Friday, December 20, 2019

Biggest Blog Ever: Birthday parties, visits with Grandparents, Thanksgiving and more!

It is hard to know where to begin. I can't believe I forgot to do the blog after Thanksgiving. Well before Thanksgiving Rubix and I made a race track out of his Duplos Legos. He was so proud I took a picture of it. 
 He really loves cars still and continues to love to play with them and carry them everywhere.
 November 6th through 8th, Axel went to the Marin Headlands for his big 5th grade field trip. He said it wasn't nearly as fun as Coloma in 4th grade. I think the colder weather affected him.
 When Axel got back on Friday evening he was welcomed by Grandma Sonia and Grandpa Bruce. On Saturday we went to Golfland to play mini golf and enjoyed a few arcade games afterwards.

 Here is Grandpa and Rubix playing PacMan air hockey.
 Against Axel and Phoenix!
 Here Rubix and Axel are racing a car around a race track. I had to look away because it was making me sick, but Grandma and Grandpa were champs.

When we got home from Golfland, Daddy was home from his 15 day Asia tour. Here the kids are enjoying their gifts that Daddy brought home. 

Before Grandma and Grandpa left the kids had some fun outdoor play. It was a short visit, but good quality time. 
 A picture with the grandkids after dinner before our goodbyes.

 We have been to way too many birthday parties this year. Here is Phoenix at yet another birthday party playing air hockey. This one was actually at our one and only bowling alley that is still up and running.
 Here is Axel, the only boy, at an all girl party. I didn't realize when I dropped him off at the Escape room that there wasn't any other boys. When I went to go pick him up, I was surprised that there were no other boys. Apparently, all of the moms love Axel and think he is sweet and charming.


 The Sunday before Thanksgiving the 5 of us drove to Sacramento to go out to eat for Grandpa Brian's birthday. Here he is with Braylin and Aya.
 Sweet Axel with sweet Rubix patiently waiting for their food.
 Happy birthday Grandpa Brian! After dinner the kids played a bit at Auntie's house and then Axel and Phoenix went home to Grandma Susan's house while Rubix, Daddy and I drove home. It was really weird to be without Axel and Phoenix, but the 3 days went by very fast.

 Thanksgiving morning we left bright and early to drive back to Sacramento to beat the traffic. We enjoyed a long day of family fun and were able to visit with the Goldsteins.
 Great grandma Millie had all three of her children and all of her grandchildren under one roof. It was a special day that will be remembered for sure.
 It ended with fun cousin bath time and...

 Fun cousin dress up time.
 After a long Thanksgiving we enjoyed the long weekend with decorating the house and spending time together at home.



 Keith is really becoming quite the traveler. I wanted to share a few pictures from his Asia trip. This is one of many breakfast/dinner pictures that he sends me.
 The train.
 Keith getting to take a picture in the cockpit for Rubix.
 Here are some fun pictures of cousin adventures during the three days Axel and Phoenix stayed at Grandma's house.

 GG Millie with all of her grandchildren.
 The Szolushas on Thanksgiving.

 More yummy food pictures.
 Keith's favorite pictures of McDonalds!

 Who gets the bicycle?
 December has been one rainstorm after another. Rubix already fits into Axel's old raincoat and boots and loves to go stop around in the puddles.
 Phoenix with her new jacket that Grandma and Grandpa got for her.
 A picture I took one night when I was reminiscing about my childhood Christmas memories. How I love and miss the Eicks, Uranichs and Burgesses.
 Last weekend was the most exhausting of all with 3 events in one day. We did two Pump it Up parties in a row. One with Rubix's friends where he had a blast with Daniel and Sierra.

We then went to Vishak's party with Phoenix's friends. 

 I will end this post with Phoenix's first grade holiday performance on Tuesday the 17th. I was so incredibly proud of her. She was like a new person. She moved with the beat the entire time and belted her voice. I could actually hear her in the front row.
 She had a ton of confidence and did great in her dance where six 1st graders danced to a song in front of everyone. I was absolutely beaming from ear to ear as Keith was too.


 More pictures of Keith from Asia. I am so proud of how hard he has been working and at how much more he has stepped up at work. 



 We are looking forward to a lovely time tomorrow with family and celebrating Jesus birth this Wednesday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!










Monday, November 4, 2019

Halloween, 2nd tooth fairy visit, walking pneumonia and more!

On Thursday, October 24th Daddy and Phoenix had a date to math night. Phoenix dressed up for daddy in her Honbok and Daddy changed his shirt to match. They had a great time at math night together. 
 The next morning Daddy left for his 15 days of travel to Asia. Rubix is saying goodbye in the picture below.
 Axel has been slowly growing at a rate that it is difficult to see big growth spurts, but a few weeks ago I realized how big he has gotten. I set out on a mission to find him an adjustable desk and chair set that will continue to growth with him. Here he is Friday night sitting at it for the first time. It was a fun surprise for him, coming home to it after a long day of school and dance class.
 We have been so busy with birthday parties and activities and the stomach bug that we were unable to go to the pumpkin patch before Daddy left for his long trip. Luckily, Saturday morning was free of events. I would like to say the three kids greatly enjoyed themselves, but you can see from the pictures that Phoenix wasn't feeling well or was upset about something. I can't remember exactly what it was.
 This was Rubix's only chance to go and Axel and Phoenix had plans to go to the pumpkin patch on Monday, for their second fall break day.
 Axel and Phoenix were gracious enough to entertain themselves while Rubix went on the cow train.
 He really enjoyed the train ride and riding the fake horse.

