Shattered...

It was a quiet afternoon yesterday, and we were all up here in the bonus room hanging out with some friends--when we heard a huge crash! Juan ran into Lauren's room (she had just gone in there for something) and fortunately she was fine. I thought the sound came from downstairs but he was sure it was made upstairs. He was right. He walked into the master bedroom and to the left into the bathroom and came upon a big scattered pile of glass. Our shower door had exploded!

How this happened we have no idea. Nobody was in there thank goodness, and the glass was tempered, so I guess we'll never know....any ideas on how this happens?

Taco Tuesday...

We have had the opportunity to partake in many fun original happenings this summer, ie: Lauren took an art class at the local college here with her friend Katie W, and Niko joined in with his buddies for a week of spiritual growth at VBS, we repainted Niko's room to a new cool skateboard gray, Lauren joined her friends in private tennis lessons and now she really understands how to score the game--and even competed in her first tournament! Their have been birthday parties galore, and one night we invited the whole class to one of our neighborhood pools for a no-frills swim at night pool party! It was low key and a wonderful chance to let the kids swim without the hassle of applying sunscreen, hats or swim shirts. Lauren made her brownies and the kids swam for three hours under the moonlight. Last week, we realized we were running out of summer and still had one more idea to put into play---Taco Tuesday!

My son is a big fan of my taco's and wanted to share them with all of his friends. I couldn't make dinner for the entire class so I urged him to choose three and we go from there. Maria, from the office, got him this giant sombrero last year and he wanted to use it somehow. We decided to get each boy how own sombrero, and then for a little added humor, we picked up a packet of stick on moo-staches. They were hilarious!! As each boy arrived Niko greeted them with their new look and christened them with their new names: Brendan was Burrito, Logan was Loco, and Nate was Nacho. Without hesitation and with a lot of gusto I might add, they jumped right into the fun!

Here you see them singing what they thought was a mariachi song. It was too funny! Shortly afterward they attempted ping-pong with those giant hats too. They played the Wii, ate a big dinner of Niko's mama's tacos, and then we went over to the courts and they played on the tennis courts for a solid hour (I can't say it was really tennis, but they cracked up the whole time). Niko has gotten pretty good at tennis so they played the three of them against him--and they cheered with victory when they finally got a ball past him. He was running all over the court and loved it. We got home and cooled them down with chocolate brownie sundaes that they devoured. The time flew but fun was had by all!

Summer Happenings...

August 31st.  We are running out of summer here pretty quickly.  I think our family can rest easy though knowing we gave our best effort to get the most of out of our given time off.  The past three months we have been blessed with the company of many friends, and then my kids great grandfather flew out for a bit, and then for six weeks straight, our fun and much loved aunt has been local giving us the opportunity to and privilege of sharing a daily sort of life with her.  Lauren called it the month of relatives!

Here you can see grandpa out to cheer his grandson on at a tennis match in Irvine.  Niko lost the match, but I saw his whole attitude toward the loss adjust due to my father's encouragement and advice.  I was having quite a challenge with my son and Dad flew out to lend a helping hand.  I will be forever grateful.  

Next, this is a picture of Niko's first time as a number 1 seed!  Very cool, but it scared him.  He was so intimidated carrying that title, he froze and lost the first match out.  Dad helped him see a lot of life is in all in our heads.

"Honey I Shrunk the Audience!"  This was a hoot!  Nena, my aunt, hadn't been to Disneyland in over 25 years (!) and we thought it would be great fun to take advantage of our yearly passes and see the park through her eyes--the yellow 3D glasses made the vision even more fun!

We got there around 1pm and stayed until 11pm.  It has been ages since we were there at night.The park was busy but we got on 16 rides and saw Fantasmic, the fireworks, a bit of a parade, downtown Disney, and soooo much more!  Nena is just great--she will jump right in and join the fun no matter what the ride.  It was the first time for Splash Mt and the kids and i were terrified but Nena just giggled and said, "Let's go!"  I must note:  Lauren was very brave--she later told me as we approached the big giant drop that she kept saying to herself, "I'm not gonna die-I'm not gonna die-I'm not gonna die!"  I cracked up!   

