Eva Turned Twelve....a while ago but Eva Turned Twelve!

I think you can see my theme is catch up on the year before it ends. Well, I had a lot on my plate since most of my kids seem to have a birthday within five or six months of each other. But I can't let the year go by without highlighting Eva. She is so funny and sweet when she's not being bossy and messy but that is the perfect mix that makes her the best Eva I know. 


So here we go with the Q and A:
What's up? The sky
What's your favorite color: Blue
What's your favorite food: Buffalo chicken
What's your favorite activity: Ballet
Who's your best friend: Megan 
How is your life so far? That's a deep question. Why are you writing that. 
What are you looking forward to this year? Next summer.
Who's your favorite sibling (I won't tell)? I don't know. That is so wrong.
Shorts or skirts? Shorts
Books or boys? Not answering
(She is vetoing most of my questions so she may be a mystery for this year) 
Do you miss any part of being a little kid? Kindergarten nap time
Are you really busy these days? yeah
What most annoys you? When people talk while I'm telling a story.
What have you learned from being in young women so far? Primary was overrated.
What do you value most in life? Enjoying the present.
What is your relationship with Heavenly Father right now? Do you know him? Yes. 
Why do you know he exists? Prayers, scriptures, the Holy Ghost
What about your testimony? How's that going these days? It's getting better each day. 
Did you want anything special for your birthday? Is this for my last year's birthday because I was answering for my this year me.

Who's cuter Nico or Carlos? Nico
What if Carlos reads this? It's still the same
Do you know you are loved? Yes
Why? Because you guys tell me you love me every day. I just know.
So is that how you know God loves you too? Yes. 
So simple last question? Who's funnier, dad or me? (Very uncomfortable) I don't know..(very politically correct)

Trips Turn 5

Imagine I have a time machine and this post is done promptly in May. Besides, the triplets celebrated all month long so I am really right on time. I can't believe it has been five years since we moved back to Florida. And it is a distant memory of caring for these guys when they were unable to walk or feed themselves. If I had to do it again I would be just as freaked out because I honestly cannot remember anything about that time unless I see it in pictures. And in case I can't remember anything about this year, I thought I would put some pictures in to remind me of just how much these kids have grown. 

For their birthday the triplets got to choose their individual cakes which seemed quite similar to the cakes they picked last year but I was not complaining.The girls only wanted to be mermaids and Carlos only wanted instruments to torture them with in the pool. I think I made everyone happy. 

This year has marked the first ballet class and recital along with the first T ball game where they called themselves the hammerheads. What they manage to lack in silence they make up for in humor. Always loud and always making a mess is the norm for these guys.

Ballet recital song was the Hokey Pokey and Beau was the only one to give a bow, like a man but we loved it. And don't get me started on Gigi's hands. So graceful.

First day of ballet

As far as t-ball was concerned, Gigi always had to wear a bow in her hair and when she put on her helmet or cap, the bow went over it. As for Beau, she sure liked snack time. As you can see by the pictures, the kids were very focused but they loved their teammates, especially Carson Daringer who both Beau and Gigi married at the gym day care. 

Why I augta! 

There soon on their way to being Kindergarteners this fall but for now, they are my sweet five year olds. 

Catching up with Trips

Beau: Mom, I saw a scary bitcho ( bug)(Holding sword and stuffed white rabbit)

Mom: Oh no, Did you kill it with your big sword?

Beau: (playing coy) no

Mom about to praise her

Beau: Lifts a slightly stained white rabbit. I killed it with my bunny. (Smiles her adorable smile)

Beau: Mom, I'm going to be a rock star. Can you get me a hotar? (guitar)

Eva:Beau you are the cutest thing ever!

Beau: Yes, I am the whole package. I am cute as a button

Mom: Beau, what's your phone number?

Beau: 2 second and number nine

Gigi: I'm not tired, just my eyes.

Carlos:(As his mom sings the ABC song.

