birthday and other events:

We went to A's 1st birthday party on Saturday.  A's father is a friend of mine from college, now a pastor who recently started/planted a church after many years of labor and fruit overseas.  He told us there wouldn't be much for our kids to do, but they had plenty of fun just running around the backyard and watching the baby slideshow.  First birthday parties are very special, even if the birthday child won't remember it all.  It's just a sweet time for family and friends to bask in the child's pudgy cuteness and celebrate with the parents.  Because A is half Chinese and half Caucasian, the parents decided to serve Panda E.xpress.  :)  A's cousin also brought homemade tartine bread, which was beautiful and delicious.  I had R's permission to post the photos, so here they are.  

Panda!

Beautiful weather.

Naomi likes her flower photos.

Kids and their moms enjoying the grass.

Cake time!

He didn't share any with Daddy.

Manny (and Lucas) watching the slideshow.

Manny's grandmother was also laid to rest last weekend, next to her husband.  She always wanted all the grandkids together, and my sister-in-law said only three were missing.  It would have been so nice to see.  I have never had the chance to attend any of my own grandparents' funerals, sadly.  My mom's mother passed away when my mom was in her teens, and her father passed when we could only afford for my mom to go, 16 years ago.  My father's mother passed after Manny and I got married.  We didn't know about the service until a day before, and we weren't sure how we'd get out to Texas.  My mom told the family that Manny and I went skiing (neither of us have ever been skiing).  I guess something was lost in translation.  So the extended family hasn't really spoken to me since.  Being wrongly accused sometimes feels like the story of my life.  It's okay, though--I figure if they really knew me, they would either know it's not true or they would forgive it.  But to them, I'm my father's daughter, so I have to let it be.  

The second event was the first Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Orlando.  I knew three ladies who went, but I think it was just too far for me to travel away from the family right now.  Manny wouldn't be able to get the day off for the first day of the conference anyway.  I'm fine with not having gone, but I heard some wonderful things about it.  Hopefully there will be one more local to us, or I can wait until the kids are older.  In the end, I'm really glad we got to spend some time with R and getting to know his family.

getting to know you:

We've been trying to get to know people (even) better and exercise more hospitality this year.  I really believe/agree that a church grows in unity through its hospitality, and I recall a friend saying how she had strong childhood memories of people coming in and out of their home.  It's not just invitations and sharing what you have, but really making others feel welcome in your home and your heart.  Naomi loves to host, and it takes Lucas out of his comfort (shy) zone, so it benefits them as well.  One of my insecurities is that I get really nervous cooking for others, and even things I've made a hundred times never seem to turn out the same when people walk through that door.  Sometimes things turn out really well, so I can always hope for the best.  A lot of our friends are quite gracious or live pretty modestly themselves, so I feel okay with having them in our humble abode from the 70s.  Going out is easier for me in terms of not having to cook, but a little more challenging to focus on everyone at once.  It's good for all of us to get practice doing both.  

Lunch with O and B after church.  Naomi ate too much and was retching in this photo, but the waitress was already taking it.  She was fine, though.

Home-made ice cream sandwiches before I wrapped and froze them.  I rolled them in chocolate chips for Lucas, but it made them super rich.

Naomi was happy to set the table for everyone.  The party decorations are still up, but I need to dust the fan, so they're coming down today.

Lunchtime!  Easy chicken salad sandwiches, pasta salad, and grapes.

Hot day = time for ice cream!

beating the heat:

After the service, we went swimming back at the hotel.  There were very few people, and Grandma and Grandpa took such good care of the kids.  Manny and I just lazed around while they did all the work (and had all the fun).  We went out to a family dinner at W.ingstop.  It was a bit too spicy for the kids, but Grandma got them some frozen yogurt to cool down.  This place had all kinds of toppings, even candy corn, and the kids were beyond thrilled.  We gave Grandpa his Father's Day gift Naomi picked out (which was remarkably similar to Manny's).  

The next day, we had breakfast at the hotel, then Manny's aunt and her family came to the hotel to visit and swim.  Then we all drove back to her house to help make and eat tacos.  It was about 110° outside, so we had to stay in.  The kids didn't really play or watch TV and were pretty good despite being tired.  Lucas ran in a circle around the house about 50 times to get his wiggles out.  Dolly, Manny's cousin Danielle, and I chatted while shredding meat and listening to Mexican CDs.  There was all kinds of Mexican art around the house, which I've always liked.  It felt good, and probably what Grandma Aurora would have wanted--for us to celebrate family, faith, and culture.

Grandma and Naomi.

