saturday, sunday, scrabble:

On Saturday, Manny went to breakfast with Chris, then our neighbor's daughter came over and was here for most of the day.  Sunday I was helping in the nursery, but I was able to listen to our pastoral intern's powerful sermon/testimony later.  Technology is great for that.  Afterward, we went to lunch with M and met her significant other.  The kids did well, despite Lucas not sleeping well lately.    

M took this photo on her phone.

Naomi being silly.

The kids have to see their photos.

Naomi's first completed Scrabble game, and she only passed her turn twice!  I helped her with "dote" and "dan" but nothing else.  We had four unused letters, and we didn't keep score, but I think it was close!

two front teeth:

Naomi lost another front tooth last Monday and she has a front tooth and molar coming in.  She is really happy about it!  

introversion/extroversion:

An acquaintance of mine is an extrovert who has had to work with many groups of introverts over the years in the engineering and medicine fields.  He brought up an interesting article/point recently about how shyness is often misunderstood as a social disorder when in fact, when channeled correctly, there are many advantages to it.  I don't agree with the article that it's to do with evolution, but I see it as how people are gifted differently and how we must steer away from wanting everyone to fit a mold if we want to succeed or even survive as a people.  This, of course, is reflected in the life of the church.  We see it spelled out in 1 Corinthians 12, and here is just one part of that passage, verses 21 to 26:

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

I find that Manny is sometimes misunderstood as weak, uncaring, or even lazy by people that don't know him well, I think because of his introversion. Even so, as the passage says, something seen as weak is still vital to the life of the body, even given extra honor.  The verse is talking about giftedness, but because we tend to judge on personality as well, I think it also applies to not writing off someone's personality just because it's not like yours.  Manny is actually one of the best listeners and leaders I know, and loves others passionately, but he's not one to toot his own horn or make something about himself in a conversation. I'm not just saying that.  He is slow to answer sometimes, while he thinks through it, which I guess can either delight or irk the person on the receiving end.  He's slow to say yes right away, as he wants to process or evaluate before making commitments.  Once he does commit, he does so fully.

Many conclusions in the article describe him to a tee. He also sacrifices so much for others and is very wise, but because his personality is "different," it's easy to write him off as someone who is nonchalant, conceited, or flippant.  In fact, people who don't know him have said these things about him to me, but in general he's fairly well-respected.  I do wish there was more awareness of the strength in shyness in our society, rather than pushing medication for "social anxiety disorder." Everyone is gifted differently. What will help society is not a majority-rules thinking, but a better understanding of and drive for complementary teamwork.  This goes for families, churches, communities, even how we look at ourselves.  I don't think love is just acceptance and tolerance, nor is it just going through the motions, but perhaps trying to see people as God sees them.

It goes both ways.  A "gentle and quiet spirit" is not the same as a gentle and quiet person.  As the acquaintance pointed out, introverted co-workers don't always take well to his extroversion, and he's had to tone down for their sake.  Even beyond introversion and extroversion, there exists a myriad of personality differences, and we can learn a lot from each other should we choose to not just co-exist but glean.  I appreciate how people have been able to adapt in work environments and social circles to different personalities and backgrounds. That is a social skill from which either an extrovert or introvert can benefit. Just being an extrovert doesn't automatically give one all the social skills he/she needs. Some people labeled as sociopaths happen to be extroverted as well, although we often judge the quiet ones as being so.

Manny and I have improved in speaking up, just because when we don't, it can cause others to stumble into frustration or judgment. We all must adapt to each other rather than be set in our ways, but everyone could also use a bit more understanding.

It would probably be hard to believe that I'm also introverted by nature, although much less so than Manny, and I've learned to adapt as well. I used to hide outside my classroom as a kid, always ate by myself at lunch, and even now I feel like I'm most relieved when completely alone.  However, our social calendar is still quite full. I think it just reflects that we do in fact like being around people (listeners like Manny like to listen!), but we aren't always going to be the life of the party.

