We have been keeping busy this summer. Alyssa enjoyed a week of soccer camp with all but one of her Fire Foxes soccer team members. The girls got right back into playing together again. The camp coach knew they were a soccer team and even referred to one of the girls as "Fire Foxes" all camp. Jakey was invited to his very first playdate during the camp with one of the girls' little brothers (more on that later) so Sebastian decided to take all the girls, plus a brother, for lunch and bowling. Pretty brave if you ask me. Kids all had a great time, but I would venture to say Sebastian may have had a better time having the team together. We ended camp with a fun swim party at the house. So nice to enjoy a Friday afternoon with a majority of parents and all the girls. What a special season/team it was last year. Soccer drafts are in a few weeks so we shall see if any of the girls will be together again. Fingers crossed!

Alyssa (believe it or not she is the youngest of the group), Sarah, Irelin and Isa

Brendan and Kailey

Jakey has been enjoying a little social life himself these days. As I mentioned above Jakey was invited to a playdate with another one of the little brothers. This was his very first invitation to have his very own playdate. I was a little nervous about him being dropped off and behaving, but apparently it went really well and he was happy to be doing his own thing. And a few days later Jakey had another playdate. This time with the little girl he adores so, Ytalia. They invited us to the Children's Museum. On the way to our playdate in the morning Jakey asked me to stop at the donut shop by his school (Krispy Kreme) to get a donut for Ytalia. A chocolate sprinkled one. WOW, he can actually be thoughtful. Guess that's what a little crush will do to a little boy. He was so happy to see her. He followed her around the museum and was so proud to show her the trolley's that drove past the museum. We walked to the Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch and he walked the streets downtown holding her hand so proud. So funny how young it starts. It was so cute to watch him like he was on a little date. He has another playdate with her this weekend to see trains. Trains and Ytalia? What a day he is in for.

Jakey and Ytalia at the Children's Museum

Walking to lunch

Enjoying dessert

We roadtripped it to Vegas a few weeks ago with our good friends the Getty's. Great weather, great friends and Vegas, what more can you ask for? Sebastian even surprised us by bringing along Auntie TT. She watched the kids one evening so we could go out and have a nice dinner and gamble a bit. Thanks, Taylor! We headed back just in time to take Jakey to Ytalia's birthday party on Friday evening. We were tempted to stay one more night when I saw that Nick Lachey would be hosting an evening in Vegas, but I declined just so Jakey could finally go to Ytalia's party. Jakey asked me many times prior to her party, "did I just already go to Ytalia's party?" How could I deny him? Overall fun trip and I even think we passed the travel test. Woot woot! Aloha anyone?

Only picture I took the entire vacation. Maybe Secorra will share a pic or two? Hmmm?

After Vegas we needed to fill a weekend with something fun to do so we rented a cabana at Knott's Soak City. The kids (less Jakey) enjoyed the water park. Jakey was content sitting in the cabana. What is wrong with that kid? Don't answer that. Haha! Another chance for Alyssa to hear me scream on a water slide. Sorry, but going down a tube in pitch black and then exiting the tube to slide up and down the side of a big funnel definitely constitutes LOTS of screams!

Four kids under those towels. Long day at the water park

Alyssa spent a week at SeaWorld camp with three of her kinder friends. The kids are all growing and changing, but it's still nice they like spending time together. The campers were told they would not be riding Journey to Atlantis. The one thing Alyssa really wanted to do was ride Journey to Atlantis so Carol and Sean invited us one evening after camp to ride the rides. How many times in a row can the mom's ride Journey toAtlantis at night before calling it quits? That would be 4 times! The kids got a kick out of listening to me scream each and every time. Guess there might be a pattern with me, if a ride is involved then that equals mom screaming.

We spent this past weekend camping at Lake Jennings. No toyhauler involved. Just the families, a tent and nature. Gotta love it when the moms run to the grocery store and come back to camp being completely set up. Love the men! We stayed two nights or maybe I should say one and three quarters. The first night after the kids and moms headed to bed the entertainment started at the campsite next to us. The gentleman (I use that term extremely loosely) started his rants and musical concert. With the radio blaring he started his yelling. A visit from the campground supervisor and a visit from the Sheriffs did not stop this man. He demanded a return visit at 2:30 am from more Sheriffs, paramedics and fire fighters before the ordeal was over. I'm just saying this could have made a great episode of Cops! During the ordeal Jake had issues with asthma that caused Sebastian and I to head home at 4:00 am. I promise this was not a ploy to sleep in my bed and take a warm shower the next morning. With Jake medicated and a little sleep we headed back to our campsite for a day of relaxing and a paddle boat ride on the lake. Let me just say they should warn you that it's tougher to paddle back in than out.

