Summer Weekend

What a weekend! It was B.U.S.Y! In a good way. We met up with friends on Saturday night to go to an outdoor concert at a beautiful winery. The musicians are Canadian but were originally from Cuba and the cuban music they played was beautiful. But the scenery was even more beautiful. We brought our kids as did many other families and we all had a great evening.

The best part about this event was that you brought your own blankets to sit on, and your own picnic food. So we had coldcuts, lots of different cheeses, pepper pate, crackers, baguette, San pelligrino and the winery provided the wine. Papa was in heaven!
The girls were shy at first to get up and dance. But after a little while they were right up there dancing and acting goofy. Not to mention rolling down the hill on their bums and tummies and playing hide and seek in the vineyard.

I just have to mention that under this archway, on this white chair, I nursed Sophia at the end of the evening. And it was such a perfect moment. Sophia looking up at me, the moon shining brightly up in front of me, the wind blowing the scent of roses everywhere and the sound of Cuban music in the background, and watching Alex and Rachel running through the vineyard. I took a moment to thank God with everything that was great in my life.



We got home at 11pm. The girls were all exhausted and went to bed quickly. Again tonight we spent a beautiful day with friends at their home, swimming, eating together and enjoying each others' company and getting home at 10pm. It was a great weekend.

We celebrated Jaia's 3rd birthday tonight.  3rd!  Can you believe it?  Yup, he is getting to be a big boy.  All the kids had so much fun.  Good job Kaili on the ice cream cone cupcakes!

Found some more pictures from my parents trip out here.  This one from the class picnic.  It was a very hot day.  The girls had fun running around the water park and eating from the potluck lunch.  Yum.

Just enjoying the backyard.  Sophia is right in there with the girls.  Don't insult her by holding her back, she really thinks that she is one of the gang.

Last day of Kindergarten

My twins have graduated today from Kindergarten.  They are getting so big.  Their feet are almost the same size as mine!  They are very excited that they are on summer holiday.  I'm planning on spending as much time as I can with them before they start school full time this fall.  

More evening pics with Halmonie.  The girls are sad that Halmonie and Harabogi are leaving tomorrow morning.  Alex wrote a sweet note to both of them thanking them for coming.

We celebrated my dad's 70th birthday this week too.  Lots of birthdays in June.  I can't believe my dad turned 70.  2 years ago he was in the hospital and now he is here for us to hug and kiss and wish happy birthday.  Incredible.  We are going to miss them.  Can't wait until the next visit.

Halmoni & Sophia

The sky was beautiful tonight so Papa took some great pictures of Halmoni and Sophia.  It's after 9pm and the twins have been asleep for a while and lucky Sophia always gets to stay up late.  She came with Papa and I to London Drugs, the Bank and then for a drink at Starbucks.  Lucky little girl with absolutely no bedtime and no routine.

Sophia's Baptism and 1st Birthday Party

The whole family had so much fun yesterday.  We got Sophia baptized and celebrated her 1st birthday.  It was really special to have my parents here for the occasion.  In fact, I don't know if it would have been the same without them there.  My sister, Susan, is the godmother but lives so far away so my mom stood in as her proxy.  And then, Silvano, was the godfather as in keeping with tradition with Alex and Rachel.  Sophia loved the attention that she got yesterday.  She didn't cry at all during the whole ceremony, even when water was poured on her head.  She really enjoyed the whole entire day.

Sophia waving at the church wearing her beautiful cross necklace that her godmother Susan got her.

Family picture at the church.

A picture of Alex and Rachel once we got home from the church.

We had a party at our house afterwards to celebrate.  I asked the Sand Lady to come over to the house to entertain the kids.  The kids pick a picture, then peel off each section to reveal the sticker part and then pour colored sand on top.  Then proceed with the next section.

Pictures that the girls picked.

Sophia in dress no. 2.  I just have to update that this beautiful dress was sent by Shannon.  She sent all 3 girls these matching dresses in different pastel colors.  I have yet to take a picture of all 3 in the dresses at the same time.  Drives me nuts that the older girls won't let me pick out their clothes anymore.  Shannon, I'm working on the pic with all 3 in their dresses I promise!

Sophia in her traditional Korean dress for the cake.

We presented her with a tray full of different items to see what she was drawn to (it's a Korean tradition).  And guess what she went for.  The rice!  James told everyone that means that she will be very fertile when she grows up.  I don't know if he was just making that up or if it's true but I think we didn't follow the tradition to a tee.  I mean, come on, a Scooby Doo book?! 

Cake time!  Thank you Carleen for such a beautiful bib for Sophia.  It is so so special.

Then an impromptu photo session.  Papa was clicking away all night.  Love the family shot. I realized at the twins' bday party that we didn't take enough pics with my parents so I really tried to take lots of pics with the grandparents this time.

Love the polka dots and the belly!

So that was the night in a nutshell.  4 outfit changes for Princess Sophia and surrounded by lots of love from her family and friends.  Happy 1st Birthday Sophia!

Swimming

Like an urban legend I've heard about this lady who teaches swimming lessons in her backyard.  She makes even kids who kick and scream and don't want to get their heads wet learn how to swim.  Several moms would mention her to me but when I asked for her name and number no one knew it.  They only heard about her.  Well just by luck my neighbor knew of her and got me in contact with her. No word of a lie....18 minutes into the 1st lesson my girls were dunking their heads underwater and swimming.  WOW!  I could have swallowed hundreds of flies my mouth was hanging open in amazement.  Apparently we were keeping them back by always having them wear life jackets.  It is just the start of the summer and I'm excited to see their progress by the end of summer.

Alex and Rachel's 6th Birthday Party

It was soooooooo fun this weekend.  We started celebrating on Friday night and continued until yesterday afternoon.  The girls had tons of fun.  Too many presents were opened, lots of cake was eaten and lots of laughs were shared.  Perfect way to turn 6.