2020 New Year!

Weekend Morning Snuggles

Glad we have king-size bed!

Oh yah, I have a blog.  Once upon a time I had a blog that I wrote in.  Then life got busy, as in SUPER busy and I can barely keep my head from spinning 90% of the time.  Would I change it for the world?  Well, actually, yes, I would change it a bit...I'd like things to slow down just a bit...so maybe I can catch up a little?  I'm pretty sure I'm far from alone in this feeling.

That said, we didn't exactly accidentally stumble onto our chaotic life schedule.  It's busy when kids are little and have so many NEEDS...and it's now a different kind of busy that they all have so many INTERESTS....or, for one in particular, not ENOUGH interests so you have to make him try things (no names mentioned :)).  

All going well here.  We had a busy and super fun holiday season hosting a total of 14 (including ourselves) for Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas morning and then again for Christmas Day dinner.  We had houseguests for nearly a month (but that also meant we had full time clothes folder and kitchen & dishes cleaner...THANKS Mom & Dad!) and had a lot of celebrating during that time.  Still trying to fit back into my jeans....

Eli 

Age 8 1/2.  Third grade. Plays basketball. 

Owen

 Age 8 1/2.  Third grade.  Staring a Parkour class at the YMCA this week.

Got braces this past summer.  

Ella.

Age 6 (almost 7).  First Grade. Does gymnastics & soccer.

As tall as her brothers and has a bigger shoe size than them.

Chloë (pictured with Uncle Hale)

Age 10 (almost 11). In 5th grade in a 5/6 combo class.

Plays basketball on two different leagues currently with games both Saturdays & Sundays.

10 going on 16. 

Kyla.

Age 12 (almost 13).  Loves to nap. 

Loves to go on walks to sniff every 2 feet.

Still the best dog ever.

Myke.

Age 40 (almost 41...but don't remind him).

Works for Apple.  Likes black tea.

Taking a break from softball due to a knee injury.

Here's us spiffed up for the family photo.

Merry Belated Christmas!

One Week Until Summer Break

One week, well one week and two days, that is.  School days.  We are honing in on the END here.  The end of the first year of having all 4 at the same school, on the same schedule.  I didn't write once, I noticed.  Officially have fallen out of the habit.  I don't know where the year went.  I did spend a healthy chunk of the time the kids were in school taking care of ME.  For the first time in 10 years where I have really OWNED my time on a regular basis with all in school with one pick-up & drop-off.  I don't feel guilty about it at all.  I had my hair done professionally a couple times over the year---something I used to only do with a box at home in my bathroom (which is fine, too, but just ended up really damaging my hair overtime).  I exercised.  I tried to make it a habit of cardio and/or running 3-5x per week, I volunteered in the classrooms.  I attempted to evenly split my time between all 4 kids' classes to keep it fair, but I think I spent the most time in Ella's kinder class, as they are only kinders once...and I just LOVE Maestra Castillo (all 4 of my kids had her for kindergarten and she is amazing & loving & patient & all of those things you want your child's first experience with an elementary school teacher to be about).  I was Room Parent to none of the classes and that was a great decision.  I helped on my own terms.  Some weeks I wasn't in the classrooms at all, others I was in one class or another every single day.  I didn't finish a bunch of books in my free time or watch any tv shows.  Both of those are just things I don't do in the day time, for whatever reason.  I just can't.  Maybe I should have gone to a movie...or gone to lunch with friends more often than I did...but overall no regrets.  My main job is organizing the constantly changing and on-the-go schedule of a family of 6.  The Fall consisted of 4 days of soccer practices (and that was just for Owen & Chloë) and 2 games every Saturday.  That on top of two afternoons of Spanish tutoring per week. So that semester just zipped by.  The Spring was a bit calmer, which was nice.  I am trying to make sure we have more afternoons with NO plans, where the kids can just PLAY and be KIDS and have a chance to get BORED.  That's also my goal for the summer break.  However, I'm my own biggest obstacle for that goal...as I either can't stop planning or can't say no to things...and I already am finding myself filling up so much of the calendar all the way through July...that there are almost no free weekends available for down time.  Myke won't be happy about this ;P

Back To School!

