JJ's birthday was last Tuesday. For his birthday all he wanted to do was go watch Transformers which came out the day after his birthday. Since I had to work, I promised him I'd make it up to him, and that was Friday.
Friday ended up being a date day all around. I got to spend some quality time with each member of the family. The morning started with Lucy getting her shower. She's usually not happy about getting water and soap on her face, but I think she's learning to take it. She ended up having a good time and that was our quality time together.
Then it was JJ's turn. As promised, we watched Transformers. Most people enjoy their movies with popcorn, soda, and maybe some Milk Duds. We do it a little different. We rolled with some tacos, hamburgers, and chicken sandwiches. Uncle Mike's contribution was nachos and Icee which they both enjoyed. Almost 3 hours later, we were all smiles. I thought it was a good movie... more importantly, JJ thought it was a great movie! Two thumbs up from my 7-year old.
Jayden's turn came with a trip to several stores. He's been eyeballing big brother's new shoes. So Jayden's request was to get some shoes just like brother's. Mom likes to dress them up like twins, but I think letting Jayden do his own thing is good for him. So he got some slip-on Vans, blue ones... just his style. And for fun, we picked up a pair of plaid slip-on Skechers. Altogether, I think he enjoyed the alone time with Dad.
Mom of course was jealous. She wanted her alone time. Nana was gracious enough to entertain the kids, so another trip to the movie theater was Mom's request. So 2 trips to the movies in one day is 2 more trips than I've had in almost 3 years, even longer if you count a movie trip without kids. "Proposal" with Sandra Bullock was Mom's choice and I had to oblige to score some brownie points with Mom.
The evening's almost over. I figure tucking the kids in with a short story will wrap the day up nicely. When was the last time you shared a story about the Lone Ranger? Do you know any 4-year olds or 7-year olds that know Tonto, Scout, and Silver? I do. And we all enjoy reminiscing about the old West. Maybe one day we?ll watch one of the Lone Ranger classics.
Anyway, thanks for enjoying the day with dad, kids? and mom. Good night my little Gonzos.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Easter bunny scored!
Just a quick note... Kids say the darndest things. I'm sitting here doing homework when Jayden came out to tell me how much he likes one of the new toys the Easter bunny left for him. Then, as he was running back to his room, I could hear him chanting, "the Easter bunny scored!" How cool is that? There are times the bunny, Mr. Claus, even mom and dad miss the mark. Apparently, this Easter was not one of those times. Good going bunny!
By the way, pics for the Spring Break are still to come.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Spring Break
Ok, it?s been forever since I last posted anything. So for now I just want to post to catch up on a few things.
Let me start by saying that I have absolutely loved spending time with the CuriousGonzos this last week. This last week has Spring Break for them. Unfortunately I could join them the whole week, but I enjoyed what I could. But I'll get back to that in a little while...
JJ, the first-grader, is absolutely excelling in class. Our little first-grader is not so little anymore. He?s started reading chapter books. I know I?m biased, but in working with the public I see my share of kids. I think JJ is ahead of most of kids his age. He has his share of challenges. I don?t think he enjoys math nearly as much as his mom and I did while we were in school. The schoolyear is 2/3 over, and he still struggles getting out of bed. Then again, I think we all do.
Jayden?s getting really comfortable in pre-school. As much as I don?t want to send him to regular school yet, I think he?ll be ready for kindergarten in no time. Right now he goes to school MWF. Despite some challenges, he really does enjoy it. Soon he'll be going to preschool 5 days a week. Then, in a few short months, he'll be in kindergarten himself. It just seemed like yesterday I was getting up in the middle of the night to give him his night feedings. Now, he's become very independent.
Juicy is truly developed her own personality. Unfortunately, it much like her mom's. I don't know if I'll be able to handle 2 of them around here. She's walking, talking, making sentences, and definitely communicating her wants and needs. All this, and she's just a little over a year and half years old.
Now, let me get back to Spring Break. I had to work most of the week, but I did haggle to take Thursday and Friday off for a long weekend. And I absolutely wanted to make the best of it.
Thursday, went fishing with the boys, saw some whales, got some sun, caught JJ checking out some chicks on the beach, and got back in time to get the kids to their after-school classes... all this while Juicy and mom stayed hom for a playdate with an old friend. JJ's learning to play the drums. Jayden started his cooking classes. Mom was really bummed because she thought it was a mommy-and-me cooking class. She was so disheartened to get evicted from the class. I'll have to post pics of her watching Jayden cook through a small window in the classroom door. Meanwhile, Juicy and I got a private viewing of the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum. Ms. Lindsey was nice enough to let us in after hours, so we had the whole museum to ourselves while she and Ms. Dana continued to work on the "Mayors' exhibit." BUSY first day!
Friday, the family hit the zoo. Took our time getting there, arrived around lunch. Saw the animals, stayed till closing, and drove back in just a little bit of rush hour traffic. Did some shopping to help the Easter bunny.
