Uncle Joey Our Hero!

(Wikipedia)

This afternoon my kiddos and I went to my sister's to celebrate my nephew's 17th birthday.  Swimming in the pool was part of the festivities.  So when it was time for that part, I sprayed sunblock on all the little munchkins (cousins) and off they go to the pool.  I specifically told Sophia to stay in the shallow jacuzzi section of the pool with her cousin Kaelyn.  She said okay; my brother was the adult watching them; and Leno and a couple of his friends were good swimmers so good, I go inside the house.  Later I go to the sliding door and see Sophia on the deep end of the pool, arms holding on to the edge, head seemingly on the way down with her body ...she wasn't actively drowning but she was in the deep end and you can guess the terror that overcame me.  I screeeamed her name over and over again and before I knew it, my brother jumped into the pool and I'm out in the scene just as quickly.  I see my brother flailing (he really doesn't know how to swim ..maybe manage a dog paddle) but my eyes were concentrated on Sophia who at that point got out and headed back into the jacuzzi section ... and my brother managed to fight his way off the pool safely.

I hadn't realize that there was pool steps/seats and Sophia was standing on it!  So she was actually not sinking but I happened to catch her at the moment when she concluded climbing over the jacuzzi/deep end divider and on her way to stand on the steps.  At the time my brother's eyes were on his phone but as soon as he heard my panic yells, he looked up and from his point of view, he thought Sophia was drowning and instinctively jumped into the pool after her forgetting he couldn't swim! 

Boy, that will be forever be a memorable moment!  Our family excitement of the decade!  I gave everyone present there a big scare with my desperate screams.  It all happened so quickly and reactions were overall shock.  Those in the pool and in the house were stunned and BOOM! it was over.

We (my parents, sister, brother and I) had a good laugh afterwards because the "lifeguard" who ended up jumping in the pool couldn't swim and could have drowned!  Of course, it was only funny because everyone was all right and we were having post tension perspective. 

Through it all, I looked at my brother with love, gratitude, and admiration because he dove to rescue his niece, my daughter!  What a loving and brave uncle!  Thank you my little brother, our hero!!

(Here's a last year pic of my brother that I have on hand ..with his daughter Kaelyn and nephew Calvin)

**This one time the kids did not have their life vests because they out grew them.  Not happening again!  Next time they will have some sort of floatation device and that pool will be covered with all types of floatables!! ..and maybe a certified lifeguard! LOL.

ANYWAY,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE LIN!  WHAT AN EXCITING DAY!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Birthday catch up

Steven's birthday celebration lasted about a week and a half! Been quite busy with that and other things so I haven't been able to make time to blog as they came. So here's my attempt to update his birthday adventures. Making collages seems to be the simplest way to showcase several pictures at once.

This was on his actual birthday. Little David had school so he wasn't in the blowing of the cake pictures. After David's school the kids and I went to Chick-fil-A for lunch and play (Daddy went to work). Later that evening we went to David's swim class.

This was a combination birthday celebration for Leno (my nephew, 15yo) and Steven at my home. We did the usual: food, socializing, pinata, cake and ice cream, and opening of presents. I dropped the ball and seriously forgot games and party favors!! ... I don't know where my head went! But we had fun nonetheless.

One day I had a girl's day out with my friend Jackie (dropped the kids off to my sister's) and she sent me back with a gift for Steven. He loved his Leap Frog fridge phonics and especially his card ... can you tell by the tight hugs? Thanks Auntie Jackie and Uncle John! --Then on another day, my youngest brother and his kids came over since they weren't able to make it at Leno/Steven's birthday party. Always a treat to see them!! Thanks Uncle Joey and cousins ... don't know yet what to do with the boatload of money!! :)

Cousin moments +

The kids with their cousins at JumpZone:

Kids (David at school) with their Aunty Arlyn before visiting cousins ... great to see you Aunty!:

Chillin' at their cousins' home (David was here, just didn't get a pix of him):

Of course Grandpa wanted this one thrown in!

Water fun

Summer equals playing in the water so the kids have been doing that everyday! If not in the pool, they're running through the water sprinklers. Ya gotta love water!

AT COUSINS' POOL:

Sable

AT OUR BACKYARD:

GRANDPA JUST WANTED THIS THROWN IN

Happy Birthday Leno!