After our treat to Disney, Nena treated the twins to the local Rodeo here.  I snapped this photo just as they were off to hang with the cowboys.  Love it!

Last here (and just before my camera died) i took this of the girls at our schools Movie night.  they were enjoying the teeter-totter before the movie started.  

These are just a few moments of our very fun, easy, unexpectedly relaxed summer!

LA TENNIS OPEN...

The four of us had the fabulous opportunity last week to attend the LA Tennis Open with our good friends, The Changs. Michael Chang was playing Jim Courier in an exhibition game at the UCLA tennis center and Diana called and said, "Would you like to go?" Um.....YES!

We drove up, showed the twins where we saw Eddie Murphy there twenty years ago in Westwood, and then took them to dinner at CPK. We shared how we used to go now and again up there for dinner, people watching, and if the lines weren't too long, a movie too. Then, we walked over to the university and joined in the fun! It was really cool --and Michael won! Niko and I talked about him playing there some day.  I told him if he wanted it, he could do it.  Carl, Michaels' brother and such a great person,  told Niko it takes a lot of hard work, and the tennis he is playing now is all about learning. Such good advice! The entire night was so much fun! Thanks Diana! Thanks Carl!  Thanks Michael!  We will remember it forever!

Q'ute Quote...

Last week it was time for the kids physicals.  We hadn't gone literally in three years for one, and with the growth spurts they are both going through I figured it might be a good idea this year to go make sure everything is working as it should.  They are rarely sick (thank goodness) but it is always better to check in than check out ya know?

Anyway, I prepared them for what might happen (shots, they may take blood, etc...).  I asked if we could do each child, one at a time, so I could be present (more for their consideration than mine), and the nurse assured me that would be fine.  Well, as it turned out, I was in with Lauren and the nurse practitioner when our long-time pediatrician popped his head in and said, "I just wanted to say hello.  I haven't seen you all in awhile.  Niko is great and all taken care of.  Hello Lauren!"  I looked over and said, "He's done?"  Yep!  He will grow 3-4 inches this next year and I told him to eat like it!  So feed him, mom!"

We finished up and went two doors down to his room.  I found him sitting on the table there with his head down and holding his one finger.  I said very concerned, "Hey, you okay?  I'm sorry I wasn't here for the needle part.  You okay?"  With his head hung low, he shook his head from side to side.  I rushed to his side and said, "No?"  He instantly perked up and grinned, "Only kidding!"  and then shrugged his shoulders and said, "It was fine.  They gave me a chicken pox shot though and they took blood from my finger--that hurt the most."  I looked down at the finger with the band aid on it and went to kiss it, when he said, "Oh yeh, and the doctor said to be sure and let you know that I am going through POVERTY!"  I looked at him confused and he said really disappointed, "Does that mean I'm gonna be poor?"  I cracked up!  "No, I think the doctor meant PUBERTY."  :>

VBS

Last week was VBS at our church. Vacation Bible School is so popular, you have to register in the Spring just to get a spot for your child (ren). Both my kids have been eager attendees since kindergarten, but this year Lauren opted to take an Art Class instead. VBS is loads of fun, but it is honestly the most exhausting week of summer. They have to be there by 8:30am and they go-go-go until noon every single day, outside, under the heat of the day. Lauren was also just promoted to Juniors on dance team so that provided a conflict as well. I had hesitated to sign Niko up because,as a parent, I have to go every morning and then back again to pick him up. I just couldn't do it. Niko was devastated--until Mindy, his good buddies mom, offered a him a seat in her van. Niko was more than grateful and so excited to join all his buddies from school in this week of fun, learning and growing in our faith. Thanks Mindy! Sherri was our always reliable leader --not only does she lead our boys every summer, she documents the entire thing ( I think I have about 70 pictures she's emailed me from last week.) Here is just one--purple was the color this time--and Sherri went all out for our kids! NIko is the one with the giant purple hand! Thanks Sherri for a wonderfully fun, spiritually fulfilling week!