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