Cancun, part 5

 

Wow!  Things have gotten behind on this ol’ blog of mine!  I’m trying to keep this going as I love sharing our adventures.  But, life is busy and we are having so much fun, that I rarely sit at my computer much anymore. 

 

The most favorite day of our whole vacation (as if everyday wasn’t my favorite on vacation!) was this day – the day we decided to take everyone snorkeling.  For those with young kids – you know how much this must mean.  We have a 3 year old and a (now) 7 year old, who just learned to swim last summer.  We have a 3 year old who can’t “swim” without floaties and/or a life vest.  But, we did it anyways.  Alex was loving his snorkel in the pool and Sara was so easy going and brave in the shallow ocean right outside our condo that we decided to go for it.  At the very worst, one of us would just sit on the boat. 

 

We made arrangements with the same place we went scuba diving and they took us to a calm bay about 20 minutes north of where we were staying.  It was protected by a coral reef and the waters were calm and warm. 

 

In short – this was my best thing we did all vacation.  Connie and Steve joined us too!  I loved seeing Alex snorkel in the ocean and see the sea life with us.  I loved seeing Sara and her floaties and how brave/calm she was with the whole thing.  We saw a sea turtle – which is what I wanted to see.  We saw a sting ray, many fish, lots of coral, and an eel.  We put Alex in a wetsuit to try to keep this little man as warm as possible (he has no body fat – this kid is pure skin and muscle).  Sara didn’t really get too cold in the pool and the ocean water was warmer than that – so she was fine.  Plus, there were no wetsuits her size. 

 

A funny story was when Lance saw the sting ray – he poked his head up and told me there was a sting ray and to take a look.  The kids both started screaming at this point – thinking the stingray was going to sting them!  Great – two screaming kids in the middle of the coral bay.    Maybe sting them like like a jelly fish?   I don’t know… We calmed them down by telling them that the stingray wasn’t interested in us, and it was way down on the bottom (maybe 10-12’ down) and was going to stay there.   It took a while, but they did calm back down and enjoy themselves again. 

 

I hope you enjoy my photos and videos.  I enjoy sharing them with you.

 

Sea turtle

 

Sara on Mommys back, little kickers

 

Sting ray

 

Alex snorkeling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is how Sara did part of the snorkeling trip – either on my back or on Lance’s back.  Also, for a while she would just do her little swim/kick all by herself – of course with her big smile the whole time.  She just loved it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas to all!

 

We visited Santa at Molbak’s this year.  We went there to get our annual Fall photos since our sessions had been rained out twice and I knew it had a nice indoor area.  Well, during our session, this nice man with a white beard came up to us and explained directly to the kids that he heard that Santa comes here after Thanksgiving and he hopes that they would come back and visit.  Alex looks at me after he left and (almost speechless) says that the thinks that was the REAL Santa.  He asks if we can come back and see him after Thanksgiving and I say – of course!  It was a really special moment!

 

Alex had a list of about 12 items on it.  This kid is going for the gold, literally.  It was great at Molbak’s since the line was short, it was no stress and I got to take my own pictures (in nice lighting).  I highly recommend it! 

 

Here is Alex and Santa going over his list. 

 

Alex’s List:

1). Go Cart

2). Remote Controlled Ironman (I’ve never even heard of this?)
3). Electric Scooter

4). Nintendo DS

5). iPhone (the gold one?)

6). Pokemon cards & toys

7). a real Diamond (when asked how big – it is the size of a baseball)

8). Minecraft on Xbox

9). Xbox one (where does he learn this stuff?)

10). Halo (oh yes – elementary school….)

11). Cookie giver  (Santa asked about this one – didn’t quite know what it was.  Well, for those of you needing to know – it is a machine that gives you cookies when you push a button or ask for one – brilliant!)

12). rubber band bracelets (aka - rainbow loom – the most addictive hot toy right now.  kids make bracelets out of thousands of tiny rubber bands). 

 

Santa is SO smart and said that he would probably be only able to get one item on the list since he has to bring toys to everyone.  Alex agreed to this, but just wanted to make his list comprehensive, just in case. 

 

 

 

Sara had her list too.  It only had 1 item on it for many weeks, but recently added a couple of items just before visiting Santa.  This was the first year for Sara that she would even get within 20 feet of him.  Usually he is too scary and she won’t even get close.  But this year, she started off sitting next to him, although not too close.  He read her list (which I helped her write) and they had a special moment.  I loved it!  He really listened to her and her list and she felt so special. 

 

Sara’s list:

1). a golden treasure box

 

Much was said about this golden treasure box.  We have no idea where it really came from – but we absolutely loved it.  So creative! And we had to ask lots of questions.  What shape was it?  What was in it?  (duh – treasure!)  How big was it?  Was it shiny or sparkly?  It took some work for Santa to figure out this treasure box – but I think some little girl is going to be happy.

 

2). Chocolate

3). a Plant

4). a Rock 

 

Those are the late additions. 

 

 

When it came time for the Santa photo – Santa just picked Sara up and sat her on his lap and Alex scooted in and bingo – photo!  Although Sara was a big uneasy and looking for her getaway – she was so excited to see Santa and show him her list.  He was even giving away small candy canes – her favorite.  Alex was thrilled to see a “real” Santa with a true beard.  He notices this kind of stuff – trust me!  He told me last year that he knows that the Santa we normally get photos with isn’t the real Santa.

 

GASP!

 

What?

 

What do I say?  What do I say???????  Hurry and think fast Allison…

 

 

He goes on to explain that Santa has helpers and he can’t be everywhere seeing all the kids therefore, some Santa’s wear fake beards.  Whew!  But, each of these “fake” Santa’s report back to the real Santa and then he delivers the presents. 

