Diving

Leo is taking diving lessons on Saturdays.  This was his first class in the pool.  Last week they worked out in a gym because there was a festival at the park adjacent to the pool.

Here he is going off the "big board".  He was nervous about it before the class started, but went right ahead without hesitation and did it several times.

Clarinet

Fourth and fifth graders are allowed to rent instruments from the school district and attend music classes on Thursdays.  Leo decided he wanted to play clarinet.  The music teacher handed out the instruments today.  Can you tell he's happy about it?

The start of soccer season

Serafina started another soccer season this Saturday.  She's number 23.  

 Here she is with Emma.  They played a good game, but Serafina needs to work on her endurance.  She was looking pretty worn out towards the end.

 Tom returned from a business trip to Ireland on Saturday too.  He brought some authentic Irish "crisps".

 That night we went to a pizza place and we introduced the kids to pinball.  Leo liked it.

Beach Day with Mike and Lynz

We made the brave choice to go to the coast today.  There was the potential for lots of traffic, difficult parking and crowded beaches. But after a little bit of traffic to start, the rest of the drive was smooth, there was a spot right on the street near the beach and we picked a beach that didn't have tons of people. 

 As soon as we got there, everyone was excited to get in the water.  Right after this picture was taken, the boogie boarders in this picture told us there was a shark out there.  The lifeguard came shortly after that to confirm there was a "positive shark sighting".  Another surfer told us it was 8 - 10 feet.  

 We didn't worry too much about the shark.  It's part of the Pacific Ocean playground.  Of course we didn't let the kids go too far out.

 Here's Mike, Lynz, Tom and the kids.

 Mike, Tom, me and the kids

 The kids made these cool looking handfuls of sand.

 After a fun time at the beach, we had to have some Marianne's before heading home.  It also wasn't too crowded.

 Mike and Leo had a deep conversation about ice cream.

Happy 8th Birthday, Serafina!

I can't believe my little baby girl is eight. She has been so excited about her birthday.  She woke up early this morning...too early.  I had to send her back to bed twice but then we let her open the present I left outside her door.  

We quickly followed it up with the real present.  

This is Josefina Montoya.  Her back story is that she is from Mexico in 1824.  My paternal family is full of Josefinas - my grandmother, aunt and cousins - so this doll was the obvious choice.  I even suggested that Serafina be named Josefina.  

 She's so thrilled to have two now.  She even let her brother play with her original doll today.

 We planned a pool party starting at noon today.  Of course, there was no way we could know there would be a record-breaking heat wave.  The only choices for today was being in the pool or being in the air-conditioned house.  Thankfully, all the kids chose pool.  

 Kid soup!

 Tom and Uncle Mike hung in the pool.

 Yesterday, it was 105 degrees out and I baked two cakes to make this double layer birthday cake. It wasn't the most fun, but it was worth it to make this cake for my girl.  She helped with assembling and decorating it today.

 All the kids gathered around so we could sing.

The cake was chocolate with a rich chocolate frosting in between the layers with vanilla frosting on top and cookie crumb "sand".  

After cake, there was more pool time and then the kids huddled together while Serafina opened presents.  Not all the kids were willing to get out of the pool for this part.  

 At some point, the dads took over the pool.

 Everyone seemed to have a good time and no one died of heat stroke, so I'd say it was a success.  Serafina went outside to bid farewell to some guests and I made her pose with Fred who was all dressed up for her party.

 So Uncle Mike and Aunt Lynz arrived last night to the most ridiculous weather we've ever had.  But they were here for the birthday fun.  Tonight we went out to dinner.  Here's Serafina and Mike relaxing while waiting for our table.

 Both kids had to sit next to Aunt Lynz at dinner.