Mom, you're going to jail

Mom: Why

Carlos: For singing terribly

Mom: Carlos, what word starts with the letter "B"

Carlos: The letter "D"

Beau: Chank you, my arms and eggs urt. (Thank you, my arms and legs hurt)

Carlos: What are you mating there?

Me: Excuse me?

Carlos: Over there(pointing to a construction site) what are you mating?

Gigi: I want yummy spray (canned whip cream)

Gigi:Mom, I had a nightmare I was a baby unicorn.

I love these girls except when I walked into there newly cleaned room to find it had snowed baby powder everywhere and they looked like ghosts. Did I mention it was ten at night?

Spring Break in Costa Rica 2016

     I truly believe the greatest way to educate your children on the world around them is to just go out and experience it. Whether it's your back door or across the ocean, children will rise to the challenges of travel. What better snippet of life than to be prepared as you can be for an adventure but still be surprised with things you never saw coming and to do it with those you love is just icing on the cake. My tiplets carry the sad mark of being the oldest   in our family (except for my dear hubby)to take their first flight. Where the rest of them started at just a few months old, the triplets will be four. Don't panic, I feel they will make up for their shortcomings with enough time. Just look at Beau proudly sporting her American made stamp of approval.

For those who don't know me, I'm a planner. I grew up traveling in a home with no planners and vacations were something near boot camp at Ft. Something or Other- no hotel reservations, no car reservations, no tickets or agendas for the day. If we needed to check for hotel availability it consisted of the family car driving up to the hotel, my getting out and going to the desk clerk in any given langauage to ask for a room. This would happen about a dozen times before my parents agreed on a price then we would drive to the lucky hotel. And maps, what were those? But don't get me wrong, I am forever grateful for the ability to have traveled young. I learned a lot and I hope my kids are well on their way to enjoying the adventure of life as much as I do. And special thanks to my darling husband who has so selflessly stepped out of his comfort zone for me time and time again to have some of the funnest times a girl could ask for. 

Ready to fly!

On our last trip to Costa Rica we just had the older two so we travelled the entirety of the country which was amazing. With the expanded crew, I thought it best to stay in one spot and really get to know it. The choice was simple. We would go to Manuel Antonio and stay at La Mariposa. In a book I have called "A Thousand Places to See Before You Die," this hotel is listed and I have no reason to disagree. The staff, as they were the last visit, were exceptional and personable. We packed up our belongings (and our M.I.L) and headed on one of two flights to get to Central America.

The Itinerary went as follows:

Day 1: Land in San Jose and spend the night.

Day 2: Take a dip in the pool followed by a short flight on Nature Air to Quepos Airport.

In thirty minutes you will traverse the mountains to the coast with the most amazing views. I said the plane was so small that when the pilot sneezed I handed him a tissue. The flight in the matchbox is all worth it when we arrived at the hotel.

The view all day, every day

Never got old

A man and his women

The day was spent mostly getting re acquainted with the pool and relaxing in our apartment. It wasn't long before we were greeted by one of the many hundred friends that one tends to meet in the jungle. Every day monkeys, our personal chicken nugget eating iguana and R.U.S (Rodents of Unusual Size- Princess Bride anyone)were literally in our faces. 

So many babies I could have died. 

This guy was such a ham, he would lay there and swing his tail and look cute. The trips tried ( and I think successfully captured) to be as cute as him.

Day 3: Zip lining

This is always my favorite here. These guides are amazing. They do these trips 2-3 times a day but are as pleasant and funny the first time as the last. The triplets were such gamers, they even went in a triplet tandem down the 1 mile zip. The guides were eating them up. Eva and I even went upside down on a few of the 14 zip lines. (I couldn't let her out do her mom)

All the guides were enamored with Beau. I can't see why

Mike and I raced but as you can see, he won the mile long zip

On lowering me at the end, the guides told me to jump and immediately after I did, they screamed "No". I'm laughing  at their little joke here but my pants are a little wet from the fright their little joke gave me. 