My sweetie-pies are off to school!  Well, we are on week FOUR of school already (started August 20th) and this is the first day I feel like I'm relaxed and taking the time to update the blog.  Don't get me wrong, I've obviously had a lot more time to get things done now that ALL FOUR are in school...but every day has been pretty filled with to-do's and catching up from having the kids home all summer. I've had appointments for me, appointments for my car, need to make appointment for my dog, etc.  I've also been trying to get in more exercise and making my health a priority each morning when I'm able to.  That's what keeps me sane! 

My baby girl, Ella, started kindergarten...it's a full-day schedule and she's at the same school as the older 3...finally!!  So everyone is on the same schedule. One drop-off and one pick-up.  They start at 8am.  I have to head to pick them up at 1:45pm so the days can go pretty fast if I'm not careful...and then we begin our insane afternoons that go from dismissal until 8:30pm when they are getting in bed.  It's all worth it though--having the days to get things in order...and I'm finding time to BREATHE.  I've been around small children constantly for 9.5 years!!  So many needs and constant putting out fires, wiping butts, and laundry....ok, the laundry will never stop (it's INSANE, people!) but I'm not wiping any more butts! CHEERS to that!!  They are much more self-sufficient now, which is great...but, at the same time, their busy sports and after-school activities schedule is a bit nuts.  This coming Thursday I calculated that I have to drive across town back and forth SIX TIMES to get them from school, Chloe to acting class, Owen to soccer, back to Chloe to pick her up from acting class, back to Owen to pick him up from soccer and then to the boys first Cub Scouts meeting...which all 4 kids will have to attend since Myke is out of town this week for work.  So that's a little crazy.  Good thing I'll be driving the electric car and saving on gas $.

cool backpack!

She's Standing!

We haven't heard much from camp, as expected!  No calls allowed.  Basically not contact with your camper besides sending mail.  The camp does have a website where they post photos daily of the kids and their activities.  We found one of Chloë last night.  Missing her but so glad she's having this experience!

Summer Time is Here!

Saying goodbye to these awesome teachers!

Last Day of School!

Everything is bittersweet right now--the end of the school year--leaving some awesome teachers and the fact that I now have a FOURTH GRADER and two SECOND GRADERS and a KINDERGARTENER?!  We are so ready for the summer and sunshine, beach and pool and just a break from the school routines, homework routines,  and packing so many lunches.  

Today is a bit emotional.  In just about 30 minutes from now we are going to hop in the car (all 6 of us) and drive Chloë to a beach nearly an hour south where she will spend the week at YMCA's Camp Surf.  I never thought I'd be sending her to an sleep-away camp at age 9...but one of her best friends asked if she would do it with her...and if she is going to do it with anyone, this girl is the one to do it with.  Chloë and Avery have been friends since kindergarten.  They actually met at the playdates that were held the summer BEFORE kindergarten for incoming kiddos. I know they'll have an AMAZING time...and the fact that she spent 2 nights away at a weekend Girl Scout camp just a couple months ago probably helped me to accept this a little more...and overall be prepared...but I'm still emotional right now.  The GOOD thing is she is very independent and is excited about the camp. So that definitely helps!  

I'll share more after!

Breakfast today- we scootered/biked/walked to Einstein Bagels.

We kicked off the summer with an outdoor movie night in our front driveway on Friday night with neighbors and friends.  

Start of Summer Party Friday afternoon at Chloe's classmate's home 

Boys' final soccer game Saturday morning 

(they were crushed...lost every game this season besides 1 tie game....but they had fun doing it!)

Spring-a-ling-ling

Fresh coat of red paint on the chairs Myke built-

Thanks, Dad!

