What do the following items have in common:
1. seven pairs of heart and star sunglasses
2. one package of peanut m&m’s
3. 10 fruit snacks
4. one kid-friendly craft project
5. hundreds of water balloons
They are all part of the best pick-me-up care package ever!
A HUGE HUG FROM THE NINOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Although it wasn’t United’s fault that my bag was lost, their lousy communication kept it lost for 3 weeks after it was found in Hong Kong. Here’s a funny, but all too real, look at how your baggage is handled:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo
Full Story: http://www.davecarrollmusic.com/story/united-breaks-guitars/
The boys had surgery a month ago–I am sure you can guess what they had done. They came through unscathed, and bounced back rather quickly. We had a little scare with Danny up at Zion, but we got through it. And now, everything looks great. The sisters were by their sides the entire time, except during surgery of course. They were very good little caretakers for a couple of days.
All I know is that I am ready for the nightly bath/vaseline routine to end. We have our final check-up this week sometime.
Juan P. got to make pizza for his birthday. He is a little obsessed with pizza right now, and he rarely gets it. So we thought it would be a fun birthday treat. Aunt Jaime made him a fruit pizza for his cake. Well, Aunt Val helped him decorate it, so it was a joint venture. Regardless, it was the yummiest birthday “cake” I have had in a long time. :)
Womps got the standard birthday hiking poles from us. And his Tios McCracken continued the Build-A-Bear tradition, which is ever so gracious. He LOVES his Girl Rainbow Bear that he picked out. She comes complete with a pink hat and rainbow skateboard. All because he thought she was beautiful, and because his tias are adorable push-overs! He named her Banana Baby. Yeah, I know!
After our fun-filled week at Zion, we rushed home to wash clothes and sleep so we could be ready the next day to drive to L.A. Adam had a last-minute business meeting so we tagged along. I called my long-time friend, Marisa, and she graciously drove down from Ventura with her three girls so we could hang out. I was ecstatic that she came down. They got to our hotel first thing in the morning so we had all day, and the kids had a blast. First, we went swimming at the hotel, and then headed to the beach.
After Adam’s meeting, he came out to the beach and buried each nino in the sand. The kids thought that was quite possibly the coolest thing they had ever experienced. (Wait until you see the video…..Adorable!) I bought the children new water shoes and sunglasses before the trip. Nikki has yet to take her glasses off her head. And Wompy, well…he had his thrown in the garbage around San Bernardino!!!!!!!! But I have to give the kid props, he hadn’t been home for over a week, and that was his only meldown during that week (except for the very first night of camping, poor little dude). We are making major strides here. :)
What was my favorite part? Talking to my friend about nothing and everything, watching each kid squeal in delight as he or she ran away from the waves (like a thousand times, at least), and seeing how silly goofy happy Adam is when he is playing with his kids. Thanks for being my friend, Maris. Thanks for being an awesome daddy, Adam. And thanks for bringing my life even more joy, ninos!
Never a truer title for our Memorial Day tradition this year. Year five, and our group has grown by five–and a half (Jena is due anytime). Okay four of those were my kiddos, but still!!! This Memorial Day was interesting to say the least. Let’s see: camping instead of hoteling, cooking instead of eating out, and braving inclement weather instead of basking at the spa. Kids mess everything up! :)
The kids had a blast, of course. We love love love car camping, but we already have our rooms reserved for next year. Adam promised me after this trip that if a canyon is involved we won’t have to camp. Thanks, honey. Only true canyon wives understand the sentiment, and that’s okay with me. :) The guys only did one canyon this year so they could spend more time with the kids. Next year, the kids will also be canyon-ready. They still have to learn to swim, and have a little more experience on the ropes. See here for Jaime’s trip report. She snapped the most adorable pics of the kids trying to catch rain in their mouths. And she also explained this year’s canyoning fiasco (there’s always at least one *wink, nod*). And here are the rest of our pics. Until next year, Beautiful Zion.
Ezzy’s birthday was on 17 May…I know, I am a little behind. Her tias, tio, and grandma picked her up in the afternoon to go to Build-a-Bear for her present. It was so nice of them to treat her. I think she made an excellent choice in choosing her Panda. Look at how grown up she is. After her afternoon escapade, we–mom and dad–treated her to dinner at Claim Jumper. Grandma graciously watched the other three children so we could have a special Ezzy date.
She helped scarf down the ever popular pretzels with cheese sauce. She also helped daddy devour the chocolate chip calzone. It was so nice to have some one-on-one with Ez. It is really nice to actually be able to communicate with her a little more too. She is definitely the jokester of the family. She has the most infectious goofy/dorky/uninhibited laugh. We love to tease her. She is by nature good-spirited and joyful. We are so proud of our newest eight year old. Our family would not be the same without her.
So, the plan was for all of the kids to help make breakfast for mommy and deliver it to her in bed. Mom tried to pry the secret out of them during the day on Friday, but they stayed strong! Saturday night trouble landed the girls in their bedrooms though, so it was just Daddy and the boys; they were super excited to help with Mommy’s special treat. We made French Toast and eggs, with juice and some strawberries. Bon Appetit!
Danny: Mom, what do pandas eat?
Me: Mostly Bamboo.
Danny: Oh, okay.
Nikki: Mom, what do piggies eat?
Ezzy: Out of the garbage can, duh.
Nikki: Oh, okay.
*worried look on her face. mom secretly laughing inside*
Nikki: Mom, do I have to eat out of the garbage can?
Mom: No, Nikki, you can continue to eat at the table like all little girls.
*all other children, as well as mom, laughing out loud this time for a good five minutes*
Apparently we tell her that her room is a pig pen a little too often because now she actually thinks she is a little piggy. And as soon as quiet time is over, I am going to help Danny look up information about Panda Bears–his newest obsession. Yeah, like Kung Fu Panda had nothing to do with that spark. Or the fact that his stuffed panda accompanied him through his circumcision surgery yesterday. I love it when I have all four ninos home. It just feels right. :)
I have many family members and friends out there that not only love to cook, but are really really good at it. My sister, Jaimee, started a family/friends food sharing site. There are multiple contributors, which I am one of. Yes, you heard me correctly! And, no, I have not contributed yet. However, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve–not many, but I do have a few.
Anyway, here is the site: http://fromourkitchenstoyours.blogspot.com/
I am sure that Jaimee would welcome more contributors to share yumminess with.
–rach
