More Swimmers

Gloria and Stephen decided to try swim team for the summer (it's one of the only sports you can really do in the summer heat anyway!). Allia has been working with them on strokes, etc, and they finally tried out yesterday afternoon. They both made the novice (beginner) group. Gloria was a little disappointed since she had been working extra hard and doing really well. They assured her that she would move up to the next group quickly! ;)

Bird Nest Incident

Our Anastasia is a big climber, and she and the other kids recently discovered a birds' nest in our tree that she likes to climb up and see. This evening, she was climbing and somehow knocked the nest with 3 baby cardinals out of the tree! It became a family event, as everyone watched the parent birds freaking out and trying to help their little ones to safety (which turned out to be our fig tree which they used the garden to climb into). It was quite a scene!

 I am pretty sure we heard this little one saying, "How rude!" ;) At least they are bigger babies, but they can't really fly yet.

Ice skating with friends

In an effort to inspire the girls to finish up schoolwork this week (at least as much as possible!), I offered them an ice skating playdate and sleepover. They had a great time at ice skating!

Fun sister time

The girls dressed Cecilia two days this week and did all kids of funny sister time things with her like pushing her around in the stuffed animal bin! She is so loved!

And this cutie was getting a little jealous of all the attention Cecilia was getting for sticking out her tongue. He often says, "Me and Cecilia are cute." And, of course, I always agree.

Swim Meet

Allia swam hard and improved all but one of her times. It was a crazy weekend to have to get up early both mornings because we had violent storms in the middle of the night both nights! So I was impressed that she did so well.

Star Performance Recital

It's was a busy weekend for Allia and Austin! Allia had an out of town swim meet Saturday and Sunday morning (post on that later) and this Star Performace Recital Saturday afternoon. It is a special recital for graduating Seniors and musicians who have won awards this year. Allia won a plaque for 8 consecutive superior rated performances at the annual Solo Festival. She played one of her pieces from that by memory.

This recital was at 4:30, and we were going to 5:30 mass, so she missed the group photo afterwards...too bad because two of her friends from swim team were there too!!!

Fun moments

We made a family trip to the pool Friday evening since we would be split up a lot this weekend. These two are such cute little buddies!

 Sebastian was telling me that he is cute and so is Cecilia. Pretty accurate!

And my little sleeping beauty...I will have to transition her to napping in the crib soon, but for now I am just enjoying the fact that she likes sleeping in the swing! Such a blessing!

Exersaucer Time!

I finally remembered to get out the exersaucer for Cecilia. She is really enjoying it...and so are Sebastian and Anastasia. I have to remind them to let her play!

Happy Mother's Day!

We had a lovely weekend! Lito and Lita came for the weekend, and Tia Becky came for a few hours on Sunday.

The kids love this rope swing. I have my doubts every time Austin as to replace the rope, but every time he is proven right! ;)

 Stephen sure loves his baby sister!

 The girls and friends helped at the Mother's Day brunch at church. Lita and I opted for family time at home, but the girls had a great time together and earned money for summer camp at the same time!

Cecilia outgrew the worst of her stranger anxiety just in time for Lita. She was very happy sitting and snuggling with Lita when Mommy was busy!

 Lita gave the girls these Mickey waffle irons and mix. Mariana made some for breakfast Sunday morning.

 Cecilia was really smiling and cooing at Stephen here...Warms a mother's heart!

 Lita read lots of books, and the kids obviously enjoyed it. Anastasia was still taking her spot here!

And we all enjoyed seeing Tia Becky, though it was brief!

Austin really outdid himself making yummy meals for us! The week before I mentioned that all I really wanted as far as gifts go was a Tiramisu and a glass of Sangria from our favorite date restaurant to enjoy at home. He went to fulfill my request Saturday evening, but since it was graduation weekend the crowds drank all the Sangria! :0 Much to our surprise, the owner (who has known us a long time since our big rehearsal dinner there) gave him the recipe!!! He worked hard to seek out the ingredients, and made an amazing Sangria for us all to enjoy. I can't believe we now have the recipe. Yummy! Now THAT is a great gift. It was a blessed weekend indeed. I have much to be thankful for! :)

5 Months Old Today!

Our sweet little girl is 5 months old today. She is so very loved!

Oh what a sweet happy baby Cecilia is. I just love her big open mouth smile. She recently consolidated some naps and so is down to 4 (our babies always catnap all day until around 6 months). She is going to bed a little earlier, between 8 and 9, and sleeping at least 6 hours at nights, sometimes more. She is mouthing Dada and Mama a lot but can't quite get her voice to go with it. She can roll from tummy to back and vice versa and can grab objects and bring them to her mouth, which I believe is her favorite new skill. She is drooling a ton and spitting up daily (very unlike her), so I am hoping we will see those first teeth this next month. We thank God for our precious Cecilia!

Projects

We've had lots of projects going on around here. One of the big ones was having our kitchen and downstairs half bath countertops replaced. Here are the pics:

Before (sort of...they were starting to remove it!)

 During...we had to live like this for 2 days. It was a little crazy!

 After:
I went with a stainless sink in the bath because this little bathroom works hard for our family, being the only one downstairs!

 

I don't exactly love our honey oak cabinets. However, I also know we can't paint them anytime soon because that is a big project. So I was trying to find a granite that would look good now and later. I think it was successful. We are very happy with it! Now to find a coordinating backsplash...

First pool trip and Teething baby

It was so hot Saturday, and our neighborhood pool was finally open, so we went! I left the baby with Daddy since he was a little under the weather, so I even got to swim. We all had so much fun! It was a little chilly but not too bad.

I was so proud of this guy. He jumped right in! He swam for quite a while with me, but when I finally got out to take a picture of him, he was getting cold and not so willing.

 


This little cutie should be getting some teeth soon (hopefully!). She is drooling and chewing like crazy. She really liked this cold teething toy.