Jakey and Mady watching a movie in the tent

Roasting marshmallows

The girls in the morning hanging out

Jake starts school this week. Can't believe this is his last year of preschool! Where on earth has the time gone! Sigh!

Getting soccer pointers from Brendan

Summer is here!

I've been horrible with pictures lately, so be forewarned this is a picture-less blog. BORING!

We had a great Father's Day. Spent the day exactly as Sebastian wished. Pizza Port, homemade dinner and swimming. Perfect Sunday and Father's Day. He's such a wonderful dad and person. He deserves at least one day a year to do exactly as he wishes.

Jakey finished his first year of preschool a few weeks ago. It honestly feels like just yesterday I cried dropping him off with hopes he wouldn't hit kids or misbehave. I'm so proud to report he had an amazing year! No tears at all (with the exception of his first day of school when I picked him up). His teachers were so complimentary of him on the last day of school. All the amazing things a parent wants to hear, he's a good friend to others, he shares, he has lots of friends, he listens in class, etc. Why the heck doesn't he do all of those wonderful things on a daily basis at home? Well I guess it's better that he puts on a great public face and he lets loose at home. He's grown so much since he started school. Not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. He found his "first love" (I'm sure of many to come). He was even invited to a play date with her this weekend. He's so excited. His speech has vastly improved. There are still some words that even mom has to ask him to repeat, but for the most part he doesn't speak "Jakey" anymore. He's really coming into his own and it makes me so happy and proud to see.

We ventured out to the fair this year. We seem to go every other year. Once we go we always say the same thing, "nothing new this year, no need to go again next year." It's so true! It's always fun, but not necessary to go every year. The kids had a lot of fun on the rides and it was great to see Jakey enjoy himself on the rides and pick which ones he wanted to go on. He was so happy to be able to go on them alone and seemed really proud of himself.

Jakey is growing up so fast. He even told me the other day he's not a baby, he's a little man. Not kidding. He was talking about a girl and said she could be his princess and he would be the little man. Girls, watch out!

Off on a quick family road-trip next week. Hopefully I'll remember the camera and remember to charge the battery.

Who's the proudest Mom? I AM!

Alyssa and her second grade teacher, Mrs. Bloom

Calvary Christian Academy held their annual end of year Academy Awards on Friday evening. Alyssa was anxious to see if she would be receiving a medal for straight A's all four quarters and a medal for Christian Leadership all four quarters. As I walked her into her classroom before the awards ceremony the smile on her face said it all.....two bright and shiny medals sitting on her desk waiting for her to wear into the school-wide awards ceremony. She worked hard all year long for those medals. I have to digress for a moment, a few days prior to the awards ceremony I received an email that stated Alyssa had been nominated for the John Loving Round Table Award. What's that you ask? I had no idea either. It was new to the awards ceremony. But the mere fact that the email said it was a blessing to be nominated made me think that there was no chance in hell (pardon my non-Christian language) that she would win. So as the ceremony progressed I was just so very proud that she was one of only 4 second graders to earn straight A's all four quarters (and may I just add, insert bragging here, she's had straight A's two years in a row). Once the second grade awards were finished I put my camera down and prepared myself for the remaining awards that did not include Alyssa. Then the big moment came. The John Loving Round Table Awards. The principal of K-8 described what the awards were and who made up the voting panel. The description of the second award was announced and I thought if Alyssa is going to win (which I honestly didn't think was the case, as you will see I didn't even change the lens on the camera) they announced and the winner for K-5 is...... Alyssa Serrano! The reaction on Alyssa's face was priceless! She stood up from her seat and made the walk all alone onto the stage to accept her trophy. She looked so young and little up on the stage. The pride gleaming from her was a beautiful thing to witness. She works so very hard at school, getting good grades and being a great student are very important to her. It is definitely reflected in the awards she won at school.