As you know, Naomi is very social and Lucas very quiet. I find myself pulling one back and pushing the other forward. Either way, they'll have to learn self-control and discipline (whether that is holding back or speaking up) and finding that balance which will encourage harmony in the people around them and perhaps bring some degree of respect to themselves.

darth in disneyland:

It would have been even funnier if he'd exclaimed, "NOOOOOOOO!!!!"

s's birthday/music party:

We went to S's birthday party on Friday, had a fun playdate, ate lunch and brownies, and were treated to a co-op music class by S's mom.  The kids listened and clapped to rhythms, played air instruments as they heard them in the classical pieces, marched around, and played notes with boom whackers (musical tubes).  Lucas enjoyed the music, but didn't participate.  We got S a cupcake set as she loves to serve them, and she got an entire party going in the backyard.  I brought the smaller camera which hardly ever focuses in time, so I'll have to get some more from S's mom.

The older kids playing their "violins."

Boom whackers!  Lucas (bottom left) kept throwing his, so he didn't get to keep it.

The obligatory mom-presenting-birthday-treat picture.

Group photo of the older kids.  How sweet!  J on the left is about the same age as Naomi, but stands almost a head above her!

last gymnastics class:

Naomi had her last Level 1 gymnastics class last week, after swim lessons and a playdate.  The class was very challenging, including lots of sit-ups, high bars, and solo floor exercises.  We all knew Naomi was a little small for some of the apparatus, but they really wanted her to move on from the previous level.  The coaches were understanding of it.  It helped her with her fear of heights, and she was much better behaved in this class than previous ones because it required more discipline.  We still decided to take a break for now, but she did end on a high note, doing her best.  I don't want her to get in the habit of quitting something when she loses interest, as she did with other sports and ballet, but I don't think I need to enforce one thing at this age.  The whole point for me is to get her to learn discipline, teamwork, and listening to instruction in an environment without my direct supervision (although I'm still around).  I'm still discovering her interests along with her, and there are so many more things she wants to try, like tennis, when she's old enough for the classes.  I do think, however, that as she gets older, she will have to begin focusing and practicing and managing her time so she's not spread too thin.  A couple bar photos.  No video of the floor exercise, since I was dealing with Lucas, who was trying to do his own.

swimming lessons:

We began swim lessons this week with some other families in our area.  We're glad it coincided with a heatwave, as Naomi gets cold rather easily.  A couple women from church teach swimming for free every summer, although one of them was very sick this week, so the other mom has had to teach all four classes the past couple days.

Naomi is progressing quickly, although she gets overzealous and pushes herself beyond what she's capable of as a novice.  She can float with her head down now, glide that way, and (sort of) swim a couple strokes.  We're working on getting her to be more attentive to the instructor and less attentive to other kids who are playing or swimming in the pool who are not in her class.  :)  She's quickly made some new friends.

This opportunity really fell in our laps.  There was only one spot open, and it was at the perfect time for us.  There is a swim center by us that only charges $14 per hour-long class, but I keep hearing that they are quite hardcore, having trained Olympic swimmers.  I've been told they go almost straight to laps, rather than teaching floating, and a student is required to do the same level and lessons over until they master it.  We want Naomi to learn more for safety, and she thrives being around adults that she knows.  Lucas dips his feet in the pool, but I haven't put him in yet because he's still being toilet trained.

First lesson:  Learning to move along the edge and blow bubbles in the water.  Mrs. A.'s son helped teach the first day.

Back floats.

Learning to put her head in the water.  Now she puts it all the way down.

Jumping in for fun.

Naomi practicing with the barbell.

Off she goes.

bonding time/father's day:

Saturday I went out with O for some girl time, and Manny went out with Chris for a movie.  They were together at breakfast, although Manny ate at home first, because I tried to surprise him with a big breakfast on Saturday instead of Sunday.  Chris and Manny played with the kids while we were out at an outdoor mall for lunch and dessert.  We went to The Y.ardhouse, which serves an amazing tomato bisque which we both had.  O also ordered the seared ahi salad, and I had the turkey cobb salad.  When O asked me how it was, I proceeded to break it down for her food-channel style.  She was cracking up, and I didn't realize how I was sounding.  Haha.  We had frozen yogurt at Pinkberry.  They don't have self-serve or as many flavors as other yogurt places, but the ingredients are superior.  Oops, I'm going to start again.  She had the salted caramel and I opted for mango.  Very yummy.  Manny and Chris later went out to watch S.uper 8, which Manny thought was super loud.  :)  It was a nice time overall.

