Happy Mother's Day!

4 Years, 4 Weeks.


Slow down.  Stop trying to cram so many things into one day.  Take a breather.

But that's impossible!

I mean, you could.  But with 3 very active kids, you're bound to go crazy if you don't provide them with something to do.  A project.  An activity.  A field trip somewhere.  ANYTHING.

I'm sure most of our audience here can either relate to this or are just as exhausted reading about the stuff we do as we are doing it.  It can be quite tiresome (i.e. grueling, demanding, strenuous, pooped) at times, and yes, we know we do it to ourselves, but again, we wouldn't have it any other way.

We can't.

Because the days of just "baby sitting" are over.  Because they're growing up way too fast.  Because too soon they won't want to hang out with their parents any more.  Because at our age we can still keep up with them.  And because we can't miss any opportunity to see joy on their faces.

And really, isn't that what really matters?

Tangie and her brood on Mother's Day weekend.

Here was our week:

Working on some drawings whilst waiting for big sister to finish up gymnastics.

Visited the farm to feed the goats and pick up some eggs.
Brae decided she wanted to get them fresh from the hens the following morning.

Happy to see Mommy for dinner.

Early Sabbath ride with Rob, Karis, William, Kent, and others.

Back to the farm to get our eggs.  Notice the twins and their sensitive sense of smell!

Kids giving their mommies flowers during Sabbath School.

Working on a card for Mother's Day.

Went to the Audubon Bird of Prey Center after lunch.
Admission was free with a small donation of supplies.

Working on their owl craft.

Brae and her pet cotton ball owl "Sleepy".

They had sidewalk chalk available and the kids had a blast.

Checking out an injured barn owl.

Afternoon bike ride with Brae on the trail.

Letting her lead a bit so I can draft behind.

Taking a water break...

and even better, an ice cream break!

Met up with Mommy and the twins at the park in Oakland.

Stopped by the Food Trucks in Oakland for supper.

Swung by Target to pick up Mommy's gift while she and Aunt Marlissa went out for  a movie night.

Braelyn starting the coffee bright and early on Mother's Day.

I convinced her to crack open the eggs, as she had me doing everything else.

Our "breakfast in bed" extravaganza! 

They were so happy it was Mommy's day!

Took them to the pool for a few hours for Tangie to get some personal stuff done at home.

Kohl trying to work on his floating skills.

Tangie had a date with the kids to go see a play in the afternoon...

while I had a date with the lawnmower!

The crew with Freckleface Strawberry.

Not sure she likes freckles on her face!

Mommy with her brand new homemade popcorn machine!

A little brotherly love from Kohl.

Checking out the pool at Jim Beech Rec center where they will be taking
swimming classes this summer.

The purple princess poses, lipstick and all.

Hugging big sister from behind.
We had to go to 3 rehearsals this week for their end of the year show on Friday.

With the twins while we wait for Brae to finish.

Went to Lake Eola early Wednesday morning to meet the Alvarenga twins for a play date,
and for Donni and I to talk about work at the same time.

Two sets of non identical twins.

Kohl getting spun around by Leilani.

Swung by a German Bakery afterwards.  Strudels! 

Checking out their new VPK classroom at Glad Tidings Church in Ocoee.
We registered them for next school year.

Early morning class session, still in their pj's.  

Lunchtime shenanigans.

Brae about to complete her round-off.

Final instructions from Coach Jen.

Hoping she can make the gymnastics team one day.

Randoms:

In the middle of a parking lot, a group of musicians just set up to play,
with people bringing chairs to listen!

The busiest place in Target on Mother's Day Eve.

She's definitely my daughter!  Can you say tan lines?

What Kohl would look like if he was a girl.

What a car would look like if it had a mustache.

Just another amazing sunset.

A flock of flamingos decided to roost on this guy's lawn.
I'm sure his neighbors must love that...

Always cool to have a plane fly close overhead en route to the airport.

Realized she had put her shorts on backwards!

Food:

Tried to convince Corey that beets are delicious with this little number:
Steamed beets with bleu cheese, pistachio, and honey drizzle.

Pulled chicken sandwich?  Um…try BBQ jackfruit!

Broiled Arctic Char with Heirloom Squash.

Quote:

• Taking Lolo and Lala to the airport on Tuesday, Lolo spied an old military airplane turned monument by the side of the road, which he pointed out to the twins:

          Lolo:  "Did you guys see the airplane on the ground?"

          Kohl:  [looking around]  "No..."

          Maddy:  [excited]  "I see'd it!"

Dropping the grandparents off at OIA for their cruise trip in Seattle.

Have a great weekend!