Family and Friends, Kids growing up!

Mr. Axel finished his algebra honors class soaring like the Harker eagle that he is. We captured a picture of him as we said goodbye to the upper school campus on his last day of class. Axel lost his 1st molar tooth and one that had a cavity on this day as well. 

This past weekend we were able to finally make it to Sacramento. We were able to visit GG who is recovering well from her broken him and okay from her broken arm. 

I am so glad to have been able to visit and catch up a little bit with her. I wish I was able to visit more often or stay longer. It was a real treat!

After visiting GG we headed over to Auntie Shannon's house. They recently had their yard re-landscaped and it looks beautiful. The kids and husbands enjoyed the pool. 

Aya was not quite herself and fell asleep in Auntie's lap. 

Axel made a train zucchini bread that we all gobbled up. We also had the pleasure of seeing and visiting with Gma Susan, Gpa Brian and Uncle David!!!!

We had a lovely afternoon. It was 7pm before we knew it and time to go. 

The kids were tuckered out from the long day and the heat. 

This week was the last week of swim team. It was a great year for them. They all won 1st place for every event in their age group against their teammates. They worked really hard for the past 4 months and have improved more than we anticipated. They are all considering stepping it up to the next level. We will possibly sign up Axel first in the fall and see how it goes for him, before taking the plunge with the younger two. 

The week also brought a visit from our old neighbors the Reddy's. Rishaan still towers over Axel, but.....not as much. It was cool to see the old besties together once again. 

Here are the 5 with Nishka and Rishaan on the ends. 

Our couple funny pictures requested by Nishka. What wonderful years it was having them as neighbors and having our kids grow up together. 

This week has also been full of Olympic viewing and Rubix now talks about when he will be in the Olympics and what he will do there. 

Go USA!!!!

Here are our little swimmers in action.

Axel out of the blue, has picked up shuffling and playing cards. He also showed the little ones how to build card houses. Apparently, playing cards was the choice activity during summer school at break time. It brings back memories as Shannon and I grew up playing cards often. 

Today we had our first sunflower open. It is not as big as previous years, but it is still beautiful. 

Phoenix is still amazed at the sunflower we received from our neighbor. We counted it has 10 heads. I have named it our medulla sunflower as I have never seen a sunflower with 10 heads before!!!

Today I also took Axel and Phoenix for a wellness check and sports release form signing. We knew the kids grew a lot during the pandemic, but we didn't know how much until today. Phoenix's last appointment was Jan 2020. In a year and a half she grew over 8 inches and gained 19 lbs. She weighs 58 lbs and is 4 feel 6 inches. Axel's last appointment was March 2019 as everything closed right before his birthday in 2020. In the 2 years since his last physical, he gained a whopping 20 lbs and grew 7.5 inches. Axel is just 1/2 inch shy of 5 feet and weight 75.7 lbs. We feel the kids have consumed more calories being at home and Axel took much less allergy medication being at home. These variables are what we attributed to both of their huge growth spurts, but logic tells me it was strictly timing with their genetics. I am so excited for Axel, as this puts him now over 50th %tile. This is a huge improvement from 12th %ile. His weight is still that low compared to other 12 year olds, but it is amazing how much he has grown. Although, technically Phoenix grew more in a shorter time, she did not jump as much as Axel did. She went from 63 to 88 %ile for height and her weight continues to be about 15%ile. 

It is hard to believe the summer is winding down. I will be working my last Saturday and then will get to enjoy the family for 2 solid weeks. I am so excited! We head for Tahoe and are praying the air quality will be good enough for us to stay and enjoy ourselves the 10 days that we are their. 

When we come home we are looking forward to doing some much needed house cleaning (okay, only I am looking forward to getting rid of papers, clothes, toys that we no longer need) and getting ready for school. 

Check back in a couple of weeks to view our Tahoe fun!

 

Father's Day, birthdays, summer school, 4th of July, Kids Camp and more!

It seems like we just started the garden and that school just ended, but it is already mid July and we are just 2 short weeks away from our summer vacation to Tahoe. Keith has been off of work for 2 weeks and Axel's last week of Algebra I Honors summer school is next week!

The week after school, Carmen and I took the kids to Shoreline park. My 3 kiddos were happy as always to hang out with Ms. Carmen and her daughter Kristen. We flew kites, had a picnic lunch and ....

Axel and Kristen kayaked while the 4 of us rode on the paddle boat. 

Although Carmen and I started paddling, the two young ones couldn't wait to paddle too. 

They did a great job of getting us almost back to shore!

Axel and Kristen had loads of fun on the kayak. They made a good team and flew around the pond. 

Axel has been busy with summer school. This is his 5th week and he is rocking it. He is nearly getting 100% in the class. He has only missed 8 points on all of his tests. It seems a little crazy, but he has a 99.6% in the class. He has 3 more units and his final exam. It has been a great experience for him and he has loved being in school over the summer! He says it is exactly what he needed after a year of remote learning.

