Too Long Since Last Post - Kid Updates

Okay it has been FOREVER since I posted. Life is chaotic... really chaotic. I will try to think of all the updates that I can but am sure I will still miss something.

Azul will be turning 8 in a few short weeks and is having a LEGO party. We got the idea after attending the Maker Faire in San Mateo last month. They had LEGOS spread all over the floor for kids to build with and kids just went wild! Azul is a tremendous fan of LEGOS so we decided to use it for his theme this year. He just finished 2nd grade with all A's and B's. He is still in piano class and had his first recital two weeks ago. He is about to start up his football season again this year (ughh) but I know that exposure to and experience with sports is healthy for him.

Nyla is still 4 and is preparing to enter kindergarten about which she is very excited! She is reading full on books now and adding and subtracting with 1's, 0's and 2's (i.e. 9+2, 6-1, etc). Last night I noticed that her two bottom middle teeth are wiggling so they will be out soon. She is so happy that she will start kindergarten minus 2 teeth!

Emil is now 10 months old and is a master of climbing onto of things and crawling full speed around the house. He screams, oh does he scream to get his point across and the attention of others. So far his vocabulary still only of mama and dada but he recognizes "no", "Azul" and "Nyla" and responds to those words. Occassionally he will stand unassisted but as soon as he realizes it "plop" down he goes and full speed ahead with crawling.

Just call Me Spitter!

Emil is definitely coming into his own. He is now 7 months old and crawling, waving, pulling up on things and his favorite activity of late... spitting! He spits to show happiness, frustration, you name it. Usually I end of with food all over me. Even as I type this post, he is sitting behind me in his high chair and spitting at the back of my head, leaving behind not only saliva but food particles from his dinner of banana, apple and pear.

Swim Lessons

Now when I was growing up swimming lessons consisted of my dad throwing me (terrified) into a pool of waiting water and telling me to swim! Well I never really learned how to swim the correct way so after a near drowning scare with Azul a couple of years ago, I decided he and Nyla would both take private lessons one day and that day has arrived. They have been attending for a month now and are doing well.

Nyla at the beginning of each lesson acts as if she is terrified of the water and has never had a lesson so it takes a bit of coaxing to get her in there but once she is in, she is in! She was one of those kids who wants the swim suit, the goggles, the beack towel... but no getting wet!

Azul tends to get admonished by the instructor for clowning around too much but he is getting better at focusing and really learning.

They only have 4 lessons left... we will see how it goes.

Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Today the kids and I took advantage of a brief break in the rain and a beautiful burst of sunshine... a BIKE RIDE!!!!! Well, a walk and stroller push for me, but Nyla and Azul really enjoyed the bike ride after being couped up in the house for several days due to the constant rain showers we have been having. We are all ready for Spring around here, Nyla constantly ask me how many more weeks till Spring arrives.. March 20th I tell her over and over and over again.... 4 year olds.

The weather was so beautiful for a short while this afternoon... the sun warmth felt incredible and the breeze was just perfect, not too strong. It actually lulled Emil off to sleep for more than an hour. I thank the Lord for that little break... makes being home for a week alone with the kids indoors a little easier to handle.

Emil Sits Up!

Our baby boy is just growing so fast and changing so very much. He is now eating food (I make it from scratch... no jar stuff!) and he has 1 1/2 teeth on the bottom.. still waiting for one to come in fully. Emil is not trying to stay a baby for long.. he is definitely ready to move and shake with his big brother and sister. Two days ago, Emil started sitting up unassisted! I was blown back because he just DID IT! When he teeters and totters he will put his hand down flat to stop his fall and push himself back up. Other times (especially when he is holding a toy) he just gives in and hits the ground! Very funny.

Check out this video of Emil in action.

Honey Dos

My hubby is becoming very handy at household repairs. We were in dire need of a new water heater... our old one came original with the house (1964!!!!) and started leaking badly. Mill was wary about removing and replacing it himself due to the gas lines involved but when the handy man we hired was a no-show, Mill went to work and it was a success. He is so smart and strong... hoisted that 50 gallon water heater alone! Gotta love my man.

Amazing Taylor

My niece,Taylor, was recently in her school talent show. Her girl group the "Amazing Angels" did a great dance number and took second place. Here is the video... check it out! She was born a diva and continues to be one! She is going to be famous someday. Yep.. her auntie said it... FAMOUS!