Leo's home model project

Leo was assigned a project a few weeks ago.  He needed to make a map or model of his home or neighborhood.  He decided to make a model of his home.  We worked on it a little at a time.  The first round was setting up the walls with cardboard and a hot glue gun.  

Leo was cracking up for some reason.  

 Walls done!

 He had ambitious ideas about how to fill in the interior that involved clay and Legos, but we had to keep it reasonable so we did some color-coded shapes to represent the furniture.

 The project required his address, a legend and a compass rose.

I know there will be some over-the-top projects (primarily made by a parent) turned to tomorrow, but I'm proud of Leo's hard work and he did this project himself.  He was proud of himself too.  

 After all the work, these dorks had to get into the freezing pool again.  Later in the day, Serafina put on a bathing suit and decided to go in fully.  After wading on the step, she plunged in and swam as fast as I've ever seen her swim and leapt out of the pool like a penguin escaping a seal on the arctic ice.

 Oh and Leo got a haircut from dad.  Not sure this technique is taught in barber school, but it worked for these guys.

I'm very, very sad about my dad.  My heart feels heavy all the time.  I've got so much to do everyday, but it doesn't keep me distracted from the pain I'm feeling.  I'm trying to get arrangements in place so I can go to Arkansas next month and celebrate my dad with a nice memorial.  Hopefully it will all come together soon.

Two baseball games, a tea party and Grandpa Skip

We had a very busy day, but yesterday we had a moment of peace and the kids read books in my bed while wearing bunny ears.  

But today it was back-to-back baseball games.  Serafina's was first and we got there in time for her to take her place on her bucket.

 The coach got the team these buckets to keep the kids sitting and organized during the game.  It wasn't a perfect system, but it helped.

 Giving a cheer before the game starts.

 Playing in the field.  She was very engaged and went after the ball when it was hit.  I was really proud of her.

 She did a good job hitting too.  Still needs to work on remembering to run to first base after hitting the ball.

 She got a turn to play catcher.

 Not too much to do as catcher.

 But she took her job seriously and got the ball on the T for the batters.

 I forgot how clueless the Tball players are at the beginning of the season.  The games are painful to watch and really need some Benny Hill music playing.

Not that Leo's division is all that much more serious.

 But his team is solid and Leo smashed the ball every time he was at bat.  He did a good job running the bases too.

 He got a turn at catcher too.

Baseball fans.  

 After Leo's game, Serafina and I cleaned up and headed to a birthday tea party.  Serafina's friend Emma and her younger sister, Lane, were celebrating turning six and four respectfully.

Their mom went all out with the decorating and details.

Serafina and Emma.  

And if that all wasn't exciting enough, Grandpa Skip arrived during Leo's baseball game and is spending the night.  The kids have enjoyed having him around.  Here they are waiting for dinner.  

Serafina's TK field trip

I'm hanging in there.  When I'm staying busy and distracted, the pain is just a dull ache.  But last night after everyone was in bed and the house was quiet, it hit me hard.  

Yesterday Serafina's class had a field trip on the bus.  It was very exciting since many kids hadn't been on the bus before.  Serafina is an old pro from her preschool days.  

I was assigned three kids and given this helpful card to wear.  I guess the teacher was trying to help out chaperones that don't know all the kids names.  I know all those kids very well at this point. 

Here's my crew.

Happy Serafina on the bus.  

 Our destination was the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo.  Here are the kids during a presentation from the docent.

 Checking out the zoo.

 Rosario and Serafina.  They go to speech together once a week.

 Investigating at the museum.

 Playing at the park.

Lunch at the park.  Serafina is usually dismissed before lunch but the field trip was longer than her usual day.  She was exhausted and cranky after.  

 My friend Aida snapped this picture of Leo while she was on lunch duty.  He looks so happy because I gave him a special dessert in his lunch.

Even though it was 80 degrees here today, I had to do some baking.  It makes me feel better.  These are some chocolate chunk sugar cookies.  They turned out yummy and I gave most of them away.  

My friends have been very sweet to me.  My friend Lina dropped off dinner last night and Aida gave me this beautiful orchid and a bag of chocolate mini-eggs.  

My Dad

My dad died yesterday.  I have no other words.  I knew it was coming but it doesn't make it hurt any less.  My heart is broken.  Tom and I experienced so much lost in less than two years; it seems unfair.  

Here are some of my favorite pictures...

At my wedding. 

 He was about to give a toast at the reception but broke down in tears before he could get a single word out.  Joe, Tom's dad, stepped in and told a very sweet story about Tom and his favorite blanket.  I found out later that the blanket actually belonged to Tom's brother Mike.  My dad eventually recovered and took back the mic.

 Cutting loose on the dance floor with my aunties and cousins.  My family adored my dad, like most people did.  He was small and funny and generally appealing to everyone.

Meeting Leo. 

One of the best pictures I've ever taken.  

 Meeting Serafina

 Both kids with Ito in 2010.

Visiting the San Diego Zoo in 2011.

Chatting with Leo.  

 I feel very lucky that I got to see my dad twice in the last year of his life - a year I didn't think he would have when he got very sick in December of 2013.  That might not sound like a lot, but my dad chose decades ago to make his life in rural Arkansas which isn't easy to visit.

I love this picture because it is very much my dad to just hang out in a mosquito net hat that he rigged up himself.

 His 80th birthday party.

You can see more pictures from our summer Arkansas trip here, here, here and here.   When I drove away from my dad's house last June, I cried and cried thinking I had just seen my dad for the last time.  But, he hung in there and I got to go back for Thanksgiving.  

Again, my dad in a wacky hat.  He loved hats.  And he loved his dogs.  This one is Max.  

Dogs, wife and a grandkid - a combo that brought a sweet smile to his face.  

This is the morning we left and the last time I saw him.  

More Thanksgiving pictures here, here and here.

Bye dad.  I love you always.