us for some special Mickey time.  Truthfully, I am just as excited as the boys since it's been over a year since our last visit!!  Hooray!!

Utah or Bust

Fifth grade.  The milestone year of advanced at-home projects which require creativity, knowledge, and skill.  I still remember my 5th grade state report.  I don't recall why I picked Kentucky, but I know it had nothing to do with fried chicken.  Back in the early 80's there were no computers in homes (unless you were well off) and certainly no internet for research.  I did my project the old fashioned way; research at the library, a #2 pencil and College Ruled paper for writing, and colored pencils to draw pictures.  I still remember bundling it all up in a red folder with a 3 hole punch.  Fast Forward to 2013.  The 5th Grade State report has evolved much like our access to information.  Instead of the handwritten report, my son was assigned a 4 part project:

1. Complete a 10 page Q&A "report" on detailed information on your state
2. Design a personalized license plate for your state
3. Create a Power Point presentation to present in class
4. Create a "Float" to display in the classroom

"Are you kidding me?"  Those were the exact words that I uttered when I saw the assignment posted on the classroom website.  I have a difficult enough time getting Joshua to complete basic homework, how was I going to motivate him to complete this project?  I don't think I even used PowerPoint until I was working for AT&T.  The good news is we got a head start on the work.  I researched the information so I would be an expert so when Joshua worked on his report he could refer to my outline for help.  We were lucky enough to be assigned Utah (Joshua's 3rd choice after Hawaii and Texas) so both Josh and I were familiar with most of the information.  The first part was done in no time.

I quickly went to work on the PowerPoint presentation so that it would look clean and neat and reviewed the information again with Joshua.  The license plate was a breeze.  Joshua quickly knew he wanted to personalize a plate that had something to do with snowboarding so he went with LV2BORD and colored in the snowboarder we added.  Last and certainly not least was the state float.  The assignment required you to design a float with a minimum of 10 elements about your state and present in 3-D.  I'd say we did that and more. Notice that we event included the "fringe" around the exterior to cover the wheels!

This side shows the following (from left to right):
1. Industry - Milk products, hay, copper, beef cattle
2. Mormon church with Brigham Young, Book of Mormon, and  the Temple
3. Centerpiece with the state bird, and state tree, along with a beehive with bees representing "the Beehive State"
4. Major employers unique to Utah; Intermountain Healthcare, BYU, and University of Utah
5. Utah Flag (in background to right)
6. Depiction of city of Moab representing 4X4ing, the beautiful rock formations and Hot Air Ballooning

This side shows the following:
1. Depiction of city of Park City representing trout fishing in the river
2. State Flag
3. Centerpiece with State Flower  and State Animal
4. Depiction of city of Salt Lake City representing the state capital, Snowboarding, and the 2002  Olympics

The front plate is a Jell-o box

The back plate is the one Josh created

Prep Work

Look at that smile!  This is a picture of confidence and bravery as we sat in the waiting room of the Pediatrician's office on Friday.  This big, bad 5 year old was anxious to get a clean bill of health for Kindergarten.  Mommy was equally as anxious to get the visit over since she knew that the infamous "shots" would come before we left the office....oh boy!  I always wonder how Jim has managed to skip out on every single appointment where we encounter the needle. 

Up first were the basics; 41.8 pounds (60th percentile), 43 inches tall (50th percentile), perfect sight, perfect hearing, and a strong ticker.  All proof that we have the perfect 5 year old; at least that's what we think.  I laughed when we returned to the examination room to change into the gown.  He was asked to remove all his clothing except his undies and put on the firetruck gown we were given.  As I pulled off little man's shorts I found nothing underneath....oh boy!  Apparently he had an accident at school with what he called his "special part" when using the bathroom and decided to go commando for the remainder of the day.  We both laughed as we put the gown on him.  He was quick to make sure the doctor knew he was missing his unmentionables as she entered the room.

He knew all his numbers, colors, and drew a rather detailed picture of himself for Dr. Lagunda.  In short, he proved that he was a model 5 year old seeking acceptance into our public schooling system!  Approved!!

Then......the inevitable and disappointing end to the visit....the NEEDLE!!  I've always hated the Kinder visit as this age has proven to be the most difficult for shots.  They know what's coming and they still cry and scream in preparation which simply breaks my heart.  A TB test, a finger prick, and a shot in each leg yielded a special visit to Yogurtland after our visit.  We have one return trip tomorrow to have his TB test read and then he is off to Kindergarten in August!  They grow up way too quick!

Go Diamondbacks!

                                           

It was back to Baseball this Spring.  Joshua joined the Bakersfield Southwest Baseball League as a Diamondback in the Mustang B division.  After 12 games his team is ranked #4 of 14 and is improving their skills every week.  We have two games per week and each is 2 hours long which has created quite a commitment from the entire family but we are all enjoying the season.

Joshua normally plays 1st base but has recently picked up 3rd and pitcher (which is his favorite!)  He has made new friends and learned new skills this year; both of which he will carry with him long after the season is over. 

Matthew will be the next baseball star in the family.  He is passionate about his baseball gear and insists on wearing it to every game and practice.  He is an expert ball shagger and loves to cheer his big brother on.  He loves to visit the cages and even has a great batting average in the 30-35MPH cages even though he looks like a shrimp with a bat - hahaha!



Out With the Old

After 15 years, over 200,000 road miles, and relocation to Bakersfield, I am no longer working for the largest Communication company in the world.  In Mid February I left my position as an Area Retail Sales Manager to seek a new opportunity.  I've known for several years that the company I began work for in 1998 was evolving into a sales culture that I did not want to be a part of.  As an employee, a customer, and a shareholder, I no longer supported the direction I was being forced into.  As a sacrificial lamb of sorts I parted ways with AT&T in mid February.

For the past three months I have relished in being a mom and wife; something that I have never been able to do.  The older boys picked up riding the bus to and from school and my little man was reduced to only three days per week at preschool.  I've enjoyed special outtings, homework, baseball, classroom help, and most of all, one on one time with the four most important men in my life.  During this time (well actually I began the process in early January) I sought out a great opportunity with State Farm.  After an initial assessment, several hours of online coursework, a competency interview, the preparation of a 15 page business plan, and two presentations with area leaders and the Vice President of Agencies I was HIRED!!

On May 7, I will officially begin training as an Agency Intern for State Farm.  I am excited about the opportunity to run my very own business and to hire a team of people who will provide remarkable products and services to our local area.  As I move into the next chapter of my life I am thankful for all that God has provided me and my family; a great husband, three wonderful little boys, the best mom and sister a woman could ask for, an enormous support system of friends and family and, most importantly, a strong heart and mind to carry us into the future.