Season Opener: Lions vs. Titans

Mote and Nic played their very first football game on Saturday and it was awesome!!! I didn't think their team would understand the game well enough because they're so young, but I was wrong. The game started off shaky. We got scored on within the first couples minutes, so I was sure we were going to get blown out. It took them a little bit to find their groove, but when they did they were awesome!! Mote scored 3 times to help his team to victory and Nic played both offense and defense.

They both said they had fun. I had such a good time watching them play and I can't wait for next Saturday to watch them again!! Go Lions!!!

Baptism by Immersion: Nicolaus Fangupo

Nic turned 8 on September 2, 2012. We finally were able to set a date for his baptism that would allow Ti Tonga to be here with us. As the assigned day drew nearer we were thrilled to find out that our family from Salt Lake would be joining us for Nic's special day as well. It was awesome!!! What a memorable day for him and he was so happy to be able to spend it with his family. Congratulations Nici. We are so proud of you.

Nic was baptized on November 3, 2012 at the Las Vegas Spring Mountain Stake. Our ward just split so he was the very first person to be baptized in the Windmill Ward. He was baptized by his Grandpa Tevita Moala and confirmed by his Grandpa Kina Fangupo.

Party at The Putt Park

We are officially done with birthdays for 2011. Nic's birthday fell on a Friday this year, so Ti went and took him some cupcakes to pass out to his class during their lunch break. We held off celebrating his birthday until Monday though. The kids were off for the holiday and I was off of work... so we went miniature golfing at The Putt Park.

It turned out really fun even though 4 out of the 5 in our group sucked haha. Ti of course came in first place... surprise, surprise.
We tallied up the scores between the kids. Mote and Siope tied for first place and Nic came in 2nd <~ with a difference of only 1 point.

After golf we stopped by Poppy's to get some frozen yogurt...

We asked Nic what he wanted for his special birthday dinner. We told him that he could choose anything his little hear desired... and he chose hotdogs LOL. To spruce the dogs up we ended up BBQing them.

Nic is absolutely crazy about cheesecake, so instead of a traditional cake we got him a cheesecake that I topped with strawberry's. I would say that it was a pretty successful birthday. Happy birthday Nici! We love you!

Nici's Christmas Carols

Nic had a Christmas recital on Thursday afternoon. By the time me and Ti Tonga got to the courtyard the stage had already been filled with 1st graders. Nic smiled as soon as he saw us. He was very shy throughout their performance, but I could tell he was happy to have us there.

Big Time Rush feat. Nic & Siope Fangupo

Every time I try to record the kids singing they all the sudden turn shy, so I secretly turned on the webcam while they were playing one of their favorite Nick games. They are really big fans of Big Time Rush and this was the only way to capture them singing one of their songs. They had no clue the camera was rolling.

Six in September

Nic turned 6 on the 2nd. His birthday fell on a Thursday which meant we had usual school and work activities throughout the day. There's a small slot in the day when we're all together. It happens when the kids get off of school. I usually have just a couple minutes where I can ask them how their day went before I leave to work. So on Thursday when this "free slot" came, we all gathered around and sang Happy Birthday to Nic. Ti made him a chocolate cake and cooked shrimp alfredo for dinner. Nic's 2 favorite things-- shrimp and pasta. It was really low key. I felt bad because he kept asking when everyone was going to come over to help celebrate. We had to explain to him that everyone was at work, but that we had something special planned for him on Monday (Labor Day). That whole weekend the kids kept bugging us about what we were going to do for Nic's "party". Ooooh the suspense...

Class of 2010

Yesterday Nic graduated from Kindergarten! He missed school last Thursday and Friday so I didn't get the reminder his teacher sent home about the graduation date/time. As I was dropping Ti Tonga off at work Monday morning I remembered that Nic would be graduating later that day. I'm so glad I remembered before I dropped him off! I kept thinking what would've happened if I sent him to school not dressed properly or if I wasn't in the crowd as he performed on stage :( But we made it! When it was time to go to school I told him that me and Siope would meet him at his ceremony. Before he went out the door he said, "Mom! Don't forget your camera okay?!" He's been so excited to wear his graduation cap ever since we turned in his cap money (over a month ago).



This year there were more classes graduating. I don't remember Mote's year being so full. I didn't get a good seat and I was so annoyed that parents kept standing up during the performances to get video footage and pictures of the kids. They completely blocked my view. I didn't get any pics of Nic on stage and couldn't get good footage of them singing. Poor Siope was upset that he couldn't see. I tried holding him up so that he could see Nic, but balancing him, my purse, and the camera all at once was more than I could handle. I got one blurry pic of Nic entering the cafeteria...
and a little clip of one of their class songs...

The students performed several songs and ended by marching out to Black Eyed Peas' - I Gotta Feeling. We met up in Nic's class afterward where his teacher Ms. Keidel presented each of her students their diplomas.Refreshments were served...and each of the students presented us with their Kindergarten books- a collection of some of their projects and artwork they created throughout the school year.
Here's Nic's very first homework assignment...
Nic has had a total of 3 teachers this school year (not by choice). There was a lot of moving around due to the number of kids that entered into Kindergarten. His 2nd teacher was Mrs. Higa who we ABSOLUTELY LOVED!!! She really cared about Nic and had a way with getting through to him. He learns a lot differently and she was so patient with him! The progress he showed while she was his teacher was amazing. We were so sad when we found out she was leaving his class to teach special ed. She showed up to watch each of the kids receive their diplomas. I was so happy to see her. She congratulated Nic and spoke words of encouragement to him.

Nic & Ms. Keidel (his current teacher)
Nic & Gabrielle- his pal, neighbor, & carpool buddy
First Grade Bound!
Siope, Nic, & Timote
Mr. Graduate!

Ti wasn't able to make it due to his work schedule. When we got in the car Mote said, "Mom guess what? I got an award." So I'm thinking-- cool... another math award? And Mote says, " I made it on the honor roll." I was soooooo proud of him!!! Bummed that I didn't know about the award assembly, but so proud of his achivement! We picked up Ti Tonga and then went out to celebrate. The kids chose.... Chili's of course. Ti's birthday was on Sunday so it was a celebration of his birthday, Nic's graduation, and Mote making it on the honor roll.

Today Mote came home with his graduation certificate from 1st grade...

Tomorrow will be the last day of school, then the boys will get a 3 week break before starting the new school year. This coming year we are actually switching to a traditional 9 month school schedule - Hallelujah! Not much of a break to allow for the adjustment, but I'm sure I won't be complaining once next summer hits. I'm already making plans to ship them off to Grandma's next June =)