Since Tyson has been gone for the past 4 years, and only home for the summer and Christmas vacations, he sort of lost his bedroom. Since he had the bigger bedroom, we moved Madi into it after Tyson left for college. Well, Madi moved out last fall, and I moved my craft crap supplies in!
Tyson's stuff got moved around a few times, and was divided between a few rooms. When he got home last weekend, we decided to make his room a bit more "his". We did get it painted, (more on that later in the week) and moved most of Madi's stuff out of the closet. While going through stuff, I came across Madi's Disneyland Autograph Book. Brought back so many fun memories of that particular trip to Disneyland! We surprised the kids for Christmas!
Each time we visit California, we always try and do something, or visit something new. On previous trips we have visited Huntington Beach, Manhattan Beach, Venice Beach and Santa Monica. We've also visited the Hollywood Bowl, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and multiple trips to the Happiest Place on Earth. We've attend an Angel's game and even eaten at The Oinkster that was featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives, and poolside at the Cabana Club Cafe at the Beverly Hills Hilton. We've had a great time on our visits to California.
This trip, we knew most of our time would be spent attending all of the graduation festivities. It was also a holiday weekend, so we figured the beaches would be packed on our free days of Sunday and Monday. After discussing it with the fam, we realized we just couldn't leave California without some type of visit to the beach. Plus, Uncle Kevin made Madison promise she would dip her feet in the ocean for him! T's girlfriend Stephanie is from Irvine, which is incredibly close to Balboa Island. She has spent quite a bit of time at the beach (her Dad also grew up on Balboa Island!), and suggested we spend the day there.
We did.
And we are so happy, we did.
Can you say gorgeous?
Check out these houses that are right up against the beach:
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Could you imagine living here?
The flowers alone were FABULOUS!
Check out this pier/dock:
Stephanie and her parents met us at the beach with kayaks, paddle boards and the popular Cornhole game!
Madison and I, going out on the paddle board:
Madi and George coming in from a jaunt in the kayaks:
Stephanie's dad also loves to build sand castles, and he is really good at it!
He whipped that bad boy out, in no time!
Stephanie and Tyson got schooled a few times in cornhole! By their dads, and by Madi and George! They were not happy about it!
All in all, we had such an amazing time!
We loved spending time with Stephanie and her family, and appreciate all they did to make our day on Balboa Island, such a huge success!
A whole lot of envelope addressing is going on at the Moll house!
Madison's last day of high school is today. Really? How is it, that my baby girl is old enough to be graduating from high school already? It can hardly comprehend it all!
We've been busy tying up loose ends (end of year projects, extra credit and studying for finals), as well as getting the graduation announcements (courtesy of Jostens) and graduation party invitations (courtesy of Shutterfly) addressed and out in the mail.
Starting tomorrow, things will begin to get out of hand! The first of the graduation parties that Madi has been invited to (and some that we are invited to as well), begin. No school for the kids next week, but there is the Activities Awards Night on Monday, and then the Athletics Awards Night on Tuesday, along with several rehearsals for both Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation thrown in throughout the week. On Thursday night we celebrate the Baccalaureate Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, which is beautiful! Definitely one of the things I love about my kids attending a Catholic High School! ALSO, Tyson will be home from college on Thursday! Woot Woot! Can't wait to have everyone under one roof again!
Friday night is Madi's big graduation party! A time to celebrate with friends and family! I have been busy making these
Tissue paper Pom Poms to hang from the trees in the backyard! I know, I know….as you can tell from Madi's graduation announcements….Puple and Yellow are NOT her high school colors! LOL! She LOVES the color Purple, and wanted that to be the "theme" of HER night! I also rented a Cotton Candy machine for the night! Hoping to serve Purple cotton candy! Fun, right?
A few more graduation parties on Saturday, and then Madi's Graduation on Sunday at Abravanel Hall.
Such a crazy time for all of us! But, what an exciting time for Madi! Her facebook status last night said:
beginnings are usually scary, and endings are usually sad, but its everything in between that makes it all worth living…♥
I love it! Perfect for her and this time of year!
Thanks for sticking with me, and allowing me to document the personal stuff that is going in my life!
