Beach Time

David's teacher invited his students to meet at Corona Del Mar State Beach last Saturday to learn about the ocean and erosion for Earth Science.  It wasn't a school sanctioned field trip so no staff supervision was provided.  Dave took the day off and we made it a family trip. 

David enjoyed the educational tour with his teacher and few classmates but and it was the dips in the beach waters that put big bright smiles on his face and skip in his steps.  The same goes for Sophia.  Steven however was not much into getting wet so he just stayed ashore enjoying the sights and some Oreo cookies.  ~Whoa, there were tons of people that day!

By the way, the day before, David went to the doctor's and was diagnosed with an ear infection and put on an antibiotic.  Doctor said it was alright to go to the beach but not to get wet above the waist.  Didn't happen!  David misjudged a wave and it went over his head and knocked him down!  Scared him but soon after he was back in the water ..with me reminding him about his ear.

We had a great time.  Afterwards we went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner.  Thanks Mr. P. for another excuse to have a family beach day (we went to Laguna Beach just before back to school).

 

 

 

 

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!!!

A Park Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!!  I got sweets from my Sweetheart and the kids are well so I'm a happy camper.  Bummer that Dave had work today but we'll continue celebrating tonight. 

Took the kids to the park this afternoon.  It was a bit nippy but that didn't bother the kids.  They had a blast!  Afterwards, the kids picked out a couple of Redbox movies to watch tonight.  At home they enjoyed some soup-rice as they call it (today it was beef/vege broth).  A nice, cozy Valentine day with the fam.  Life is great!

They're sproutin' up aren't they?

Rainbows, Apples, and Cookies

Still slow in updating here, sorry. Well, we're doing well. Mondays this year though have been busy. Dave and I enjoy our weekly Monday date night ..or more like date day. We usually go out to see a movie, dine out for lunch, or both. Then in the evening while Dave is at work, the kids and I have Family Home Evening (spiritual evening.. prayer, lesson, activity). In due time, Dave will join us as well. :)

The weather was shady today. Looked like it would rain cats and dogs but ended up a drizzle here and there. The kids saw a rainbow and came to get me. They were so jazzed and S&S couldn't help but play in the rain (drizzle). Then, later the kids and I worked on their Valentine cards for their classmates. I also put together a small treat for their teachers inpired by a Pinterest.com "pin" (is that the term?). Man, I can browse Pinterest all day! I'm not ready to join yet. I'll never see my kids if I do! ;)

View from our backyard

Another view

Here's the teacher's Valentine treat.

In the jar:

caramel -cream cheese mix topped with caramel and toffee bits

Extra picture treat for you, taken almost 3wks ago.

Steven enjoying what he calls a yellow cookie (Mexican bread cookie)

What a cutie!!

Family Day

Yesterday the kiddos were off from school for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and so was Dave so we made it a family outing day.  We started the morning at IHOP for breakfast then went to a park trail to do some hiking.  From there we went to a sports park.  Turned out we were the only ones there!  The kiddos had a blast rolling down the grass slope.  I had been feeling nauseous and a growing headache so I rested in the car while the rest of the family enjoyed the park some more.  Then from there we went to pick up some donuts and headed home.  At home my headache grew to a full blown intense headache and experienced a malaise feeling.  I checked my blood pressure and it was 175/110.  I took an extra strength Tylenol (I had already taken my bp med that morning) and tried to sleep it off.  Not much luck because my nausea got worse and finally I threw up... a few times.  That helped a bit and after another dose of Tylenol I finally fell asleep.  Oh, what a miserable feeling!  So grateful that Heavenly Father answered my pleading and I was all better by night's end.  I am so blessed with good health.  More than I realized ...thanks Peb for setting me straight.  I will be one that will not slip or throw it away!  :)

A Hot 4th of July

We began our day by having a delicious breakfast of pancake, bacon, eggs, and oj at the annual 4th of July Boy Scouts fundraiser, "Pancake Breakfast", at church (bummer I didn't take any pictures).  We were late and caught the end tail of the festivities so we missed the flag ceremony and such.  Still, we enjoyed a yummy breakfast and company of good friends.  Then off we went to our city's 4th of July parade.  That was awfully short but a nice treat.  We continued the city's celebration at the park where many vendors and local community services gathered.  The kids had fun eating ice cream and playing in the bouncers but it wasn't long that it just got too hot (104F) to check out everything so we headed home.

Chillin' at home ... kids played in the sprinklers ... adults relaxed in the air conditioned home.  Oh, and wouldn't you know it, it rained for what about 5 minutes!  I didn't see that coming!!  But that really didn't cool the day. :(

A lovely family day so far.  We're planning to watch the fireworks tonight from our backyard since Dave's not too crazy about crowds.  This year I'm okay with that since it's sooo hot!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY EVERYONE!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Snow in Spring ...

Earlier this week I took the kids up to F.F. to play in the snow.  David and Sophia was playing up a storm but for some reason Steven didn't want to play in the snow, however he sure was happy to be near it!  Next time I have to plan better and bring a sled!  Big duh moment on my part.  Oh well, the kids were happy nonetheless.

Oh, by the way, there was a moment that a huge soft chunk of snow that was collecting on a tree fell on top of David.  The sudden impact startled us and David ended up crying saying that it hurt.  I think the surprise scared him more than it actually pained him, because no sooner than a couple minutes later he was laughing and playing in the snow again.  Precious ... my babies ... absolutely precious!