Lucas loves to go up "like fireworks," as he puts it.  The grandparents are so young at heart.

Winner winner, chicken dinner!

Lucas (in a Mexican-style shirt) enjoying his dessert.

Naomi had to run to the restroom and we accidentally paid for hers before she was done.  The employee let her have a couple extra toppings for free!

Naomi lying on Dolly like Dexter (her dog) does.

Great-Aunt B with Naomi.

The love train.

Painting in the living room.

Flowers from the service.

in memory of grandma:

Last Friday, we traveled north for Manny's grandmother's funeral.  Many memories were shared, and she clearly led a full, remarkable life.  And now she is home with the Father in joy and glory.  There will be a burial this weekend where she'll be laid to rest with her late husband.  Our kids have attended funerals before, although this is the first time they knew the person who passed.   Lucas does not understand death yet, besides killing bugs, but Naomi and I had an opportunity to talk about it.  The kids did well sitting through the service, and they were very happy to see the family during the reception.

Crossing the bridge.

We stopped at Fresh Choice and had a huge lunch.

An hour or so later, Lucas was still packing it in.  Where does it all go?

Some of Aurora's grandchildren.  More could not attend but will be at the burial service.

Aurora's niece, daughter, and son.

Still eating.

The kids love their auntie!

Lucas said he couldn't take the picture because he couldn't let go of Naomi.

Naomi and her cousin.

Family photo.

father's day presents:

The kids picked out some presents from Target for Manny.  Naomi wrapped hers and made some cards designed specifically for her daddy.  :)  When we showed excitement over the cards, Lucas got a little jealous.  

Lucas giving his gift.

For you, Papi!

Naomi picked the t-shirt and cap, and Lucas picked the Angry Birds boxers (and an Angry Birds t-shirt for himself).

Naomi just learned how to make paper chains.

Four different versions of Manny in clothes from his actual wardrobe.  The shirt on the left says Stand-ford (Stanford).

A Playstation controller.  Haha!

summer fair:

We went to a county fair last weekend.  Manny did all the planning, sort of an early Father's Day celebration.  We of course had a lot of fun.  Naomi went on the kids' roller coaster over 20 times, no exaggeration.  She made a couple of friends, and all of us (their families) watched as they went into continuous loop mode.  When we got in the car, Lucas said, "That was a really fun day!"  He seldom ever says things like this, so it was icing on the cake to hear that.  For whatever reason, all day he wanted a strawberry smoothie.  By the time we got it, he was probably full on giant corn dogs, a pound of fries, rice, noodles, and chicken, so he didn't have that much of it.  It was pretty good, or maybe it was just nice to have it after all the heavy stuff.

The animals were the best part for me.  They had dogs available for adoption, including two Siberian huskies (my favorite breed, along with Shiba Inus), some reptiles on exhibit, and an unusual petting zoo with deer, llamas, piglets, and a wallabee.  That wallabee was totally getting trampled by the goats, unfortunately, but they couldn't let past the fence they were in.  The baby animals were so cute, and one kid was constantly jumping on the llama.

To save money, I didn't get on anything, which was a little boring but I get motion sickness on too many of the rides, but at least I got to talk to some people and even bumped into my friend A.  Naomi was sad she wouldn't likely see her friends again.  They were such cute girls holding hands and running around together.  One of the girls' moms was a stereotypical Chinese mom--she makes her daughter play doctor with her every night before bed, won't let her play too much sports for fear her academics will suffer, forces piano practice, and makes sure she has summer school ever year.  She thought it was crazy, like many do, that I had the degree and job I had and gave it all up to stay at home.  While it is a sacrifice, I don't feel like I gave up but just moved on.  Her husband showed up and we didn't get to talk further.  Since we were far from home, I didn't get her contact info like I normally would.

Happy boy.

Naomi and Manny on the swing.  Later she rode it herself while Manny and Lucas were behind her.  Lucas got really scared and buried his face, but when the ride stopped, he said, "I liked that ride."

Always fun at the fair!

Friendly and hungry deer.  They loved chewing on backpack and purse straps!

This kid was laughing at me (just chewing while closing its eyes).

Hey, kid, como se llama?

Lucas went on the teacup ride many, many times.

The tall Ferris wheel.  For someone who's very afraid of heights, Naomi sure likes tall rides.  The game man was nice enough to let Lucas have extra shots while we were waiting.  He hit the milk bottles every time, but not hard enough to knock them all over.

Naomi's favorite ride.  I think half the ride photos from the day included her.

They quickly found each other.

They went on this and then a funhouse (many, many times) before we had to call it a day.

Naomi in the floating hamster ball.