Summer Adventures: Part 1

Now that summer is a third of the way over, here's some of the exciting adventures we've had so far!

June was chalk full of swim lessons. Actually, the kids pretty much wore swimming suits nearly all day every day. It was so fun to see them improve over the weeks and see what amazing progress they made. I was very impressed.

Here's Violet enjoying her post-lesson hot tub time. I love how people try to use whatever Spanish they can with Violet (I never ask them to). Her swim teacher would count to 10 in Spanish for her.

Violet also had her first dance class at BYU. She had so much fun, and she was pretty good at it too!

I think she's got some natural talent.

And speaking of trying new things- Jaxon's now taking piano lessons! Travis' parents were so kind to offer us one of their pianos. It's only been a week (I'm teaching him for now), but he's doing very well and learning quickly. What I've loved most is seeing how it's challenging for him, but that he keeps trying and barely complains about it because he WANTS to learn.

This is day #3 of piano practice-

Summer is also the time for scrapes and bruises, and the kids have received plenty of those, especially this little girl. She was trying Jaxon's bike for the first time...and downhill. (Head+curb-helmet=ouch!)

Hopefully she's learned the importance of wearing her helmet!

The kids can see the Kimball Tower from our backyard, and for some weird reason they're always calling out to it- things like, "Hey! BYU! Come here! Why won't you come here? BYU! Come to our party!" and things like that. They're just kind of funny like that. So we stopped by on our way to the Eyring Center and let them talk to it face to face. They got a kick out of that. "Hey, BYU! Why didn't you come to our party?!" The students got a kick out of it, seeing two kids yelling at a building in Spanish.

The kids have loved going to the local elementary for their free breakfast and lunch program. And I don't mind it myself if it saves me a little money. :) And I figure Jaxon could benefit from some pre-1st grade cafeteria experience.

We enjoyed Kneaders free french toast for Fathers Day.

Ginger was pouting at Travis so he returned the face

 We had a sporadic cousins-tramp with sprinkler-pizza party that was fun.

And this one is just all smiles about everything.

Sometimes I call her Curly.

So far summer has been very good to us. Can't wait for July's adventures!

"Look mom, square root!" Yes. A square root Cheeto in his lunch. He thought this was the best thing ever. I will show this to his future-wife one day.

Violet Turns 4

This little cuddle-bug turned 4 over the weekend!

Since it was a Saturday, we had the whole day to celebrate! Travis wanted to take her on a special daddy-daughter date to the Loveland Aquarium. I knew it would be a big hit as she is such an animal lover. They had so much fun, I'm going to have to make a separate post about it.

After their busy day, we enjoyed her birthday dinner (pizza, melon, and crystal light :)) and we had funfetti cupcakes and neapolitan ice cream cones (she's was very specific in her choices this year).

We then opened presents. Jaxon really seemed to win this year with his homemade presents. Violet's favorite was a "recipe" Jaxon wrote for her for "blackberry soup" (aka water, dirt, wood chips from the backyard- they play this all the time).  Anyway, she adored it.

She definitely had a blast. We are so grateful for this little beauty with her mountain of hair and a big soft heart to match.

Lake Yuba

For Memorial Day, our good friends the Ascua's invited us to go to Lake Yuba with them. We had a blast! We packed up our kayaks and they had their canoe and we had a great time on the lake, even if the weather was at times temperamental!

Travis and Jaxon in the kayak, Ascuas in the canoe

We had never been to Lake Yuba before, though we we were pleasantly surprised how nice it was!

Unsuccessfully attempting to put on his life jacket

Taking the Ascua girls for a run

Maria and I

We wrapped up the evening with delicious, gooey smores.

It was such a fun day, we'll definitely have to come again. Mil gracias to the familia Ascua for inviting us!

Graduation Bowling

When I asked Jaxon what he wanted to do to celebrate his graduation, he said he wanted to go bowling. So that's what we did!

Can I just say, I've been loving the old-man gummy smile! He's lost a bunch of front teeth since January, and now one is just barely starting to grow back in. Had us worried there for a while that nothing was going to grow back!

Violet shows lots of excitement when she bowls.

Jaxon Graduates Kindergarten

Jaxon graduated from kindergarten this past week. He was very... ready to be done.

Granted, kindergarten was pretty dull for Jaxon academically, which in turn did cause behavior problems throughout the year. But he greatly needed the social interaction with peers as he is a bit behind socially.

Just check out his excitement at his school dance festival-

Yup, that's my kid in the front, having the time of his life. When I asked him why he didn't want to dance he said, "No me interesa." (It doesn't interest me.) *Heavy sigh* Well he still looks cute in the getup anyway!

And I am grateful that he had a great teacher whom he greeted most days with a hug.

Congratulations, Jaxon! Can't wait for the new adventures that await you in first grade!

Spring Activities

It's definitely been a fun spring. We've still had to adjust our activities as per the wet/dry days, but that didn't stop us from having fun!

One particular wet day we went to the Eyring Center and tested out their scientific toys.

Followed of course by doughnuts and BYU's famous chocolate milk.

We enjoyed as much time outside as possible on the sunny days.

Violet helped me plant some flowers.

We invited cousins over another day and made smoothies and built forts.

No Girls. Britain and Jaxon are allowed. Do not get in our secret fort! 

Dangerous! (Skull and Crossbones)

And of course the kids have taken turns getting over colds/ear infections. When Jaxon sleeps in till 10:30 it's never a good sign.

I'm sad for the cool weather to go, but excited for the fun activities we have planned this summer!

Fluctuating Temperature

The weather has really thrown us a curve ball the last couple of months, which means our activities have been all over the place as well.

When it was cold, the kids loved spending hours in this castle/maze Travis made for them. It was actually pretty incredible. The kids loved it and used it for weeks till it was in a very sorry state and had to be dismantled and recycled.

Then it got unusually warm, so we took many family walks around our new neighborhood and up the canyon.

Trying to spot our house and other familiar buildings

We then got another couple of storms and who knew we'd be sledding into March?

 

Then it got warm and we spent time at the park. (Ginger loves slides!)

Hopefully it continues to stay warm!