Hiatus

I always wondered if and when I'd quit keeping up this blog...I can't say that I'm completely finished with it because I do love to have these memories to look back on and for the kids to see in the future, but life has been so busy that it became just too hard to keep up!  I won't even try to go back to February and catch up in any detail, but here's a quick recap.

School: The kids finished up the school year on a positive note!  PreK and 2nd grade are in the books and we are already just 5 weeks away from starting a new school year.  I cried with William's teacher on the last day--no more preschoolers for me!  Bittersweet for sure.  William's teacher is just a gem of a person and she really molded him this year from the kid who could hardly stand to leave my side to a kid who loves school.  And the girls made huge strides in school this year--it's nice to look back and see that we made the right decision in skipping a grade for them.  Academically they did better than fine and still probably weren't challenged enough, but socially and emotionally it was a lot for them and they definitely matured.  We're enjoying the break from school right now though!

Sports: The girls finished their second season of soccer.  They made it farther in the tournament this go-around even with several girls missing from the team that weekend.  Maggie scored several goals too and Sonya had some amazing plays as well.  Not sure if they will continue with soccer in the fall as they're thinking about trying swim team and volleyball.  William is keeping up with karate and passed another belt test.  This time he had to perform a kata (a form or special set of moves) by himself in front of everyone.  I was so nervous for him, but he did it flawlessly!  He's anxious to try baseball and soccer in the fall.

Extras: Other big happenings included Maggie's First Communion in April, Sonya's participation in the Bible Bee at school, several visits from Mimi and Papa, a fun Spring Break trip to the West Coast of Florida, William's 5th birthday and trip to Legoland, visits from college friends and Navy friends, a trip home for Mimi's surprise 65th birthday party, several trips up to Jupiter to visit old friends, and too many other little things to count.  It was a busy spring.

Now we're more than halfway through summer 2016!  We had about a week off after school before the kids did swim camp for a week.  Then we had a visit from Mimi and Papa filled with lots of fun-ice cream shop visits, a trip to the American Girl cafe for lunch, a trip to the Perez Art Museum and so on.  Then we had a few days to recover and pack for our Oregon adventures...I do want to blog that trip since it was by far one of the best family vacations we've had!  Let's see if I can get around to it before another 5 months passes...

Soccer and Roller Skating

The girls started soccer again and are having fun with it.  They seem much more interested in it this year and seem to have a nice little team.  They knew two girls when they showed up the first day--one girl goes to gymnastics with them and one girl used to go to their school and they met her through a friend.  There is one girl on their team who is amazing--she doesn't speak any English so that's a challenge, but thankfully the coach speaks both languages. He's a tough coach so they're working hard and getting better!  Their team won their first game, 2-1.  Maggie came very close to scoring a goal and Sonya played great defense!  Go Thunder!

Sonya on defense

Thunder after the victory!

William also started soccer and he's a ringer!  Matt took him to his first practice and game and said "he was a man amongst boys" being so much bigger than everyone else.  William scored all three team goals during the game, winning the game.  He also was given the first award of the season for enthusiasm!  Go William!

 The kids all got roller skates for Christmas from Mimi and Papa and it's been quite the adventure practicing with them!  Thankfully Aunt Holly and Uncle Eric got them all pads to go with the skates so the falls haven't been too bad.  William was the funniest--he was flailing around like a cartoon!  Sonya was the most into it and she practiced long after the other two gave up.  Sonya and Maggie both can stay standing now and make progress, but they're still going pretty slow.  I imagine they'll be racing off in no time though!

Two thumbs up and ready to go!

Off she goes!

The Circus

We took the kids to the circus recently.  The kids loved it--they thought the clowns were funny and everything very fascinating.  Matt and I were pretty bored with the whole thing...definitely wished that the bar was open at the American Airlines Arena!  But it's always fun to see the kids excited about something and enjoying themselves.

Life in iPhone Photos

My soccer girls!

Gorgeous sunset while the girls practiced soccer

Maggie's artwork on display at school

Chinese Bridge on one of my walking routes

One of the many peacocks along the route!

Miami-snow?  Ha!

Sonya's artwork (the two figures in red) based on Keith Haring art (yes, I had to look up this guy after the girls told me about him--the art program is amazing at their school)

With friends at the park

Grandma and Grandpa come visit

After spending Christmas with Aunt Christie and her new baby, Grandma and Grandpa came down for a quick visit.  Our Miami weather remained gorgeous and we had a nice visit filled with lots of outdoor time.  We spent the day at the zoo, took William to karate, tried out the kids' new roller skates, and played lots and lots of cards, including starting to teach the kids euchre.

Matt and I also slipped out for an evening to celebrate our 14th anniversary so we went over to South Beach for an amazing chef's tasting menu at an awesome restaurant.  We tried to go see Star Wars also but it was sold out so that didn't work out.  Oh well!

We also celebrated New Year's Eve with a fun party dinner though none of us made it to midnight this year!  And we watched the Irish even though we lost...boo.

Playing cards

At Pinecrest Gardens enjoying the gorgeous weather

It was a hot day so everyone got in the water even me!

 Grandma and Grandpa left to drive home just as the kids headed back to school. And it's been a whirlwind catching up on real life!

More Break Fun

The day after Christmas was a gorgeous day and hot so we packed up and headed to the beach!  We tried out a new beach at the tip of Key Biscayne--it was nice and we had a fun day.  We didn't figure anyone would be in the water, but the kids dove right in!

Matt and the lighthouse

Testing the water

We went out to eat one night--here are the kids reading with Daddy while we waited for our food.  Sorry kids, no iPads or iPhones at our table!

We took the kids to another Heat game--it's always a fun night!  The kids wore their new Heat shirts, but unfortunately, the "nobody beats the Heat" shirt wasn't true...the really awful Nets did beat the Heat.  Boo!

The boys started watching Monday Night Football towards the end of the game when the Heat was really losing.

It was a fun Christmas break!

Miscellaneous Break Fun

I started this 1000 piece puzzle over Thanksgiving.  The kids helped with about 3 pieces, Matt with 1, and my mom did about 1/4 of it while she was here.  I finished it up eventually! 

Sensei giving William another stripe on his belt for being brave and confident!

Getting ready to go caroling!  

The pack of kids headed by the fearless leader--we tackled Christmas caroling with a huge group of school friends.  It was accompanied by a brief rainstorm, the dodging of cars, people slamming doors in our face or staring at us through their windows in true Miami fashion.  Sigh....

They lasted all of 5 minutes...that pool is cold!

Putting together another gingerbread house!

The finished product which was devoured the next night!