Enjoying the Fake Spring

We had a brief burst of spring-like weather so the kids and I got outside as much as we could, particularly since Patrick was traveling. Austin had started this nasty cough, but the pediatrician declared him to be completely fine. Strangely, he didn't cough at all during the couple of hours that we took this hike at Duke Island Park to the Pebble Beach. I kept asking him if he wanted to stop and turn around, but he and Colleen insisted that they wanted to eat their snack at the beach. It was so good for our of our souls to be outside!

 

 

I just cleaned this mirror. Then I notice that someone put lotion on their hands and climbed on top of the sink to put a handprint at the top of the mirror. My guess is the male child. 

She spent most of her afternoon outside-time pushing babies around in her stroller.

Her bling never ceases to make me smile. We're on our way to CBS, and I catch a glimpse of her hand as we load into the van. 

This kid had been asking me for his very own "adult" Bible for weeks. I was confused at first because he had his own Bible, but then he pointed out that it was full of Bible stories, and he wanted one he could use for CBS. So we did some research together and ordered it. He was so thrilled when it arrived! 

On this particular day, when I asked her how she wanted to spend her "special Mommy time", she declared, "Let's go for a walk, Mom." So we loaded up the baby in the stroller and set off for a walk. 

Working on his 100 things for the 100th day of school. He was very particular in what he wanted.

Keeping little sister distracted while Austin worked. Button sorting! 

This little lady started feeling poorly and running a fever. We had some errands to run and she announced from the backseat that she was going to rest. And I found her like this. 

Fitness Night & Celebrating 1st Birthdays of Friends

While this back scratcher had been in the "donate" box, Austin loves it and convinces Colleen to rub his back with it often.

Because why not? 

I can't move a load of laundry with my buddy helper. 

Daddy had an awesome birthday coupon from Maggiano's, so we went there for dinner on a school night to take advantage of it! The kids enjoyed being somewhere new-to-us.

 

Austin built his own "Operation" game out of circuits. 

The ability of a child to memorize never ceases to amaze me. Austin is in Community Bible Study with me this year as a student (as opposed to the preschool class), and he is memorizing the same verses that the adults are. CBS was cancelled this day due to ice, and he was so disappointed that he couldn't say his verses to his teacher. So I recorded him while we were waiting at the bus stop to text to his teacher. 

The kids' school had their annual "Fitness Night". It was held during the week, so we requested that Amelia go to the younger kids' session so we wouldn't be up way past our bedtimes. The kids had a blast, and the cargo net is the favorite. I moved around to the empty stations with Colleen to keep her entertained while the big kids rotated through.

 

 

Colleen insisted that I bring down her Bible one day. I found her asleep with it during nap time. 

Family round of Outfoxed before bed! 

Ishita, Rohit & Viaan came over for pizza on Friday night. Austin read to Ishita for a bit; and Colleen insisted that Rohit be a patient while she was the doctor.

 

On Saturday, Colleen and I made frosting for the chocolate cupcakes that the kids had made the day before. We were going to take them to Maria's house to celebrate her 1st birthday. 

 

 

The big kids decorated the cupcakes after they came home from the park. It was cold and wet, so they wore their snowsuits and had so much fun.

 

 

 

On Sunday afternoon, Patrick took the big kids to a Children's Symphony concert. The kids heard various Disney songs performed and then went to an "instrument petting zoo".

Sunday night we enjoyed celebrating with Maria. She, Carla & Diogo were going to come to our house for a little party, but she ended up sick. So we dropped by their house for a bit.  She loved her first taste of chocolate cake! Our kids enjoyed the hot chocolate that Diogo made for them and watching the beginning of the Super Bowl on a huge tv.