Back to School and Addy's Activities

Well, it was back to school on Monday, but B ditched because his Grandparents were here to visit from Turkey.  Jeff's Mom and Dad were in Pismo for a couple of days. (I am a slacker and didn't take any pictures.)  Hopefully, Jeff's parents will share the ones they took and I can post them next week.

While they were here, we all went to Addy's gymnastics class that she started a couple of weeks ago.  She has a blast and enjoys all of the climbing and jumping. 

 Addy has also started a Music Class during the week.  The kids love banging on the drum and shaking all the instruments.  Miss Amy is great and goes with the flow while the kids are playing and kinda singing along with the songs.  My favorite part of the class is the kids make an instrument to take home:)

I have finally got my butt in gear and have started working out again.  I started last week running the Bob Jones Trail as some of you may have seen my posts to Bob on Facebook.  It has become a fun little way for me to challenge myself.  My daily run has turned into a Battle with Bob.  So, Addy and I hit the trail with snacks, drinks, and toys;  I keep my fingers crossed that it leads to a nap and I survive my Battle with Bob!

Spring Break and Jeff's Birthday!

We had a great Spring Break!  It was packed with our weekly activities since it was such an odd time none of the kids after school activities took a break.  We did our best to do something fun before baseball practice, the Pit, CCD or buckets.

On Monday we headed out to Port San Luis for a day at the beach with the dogs.  Everyone had a blast and was well behaved for the most part.  

   

We made a day trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo.  It is a great zoo for the kids, just big enough to keep B's interest and not too big for Addy.  The Zoo has all the big animals elephants, giraffes (and Addy didn't hear them say anything), lions, and gorillas.  The play area with the hill for cardboard sliding was definately the highlight of the trip.

 

During B's game Blake and Addy took some groundballs in the outfield.  The Schafers were troopers because it was the coldest game of the season by far; so we introduced them to the Dirty Bird and the Pismo Wrap at Hoagies.

Jeff and B had intention of going golfing on Thursday but got rained out.  We went bowling instead.  It was fun and a good thing for all of us we played with the bumpers.

 On Saturday, the festivities for Jeff's birthday began with the neighborhood birthday block party.  BBQ at one house, eat in our driveway, and pinata up the streets.

 

It was a good time had by all.  One of my favorite moments was our neighbor Sid having the boys march like soldiers across the street.   

The celebration continued the next morning with a trip to Avila for Sunday brunch at Fats Cats.  We rode in style and took the party bus.

It is hard to believe that Jeffy and I met almost 15 years ago at his birthday party on Palm Street.  He was the guy pumping the keg with nice forearms who made me a bonfire in a trash because I was cold.  I am not even sure I knew it was his birthday...lol  Well I didn't know he real name for the longest time but that's another story.  Happy Birthday Jeffrey!

Donuts, Ducks, Drums and Dogs

While B is playing baseball, Addy is busy visiting the snackbar and getting donuts with Poppa Mike.

And when Poppa Mike is not there she still expect to get donuts.  

Hey, Dad those donuts are a dollar a piece send me enough money to get us through the sesason.

 A couple weeks ago, Addy and I thought it would be fun to go feed the ducks in Oceano.  Before we even got out of the car the seagulls swarmed us.  Instead taking the chance of getting pooped on, we went in search of ducks and found some in a giant puddle. They weren't use to being fed so they ran or swam away from us.

 A few fun Addy moments from the last couple of weeks, my attempt at a French braid, trying to open the cookies, and planning her week on the calendar.  Lately, you can get Addy to sit still to get take care of her hair if you put the right movie on or let her play with the iPad.  She has been watching a lot of Cookie Monster and we both did a number on the girls scout cookies.  Addy often sees me trying organize our schedules on the weekly calendar.  About a month ago, she wrote her schedule on the wall.  This week is she climbing onto the cabinet to make sure that I added her gymnastics class to the calendar.

The last day before spring break, B had crazy hair and sock day at school.

B has also started a "bucket drumming" class on Friday afternoons.  

We started spring break with a walk on the beach at sunset.  The kids found a nice little sandhill.

 Meet Gambit, the newest member of the Clarin Ohana.  He is wire haired dachshund mix.  We adopted him from Foxy Doxy rescue.  He is a sweet dog but he is a puppy.

Stay tuned for our spring break adventures...

March Madness Clarin Style

March flew by...B began the month with a trip to the snow with his best buddy.  The boys were in the  same Kindergarten class and  played Tball together.  They were reunited this basketball season and have been joined at the hip ever since.   

Did you know that on St. Patrick's Day a leprechaun comes to your house to leave you a gift so you don't go looking for his pot of gold?  Well, that's what I was told by a very clever 7 year old and couple days before St. Patrick's Day.

 Every Tuesday, we try and meet up with the Schafers.  The kids love going to the museum or the park.    

B made his first reconciliation this month.  When it was time, he stood up and headed start back to the confessional and bravely was the first one.  He also encouraged me to go to confession.  I was so proud of him and grateful that he has taken an interested in his faith and the sacraments.

Baseball season is officially here.  I have made it a second season with out being "roped" back into coaching. (well, technically.)  Jeffrey is coaching and one of the parents told me the other day that he is a coveted coach.  He really does a great job with the boys and communicating with the parent.  For now I will enjoy hanging out on the sidelines watching B play ball and just doing a backseat coaching;)

 I have been asked numerous times if Addy will play softball.  My answer is always been "No" with a smile on my face.  But as we all know you don't get to pick your child's interests.