swim date:

Our last swim date of the summer was the day after Labor Day with the boys' friend C.  My friend couldn't come, so C's dad came instead.  Isaac really likes the dad and followed him all around the pool talking.  Poor guy.  Manny had the week off, though he was in and out of work a few days.  It was kind of a hectic morning, plus the pizza place which has a good deal on one of Lucas' favorite veggie pizzas is only open for dinner.  So my friend provided the food, and I just brought paper goods and utensils and pool items.  We had a great time.  There was one neighbor who said we weren't allowed to have inflatables in the pool and would report us.  We decided to just take them out.  We've had HOA see the inflatables many times over the last 10 years, and they never had an issue.

staying cool:

The first couple of days they started the work, it was about or over 100 degrees.  French Bulldogs can't handle greater than 85.  So sprayed him with water when outside, and he sat in front of the fan while upstairs.  I took the boys swimming, and Naomi was off at camp.  

Nacho beating the heat.

Isaac gets his favorite color, of course (it's actually dark green, but this'll do).

Using their noodles.

Isaac did not like being splashed.

During the first three weeks, we ate outside.

Different day, same happy place for Lucas.

may misc:

Ok, one more and I will finally get to June and July:

Isaac and his Hello Kitty.  I think being Asian, I don't find it so unusual for a boy to like Hello Kitty.  He likes cute things and cats, and she is definitely both.

Spelled about what/who he was thinking of.  😊

Lucas kept playing with his fingers, so I told him to go check out finger tutting, which he'd never heard of.  He comes back 15 minutes later and has learned an entire routine.

Pistachio pudding cake--devoured quickly by my family.

Popsicles on sale at Costco.

Taking the boys to the park.

Another park day.

Loves to run.

Lucas's early birthday present from Grandma--a telescope!

I've been washing the towels with a environmentally-friendly detergent, but Manny said the towels didn't smell fresh, so I rewashed them all, and Isaac folded almost all of them.

april misc:

Closing out the April updates, some misc happenings:

Lucas into chess again.  We also played a lot of Monopoly Deal with him this month.

Open house.  Naomi's mermaid art project pre-glazing.

Last Open House at Naomi's school.

Naomi's friend hanging out after church.  Had a deal at Pizza Hut.  Lucas wanted that board up for privacy.

Us with C. in front of Notre Dame 15 years ago.  It caught on fire in April.

Nacho bigger now, still waiting for Manny at the door.

Manny brought back some treats for the kids from Houston.

Nacho heading in to get fixed (April 18).

New glasses for me.  Purple of course.

Captain Marvel Friday night showing with Naomi (thanks, Manny!).  Entertaining, but not as good as most other Marvel films.

There's a scene in the film with a Chinese take-out that had the same name as my parents' take-out.

Manny got us a water dispenser.  Very thankful, and we're getting more hydrated and helping the environment.

Found this on my phone.  Lucas at bedtime.

Thank you, Grandma, for the See's gift cards!  Sorry I didn't get a better photo.  Kind of nervous with the lady watching me.

terminator vr:

Saturday 4/20 (so actually the Saturday before Naomi's main birthday party and our CC party):  Manny took Chris and Lucas to the Terminator virtual reality experience.  It seemed like a very fun experience, and they made a souvenir video for them.  I was supposed to take Isaac to the Easter event at our church that morning, but we were delayed, so by the time we got there it was pretty much over.  So I got Isaac a Happy Meal instead.  Naomi went to her friend's house and had a sleepover, and did a little more celebrating of her birthday as well.  She is usually with friends at one point or another during the weekends.  

Haha.  I love this.

Screenshot of Manny.

Lucas

The boys.

Photo from Manny.

Yay for father-son time.

bowling and outdoor fun:

At the end of January (yes, I've fallen behind with updates again), we went with some friends to go bowling and have ice cream afterward.  Groupon is great--I never heard of this place before then, and we were able to do two hours of bowling, pizza, and drinks for a very reasonable price.  The bowling alley is underwater themed.  My friend's son really likes and looks up to Lucas.  It was good to be outside running around.  It's been a rainy season.  My friend has been a great support in hard times as well.  Social media and even this blog doesn't scratch the surface of all that goes on in our lives and the relationships we have.  I'm very thankful for the people in my life.

good, clean fun (misc update):

Summer has been good to us so far.  Great weather, time with friends and family, and lots of memories made.  Here are some minor things that will go into the treasure chests of the kids' childhoods:

Isaac is now old enough to go with Lucas on the bigger kids' apparatus at the playground, including the big climbs and giant slides.  Lucas is pretty happy about that!

Goodbye, Toys R Us.  You were never part of my childhood (parents never let me go, even to look), but you were part of my kids' childhoods.  Sad to see it go.

I hosted a Norwex party online, and got all these freebies thanks to my generous friends who largely bought to support me.  I love Norwex products.

Splash playdate at the park.  

Loves to climb.  He looks tall here, but he's still pretty small for his age.

 

Free trial parkour class.  The boys loved it, but it's too pricey.

Lucas has been into chess lately.

Time to play!

Matching buddies.

Bumblebee jedi.

Can you tell they're brother and sister?