For the last 13 years, this girl of ours has been playing baseball or softball. She started at the age of 5 playing baseball with the boys, and then started playing Bonnet Ball at the age of 6. From then on, there was no stopping her. After playing Bonnet Ball for a few years, she began playing "Comp" softball. What fun times! Some highlights:
Madi has played for 3 different comp teams (Sting, Sliders and Extreme), and 1 high school team (Judge Memorial Bulldogs)
Made countless friends, both teammates and on rival teams
We've taken MANY trips as a family to tournaments (Steamboat Springs, CO ~ St. George, UT ~ Las Vegas, NV ~ Portland, OR)
She is the ONLY Pitcher on her high school team and has never played in a JV game
She has usually been one of 3-4 pitchers on her comp teams, and primarily played 1st base, and occasionally 3rd base
Played in every Triple Crown World Series, since playing comp ball
Had swim parties and sleepovers with teammates
Played on the Sting soccer team with her softball friends
Pitched almost every game as a high school pitcher on the varsity team, even as a freshman
Played most of her sophomore high school season with a "boot" after having surgery to place a metal rod and 6 screws in her ankle
Countless BBQ's and dinners out after games with teammates and their families
Received several scholarships and offers to play college softball
BUT, after all is said and done…..Madi has decided to hang up her cleats, put away her mitt and say goodbye to the sport that has brought so much to her life. It is time to move on to a new chapter for her now. And while, it is bittersweet and we (the whole family) will miss seeing Madi on the softball field, we are so excited to see what is in store for her.
Thanks for all the softball memories you have given us Madi! It has been so much fun to travel around with you and watch you play over the years!
Lot's of different milestones for my baby girl, Madison.
She is a senior and will be graduating from high school at the end of the month.
While I am sooo happy for her and excited for her future, I am still sad that it is the end of an era. She has attended a fabulous Catholic High School (as did Tyson), and it's sad to see our time at the high school end.
The first milestone she (we!) celebrated this past weekend, was her last Prom!
We used my brother's backyard to host a group of Madi's friends/dates and their parents for pictures. It was a lot of FUN!
It was so fun to see the kids and how excited they all were….and yet a touch sad as it was their last prom.
Next milestone? The last softball game of Madi's career. Should happen today, weather permitting. This girl has played baseball/softball since she was 5, and this could be the very last game ever for her. She has elected not to play this summer at all. Carl and I won't know what to do with ourselves!
Thanks for letting me take a break from craftiness, to record some personal stuff, here on the old blog!
This sweet girl will be graduating from high school next month. It seems like only yesterday that I was dropping her off at preschool for her first day. My how time flies! We've had so many years of homework, field trips, science fairs (my nemesis), parent teacher conferences, report cards, school plays, etc.
I can't believe it's almost over!
Her senior year of high school has been one of the best years so far! We've watched our little girl grow into and amazing young woman, with so much confidence, and such a good heart. We've watched her cheerlead this year at football and basketball games, and watched her pitch for the varsity softball team. We've watched her attend her last homecoming dance and will watch her go off to her final prom next month. It is all so bittersweet! As I ran something to school for her a few weeks ago, I admit I got a bit teary-eyed! We've been a part of the high school community for the last 7 years (while our son was there too), and I just can't imagine not driving up the hill anymore.
But, all good things must come to an end. When one door closes, another one opens. Madison has a bright future ahead of her with so many opportunities, experiences and adventures to be lived! I am so excited for her and for what her future holds.
I will be giving away 50 Shutterfly announcement cards to one lucky winner! And also a Shutterfly 8" x 8" Photo Book to another winner!
Here how you can win! Just leave me a comment on what you will be celebrating this spring! Easy as pie, right? I would also love it if you would consider becoming a follower of my blog!
I will select a winner on Saturday, April 16th!
GOOD LUCK!
Are you a blogger, too? Click here to register for a chance at 50 free announcements! This post is part of a series sponsored by Shutterfly. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.
Or will you be spending tonight on Bourbon Street, in New Orleans….wearing a mask & riding on a float?
While I would love to experience Mardi Gras some day in New Orleans, the Moll Family will be hanging out at home. Possibly celebrating Fat Tuesday with some fast food! Since we are giving up fast food for Lent! Last day for 40 days to partake…..what to do, what to do!