She is entering her final week of second grade. Of course she is sad and already talking about not wanting school to end and not wanting to leave Mrs. Bloom. She is the only kid I know that cries on the LAST day of school. In this house, Mom is the happiest of all that the school year is over. If she doesn't need summer vacation, I SURE DO!

Congratulations, Alyssa! You are an amazing student and friend to your classmates. We are all so very proud of you and love you so very much! Keep up the hard work and determination in third grade! Love you!

On stage (l to r Sophie O, Makenna and Lis)

Alyssa and Makenna

I tried to upload a very blurry shot of Alyssa accepting her award to show how unprepared I was, but it won't upload. Such is life!

On stage receiving her tropy

In the photobooth set up at school

Happy Birthday, Sebastian!

Happy Birthday to the best dad and hubby! We celebrated after soccer practice at the Tavern and Bowl. Celebrating on a Wednesday night with the kids, probably not the best idea, but SO much fun!

These iphone users sort of let me be in their iphone picture

Jakey and Isa testing out a new strategy

Lissy takes a great picture

checking out the scoreboard

Unfortunately, it was time to go home. Alyssa was the event photographer.

(I always wonder if the pictures truly show how much fun we have)

East Coast Spring Break - Alyssa Turns 8!

We enjoyed a wonderfully long vacation during spring break. We visited my sister and brother-in-law in Maryland, made a quick stop in Philadelphia, spent a few days in Williamsburg and Alyssa, Kelley and Michael took a quick side trip to DC. It was definitely planes, trains and automobiles on this trip. Thank goodness both kids did amazing on the flight and really well on the train and in the car. We were non-stop the entire trip and they handled it like troopers. Rather than me go into great detail about the trip, I've posted several pictures.

Pictures are not in chronological order because, well, I'm just too lazy.

We went to Intercourse, PA so I could gawk at the Amish. So fascinating!

When there is a handwritten sign posted on the side of the road that says, "stop here for homemade rootbeer." You HAVE to stop to check it out. We drove down this road off the main street to have some rootbeer.

When you come to the end of the road, the sign on the shed says it all.

This is what you get for $2. Not super tasty, but totally worth being able to go inside the shed and pick up a homemade bar of soap while I was at it.

You can take a ride in a buggy in Amish country. I so wanted to, but it was pouring rain and not sure Jakey would have sat still in there for the 45 minute tour. Totally doing it next time!

We visited Chocolate World in Hersey, PA. The kids are working the Hersey kiss assembly line.

Uncle Mike took Sebastian, Alyssa and Jake to the B&O train museum. Mom and Auntie K had some shopping to do. Jake had so much fun. He is still telling me the trains were old and are just resting.

We're not afraid to take the long way home from Williamsburg. And when I say long way, I mean adding 3 additional hours to the ride. But we got to go on the longest underwater tunnel. Can anyone say claustrophobic? And along the way home we rode this pulley ferry. We pulled up at 5:27 pm and the last trip was at 5:30 pm. Whew! Close call!

Williamsburg was so cool! We saw glassblowers in action. Of course I had to buy something from their store and bring it home.

We also went to Jamestown.

Beautiful old church on the settlement.

James River. They are currently digging right along the water and discovering remnants of the first structures. So cool to see something so historic.

The river looked exactly how I pictured it when reading history books in school. Super choppy, brown water.

One way to have them be still

Jake is super into Jake and the Neverland Pirates. He loved being on the ships like a pirate.

We toured 3 old ships.

Marching down the street in Williamsburg

I need one of these at home

Poor Jakey was so tired!

We were supervising! (and explained that you never put things around your neck. EVER!)

Each ship had someone dressed in character providing historical information

We were all in Dylan's Candy Bar, but Jakey couldn't take his eyes off of the train going around the toy store

Alyssa made candles (you can see by her shirt that she finally made it to Georgetown Cupcakes)

Alyssa turned 8 on the trip. Auntie K and Uncle Mike had a little birthday celebration for her. Cake and Justin Beiber.

Birthday girl on the morning of her big day!

Spent a day in Philadelphia. We visited Betsy Ross' house, and saw so many historic places in Philadelphia. What a cool city.

Sebastian loves coins so we visited the US Mint. Very cool!

Jakey doesn't love us taking pictures together or hugging for that matter.

Liberty Bell. Sebastian was a little disappointed with the size.