 

OK – Santa story works for this Momma.  Crisis diverted. 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas to All and to all a good night!

First day of school pictures

 

 

As with tradition, I took beginning of the year pictures.

 

Alex is in 1st grade this year.  He was so sad last year when he didn’t loose a tooth, like most of his classmates.  This year he has 2 loose teeth!  The bottom two middle teeth are loose and the dentist predicted there would be at least one out by Halloween.  He still loves math, and although he doesn’t really know it yet, he’s doing “times” or multiplication.  It’s really crazy how easy math comes to him.  He can READ!  Last year his big thing was to learn how to read.  This year, he was reading something to me and read the word “remembering”.  That is one tough word to read!  He has a new love again - legos.  We even signed him up for an afterschool Lego group.  He still loves Superheros – Superman being the favorite.  His favorite color is purple this year – a complete change from either blue or red.  He explains it that red and blue make purple and more than just girls can like purple.  Alex has many friends, my extroverted boy.  I love watching him play with his friends.  He loves the 49ers, just like Dad.  In fact, every football game they watch, he asks his Dad which team he wants to win and Lance says it, then Alex says that is the team he wants to win too. 

 

Sara is in “big kid” Preschool this year.  My baby girl is in PRESCHOOL!  This year her classroom is working on saying “Yes” instead of “yeah”.  It’s so fun to hear her say “yes” very politely and carefully.  She’s been saying a lot of Yes’s lately!  She has the cutest lisp with her “S” sounds.  So, “Sara” sounds like “Thera”.  Sara is all about being a big kid.  If it’s “big kid” she wants to do it, unless of course, she doesn’t.  Then she doesn’t care about being a big kid.  Ahh – being a preschooler.  She can spell her name - s.a.r.a.  She is learning to count and recognize letters. Her favorite color is green – and often that is how decisions are made for her.  She is starting to really sing the preschool songs that she’s learning and I love hearing her sing.  She has lots of friends at school, but she has certain best friends who she loves most. She loves the Seahawks, just like mom.  Loves bubble baths and toe nail polish.  In fact, she loves painting each of her toenails a different color – rainbow toenails she calls them.  She has just started to learn how to draw stick people, I absolutely must get a picture and post it.  It’s amazing!  Her drawings have really taken a turn lately, she used to do a very simple coloring that was very “Sara”.  Now there are all sorts of shapes and different things she draws.  She has learned to ride her balance bike all by herself. 

 

This year is truly going to be amazing!

 

 

 

 

Dir-r-r-r-ty Knees

 

What’s better than playing soccer on a Sunny Seattle Fall Day?  Dirrrrty Knees, of course!  Playing on “real” grass is “really” fun!

 

 

 

 

 

First day of school

 

A great day was had by all. 

 

Slightly emotional for me, but great overall.  We were so proud of him and he was so brave.  He had no problems getting on the bus, or at any point during the day.  Even when we left.  He was fine.  I could tell he was a little nervous, because right before we left, he knew we were going to leave and he came and gave me the biggest hug, a real genuine hug. 

 

What I can tell you is that we were waiting and waiting and waiting for the bus and it was ~15 minutes late.  But, once it got there – it only seemed like 5 seconds and they were off.  I got a few photos, but it went really fast.  We drove to the school and got there before the bus got there (they had more stops to do) and met him there.  We walked him to his “line up spot” and then walked him to class with his teacher.  And before you know it – we were leaving.  Again, fast.  Waiting and waiting and waiting – and then really really really fast. 

 

At pick up tonight he was building Lincoln Logs houses and having a great time.  He told us all about his day and he’s excited to go back tomorrow.  We are so proud of him.

 

Sara had a great day too.  She has the same teachers, who are wonderful, so things were very familiar for her (thank goodness!).  She kept asking about “where brother?”, at kindergarten.  “where kindergarten?”, at Alex’s school.  “where brother’s kindergarten?”, at his school.  repeat, repeat, repeat.  She had a little bit of a hard time when I was leaving her at preschool and needed some extra hugs, totally normal for a week off.  Although,  I think she knew that something was different.  There was no brother at her school anymore.  And she knew it.  I think she really loved having him close by and seeing him on the playground. 

 

And now – on to pictures…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And last, but not least – a picture of me holding him and him wrapping his legs and arms around me.  It was wonderful to see him this evening. 

 

Watering

 

 

Sara is my little helper in the garden.  And sometimes, she just needs some watering herself too!

 

 

Mother’s Day photo 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And for a fun look back at past years….

 

 

Mother's Day 2011

 

Mother's Day 2010

 

Mother's Day 2009

Sara’s first haircut

 

We scheduled Sara’s first haircut on Saturday this past weekend.  Her hair was getting a bit long and needed a little evening out.  I had trimmed her bangs (a little crooked) and so we decided to take the plunge.  I knew my baby wouldn’t look the same after this…

 

This is a kids hair salon and shop, so she got to sit in an airplane to get her haircut.  She wasn’t too sure at first…  She got some sprays of water and then the haircut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hairstylist asked my if she would mind a blow dry on low, and I thought she would be OK with it.  She didn’t love it, but didn’t hate it as much as this photo below makes it seem. 

 

 

This was the best part!  I asked for her to see a mirror, just like when I get a haircut, and she looked at herself and just smiled and smiles.  So pretty!  The hairstylist just took a tiny bit off, with mostly just shaping and helping the long parts (that naturally go straight forward) stay out of her eyes and face. 

 

We got some Mama and Sara photos by a lovely tree and a stream where there were ducks and she just loved those too!  What a wonderful first haircut!  I’m so glad the curls decided to stay around!