Wow, 14 years ago today this baby made me an Auntie! Boy, was I a proud and happy Auntie!! Happy birthday little Lin! You'll always be my little Lin even though you outgrew me (height-wise) when you were, what, 10yo? I can't believe you'll be old enough to drive in a couple more years!! I love you Sweetie.

Circus Wrap-Up

This past weekend was the last nights of "The Great All American Youth Circus". On Saturday the family and few relatives (my parents, Monica, Jessica and kids, Patty & John) went to see David in action. The show was a feast on the eyes. Several different things happening at the same time during each act. It was long, but fabulous! Unfortunately, the pictures I took that night didn't come out well. Although the performers came out unscathed, little Anthony did not. Towards the end of the show, he slipped and bumped his head and was rushed to the hospital. You can imagine that the excitement of watching the show changed after that! Anyway, he's alright now.

The very last show on Sunday, David asked who'd be there to see him. I told him his Aunt Sheila and his cousins. He replied, "That's all?". I reminded him that his grandma Bertha, Aunt Tish, and couple "cousins" watched him the week before, then the whole family and said relatives came Saturday, also few friends from church we were aware of, and of course the "10,000 people". That cheered him up again. Then, I thought it sure would be nice to see the very last show and David would certainly have a blast seeing it with his best pal, Kuya Blake. I asked Dave if he'd watch Sophia (she was a handful on Saturday) while David, Steven, and I stay for the entire show. I mentioned it to Sheil and she went ahead and bought tickets for David and I. How totally sweet and generous! David was thrilled to see the show with his Kuyas. Thanks Chick, you're awesome!!!

He's the 5th kid on the mat

Top of the pyramid
End of the act "style"

Near the trailer waiting for his Kuya

The three amigos

Best buds making faces

Steven and his Aunt Sheila

Stud muffins!

After the show backyard bonfire picnic fun

Sorry for the blurry pictures. Keep in mind that I had Steven on my lap so I managed to capture only a few acts.

September Missed

There were several events I missed to blog about so here they are now (mainly for my scrapbooking).

**David started beginning circus on the 9th at our local YMCA. So every Tuesday and Thursday evenings we're there. I can't seem to get a good picture right now but here's one from my phone. He's the blue dot in the center that's jumping off the trampoline!

**My sister and her boys came for visits. Here's a captured moment of Leno and Steven.

**I was able to make it to this month's "Culinary Club" meeting featuring carrot cake. Yummy! Dave certainly loved it. It'll be one for my recipe book. I wonder what next month will be.

**Enrichment Night at church was fun. The theme was "Back to School". It was really cute. The "lunch ladies" wore hair nets and everything! They offered 6 classes and we could take 3. I took English 101, PE, and Shop. It really was informative for me. English class got us motivated in the importance of reading to our children, PE gave us hands on physical fitness and healthy tips, and Shop gave us cool secrets of the trade ... like any grade of oil is fine ... the same with gas!

**My high school 20th year reunion was on the 13th. It was my first day back to work from a 5 month maternity leave so I didn't go. Wasn't too crazy about the 10th so I don't think I missed much. Anyway, as I mentioned in previous post, unofficial one was set up at Huntington Beach. Had to work then too so I missed it. My friends said it was a blast.

**The kids and I finally made it to one of the Market Nights this month. Hooray! My favorite burrito place is back! Raised the price to $6.50 so it's a splurge. We enjoyed the evening. Below David gets his face painted from Petals the Clown.

**We enjoyed having the Elder missionaries over for dinner one evening. They really liked the chicken adobo I cooked. It was a hectic day so I picked up some chinese food to make it easier on me. Made me happy to hear that they enjoyed the adobo out of the whole meal! We'll see what I come up with next month.

**We had our first teacher conference with David's teacher. She had high praises for him.

**Finally got to see my grandnephew! Here he is with his big brother and sister. How precious!!

**Had an opportunity to have a "Girls Night Out" with my previous ward friends. We had dinner at Macaroni Grill. I had my kids with me so I was distracted ... missed some of the chit-chat. Sorry ladies! But it sure was nice to see you all again!

** I joined the "Healthy Habits" program that will run for 8 weeks. More about that later.