Phoenix and Rubix have been having swim lessons. They did 3 weeks and have one more week left next week. They both are improving and they are PRing in most of their events. The swim team is having virtual races, which means that they are timing the kids events during practice and then ranking them amongst their peers. The cool thing is, they will receive ribbons, which is especially rewarding for Rubix who has been on the swim team for two years now with no true racing and no ribbons. He ordered a ribbon book from the swimathon and he can't wait to put his 1st place ribbons in it. The kids have been working hard for 4 months now improving their endurance, fitness and technique. 

Phoenix and Rubix have moments where they get along beautifully. Here is one of them where they are walking their dogs/ animals with leashes that Phoenix made for them. 

In mid June, the kids went to their first bday party at our new neighbor's house. 

It was very exciting to attend. They enjoyed painting and playing outside. 

It was nice of our new neighbor to invite all 3 kids. 

The kids surprised Daddy with a beautiful poster for Father's Day! 

In late June we finally had our annual cleaning this year. They got postponed and we had to conquer and divide. Keith took Phoenix one day because of a schedule conflict and I took the boys 2 days later. 

The boys patiently waiting for me as my teeth were cleaned. We were happy that there were no cavities this year as last year, Rubix had several filled. We have been very diligent at using fluoride toothpaste and mouth wash, along with flossing the kids teeth nearly every day. It has been a little difficult since we ran out of flossers. Getting my hands in their mouths is no easy task. I am looking forward to my much needed Costco trip next week.  

The kiddos surprised me with a lovely poster on my bday. They did the entire poster and put it up, all while Keith and I were on an hour and a half bike ride. That is pretty fast for my kiddos to do an art project. 

Keith planned for us to go over to the Gunnions for my bday. It was a lovely evening where the kids were able to play and I was able to relax and enjoy good food and good compnay. 

It was the first time for us to go as a family to a friends house for dinner since the pandemic.

Rubix enjoying a popsicle after swim one day. I can't remember exactly when this was, but I love his cute calm self. 

Marshall Lane play ground has been open for a couple of months and we finally made it over there for afternoon fun. The kids enjoyed playing wall ball and on the play structure for the first time in a year or more.

For the 4th of July, we went to my friend Tiffany's house. It was so fun to swim and visit with her. The kids had snow cones after dinner. 

They also did sparklers before we had to head home. 

We went from no social gatherings to several in a matter of weeks with all of the celebrating. It has been really nice, but now I am getting nervous with the increased Covid cases that maybe we are being too relaxed. I think we are going to throttle back until the little ones are vaccinated and try to be a bit smarter. 

Here Kristen and the kiddos are having quite the water balloon fight. We have had several water balloon fights with friends. Over the past couple of weeks. 

The kids are reading a ton. Phoenix is reading the most and eating up books. 

On Daddy's bday we were able to get a few more photos. I loved the sign the kids made me so much, it is still up. 

Daddy had a lovely day and we enjoyed a bike ride, swimming and tirmasu. 

On July 9th, we had junk day and were able to get rid of a few things. It is always sad to throw things into the land fill, but it is nice to finally get rid of the crib and other things that I couldn't seem to find a new home for. 

This week is Kids Kamp at church. Here is Rubix. 

And Phoenix.

Fun water games, where the kids get to learn to work together to achieve a common goal. Here Phoenix is quickly filling up sponges with water and passing it to her team mate. 

Snack station and Rubix showing me Ramsey who taught the kids we can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me (Philipians 4:13)!

Daddy is the group leader for Rubix's group. He is doing a great job of leading his group of 5 year olds. It was no easy task. 

He gets an award for trying to learn the dances too!

Here are more cute pictures of the kids from day 3 of camp. Rubix with his hat he made. 

Rubix "dancing" during freeze dance. 

Phoenix patiently listening to the game instruction as the kids passed the nerf noodle with their arms (no hands) and their legs. So fun!

Daddy teaching the boys during snack time.

Phoenix making another necklace. 

Rubix stacking more cups!

Day 4 they did a wrap up at Vascona park where the campers and families were able to do a free train ride. Rubix was ecstatic to say the least.  

What a blessed week. We have so much to be thankful for. I am elated as I am finally done with my extra work. I only have 2 more Saturdays to work and then we will be off together for a couple of weeks and then I return to a normal work schedule of Monday through Thursday. I am hoping it will be okay for the family. I am also it will be better for myself as I will have Fridays to get all of the chores and shopping done and be able to have the full weekend to spend with the family. 

I should be able to start posting more regularly again. I hope to post after our Tahoe trip, but may find time to post a quick blog on our visit to Sacramento next weekend. We are looking forward to seeing GG and then visiting the Jolleys and Gma Susan and Gpa Brian. Until then happy summer!