weeks 8 and 9

week 7

week 6

2014 Family Book

Every year, I put together a blurb book. I am behind on this. I need to get STARTED on 2012. And 2013.

So, in an effort to streamline the process of blogging and book making, for 2014, I am trying my best to do a spread or two every week.  I haven't been good about posting them anywhere yet, so here are the first five weeks! Some weeks have more than one spread.

Aidric is SIX!!!

He had a GREAT birthday yesterday. One of the traditions we have (dating back to my childhood!) is getting to choose your meals all day. So, he started with overnight, no cook oatmeal, a bagel, morning star sausage and a pear.

Off to school!

It happened to be Portfolio/Lunch with Someone Special Day at his school and his Grandma Porras was signed up to be the mystery reader.

Aidric took over the reading about halfway through the book. 

 Picnic lunch- birthday boy's pick was subway.

 I had made some cupcakes for the occasion!

 With one of his BFF's, Jace.

Kids were allowed to check out of school after the event, and Aidric chose to come home with us rather than stay. I think he was incredibly excited about the prospect of presents awaiting him at home. He was soooo excited to open his new Jr. sized tennis racket from G&P Porras! Also a big bag of balls! He looooves to play tennis but has always used Chris and my old rackets. To have one his size will be so helpful.

Book, My Name is Not Alexander, from mommy and daddy. Great book about a little boy who dreams big and also teaches kids about a few historical "heros".  He's reading the inscriptions we wrote to him here.

Juliet and Mac had picked out a few books for him at Barnes and Noble. He JUST started reading chapter books on his own, so the new Magic Treehouse book actually elicited a small squeal. (and when I say reading chapter books on his own, let me be clear, it is painstakingly slow, but he's doing it!)

New soccer ball and "trainer"- it's a harness for the ball and a strap around his waist, so he can get the ball and it comes back to him for practice.

 We had him close his eyes and led him outside for his last surprise of the day. A soccer goal- it's actually a "return" net, so the ball bounces back. We figure we can turn it around and use it as a regular goal too.

Back inside to open his card/gift from Grandma and Grandpa Sytsma. A check and a note to tell him to go shopping for a new bike! He's soooo excited to get a new "big kid" bike like his BFF Benjamin. (He rode almost 6 miles on a bike too small for him last weekend!)

 After presents, we headed out for an early dinner. A new restaurant opened up just down the street from us. The kids have been watching it be built over the last few months and have been sooo anxious to go. Of course, Aidric chose it for his birthday dinner.

 After dinner, Aidric and Jules were sitting at the counter while Aidric read her a new Piggie and Elephant book. Mac climbed up between them and was cracking us up. He kept putting an arm around both of their shoulders and squeezing them in tight while looking at me and saying "cheeeeese!!!!"

Overall,  a pretty great day and we're looking forward to celebrating with a few of his BFF's on Sunday when we take them out for mini golf/laser tag and frozen yogurt at Menchies!

blurb book 2011

I am SO excited that I have finally completed our family photo book for 2011. No, that is not a typo. I'll start 2012 soon, but for now, I can't wait to get the 2011 book in my hands. It's 150 pages of pictures and text- most of it taken from this blog. And making the book now, 2+ years after most of the events happened, I was so grateful for this blog. That I could come here and copy and paste my words to accurately describe the time. I would never have remembered so much of it!! And that's why, although I do have the 365 blog going right now as well, I hope to get back into keeping track of more things here.

I have done blurb books for four years now and I absolutely love them! I just recently signed up to be an affiliate for blurb, which means I can share discounts with readers here! Click on the link below to start your own blurb book and save 20% on it!! This will expire on June 2, so if you are ordering your book after that, you can use the second link to save 15%.

Blurb 20% Off Fathers Day Books



Save 15% On Your Entire Blurb.com Order

Spring Break Day 3

We spent the morning and early afternoon at Pretend City in Irvine. My initial impression of the place was that it was overrated and overpriced. However, the kids LOVED it. It’s basically a miniature ‘city’… library, post office, gas station, grocery store, homes, theater, restaurants, doctor’s/dentist offices, the beach, a pond, farm, etc.

Juliet was a big fan of the stage. Aidric didn't set foot on it once. Love their different personalities. She literally had to be pulled off. 

Aidric did really enjoy controlling the music and spotlights. 

Pumping a little iron at the fire station. 

Aidric was not happy to be in the passenger seat.

 In the library, listening to a lesson on rainbows and then creating their own rainbows.

The art center. 

The stream. They built their own boats first and then sailed them around. This was probably their favorite area. 

We could have stayed a lot longer, but Mac woke up with a cold and he deteriorated as the morning went by. When we got to the stream, he just wanted me to hold him and lay with his head on my chest. This is sooo not like him. He barely ate anything for lunch, the runny nose got worse, his eyes looked horrible and he was just so lethargic.  I didn't manage to get any pictures of the remainder of the day there with him in my arms. We just snuggled while the other two explored the garden, grocery store, farm and workshop. Luckily, they were excited enough by the pool at the hotel that they were happy to leave despite how much fun they were having.

Of course, Mac fell asleep on the way to the hotel. I think he lasted about 45 seconds into the drive actually. Once we got our key and got into the room, I tried to get him to stay asleep on the bed, but he wanted nothing to do with that. I gave up and we went to the pool.

I got exactly two pictures taken at the pool and then put my phone in my bag so I could be on full-on Mac mode. He and I stayed in the jacuzzi and he made several attempts to face dive into the water. The other picture I took was of him, but his eyes were closed :)  

 After swimming for almost 2 hours, we headed back to the room to get ready for dinner. I was still hopeful that Chris would be able to join us, but knew that it was a real possibility he would still be working. We did a quick shopping errand and then decided to eat at Wahoos. Chris showed up just as we were finishing our meals. He took one look at Coramc and asked us to go home. He was only half joking :) Turns out he also had an phone call scheduled for 7:00 the next morning. Not ideal circumstances with us all in the same room. In the end, we decided it would make more sense for us to drive home. So, he helped me pack up the car and off we went. I took a quick picture of 3 very tired kiddos with daddy before we took off.