July Misc Update (Cooking, Interests, and Extra Trip Photos)

[I accidentally published this prematurely, and there was stuff from June mixed in and missing photos; this is the updated post]  July was a great month for me.  You don't know what you have sometimes until it's gone, and being able to get back out again for fun, get back to (swim) class for Isaac, continuing my tutoring and Pampered Chef gigs, among other things, just felt great.  I also loved the return of the Olympics, though sad about Covid, and "Top Chef."  

I was pretty excited for all the new sports coming to the Summer Olympics, including rock climbing, surfing, skateboarding, and karate.  I was also excited for it to be held in Tokyo. Unfortunately, with Covid, they didn't have the host city segments they often do, and the athletes didn't have all their family and/or friends cheering in the stands.  It was a little strange that everything still said 2020 even though it was 2021, but they probably had all the merchandising and logos set to 2020 for years.  I'm glad for the athletes that they were able to compete, especially those for whom this would be their last games.  My favorite events are...all of them.  But mainly I followed track and field, gymnastics, archery, diving, swimming, and the new events.  The big talk of course was women's gymnastics and Biles pulling out.  I feel it was the right thing to do, to look out for her health and the team.  No one who's followed her can accuse her of not having grit or determination.  A lot of athletes expected to do well didn't, and that's sometimes how it goes.  But the opening and closing ceremonies were still great to watch, and I had my little watching buddy in Isaac.  He surprisingly enjoyed the swim races the most.  

Here are some highlights from the month.  One thing not pictured is my return to tutoring with a family who found me through tutors.com.  It was a great match, and I enjoyed teaching the little girl.  I only planned to do it through the summer, but I am still tutoring her now at her parents' request.  I decided not to take on any other students or I wouldn't be able to take care of and teach my own kids.  It feels great to be able to do this, and I will probably continue to tutor until I can fully return to the workforce.

At the mall with Naomi

Out for spicy ramen

Key Lime Cups I made for a Pampered Chef online party in the Quick Cooker (basically their answer to Instant Pot, and yes, superior in many ways).

Locomoco made in Pampered Chef Rockcrok Everyday Pan

Tiger Sugar Boba, one of the best

After watching Luca, Naomi was craving the Trenette Al Pesto featured in the movie, and I was happy to oblige since I wanted some, too.

I forgot to post some photos Manny and Naomi took.  More close up.

Tomatoes have arrived!

Isaac getting into using the telescope from Grandma

Nectarine upside-down cake also in the PC Rockcrok Everyday Pan.  I was using up overripened nectarines but forgot we don't all love baked nectarines

So glad to see it back, and it was in a different climate, where many restaurants were closing due to the pandemic.  Really brought out the best in many of the contestants.

Ham, shrimp, broccoli beef, mandu, and I can't remember what else.  We eat a lot!

More from Santa Cruz--Pizza My Heart

They have a special relationship

On the swings

Waiting for the log ride

Carousel

Isaac in swim class.  He turned into a fish in July and August and loved it.

A critter got to my tomatoes!  I lost a lot of tomatoes before getting some netting from the Buy Nothing group and covering it.

Pluto deciding which bag to crawl into.  He actually ended up trying all of them.

Lucas' 13th Birthday Celebration

Lucas has a two-parter for his birthday.  First the pandemic version at home with his favorite cake from Paris Baguette and his choice of a birthday meal (he chose Panda Express 😄).  Then the Saturday after his birthday, he got to be the first of the kids to have a party outside of home since the lockdown.  Dave & Buster's finally opened back up, so after having to skip last year, we got to go this year.  We also took a neighbor, Naomi's friend, along.  She got Lucas a stuffed penguin, his favorite animal.  We got In-n-Out afterward, another favorite for Lucas.  It was fun to get back out as a family, and Lucas had been wanting to go back for almost two years when we last went for Manny's birthday in 2019.  This birthday was so easy for me compared to birthdays past.  I didn't have to cook, make the cake, buy supplies, come up with games, anything besides setting up the decorations and buying the food and cake.

At 13, Lucas still likes challenging video games, hiking, math, thrill rides, and antiques.  He says he likes all colors and still likes penguins.  He is pretty sentimental.  He misses Nacho a lot.  Though he has now been diagnosed with autism, he is still fairly high-functioning.  His voice has changed, and it sounds pretty low now.  He also speaks with more maturity, which is different because he doesn't say much in general.  He does however still have his struggles, and being the middle child and going through adolescence adds another layer to it.  He has many questions now, and I can see him wrestling with his identity.  I'm glad he feels safe to ask.  My parenting toward him has changed a lot in recent years as well, for the better.  The thing I think much more about now is how to put the love of God on display with my family.  

(Sometimes I write Lucas's and sometimes Lucas'.  I've heard that both are correct, but sorry if it's a inconsistent!)

We have two teenagers now!

Leveling up to the teen years!

Panda Express (too smelly for Isaac)

Isaac also doesn't like the whipped cream on these cakes.

Broccoli beef and orange chicken for Lucas

Some of Lucas' favorite candies.  He doesn't have a huge sweet tooth, but he likes to get the candy, so this is pretty much a year's supply for him.

I just went with a video game theme

Hugs

We played Halo together

I was actually in the lead, for a short time anyway lol

Isaac and I playing a twist on air hockey

Roller coaster simulation

Isaac caught on to this Sonic Olympics game pretty quickly.  We were watching the Summer Games during this time.

Naomi and M

The kids on a VR game

Isaac's so small!

Manny and the boys played another round.

I took Isaac into to the mall for an ice cream break and we found this cool display.

I still remember playing this game with my best friend Cecille in high school.

July Santa Cruz Trip Day 3

On our third and final day, we checked out of our room and chose to return to the beach and explore downtown Santa Cruz.  We couldn't stay longer and had to pick up Pluto anyway.  But we did buy passes for Manny and the kids, so we have since returned a number of times.  At many points one child would suffer doing something another child enjoyed.  When you have three kids, you're not going to be able to please everyone, but they can still learn to enjoy the moment.  And we all came away with great memories.  

In downtown Santa Cruz, we got pizza from Pizza My Heart.  We couldn't leave Santa Cruz without a stop at Marianne's ice cream, a fixture and practically a historical landmark.  Even though I'm lactose intolerant, I'll eat ice cream sometimes and just live with the consequences.  I think the thing that stands out about it is that there are over 100 flavors.  It's not like the most gourmet or amazing ice cream in the world, but I love the unique flavors.  Overall, it was a fantastic trip (thank you, Manny) and so good to get out again.

Photos again in reverse order:  

I got Kahlua Crunch.

I don't remember what everyone else had, but Isaac prefers a bowl for less mess.

Back at Twin Lakes Beach with sunnier weather.  I got a heart monitor tan. 😑

This lighthouse is symbolic of so much in my life.  Maybe someday I'll tell you about it.

Isaac enjoyed the beach much more the second time around

Naomi is a wonderful big sis

I didn't mean for them to stop what they were doing for the picture, so it was less-than-successful candid shot. 😄

The waves were mesmerizing.  Naomi and Lucas went farther into the water.

The Brave Little Toaster School Bus

This cafe sells coffee and plants!

Lunch at Pizza My Heart and a nice walk downtown

Yes, do be excellent to each other.

Reminded Isaac of Pluto.  We missed him.

Ahhh

I woke up to a foot in my face.