let them eat cake!

I made a skateboard cake for Joaquin this year. The idea was from the family fun website. But icing it is always harder than it looks. I don't think I have the patience for that. But the donut wheels made the cake. Joaquin couldn't wait to open presents...see him on that big blow up chair? Later, he cried because he said he only got one bite of his cake...I think he took one bite, then ran over to that chair. He's been saving the good guys, and getting the bad guys ever since!

more party pics

Pump it up!

We celebrated Joaquin's birthday yesterday at this inflatable place called Pump It Up. It was all Joaquin could think about for weeks...and what a great day to have it...it was pouring outside! This was by far the easiest party I've ever done for the kids, and I think it was his favorite. That super slide was the favorite activity...and it did make your stomach drop, it was so steep. But there was also a basketball blowup court, a rock climbing wall with slides, and a boxing ring. Even the parents got to jump and slide!

news

So we haven't been doing too much since we got back from vacation. I did go to my first doctor's appointment...our due date is February 27th, which I imagine will change after the ultrasound. But I did hear the heartbeat, so the baby's really in there! The kids are so excited...Isabela had to draw a picture of her family yesterday at church and there were five of us! And the doctor gave me some samples of baby stuff...including...a diaper, and that just cracked Joaquin up.
We've been going to the pool, too, and Joaquin is definitely the next Michael Phelps. He can swim the whole length of the pool, and back, all by himself. He normally does freestyle, but I've seen him do the backstroke and breaststroke as well. And he's only three! Isabela is a pretty good underwater swimmer, but I think a few lessons might be in the future for her.
Today we have someone coming out to check our septic tank...fun!
I'm not sure if everyone knows this, but I'll be starting work Sept. 2. I'll be an assistant teacher at Joaquin's preschool. My first job in five years! Yikes!
Well, that's about it...just a short update!

the beach

I have to say, the day at the beach was my favorite day. It was very relaxing, mainly because the kids were so entertained by the waves and sand. Joaquin caught some great waves....Isabela caught more waves crashing on top of her, but they both loved it! Nancy and Lew had a great set up on the beach...and it was great to have that boogie board. I was a little anxious watching Joaquin's fearlessness, but he is a great swimmer and had a blast. Isabela was diligently building something in the sand, and it was nice not having to think of something for them to do!! I think we should move to the beach. But I don't know if that will ever happen. All in all, it was a great trip! And we avoided buying the timeshare Marriott tried to sell us, although it was very tempting! Thanks to Nancy and Lew for being great hosts!

the rainbow

Isabela spotted the beautiful rainbow after the storm! And yes, she keeps chewing on her hair!!

fun!!

I'll spare you the hundreds of other pictures we took. But here are some of our resort...it was amazing, and the kids loved that pirate boat pool..we did too! It stormed the day after we went to SeaWorld, but we were able to swim before it, and then return to SeaWorld for the night shows, after the storm. We definitely wanted to get our money's worth out of SeaWorld and since they let you come back a second day for free, we had to do it. It had cooled off after the storm which made it more bareable and of course everyone fled when they saw rain, so we had the place to ourselves.