Reunited!

Well when I wrote about Asia's roly poly the other day, it was a cute little conversation she had had with her daddy that I did not take seriously at all. Today, however, that changed. I was in my room when I heard Bryttain yell out excitedly

"Asia! I found your roly poly!" which was followed by delighted squeals from them both.

"Mommy! Mommy! Bryttain found my roly poly!" and she spent the next hour plus, letting roly poly climb all over her, gazing at him/her sweetly, being oh so gentle as she would hand him over to Bryttain for a turn. Lunch was no longer a priority as she could not bear to put him down! It really was the sweetest thing ever.

Pet of a lifetime?

James took each of the kids out on individual dates today and for Asia that meant going to get a hot chocolate and a visit to the pet store. On their return James recounted a little conversation they had had on the way there which went something like this:

ASIA: I wish I could have another pet one day.
JAMES: Another pet? Did you used to have a pet?
ASIA: Yes.
JAMES: What pet did you used to have? (This was news to us both)
ASIA: A roly poly. But it got lost.

Our poor deprived kids. Hopefully, one day soon, we will actually get a real live pet.

Family Fun

Yesterday was my absolute favorite type of day, we had no agenda except to spend time together as a family. Late morning we decided it was so nice out that we should head out to the beach. I know it is January, but it was such an amazingly gorgeous day that it seemed the thing to do. We drove out to Doran Beach and it was absolutely perfect. The sky was blue, there was no wind to stir up the sand, there were families and surfers and everyone just enjoying the great outdoors.

Bryttain set straight to work filling her bucket with sand, Arran stood at the edge of the waves running back and forth as they came in and out. Asia was pretty content to stay close by me, it was very sweet. It was hard to believe how warm it was and it was lovely to feel the sun shining down on us. What a treat!

Poor Bryttain got surprised by a wave at one point, and ended up falling, completely soaking herself. It was so sad, although a little comical. Fortunately we had some spare clothes in the van and a blanket for her to wrap up in, my poor baby.

We had not expected for it to be quite as nice as it ended up being, so we had not brought a picnic with us and eventually had to head out to find something to eat.

Hungry and tired, waiting for our food.

 After our yummy lunch we raced home and, incredibly, all five of us took a nap! Then up we got and went out for round two of our day of fun.

The night before had been a Skate Night for Arran's school, but with James' music practices also being on Fridays we had not been able to go. It just would have been too much for me to try to help three kids skate, on my own, especially for their first time. It needed to be a family affair, so that is what we made it. We headed up to Cal Skate for their Saturday Family Night. I loved seeing their different personalities and their progression as the night wore on.

The one and only photo we managed to get, with James' I-phone.

Asia, who had been reluctant to leave the carpeted area around the rink, once she got out on the rink did not want to come off and after her first time around, did not want to hold my hand. That little girl is one determined three year old! Bryttain was ready to go from the moment her skates were on and our ever-cautious Arran took things slow and steady, but by the end of the night was doing great. They had so much fun and I have so much fun just being a part of it all. I love my family so much and I love these days when it is all about being family, it cannot be beat.

In celebration of spring!

OK  so I am fully aware that it is not technically spring yet, but it certainly felt like it today. The sun was out in full force and I was able to wear a t-shirt and even pull out my flip-flops. It felt so good to feel and not just see the sun; it truly lifted my spirits. Of course, not having felt the sun for a while, my feet were needing a spruce up, so I decided it would be fun to paint mine, and the girls' toenails.

They were so cute excitedly trying to decide which color they each wanted, they might as well have been in a candy shop. These are important and hard decisions to make when you are faced with such an array of color!

Cubbie Bear visits again!

This past week Asia was absolutely ecstatic to get to bring Cubbie Bear home from AWANAs. She has thoroughly enjoyed her first month at Cubbies and is so cute reciting the bible verses she learns, with big words that she can barely pronounce. She was pretty good at sharing, but there were a few nights with shouting and tears regarding whose bed Cubbie would sleep in, or shortly into the night as she would demand to have him back with her. The limited understanding of a barely three year old!

