Flag Football Champions

 Max was excited to try a new sport,
Flag football!
He absolutely loved it.
The fast pace, high energy.
Just up his alley.
And, he got to play with all of his favorite people, bonus!

They worked well as a team and 

earned themselves first place

in their division.

These boys are thick as thieves.

A fun group to watch.

Proud of them!

The coaching staff.

Geared up and ready 

to try something new.

The Brookside Flag Football Crew.

Max in action.

First Place Champions!

Rainbow

 Simply breathtaking.
This is as good as it gets.
Full rainbow.
Beautiful.

5th Grade Band Concert

Tonight was a big event.
5th grade band concert.
All of the kids have been working hard,
learning a new instrument this year.
Carmen chose the clarinet and is loving it.
She had the chance to showcase her skills and what
she's learned this year.
It was fun to see all of the kids hard work payoff.

Proud of their accomplishments!

What Peace Means to Me

 Carmen recently entered a contest hosted by the 
Lake Forest Park Rotary.
The theme was "What Peace Means to Me."
You could submit anything to communicate your meaning --
a song, poem, video, painting, drawing, etc.
Carmen got to work and decided painting on canvas is what she wanted to do.
Her piece was selected as the grand prize winner in 
the 3rd - 5th grade category.

Her winnings consisted of a certificate, pin and gift card to Third Place Books

and she will get to present her piece at an upcoming

Rotary meeting along with the winners in the other categories.
Proud of this girl.

Cat Nap

 

Disneyland 2022

 This Spring Break was one to remember.
We had been talking about for a while and finally made it happen.
Disneyland was our destination -- a family & friend trip!

We had a truly amazing time and were blessed that Grandma 'Son'

joined us for the adventure. She was an absolute trooper. She matched us step-for-step

for 12+ miles a day of trekking from park to park. She went on more rides than I did,

including Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Matterhorn 

and Gaurdians of the Galaxy

(with a 130 foot drop...no thank you).

We explored and experienced both Disneyland and California Adventure.

We had pool time, got our fill of Dole Whip and churros,

enjoyed the sunshine, checked out the new Star Wars attractions

and even managed to make it to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

 (on Grandma's wish list, not so much on ours).

We went hunting for just the right Disney pins for Carmen to trade.

Dried off multiple times form multiple trips down Splash Mountain.

Saw the fireworks show from our hotel room

 and figured out how to use the new Genie+ system to 

minimize our time standing in line for all of the attractions.

We laughed, we smiled, we took everything in.

Best of all, we spent most of it with amazing friends.

It was a dream come true for the kids.

Not only all of their best friends in one place,

but in Disneyland of all places. It was a trip of a lifetime.

Now for photo overload....

Look who we saw at the airport?!

Great way to start the trip.

Disney, here we come!

Our home for the trip.

A warm welcome for Grandma.

Pool time

First moments at the Park

Splash Mountain....

meet up spot for some cooling down.

The boys.

The girls.

The dads.

Here we go....

Classic pics.

The aftermath...

Big Thunder Railroad.

No shortage of treats.

Man-kinis!

Embarrassed by Guston...

Twinning.

Matterhorn ride-goers.

Incredicoaster crew.

Incredicoaster spectators.

Girl time = fun times.

The Big Brookside Crew

(12 kids)

(the boys)

(the girls)

(the moms)

(the dads)

(the adults; feels like prom)

The hunt for the perfect trading pin.

Max was not into a Disney souvenir.

However, he did find joy at the Pele soccer store.

More Disney fun.

Thanks Disneyland.

We had a fabulous trip.

See you next time.