Riding Bikes

The unexpected warm days here have inspired the kids to get out and ride their bikes.  More significant has been their interest in trying to ride their bikes on 2 wheels!
Will has been doing great.  His bike is a little too big for his height (which wasn't a problem with training wheels).  However, he is showing great progress riding on his own.  He only needs a little assistance getting started.  It will be no time until he figures out how to get started and turn on his own! (he is mastering his stops too =)


Isa decided she wanted to try too.  Insisting she wanted a turn every time we took Will out to practice... so she got a turn.  Although her interest has quickly diminished (she is a little more scared) she did great her first time out!!!


Ah... and little Gabi Rose won't be left behind.  She is working on her pedaling skills so that she can join our cycling family on our next outing!  Here she is... with some assistance from the gentle down slope of our driveway!  Go Gabs!

a look at our week!

We have been home a little over a week now and it sure has been a BUSY one!  Surprisingly we arrived back to Ohio to Florida weather. We had a week of days in the high 70s.  This "winter" was extremely mild.  It seems like we went from Fall to Spring to Summer, crazy.  The kids have been outside playing, riding bikes, drawing on the sidewalk. 
Tobin and I went to our FIRST Kindergarten information night.  It's amazing to us to think that our little boy is getting ready to REALLY start the school system.  Crossing our fingers he is ready emotionally... academically, he is doing great!
Here is our week...

Happy 26th Birthday Jen!

 The girls got back in their "little gym" groove!  Gabi sure does love this time.  It's amazing how well she does with all the activities and how she blossoms during this one on one time with us.

 Upon our arrival from Florida, we were surprised at the how much the roofers had completed on the home.  We love the way it looks!

Isa had her 1st ever friend sleepover this weekend as well.  The girls made their "princess popcorn" holders, watched a little show, had a dance party, and sang to one of Rapunzel's songs!  After being tucked in, both girls eventually fell asleep!  It was a great start!

Today Gabi said "byebye" to her pacifier as it flew away to "another needy child".   At first she shed a few tears on our way outside, but once she let the balloons go, she was captivated with waving goodbye to her paci.   So far, so good (it's a little after 11pm).  We will see if she naps tomorrow!

 

 

  our 3 little rascals =)

stay tuned tomorrow for some bicycle news. =)

more Florida fun

Ok.  So this post took a little bit in coming (much to catch up on while back at home).   Here is how my sis and I ended our final days together!  We decided to be brave and took the kids on more outings than we had planned... and surprisingly they (and we) did great with all five! On Tuesday we took the kids to a nearby Water Park.  Although the water was a bit chilly, this didn't stop the kids from have a blast and trying every water slide they could get on!  Wednesday we had a fun day at the Miami Zoo.  We did the "express" version since their zoo is so big.  We rented an 8 seated bicycle and Monika and I peddled the kids around, stopping occasionally to feed giraffes, see the elephants, visit the kids petting area, and a little fun in the splash pad!  The weather was great!
On our final day, we met up with my Aunt Becky and Uncle Miguel for a trip down memory lane and went to the Dade County Youth Fair and Exposition!  I haven't been back to the fair since I graduated from High School!  The kids had a BLAST.  Despite the intermittent rain (you will see a pic of me under an umbrella... and the 5 kids are under the poncho in a wagon!) What a fun trip.  All the kids (minus Andrew) tried the Bungy Jumper.  For her age.. I think Gabi had the best time!  We ended the night on the "BIG" Ferris Wheel!  Monika and Iholding tight to the kids and praying for the ride to be over! The kids loved it!  What a wonderful and special time we had.  As always, the kids wished they lived in the same state!

 

 

Our special visit with Tia Cathy =)

 

 OK... so here is the explanation for the next 2 pics.  Isa and I are contemplating donating our hair this summer.  Isa has had a hard time understanding the concept of a wig... so when we saw this wig stand... we let her see them in person. The lady was so excited with Isa's curiosity that she asked Isa if she wanted to try one.  Of course Isa picked the dark purple one!

morning cereal buddies!

 

a little bit from Florida

Yep.  The kids and I are in Florida.  It was kind of a last minute trip, but so far a nice one.  We had intended to come down and visit when the kids were on spring break in April, but since Monika and the kids would be in school and work... we decided to come down and spend THEIR spring break with them.  My sister would be alone with the kids because my mom was headed out to Peru and Arnold would be at work on a buisness trip.  It is meant to be sister time. 
So far we had a jam packed weekend catching up with family.  We spent time with my mom, and family.  We also headed out to visit my uncle Miguel and Tia Becky.  We met their new grandson Theodore (of course Isa loved him!).  Then on Saturday we attended my cousin's daughter's 2nd birthday party followed by an adult dinner out to El Novillo (a Nicaraguan restaurant).  Sunday we took the kids to the pool and hung out. 
Here are a few pics from our time so far.

 Today, Monday, it's just me and my sis with the kids. Lots of laughter, some relaxing moments, and lots of talking. We took a bike ride to one of their community parks. We are loving this weather and the time together. In the evening, we took the kids to the theaters to see The Lorax.  WOW.  The movie was fantastic and they kids came out saying it was their favorite movie ever.  There were even some tears shed by a few of the sentimental lil ones =).
The cousins get along so well and are having a blast.  We are looking forward to more relaxing days like this.