Golf

Jeff took the kids out golfing this afternoon. I tweaked my neck and am having a hard time getting around so he thought it would be fun to take the kids out golfing so I could relax and not lift (I even called my neighbor to pick Aaron up and put him in his crib for his nap while Jeff was out - it was that bad. And if you know me, I have a hard time asking for help even when it's necessary). So they are out having a great time golfing together. And Aaron is working his inner Tiger. 

Tennis

Kyle had team tennis this morning so Jeff took him there and got to see his fun match. He was playing doubles today. They ended up winning 8-3. 

Surfing

For some time, we have wanted to take Kyle & Emily surfing. Well this month, a lot of businesses have a kids free special. So we took the kids up for their first surfing lesson. When we first told the kids about it, they were hesitant. They didn't want to go in the ocean, they were afraid of swimming in the ocean, they were afraid of falling off the surfboard, they were afraid it would be cold and any other reason you could think of to be afraid. Honestly, we were a bit apprehensive too. They are great swimmers. In a pool. They would have wetsuits, but Kyle gets antsy with tight things like that. It was going to be cold water. And we chose this day because it was going to be the warmest in the next 5 days before the month ends (and we could get a sitter for Aaron), but the heat never materialized and we were in a constant state of fog around here. We warned them that surfing is hard and they likely wouldn't stand up. 

Well that all went out the door. We got there, got the wetsuits on without issue. We went through the prep and lessons with the teachers on the beach. The kids got in the water no problem despite it being 65 or 67 degrees out, water fairly cold. Thankfully we had 2 instructors so they could tow both Kyle & Emily out to the waves. And you know what? Both Kyle and Emily were awesome riding the waves. Emily stood up her first time like she had been surfing since she could walk. Kyle got up as well and was thrilled. At one point, Kyle wiped out and Jeff and I both looked at each other thinking we were done. Kyle pops up and exclaims, "that was awesome!!" So for the next hour, we all rode the waves and had a fabulously successful time surfing. The kids couldn't get enough of it. I wish we had a water camera with us to take pictures, but alas, we didn't and the store was out of them for sale. The kids have been itching to get back on the surf board since they had to get off of it. I venture to say we will be taking them surfing again. And soon. It was awesome. 

It was such a great day. It reminded me of our great day last year in June when we had Emily's dance recital, a nice tea party at the tea place in town and then picked up some of our favorite cake here in San Diego. Then that night I got a kidney stone. Thankfully, this gloriously fun day was not punctuated with an ER visit. Just many, many "can we go surfing again" pleas. And that answer will be yes!! 

Halloween

Here's a sneak peek of our Halloween costumes... 

Kyle & Emily with their fellow classmate at school and Hogwarts

Dumbledore and Hedwig

Dumbledore, McGonagall, Hermione, Harry & Hedwig

Kids reading

Kyle & Emily have been devouring the Harry Potter series. They are currently both on book 5. The other night, we sent them upstairs to get into bed. When Jeff and I went up to tuck them in, this is what we found - both kids in Emily's bed just reading away. You may comment that Emily's not reading Harry Potter in this picture. Being the great reader that she is, she often reads multiple books at a time and so this was a school library book that she wanted to finish so she could turn it in. 

Aaron drives

Somehow I went out of the house without Aaron while he stayed home with Jeff. Upon returning, they were playing outside in the alleyway. When Aaron saw me pulling up, he ran over to the van to sweetly greet me. I opened the door and he climbed right in. So naturally, he got to drive the van into the garage with me and he couldn't have been happier.  

Costumes

It's nearly Halloween so the kids are getting into it! Jeff brought Aaron some monster feet home from Philly. Kyle dug out his monkey costume. Emily borrowed her friend's Indian dress. Simon dressed up as a dragon. And they all goofed around in their costumes excited about Halloween! 

Jogathon

The kids had their jog-a-thon at school today. They both ran very well and were near the top lap runners in their grade. 

Snack time

Our house, kitchen specifically, was torn apart today so we couldn't go home after school. So we picked up some ice cream cookie sandwiches and had a delicious snack outside while waiting the paint job out. This is the same paint job that was done over the summer, but not done very well so they were back fixing it up. Nothing like trying to live in your house with kids when it's being painted. 

Little executive

I was cooking something at the stove so my back was turned to Aaron. When I turned around, this is what I saw. Mind you, the computer was closed so Aaron opened it up and started pecking away. 

Zoo

Aaron and I have been making the most of our zoo membership. And we found where the squirrel monkeys were relocated to. We have been searching for them since they started (and completed) the construction over by the koalas. These playful little guys are now over in the Children's Zoo area. The first time we saw them, they weren't as active as we've seen them. Instead, they were huddled under a heat lamp because it had rained and was a bit chilly (see Aaron's monkey hat). 

The next time I took Aaron to the zoo, we went into the petting zoo part and he was so tickled to pet a goat. The goat wasn't that interested, but Aaron was beyond happy.

He also loved the play area in the Children's Zoo area as well. And the most recent time we went, Aaron rode the skyfari with me. The first time I took Kyle and Emily on there with Grandma, Kyle completely freaked out. Screamed and cried the whole time and was just inconsolable. Aaron actually sat on my lap for the ride. He's not a sit still kind of kid. But he sat on my lap and checked things out. Then decided he wanted to sit on the other side. So we did. And we made it without tears! 

View from above

Coming downstairs, this is a fairly frequent scene: kids with their books and a pile of toys everywhere.

Painting pumpkins

In an effort to get into the Halloween spirit, we picked up some pumpkins (from Trader Joe's mini pumpkin patch) and brought them home to paint. I'm not sure it's any less messy than carving, but the kids had fun nonetheless. Kyle & Emily painted theirs with Harry Potter characters. Aaron just painted his Aaron style. And the wall. And the ground. Aaron style. :-)

Cutie

Just some pictures of Aaron being cute. 

This month he's started to sit on his potty and has even had some success. Being such a man, he likes to read while he does his business.

Aaron checking out his shadow that he tried to run down at Sunset Cliffs. 

Aaron stole my hat and looked so unbelievably cute in it. 

Fairy potion in the rain

It was a rainy day outside. What do kids living in San Diego who rarely experience rain want to do? Play outside in the rain! And so Emily did with her friend. They danced in the rain, jumped in puddles and made a potion for their fairies. 

Monkey pile

From karate class