Me and O.

The kids made Manny a card for Father's Day.  We got him these Superman cars, which quickly became part of Lucas's growing collection.  We went to Five Guys for lunch after plans with a friend fell through.  Happy Father's Day to my loving and devoted husband, and also to my father and father-in-law!

Always tough to get everyone to look at the same time.

Holding hands.

summer park fun:

The weather's hot, school's out, and people are filling up the parks again.  Naomi and Lucas are happy to be back in sand and water.  We've been out with different friends from church, our community, and elsewhere.  We're still doing summer school at home, but it's more relaxed and scaled back.  Naomi's also doing swim lessons, which I'll post about later.  We love the summer!    

Lucas digging in the sand.  He usually doesn't like getting sand on himself, so he'll often squat next to it.

Naomi playing in the water.

Naomi and A. bundled up in the blanket after playing in the water.

Different day.  Playdate with H, whom we met through rec classes.  Lucas was doing some Vaudeville act in the sand; wish I'd taken a video.

Different day, with J, S, T, and K:  The older kids on the teeter-totter.

Naomi with a new friend on another kind of teeter-totter?

mommy and mall:

We went to a Mommy-and-Me outdoor event last week.  It was so crowded, I guess because of summer.  P.inkberry was giving out free frozen yogurt with toppings, but the line was too long.  The kids won a couple prizes from the Aquarium, and then we headed to the mall to pick up Naomi's stuffed Hello Kitty from Build-a-Bear (thanks, L!).  It's like her birthday lasts for months!  We just headed home afterward as Lucas started getting pretty tired.  

The kids enjoyed their first bagel dog.

Naomi helping stuff it.  The machine's kind of loud.

Lucas plugging his ears, too.  The kids take after us in that respect.

Naomi giving "Pink Checker" a pretend bath.

Naomi wanted me to take a photo to thank Miss L.

near miss:

On Saturday, we were making a left turn at an intersection and were nearly hit by a pickup truck at full speed.  It was all clear for the turn, and the car ahead of us went, then we followed.  For no particular reason, Manny slowed down and then stopped.  Within a second or two, the red pickup truck ran the red light and zoomed right by.  It was just inches from hitting us on the left (Manny and Lucas's side).  Lucas's life flashed before me, and we were terribly shaken but kept our composure for the kids.  Manny doesn't remember stopping midway through the turn.  We didn't see the car until it would have been too late.  The Lord chose to spare us that day.  Please drive safely!  In seconds lives can be lost or changed forever.

adenitis:

Lucas had a fever of about 101 for a couple days before a large part of his neck under his ear became swollen on the same day as we had gone to the ISP party.  From some of my studies, I figured it was something to do with the lymph nodes and possibly his adenoids.  Once again, we got in on a cancelled appointment.  We could always see another pediatrician under our insurance plan, but I really like ours.  The doctor could not determine with certainty whether it was viral parotitis (inflammation of the parotid gland caused by mumps or a variation) or bacterial adenitis (inflammation of the adenoids).  The doctor leaned more toward the adenitis because the area was very tender, although it had not turned red (yet).  Lucas is also immunized for mumps, but she said it is possible to get a similar disease.  To be safe, she prescribed antibiotics.  Lucas has never been on them, and I try to avoid them with the kids because they are over-prescribed, ineffective against viruses, contribute to the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and kill good/necessary bacteria in the body.  However, I think there is a need for them, and this would be such a case.  So he ended up on penicillin, which Naomi is allergic to, but he is apparently not (I had to take penicillin when I was pregnant with Naomi).   

It's been very challenging getting Lucas to take his antibiotics every morning and night, but he'll take it if I chase it down with some juice and bribe him with Junior Mints.  He was throwing up or spitting it out before that.  So another week of that.  It's improved a lot, and the swelling that was starting on the other side seems to have disappeared, so I think it was a bacterial infection that had reached the lymph nodes.  No ear infection that had spread dangerously, thankfully.  He's been in good spirits, although the first couple days he complained of "tummy owie," probably from the antibiotics.