When we were done zipping (if that's a thing)we were seated again, in the middle of nowhere with a makeshift stove and treated to a typical Costa Rican lunch of vegetables, chicken and rice. I always ask the ladies for their recipes because if they can make it taste this good in the jungle imagine what it could taste like at home. (Their's is probably better. Your right.) Again, a group of monkeys and a sloth came by to visit while we sat amongst them reliving our adventures.

As soon as we arrived back to the hotel we do our usual afternoon activity of heading poolside.

Even from our last trip here, the poolside bar is always the highlight for my kids. The fact that they ate here every day was a testament to the food. And there is something quite fancy about having Ernesto see me and nod to let me know he will order my usual. No words needed.

Did I mention how much I love this man

Happy 7th Birthday Zachary

     I look out the window again, finding Zach diligently tossing the ball repeatedly to Aspen. Neither one has shown the slightest bit of fatigue over this latest game of fetch that has lasted well into the late hours of dusk. While he tries to squeeze the last bit of activity into this, the busiest day of the week, I am trying my best not to climb into bed. Both of us waiting on Mike to get back home.  

     As every birthday goes in our house, we begin the day with hugs and kisses, a birthday plate left out for the special day piled with whatever the birthday boy desires for breakfast. It was a school day so, of course, two dozen cupcakes are delivered to the classroom and a loud, unharmonized version of Happy Birthday is sung by his peers.    I am humbled by how much Zach is loved by his classmates and teachers who all have wished him well today. 

     After school, we piled into the car and made it to daddy's work where, yet another birthday cake and chorus of Happy Birthday is sung to him by the office staff and his siblings. Mike looks so proud showing off his son to his patients, who stand out the doors of their rooms peeking out at the raucous going on. I see Mike whispering into Zach's ear and see how our son's face lights up with whatever the two have shared. They are always thick as thieves these two. I feel with every day that goes by my son is drifting farther and farther away from the little boy I loved to hold in my arms each night. Now, he is growing into a little man that wants to be just like his dad, dress like his dad, hang out with his dad, play video games with his dad. I am the "in between" parent. The one who gets hugs in between running out of the house, or getting a bowl of popcorn from the kitchen, or walking back to his room to finish homework. I am the afterthought of daily activity, yet, I know that he loves me just the same because he never lets the "in between" moments seem meaningless. He knows I need a stronger hug than his dad, a longer kiss, a warmer smile. How can I complain that he is becoming more independent. 

     Daddy arrives home and a deafening ring can be heard in the house as seven children scream with excitement as he enters the house. I love this scene, it never gets old. It is a rock star welcome and Zach is the president of the fan club. I'm taken back by  how long my son's legs appear as he get's a piggy back ride into the house. Where did those chubby little thighs go? When did they get replaced by the long sinewy muscles? When the initial excitement dies down we manage to eat dinner and have the last birthday cake of the evening but I notice Zach hasn't touched his slice. I'm sure he is probably in a sugar coma by now. The kids give him their gifts which seem both comical and yet so touching. Zach holds each gift as if it were made of gold, mesmerized at their craftsmanship, he doesn't miss the opportunity to thank them and hug them, making sure each sibling knows how much he appreciates them. I feel tears threatening to come but I shake them away. He's seven, I remind myself, not seventeen. 

     Finally, when the babes are put to bed I see those two buddies whispering again and smiling. I little pang of jealousy hits me but I ignore it. I know he will come say goodnight to me before he goes to bed. I go to my room to get ready for bed and find that Mike and Zach have followed me in. Both still smiling from ear to ear. 

"Go ahead, tell her," Mike says. 
"Tell me what?" I ask. 

     Zach walks towards me and from behind his back he pulls out two pieces of cake and hands them to me. "For my birthday, dad is letting me sleep in your bed tonight." I look up at Mike who is looking at me knowing without my even saying a word what my heart is  singing. 
"This is really what you want to do, Zach?" 
"Are you kidding, mom? Cake in bed, a movie with you guys. I've been asking dad for months." 