Asante Chiildren's Choir

We went as a family tonight to see this choir perform in Santa Rosa. They are from Rwanda, here in the States to say thank you to the many people who have been sponsoring them and to raise awareness of the work being done there with orphans and widows. Asante means thank you in Swahili.

They were so full of energy, with clear sweet voices. Colorful costumes shared a little bit of their culture with us, as their bodies swayed and lept and jumped and danced to the beat of their drums.

Bryttain kept asking about Indians as I reminded her that they were not from India but Africa. Arran was mesmerized and Asia was intent on getting a piece of gum. Once I finally relented (on the gum) she bounced and smiled and clapped with the best of them. I love being able to expose them to new things and as we drove home we talked about how little, children in Africa have, compared to them and how fortunate and blessed they are, even though most of the time they do not even realize it. We all take so much for granted.

They still have a few more concerts in Santa Rosa, before they head south and fly back to Rwanda on the 22nd.

Haircut time.

My sweet boy had somehow, at some point, got it into his head that the first day of summer was the only time he needed to get a haircut. He has such great hair and I think it suits him longer, but he was at the point where he had a constant head tilt, to keep it out of his eye and I really missed seeing those beautiful eyes of his.

Over the past few months I have suggested that we cut it, but he had been adamant that he wanted it long. Finally, right before the New Year, he decided he would let me cut it.

I find it quite comical really, that he would rather let me, his clueless mother who had never cut hair before he was born, cut his hair. I make it up as I go along, it takes me forever and it's not like I can give him the exact cut he would like. Each time I offer that he could go and get it cut by someone who knows what they are doing, it would take, maybe, fifteen minutes and the whole thing would be way easier. For now though, it is not to be. I suppose it saves us some money, but it certainly stretches and challenges (and stresses) me.

Oh well, all's well that ends well. As I am posting these before and after shots I cannot help but think to myself that I should encourage him to look really down and scruffy and tired in the 'before' shot, to make him look extra good in the 'after'. I think that is what all the pros do :)

Our Christmas Season Recap!

Wow! That was a busy few weeks. It was all good, but I feel like I blinked and it was gone. Of course that is not true, my little sister "Aunty Caridad" was visiting for three weeks, and just left today. The kids SO look forward to seeing her every Christmas and really, fully, expect it. It is a part of our Christmas tradition. I love that we have traditions that we can all look forward to.

This is what all the anticipation is really about...one for the house, one for me!

There was the annual Gingerbread House Party, hosted by the Rileys. Each year is a little more fun, as the kids anticipation gets higher and now that all three of them are so much more independent. Bryttain did not even sit on our table with us this year, she opted to sit with her friends. I swear she is more like a teenager sometimes, than a four year old.

Arran and Bryttain sang "Who would imagine a king' at the church Christmas party and in church on Christmas Sunday.

James and I got to go away overnight, without children(!), whilst my sister bravely looked after them and worked on all sorts of fun projects. It was lovely! Not sure who had more fun, us or them...well on second thoughts...

 There was shopping and eating out. Aunty Caridad wanted a steak, so we headed to Cattlemens. You cannot beat their Thursday night deal, with kids getting a free steak dinner and house margaritas only $4! No margaritas for the kids, but the girls did suck on the limes and pull funny faces for us.

 Bryttain's ballet recital.

Baking and candy making. The kids made the chocolate lollipops and the chocolate crispy cakes!

 Christmas Day of course. We had three very excited, very grateful kids. I remember as a kid (although I was probably older) waking up at outrageous hours to open presents. Well our kids were up early, but they patiently waited for us all to get up so that we could open presents together, after reading the story from the bible. We managed to skype online and chat with my brother Wesley and his girlfriend Lou, as well as Grandad and Nanny Pam. I am so grateful for technology and that the kids can 'see' family in other parts of the world.

Then in the afternoon we headed over to spend the rest of the evening with the cousins...best of times. All in all it really was a lovely Christmas.