Under his ear in the photo, there is a rounded area.  Normally that part of his neck curves inward, not outward.  By the end of the day, his jawline was disappearing.

If you look closely on his left side, you can see the lump.

isp graduation party/friend visit:

Naomi's ISP had a graduation celebration this week at the park.  With several students transferring and one moving, only a couple of Naomi's classmates will be returning in the fall.  Kind of a bummer for me, too, as I was just getting to know their parents.  The weather was great, not a cloud in the sky.  Just a few days ago we had heavy rainfall.  At this point I have both the kids' winter and summer clothes out.

Lucas fueling up with a sandwich.

Lucas was very nervous about getting licked, which makes him unhappy, but really wanted to pet the dog.

Honoring those finishing the program and moving on to high school.  One of the boys also entertained us with a magic show.  During the entire thing, Lucas just ran circles around a tree.

The kiddos before cake time.

The girls on the teeter-totter.  

This video isn't anything exciting, but just pointing out how Lucas is still the same as he was a year and a half ago--just walks around and around intensely instead of playing in the playground.  The first time around this playground, he cleaned up twigs and cleared the path.  Now he's stopping every so often and checking people out:

Also this week, S came over to pick up some toys.  She told Naomi how she knew about her playing "court" (judge and jury kind) with her stuffed animals.  Naomi was really embarrassed and upset I told anyone (she forgets she has no problem telling complete strangers about things I've told her are private to me).  Usually she's really excited for me to post these pictures and stories here, but that one she didn't want people to hear.  I guess in the future, I should run it by her like I usually do with Manny, but we also discussed her heart attitude and what would have been the right way to tell me.  Wednesdays can be busy, and I felt like I wasn't a very good hostess to S.  Guess I'll have to have her over again!

a father's love:

On Sunday our pastor continued through the book of Ephesians with a sermon on Paul's prayer in Eph 3:14-21.  In an illustration of the Father's love for us, he mentioned the Hoyts (see videos and article below).  We are like the son with palsy, only able to run the race as the Lord carries us.  For over 30 years, Dick has been doing marathons and triathlons, including the Ironman, with and for his son.  It reminds me a little of how Manny took care of his friend with cerebral palsy for many years.  It  never seemed out of pity or self-affirmation, but just out of love.  God loves us even more than that, and nothing can separate us from that love.

SI Article - Strongest Dad in the World

mall visit:

I took the kids to the mall Friday afternoon to visit L and pre-order Naomi's birthday gift (from L).  We used to take Naomi to this mall before we had Lucas, and the concierge would give you a special cart for the kids and a free balloon.  Now it's $5 ($4.50 if you return it to a specific location) for the cart and no balloon, so I just carried Lucas whenever he didn't want to walk.  Can't blame them for cost-cutting measures, though--we're all trying to save a buck or two.  I've never been into shopping, but walking by all those sales and cool stores, I sometimes long for the day when I can browse the stores by myself, or maybe with Naomi.  It'll be here before I know it.

Lucas admiring the Cars model at the Lego store.

Naomi climbing on the motorcycle.  Why does it seem to suit her?

At the Build-a-Bear with L.  We think it's a pretty cool place to work.  :)

free fun:

Lucas and I got together with some other families at the park this Thursday while Naomi had a special day with her ISP at an enclosed woods area.  She was looking forward to playing bocce ball, but apparently some of the older boys were fooling around and lost the balls.  She did get to play horseshoes, use a slingshot, and make a tie-dye bandana.  

At the park, Lucas was nervous and ended up not playing in the playground at all. He did play a little with the other moms during our lunch, but he didn't want to play with the other kids.  After that I took him to the library and discovered that they now have a toddler play area.  

Lucas having some of his lunch while watching all the other kids play.

Lucas enjoyed playing with the locks board.  Teaching young kids how to undo real locks is sort of questionable.  :)

He loves to drive cars through town and then park them.

Miscellaneous photo from a different day--sometimes I take Lucas to watch sports practice while Naomi is in gymnastics.  He liked watching Little League this day, until the coach started shouting (which is fine with me).

Also a different day at the park--the kids playing catch.  They are playing together more often now.