  I can't remember who jumped in bed faster but I think it was close. It may be seven years since I gave birth to this boy who is quickly becoming a man but tonight he wants to still be my baby. Why would I complain. Hours later, the TV is off, the room is still and I can see my son's sweet face in the moonlight. He is a little bookend to my husband lying just across from him. I can't help but smile at the sight. I stretch out and am about to roll over when I feel Zach's arm wrap around mine as he snuggles in to me. Now, in the dark, when no one is around, I let my tears come. Whether they are tears of joy or sadness I do not know, I'm too tired to diferrentiate them. All I do know is that I am grateful. So grateful my heart could burst. 
Happy Birthday Zachary, my sweet boy. I love you to pieces. 

Golden's 14 Years of Bliss Celebration

     

So you are fourteen, how is your second teenage year? Great. I have good friends and teachers.

What is your favorite color? Blue why? There are pretty blues like the light blue in the sky and it goes great when its mixed with other colors.'

What's your favorite food? Pizza. The salad (Turkey Cobb salad from Publix)That should be your favorite because you eat it every day even though it used to be for me and I can't find it now when I want it. He laughs.

What is your favorite show? I've seen so many good ones. Naruto right now.

What's your favorite movie? The Lego Movie

What is your calling at church? I'm a teacher. Congrats! What does that mean to you? I get to talk about gospel principles and I still pass out the sacrament. 

What is your favorite extracurricular activity? I like tennis. 

What's your favorite subject? Science and reading

Tell me something smart? The measurement of light passing every year is a light year. 

Who's your favorite sibling? I have trouble with that. Why? They can all be a bit obnoxious at times especially Nico now that he's going into the terrible twos. 

But do you love your siblings? Yes

I still catch you cuddling Nico and sometimes Carlos. Silence

What do you want to be when you grow up? Doctor What kind? I don't know. I haven't given it much thought. 

What do you think the hardest thing about growing up is? The school work . Life is just going to get harder. Mrs. Voss taught me that. I kinda miss her. 

What do you want to tell your 30 year old self if you could go into the future? Thanks for making it this far. Maybe remind him he likes tennis.

OK so what would your 30 year old self tell you now? Thanks for reminding me and pick the right girl and don't make your sister take out the trash

Speaking of girls, what should you be looking for in a girl? Pretty, smart, a Mormon, maybe a little bit sexy. I know it sounds inappropriate but I'm pretty sure teenagers like me think about that stuff because we are at that stage. Oh, and likes me no matter what I do.

What's your favorite vacation? I liked North Carolina. I liked everything the house with our own basement, the lake, hiking, rafting, biking even though I can't remember a lot of what we did.

What do you like most about your dad? He's nice. He's kind and gets us stuff no matter what. He's very good at doing the right thing and he's a doctor. 

Now I'm jealous. What do you like about your mom? Your a doctor, your sweet, you take us cool places for vacation. 

I feel better. Why do you like traveling so much? To get away from school. I like to see new things. I like room service. I have trouble sometimes because I'm worried about the triplets and Nico.

Let's talk about that. What worries you? That they might get lost or hurt. I wonder why you worry. We've never lost any of you. Sometimes I just think your not paying attention. And sometimes it makes me feel like I'm better than you sometimes.

Do you think your afraid because of Zachary? (Wants his reply stricken)

Do you remember Zachary? Yes. Do you remember who named him Zach? You. No Dad No, you did. You were quite stern about this and wouldn't hear about any other names. 

What do you look forward to most this Christmas? Getting presents and being with you guys. And having the spirit in our home. But remember Jesus was really born in April. 

Any last words of wisdom? I hope that no matter how hard life gets we have to keep moving forward because I know the Lord will be with us every step of the way. So how does that sound? Pretty darn good, Golden. I love you.