Saturday was a big day and was the start of a whirlwind weekend. So mom decides to have an egg-painting party. No big deal, right? WRONG! She decided to invite several friends and family, some with kids and some without. Next thing I knew, we had about 25 people at the house, 10 of them were kids. The kids were all armed with clothes-staining, colorful weapons called easter egg paints. I have to say, it was pretty cool watching so many kids and adults interacting and being creative with their eggs. Some more than other because apparently when they were kids, they were deprived of the opportunity to color eggs that they spent alot of time coloring more than their fair share.... you know who you are. :)
Sunday, the finale of our whirlwind started with a trip to Ace and Laura's church, an Easter-egg hunt, and some cool worship songs that I haven't heard since I worked at APU. The CuriousGonzos went to Sunday school with their cousins, and I'm pretty sure they had fun Then, off to the park for Easter lunch with the Gonzos, another Easter-egg hunt, playing catch, watching the kids in the play area, and more eating. Then off to the in-laws for more food, more egg-hunting. I have to say I had less interaction with the CuriousGonzos there. I spent half the time holding the sleeping Juicy, then I spent a little more time holding the sleeping Jayden. THAT was cool! I havent done that with either in a long long time. Anyway, while there, the CGs hung out and played with their cousins. Then off to our final adventure, a brief trip to the Laker game against the Grizzlies. Although brief, the CGs and mom and dad Gonzo had pretty cool seats in the VIP area.
Anyway, busy week, but I think the kids really had a lot to show for a brief Spring Break. I think we did more in 4 days than many did in all week. I didn't even add the day trips and gardening the kids did before my time off. I love you my little CuriousGonzos. You make me so happy and proud. Pics to come soon.
Dad
Let me start by saying that I have absolutely loved spending time with the CuriousGonzos this last week. This last week has Spring Break for them. Unfortunately I could join them the whole week, but I enjoyed what I could. But I'll get back to that in a little while...
JJ, the first-grader, is absolutely excelling in class. Our little first-grader is not so little anymore. He?s started reading chapter books. I know I?m biased, but in working with the public I see my share of kids. I think JJ is ahead of most of kids his age. He has his share of challenges. I don?t think he enjoys math nearly as much as his mom and I did while we were in school. The schoolyear is 2/3 over, and he still struggles getting out of bed. Then again, I think we all do.
Jayden?s getting really comfortable in pre-school. As much as I don?t want to send him to regular school yet, I think he?ll be ready for kindergarten in no time. Right now he goes to school MWF. Despite some challenges, he really does enjoy it. Soon he'll be going to preschool 5 days a week. Then, in a few short months, he'll be in kindergarten himself. It just seemed like yesterday I was getting up in the middle of the night to give him his night feedings. Now, he's become very independent.
Juicy is truly developed her own personality. Unfortunately, it much like her mom's. I don't know if I'll be able to handle 2 of them around here. She's walking, talking, making sentences, and definitely communicating her wants and needs. All this, and she's just a little over a year and half years old.
Now, let me get back to Spring Break. I had to work most of the week, but I did haggle to take Thursday and Friday off for a long weekend. And I absolutely wanted to make the best of it.
Thursday, went fishing with the boys, saw some whales, got some sun, caught JJ checking out some chicks on the beach, and got back in time to get the kids to their after-school classes... all this while Juicy and mom stayed hom for a playdate with an old friend. JJ's learning to play the drums. Jayden started his cooking classes. Mom was really bummed because she thought it was a mommy-and-me cooking class. She was so disheartened to get evicted from the class. I'll have to post pics of her watching Jayden cook through a small window in the classroom door. Meanwhile, Juicy and I got a private viewing of the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum. Ms. Lindsey was nice enough to let us in after hours, so we had the whole museum to ourselves while she and Ms. Dana continued to work on the "Mayors' exhibit." BUSY first day!
Friday, the family hit the zoo. Took our time getting there, arrived around lunch. Saw the animals, stayed till closing, and drove back in just a little bit of rush hour traffic. Did some shopping to help the Easter bunny.
Saturday was a big day and was the start of a whirlwind weekend. So mom decides to have an egg-painting party. No big deal, right? WRONG! She decided to invite several friends and family, some with kids and some without. Next thing I knew, we had about 25 people at the house, 10 of them were kids. The kids were all armed with clothes-staining, colorful weapons called easter egg paints. I have to say, it was pretty cool watching so many kids and adults interacting and being creative with their eggs. Some more than other because apparently when they were kids, they were deprived of the opportunity to color eggs that they spent alot of time coloring more than their fair share.... you know who you are. :)
Sunday, the finale of our whirlwind started with a trip to Ace and Laura's church, an Easter-egg hunt, and some cool worship songs that I haven't heard since I worked at APU. The CuriousGonzos went to Sunday school with their cousins, and I'm pretty sure they had fun Then, off to the park for Easter lunch with the Gonzos, another Easter-egg hunt, playing catch, watching the kids in the play area, and more eating. Then off to the in-laws for more food, more egg-hunting. I have to say I had less interaction with the CuriousGonzos there. I spent half the time holding the sleeping Juicy, then I spent a little more time holding the sleeping Jayden. THAT was cool! I havent done that with either in a long long time. Anyway, while there, the CGs hung out and played with their cousins. Then off to our final adventure, a brief trip to the Laker game against the Grizzlies. Although brief, the CGs and mom and dad Gonzo had pretty cool seats in the VIP area.
Anyway, busy week, but I think the kids really had a lot to show for a brief Spring Break. I think we did more in 4 days than many did in all week. I didn't even add the day trips and gardening the kids did before my time off. I love you my little CuriousGonzos. You make me so happy and proud. Pics to come soon.
Dad
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