Dino Dig

The local library had an amazing event for the kids where they were able to learn about dinosaurs and fossils from two paleontologists. They had an interactive presentation, a game, and a hands on fossil dig for the kids. My boys all loved it and thought that it was awesome that they were able to touch the real fossils. They have been looking up information about dinosaurs in our home library since they got home. Luckily, Pudge had bought a huge book about dinosaurs and fossils a year or two ago at the library book sale so they have been able to find a lot of information. 

Cuatro listened to most of it but we spent a little bit of time in the foyer because he got hungry (his shoes and socks are in his bag because he also decided that he couldn’t wear them while sitting.)

Kids Run

Another great day at the local kids’ run

I can not say enough wonderful things about this program. It is hosted free to the public completely by volunteers through the local running club. 

This time, Pequeño was feeling nervous when they told parents to please step out for the kids to start their stretches. The leader of his group noticed that he was watching everyone else and invited him to be his helper. 

He had him come sit next to him

and help lead the rest of the stretches. It was very sweet and went above and beyond what most people would have done. I had expected Pequeño to walk out of the group in a moment or two and then I would have needed to convince him to participate in the run. 

Instead, he was so excited to walk with the group leader to where the race would start and even talked to another little boy when they talked to him (he usually doesn’t say anything if he’s nervous and will just look around). He ran the race and said that he had a lot of fun. 


Little Bear has been working hard and did a great job on his run (1.5 Miles). He has been doing training runs at home and has set a goal for himself to continue to beat his times. 

Drs and a Hike

We started the day with two appointment for Pudge’s concussion. Since it is summer, the other three will be coming to most of his appointments which means that we have activity bags packed for in the waiting rooms. They always love going to their regular pediatrician’s office because the waiting room always has fun books and a color changing thing on the wall that they always play with. They love their doctor and always get excited when they find out that is where the appointment is for that day. 

After the appointments, we went for a hike. It started to rain which the kids thought was fun but shortened our route. 

Last Day of School!

How they’ve grown this year!

They only had school for about 3 hours for the last day and came home excited to show me their report cards. They each did really well and will be moving up for next year.

Pudge had a concussion appointment in the afternoon 

and immediately afterwards we met Papa at the ice cream shoppe that has been our “Last Day of School Tradition” since Little Bear started Kindergarten. 

Then home to swim. 

5th grade chorale concert

Little Bear has an end of year chorus concert tonight. The theme was Hollywood and they did an amazing job. Sorry of the songs that they sang were “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana, “Circle of Life” from the Lion King, and “We Go Together” from Grease.

(Little Bear is to the far left, 3rd row, in a black suit jacket)

Mother’s Day 2018

The boys and Papa were so sweet to me this Mother’s Day. On Saturday, the older three asked to goto the library in the morning while Papa watched Cuatro and we spent a lot of the rainy day looking through some of the books that they chose for the week. 

 For dinner we went to Casa Toro. We haven’t been there in a while and the kids were all excited to find out that it was “the place with the baked avocados.” We ordered one vegetarian and one meat version and they were a huge hit. 

Sunday morning, I was showered with gifts from the kids when I woke up and Papa made us all breakfast.

From Little Bear:

From Pudge:





From Pequeño:

and from Papa:

Although I knew that we would be getting a new van soon (to replace ours from our accident), I thought that we would be getting another base model. Papa went above and beyond with getting features that he knew that I would really appreciate. 

Our day originally was filled with soccer games but due to the rain, Pequeño’s game was cancelled. So we spent the rest of the morning playing games and making crafts. 

Pequeño wasn’t feeling great because he has a scratch on one of his eyes from rubbing it due to allergies (he has to take an antibiotic and get drops so it doesn’t get infected) so he ended up taking a nap in our room for a few hours. 

We were surprised that Little Bear’s wasn’t cancelled so I went to watch him play. It was during Cuatro’s usual nap time and was pouring outside so the rest of the family stayed at the house. At first we thought that the game was going to be forfeited by the other team because a few minutes before it was supposed to start, they only had two players there. They ended up getting a few players late and the teams played with less kids on the field than usual. 

Little Bear had a great game. He scored a goal and also had an awesome (non-goalie) save where he jumped up and kicked the ball from the side to stop it from going into the goal (he got a big cheer). The team played an awesome game and won 6-1. One player made two goals from almost half field. 

(J’s goal)

When we got home, we found that Papa had grilled steaks and made pineapple glazed carrots and baked potatoes for dinner. 

After dinner, the kids went up to the playroom and Papa and I relaxed and read for a little while. 

Before bed, we watched a few trailers for upcoming children’s movies and the kids told us which ones they are interested in seeing and then one “Will it?” video on YouTube before the kids went to bed. 

Once they were tucked in, I worked out while Papa worked on the computer upstairs. 

Next, I read in a bubble bath while Papa worked out and showered and then we watched a few shows before bed. 

Warm weather

Yesterday and today the temperature has been in the 80’s.

Today:

I think yesterday it got up to 85*. So much for Spring, it’s already feeling like summer. 

We have been getting a lot of yard work done and still have a long list of things to do in the next few weeks (including weeding, mulch, the sandbox, and pressure washing the deck, etc.). We opened the pool this week and will be having propane delivered in a few days (next time I’ll call earlier because they had a longer wait than we expected). 

I can’t wait for us to be able to splash around in here. (Picture is after vacuuming the pool- vacuum is in the spa.) We were really happy with how clean the water was when we opened it. It didn’t take long to get it back to sparkling blue.  We are planning to pressure wash the surrounding concrete when we get one for the deck. This week, I need to weed the border and then we plan to add rocks in a few places and replace the stepping stones by the gate)

I love the flowers on this tree (they smell amazing every time we walk by it) but they are already starting to fall and the leaves are coming back.