I took Sebastian and Ava to Kindermusic, to the playground and then to Sonic for lunch. I had to keep the kids busy and out of the house so Michael could work on the basement. It's not easy to keep a seven year old out of the basement and a two year old constantly entertained. I think Ava crashed out in the car about two minutes after lunch. Mommy also took a nap after we got home because I wasn't use to running around in the heat. I hadn't expected the weather to get so hot so fast.
Did I tell you how much Ava LOVES ketchup? When ever she sees one of us pour ketchup on our burgers, eggs, whatever, she points to her plate. The problem is she keeps asking for ketchup refills. I know tomatos are suppose to be good for you but this is ridiculous! I think Ava's diet IS ketchup, She'll consume more ketchup by the ounces than the actual food ;-)
She positioned her finger right in front of her nose. She could be Rudolph's "stand-in".
I had to take a picture of the Harley parked next to our car because a funny thought came to me. For those of you who haven't experienced Sonic yet, the whole point of visiting Sonic is to pull your car up to a terminal, order your food through the speakerphone and they deliver it to your car. It's like the old fashion hamburger joint of the 50's. Well, I'd like to see the driver balance his Harley and his food at the same time. Like I said, it was a fleeting funny thought.
Yes, I had to do a lot of chasing around on this playground to get some photo ops. Did I mention how hot it was on that day? I think the temperature went up to 90 degrees and 90% humidity. It's only April!! The kids were wearing shorts but I chose to wear capri pants. What was I thinking? I wanted to rip my clothes off but didn't of course because the playground was packed with kids and families. ;-)
Ava got to see Sebastian get on the school bus on Friday and Monday because Mommy was home to video tape the whole experience. Ava was scared of the school bus and would back up the drive way or sidewalk when she heard the bus approach. But after Sebastian got on the bus, she ran down the sidewalk still waving and saying bye bye to "broder".
We took the kids to the playground last Friday when I took the two extra days off. After we visited Sebastian's classroom, we picked up Ava and took them to the playground. I think that was the first hot day we had and it carried through the weekend. We only stayed at the playground for about 40 min. and then took them home to put on some shorts!
Last weekend I think we had our first heat wave. We broke down and had to turn on the AC a few nights. Fans didn't cut the heat. But the box of popsicles definitely helped a two year old, a seven year old and an eight year old. They are sitting in age order as well ;-)
I call our basement the dungeon because it reminds me of one. We moved into our house almost eight years ago and the basement was fully finished. Unfortunately, the basement flooded the first Spring and we had to tear up the carpet and some of the drywall. So the basement has been unfinished for the past seven years. This year we decided to finish the basement again because the kids are getting older and they need another place to spread their junk...I mean toys out (other than the family room).
On Saturday, Michael's brother came over to help him put up the drywall.
Poor Michael, he gets to spackle and paint the walls on his week off. You didn't honestly think he'd get a vacation before he started his new job, did you? We need to order and install carpets next. Hopefully the basement will be complete by mid May.
On Friday, Sebastian's school had a Visitor's Day in the afternoon. We were 15 minutes late because we were still cleaning up after our painting projects. When we walked into Sebastian's classroom, he looked very upset because he thought we had forgotten about him. We felt so bad but told him we'd never forget Visitor's Day!
Sebastian reciting his poem.
Now we know why Sebastian sometimes loses his homework
He's still not too old to get a hug from Daddy.
Mommy needs a nap...all that painting tuckered her out!
I took Friday and Monday off so we could do some more home improvement projects. Michael's last day at his old job was Thursday. He will be off for the next week before starting his new job. Friday morning we started our painting jobs after the kids went to school. I did touch ups in the kitchen and painted the guest bathroom. Michael painted the garage door frames and measured the shutters outside so we could order new shutters.
We used the zoom lens on the digital camera to zoom in on the tape measure. This came in handy for the shutters above the garage doors.
Ava watching Daddy measure the shutters.
Taking a lunch break. We had to eat at the little table since there was no space on the kitchen table.
Why is Sebastian sitting at the yellow table while the rest of the family is sitting at the regular table? Well, we had a little...okay, big accident tonight. Pop Pop and Ava were sitting on one of the wooden chairs and the chair decided to give out on them. Fortunately no one was hurt! So now, instead of having six chairs, we have five!
Last weekend Grandmom spent the night with us. She got a taste of what family night is like in our house. Sebastian showed Uncle Curtis and Grandmom how to play Mario Cart on the Wii system. I have a funny video of Grandmom playing but I think she would kill me if I posted on cyber space. So the photos will have to do.
I thought Ava was so cute walking around with her hands in her pockets and the jacket hood over her head. We were in the daycare parking lot. I love candid shots like this.
The name of my blog page represents the journey of Mother, Son and Daughter. I have "Come Full Circle" as an orphan in Vietnam and as a parent of two Vietnamese children. I have returned to my homeland and I am starting a new chapter with my family. This is a story of hope and dreams. It is a new beginning for all of us.