Have I really not written since DECEMBER?!  How the heck did that happen?!  Geez...too long.  I may as well give this up now....but I won't.  Instead I'll just write whenever I get the chance...which seems more more more infrequent lately.  I either don't have the time, or I just don't use my time wisely enough.  Probably a mix of both.  I don't (as in barely) watch tv, I haven't been able to get into the book that we are reading in my book club (and it was MY pick!! lol), I don't have a time-consuming hobby, so where is my time?  Where did it go?  How come others have time for full on hour long conversations on text threads...and the text is about the different shows they binge watch or the different iPhone games (like Words with Friends) that they play.  Why don't I have time to do those things?  (I'm not sure I want to do those things...but I'd definitely take the time that is needed to do them in the first place!) 

It's mainly that the kids are going to bed later now as their homework and reading is taking up more time.  The boys are in first grade so their reading time requires a parent to be listening in and helping when needed.  Same for any writing homework.  Chloë is more independent in that aspect, but she still fights reading in Spanish, which is what she should be doing since she (and the boys) are in an immersion program at school.  English is definitely the preferred language to read for her, not surprisingly.  Owen, on the other hand, I think prefers to read in Spanish.  It's easier to read in that language...though I'm sure his comprehension isn't the same as it would be if he were hearing the story in English.  Not at this point anyways.  

So they're up well past 8pm...probably even after 8:30...and tonight Ella was still coughing after 9pm. Poor girl has a croupy cough at night this week.  No fever or other cold symptoms though.

So 2018 has been going well... been busy!  The usual!  Chloë had her first REAL basketball league and team (not counting the YMCA sessions she had done).  What an amazing experience for her--she absolutely loved every bit about it.  They had 2 practices and a game each week and she grew by leaps and bounds over the season.  There were definitely tears when the season was over.  She had a great coach and a great team :)

The boys did a YMCA soccer team (a first for them) which finished up last week.  They are now smack-dab in the middle of Little League (which is another first..though they have done t-ball through another organization in the past). 

At a soccer game with Gramma

First day of Little League- Go Blue Rocks!

Ella is busy being Ella... 

Ella did gymnastics on Tuesday mornings for a couple months but then abruptly decided she was done with it.  We're still trying to figure her out.  She is the sweetest soul ever...but such a homebody and a shyness that often crosses over the line into severe social anxiety tendencies.  When she's with her comfort-people and in her comfort-zone she manages...but don't look at her or talk to her otherwise!  

Birthday Ice-Cream for Ella's 5th

My handsome date for some 'ritas and snacks

Myke entered his FINAL year of "youth"...or maybe that happened 10 years ago?

My baby girl turned 9!!  

February was a busy one!  Birthdays galore.  Always so much fun...Chloë's birthday is on the last day of the month (unless it happens to be a leap year) and I always feel a sense of relief on March first.  Ahh...birthday month is over! Myke responds with "you do it to yourself" ...which is true...but still!  

Pre-race pic

I ran my 2nd half-marathon on March 4th.  So training for that kept me honest all of February...and at least somewhat on a schedule.  My previous half was back in 2014. I'm happy to say I had a better PR for this one.  It had rained the entire day before the race but we woke up that morning to clear skies and brisk temps...perfect running weather.  

Eli SHOUT-OUT

He's our little teacher's pet.  Here he is after he won an award in his class for being a Good Citizen (or something like that).  His teacher LOVES him and is always singing his praises to us...which of course we love to hear.  He's just very into school and likes to follow the rules (nerd alert!  kidding..kind of...)

He also likes to help cook 

French toast by Eli

Chloë heading on her first two night camping trip with Girl Scouts.  Headed to the mountains for a fun weekend in Julien, California.  

Okay, time to close.  I was planning to write more and not just fill the blog with pictures...but next time... :). 

Ella and me after trying out our new curling wand

Tubbin' it