 All three contemplated on what to paint on their little pumpkins. I love how similar, but different they are to each other.
 I have been busy with extra work projects and studying that I have put off many things on my to do list. I am excited to say that I finally ordered the pictures that my sister, Shannon, took on my birthday. Here is a picture of our new family picture hanging on the wall. I have pictures to mail out to the grandparents and Aunts as well.

 Saturday nights when Daddy is gone is a fun opportunity for the kids and I to go to church. They all seem to enjoy their age group lessons and some play time on the playground afterwards.
 Phoenix loves to create forts, hide outs and secret hiding places. Below is a picture of another great idea she had to escape the high winds and pollen storm that was in the air with Saif following suit.
 We had multiple birthday parties. Axel went to an Escape the room. Phoenix, Rubix and I went to a Pump it Up party.
 Phoenix is high energy most of her waking hours. She was funny and said, "Mommy, you missed me on the climbing wall." "No, I didn't", I respond and show her a few pictures of her climbing.
 Phoenix is still ultra competitive and loves winning and playing hard. I love this picture of the pure joy she is having by scoring in air hockey.
 As I said, Monday the 28th, was the second fall break day for Axel and Phoenix. I scheduled their dentist appointment at 8 am. Here are all three of them during their appointment time. Rubix was charming and cooperative.
 Phoenix was squirmy and cautious. She had a lot of plaque build up for not flossing. The dental hygenist had a talk with her after her cleaning, per my request. Now Phoenix is cooperating and flossing every night with me!
 Axel was relaxed and calm. He got an A plus for flossing twice daily and taking care of his teeth.
 Rubix has a small mouth like the other two and the dentist recommended xrays to get a baseline. He was amazing listening to his hygenist without me even present. I came over to see him being a mature young man and getting his xrays complete without any drama. He reminds me so much of Axel. I feel so blessed to have such sweet boys.
 We dropped Rubix off at Angela's after the appointment and then met Kristin and her mom at the pumpkin patch. The kids jumped for an hour and then did the hamster balls for 10+ minutes.

 I find it funny how much they want to do the hamster balls and how nauseous they feel afterwards. They don't seem to care because here they are with big smiles. Kristin then came over until 7 pm for some more play time with Axel.
 Axel decided he wanted to be his U.S. History teacher, Mr. Ramsy. Mr. Ramsy has a tattoo for every place and country he has ever visited. Lets just say he has a LOT of tattoos. Kristin is quite the artist and agreed to help me draw the tattoos on Axel. She memorized the tatoos on Mr. Ramsy's right arm, but they both couldn't remember what was on his left arm. We had fun making things up. 
 Here is Mr. Ramsy junior on Halloween morning.
 I was able to volunteer at Phoenix's party and parade as it was in the morning before my work day starts. I was really proud of myself for dressing up with her. I love when I do things that make her happy, as I find it very hard to always make her happy. :)
 She even waved to me during the parade!!!!
I realized I didn't get a picture of the pumpkins or all three kids so when we got home from school I had them quickly pose before dinner. 
 Kristin, Shamik and Saif joined us for trick or treating fun. It was nice to have a small group of kids to go with this year. It made it very easy for me to manage the three kids.
 Rubix in protest of the group photo.
 The little guy always patiently waiting and my little kitten always pushing to be first. My calm 10 year old is also patiently waiting.
 Axel has been requesting chicken noodle soup for a couple of weeks. I finally had time to make it on Friday afternoon. I have to admit it completely satisfied my soul. There is something special about a slow cooked, home made, chicken noodle soup.
 On Saturday, Axel and I worked all morning on his cell project. I helped collect all of the material and cut the cardboard. We were in the thick of hot gluing the parts down when Phoenix came in the room with a bloody face and missing tooth. Rubix and her were playing ball and the ball "accidentally", knocked out her loose tooth! Here she is holding her second lost tooth (11-2-19). The crazy thing we noticed is that the tooth that had just fallen out already had the adult tooth break through behind the tooth. The first tooth she lost 2 weeks ago has not broken through the gums yet. Funny, huh?!
Here is the complete Plant Cell project Axel worked on this weekend. I am proud of him for doing it my way.......don't stop, 'til your done way! Now he doesn't have to worry about it when he gets back from Marin Headlands on Friday and he can enjoy the visit with Grandma Sonia and Grandpa Bruce next Saturday. 
 Before church on Saturday we met Daniel, Rubix's buddy at John D. Morgan Park. All three kids had fun playing.
 I am really proud of Phoenix and Axel playing well together and letting Rubix enjoy his friend.
 Axel being his sweet self.
 The climbing little ones!
 Here Rubix is saying, "Mommy, look!"
 As we were heading to church I noticed Rubix was having greenish gunk discharge from his eyes. I also noticed how congested he was. When we got home from church he had a low grade fever of 100 and I was starting to worry about his 2 weeks of being sick taking a turn for the worst. On Friday, he only lasted about 10 minutes at the park and then wanted to go home. He said his back hurt. This was the first red flag.  He is such an easy going kid when I ask him how he is, he almost always says good. I finally called first thing on Sunday to get him an appointment. I am glad I did, because he has walking pneumonia. I am home with him right now and took the opportunity to do the blog. He started antibiotics yesterday, but is actually worse today with congestion. I am hoping he feels better tomorrow.

Axel leaves Wednesday for Marin Headlands. I am excited for his second trip with school. We are looking forward to Daddy coming home next Saturday and our visit with Grandma Sonia and Grandpa Bruce on Saturday too!