Martial Arts, Parties, and Pets

Tae Kown Do Arden: 

Practicing Martial Arts

TKD Arden

As September came, we asked Arden if he'd like to be involved in some type of sport...other than soccer...Soccer needed a rest....Mommy needed a rest from soccer.
I suggested Martial Arts.  After trying out a couple of places we chose a small group by our house.  He really likes going to class and is doing well.  He's even getting more coordinated. He recently tested for his yellow belt.

A Pet: 
We've been kind of against having a pet because we can't have any at our place and I don't want to be responsible for something else.  However, I feel like it would be good for Arden to have a pet...that is low key.  So, for his last birthday present I took him to Petco to choose a pet.  Something that didn't need much care, like a hermit crab or a beta fish (not a fish requiring filters and other things)....Heck, even a lizard...right?
I was really hoping for the hermit crab...really rooting for the hermit crab or the beta fish.  Instead, Arden chose a lizard....he really wanted a big lizard, but I wouldn't have it.  He picked out this small one.  I bought the cage and everything else that went with it...not cheap.  We got home and I set up the tank.  Not fun. I really had to say NO WAY...once I found out I had to keep the lizard's food alive and feed its food well, otherwise, the lizard would get sick.  NO WAY! I'm not keeping worms and crickets alive and have to go to the store every week to get fresh crickets.  That's too much work.  This was supposed to be low key...easy.
So, I gave in and got him a small fish tank (5 gallons and with a filter and stuff) and took the lizard back.
When we had a tank when I was a kid, my mom and dad would care for it, so I didn't really learn how to care for one.
To make the long story short...I didn't treat the water right, we had too many fishes, and in a period of about 4 weeks we went through 12 fishes...no kidding!  Everything that could have been done incorrectly, I did it.
Our friends gave us a 10 gallon tank and we started all over.  We've kept those guys alive for over 2 months.  Hooray!

Friends:
Maya has a great little friend named Stella.  Maya and Stella love each other so much and are such good little friends.  Every Sunday, after our sacrament meeting, Maya will run over to Stella, hold hands, and walk to class.  They are such good little friends.  We've had Stella over to play a few times...one of those times was over at the pool. They are too cute.

Isabella's Blessing:
Izzy is the newest baby of the family.  She's adorable and lovable.  A perfect little angel. 
In September we got together for her blessing and luncheon.  All of the cousins living here were present. 

We love Izzy!
















 Riding a Bike and Princess Party:
In Mid September, it was Maya's friend, Stella's, birthday.  The party was just down the street, so Maya wanted to attend the party in style.  Instead of using her tricycle, she rode her brother's old bike.  I didn't realize she could do it.  It still has the training wheels, but she was great! It was the first time I had witnessed this.  My favorite part was how she was dressed so girly, since it was a princess birthday party. I love this picture.  She's riding the bike in her princess dress, carrying her present to her friend, and her crown on the handle bar...After all, even a princess must be safe and needs to wear a helmet.
She really enjoyed the party.  There were princess games, tea party food, a princess birthday cake, and make-overs.



Maya had her nails and hair done.  She even had a bit of make-up.  A perfect party!

She had so much fun, she was talking about having another princess party for her upcoming birthday.  That request was gently denied...too much work, besides...she had been talking about a beach party with her cousins for months.