La Fiesta!

We have a Spanish Program at our school and every year they put on a big party. Well, due to budget issues and a not so great superintendent our Spanish program is being cut. We made a special effort to get to the party tonight.






We ate tacos and quesadillas and for a treat we bought some freshly made churros. The kids helped make the decorations in their Spanish classes. They had dances displaying all sorts of dance styles from different Spanish countries. Lily enjoyed the Carnival dancers the best. She wanted to get up on stage and dance with them. She settled for a picture.










Adam is very sad to see the Spanish program go. His teacher this year, Senorita Montiel, also taught Noah and has known Lily since she was a baby. We said goodbye to her as we left. She would never laugh when I would try to speak Spanish to her.






We had a fun night, but the best part was that I didn't have to make dinner. Yippie.

Day in the Sun

We were in the sun a lot on Wednesday. Lily and I met my sister, her kids, and my parents in Oceanside for a little fun in the sun. It was a beautiful day. The water was a tad bit cold, but other than that a great day. Right after we left the beach we went straight to the pool for swim lessons. A had a very tired little girl by the end of the night. She slept for 12 straight hours. I think we might be repeating this habit more often this summer. We love the beach!

My family has an inside joke about digging trenches when you camp. We were at the beach during high tide and my parents dug a trench around our beach setup to keep the high tide out. They are so funny. It did work though. The tide never got the blanket!

4th of July Fun!

We had a busy and fun weekend celebrating our Nation's birthday. We are so blessed to be a part of this nation where we have freedom. We are very grateful for our founding fathers who took a chance and committed treason to form a new country. I can't even imagine what a risk that was for them and their families. It was a leap of faith and the Lord blessed them for it and the United States was born. I can't say I am proud of what the nation has become, or its people for that matter, but I am proud of what it was founded upon and am happy to live here.

On Friday July 3rd Damon and I were able to go to the symphony downtown. It was the summer pops and they were performing a "Stars & Stripes Spectacular." We were treated to lots of patriotic melodies as well as some American classics. At the end they played "Stars & Stripes Forever" and launched fireworks off from a boat in the harbor. It was great. We had dinner in Seaport village. We really enjoy our downtown area. We walked the Embarcadaro path and saw the Midway Museum all lit up in patriotic colors.

On the 4th of July we started the day off with sourdough waffles for breakfast. We met up with the Shoff's for some pool time fun. We came back here for a BBQ and the Afualo relay races. The kids had a balloon toss and then the adults did. The food was great, the company was great and the kids behaved. Always a plus. The kids even did a little program. The flag cake, as always, was fabulous.

After the kitchen was clean and the kids were in bed we put in "National Treasure". We felt like that would be an appropriate movie to watch. I fell asleep 25 minutes into the movie. Apparently I had had a busy day. Happy Birthday America!

Another field trip

This week's field trip was exactly the same as last week's field trip. I guess I am running out of ideas. After school got out we went to the park for a picnic and then headed to the pool for lessons and playing. The Shoff's were with us again and everyone had a great time. I am only slightly red on my legs, but it should be gone in a few days.

Lily passed her level in swim lessons. YEA!! We are so excited by that. The boys only have 6 more days of school left. We are super excited about that. We are also super excited about this weekend. We love the 4th of July. Stay tuned for fun posts.

Noah had pack meeting on Tuesday night and the theme was sports. Here is a picture of him doing the 3 legged race.

Field Trip Thursday

So we haven't had a field trip Thursday in quite some time. I usually have lessons and so that makes it a little difficult to get away. I didn't have any piano until later so we were able to have some fun. It was the perfect day!

We met up with our dear friends, the Shoff's, and picnicked at Jerabek Park. After that we headed up to the pool and swam for a few hours. The kids had a blast and the moms were able to relax, just a little. It was a win/win. The kids are all tuckered out now.

We also had open house at school this evening. Damon was working last so I flew solo through the throngs of people. We were able to find both Noah and Adam's art work and went to the classrooms to see all the fun stuff they have been doing all year. I am ready for school to end.

Oh what a weekend!

The Sone Afualo Family!

It seems like I haven't been posting often enough. More time elapses between each post. Let's not even bring up journal entries. That is even sadder. We have been so busy, but what else is new. I really need to stop saying that. Here is what has been going on in our family.

Nana was with us all this week and we all enjoyed it. She took the boys out on a "date" on Thursday. They went out to lunch and went to the movies. They saw the second "Night at the Museum." They both said it was great!

Friday morning Damon and I were able to go on a bike ride. It was great. We rode from our house to Lake Miramar and back. It is about 12 miles. It felt wonderful to be out and about on the bike with Damon struggling on his heavy mountain bike behind me. Hopefully he will have a road bike soon so he can keep up with me.

The kids woke up to a surprise Friday morning. Papa was here. Actually that was a bit of a surprise for all of us. For the adults it came late Thursday night. He can down to for the family reunion early, but decided to drive a little bit further South to see us a day early. The kids were so happy.

Friday afternoon we drove up to Riverside to start the Afualo Family Reunion. The theme was "Following in the footsteps of our fathers". It was a nice reunion and the kids had a blast. Damon's whole family was together for the first time since we've been married. Friday there was a dinner and entertainment. Saturday there were workshops, games, kid's crafts, flag making and "Afualo Idol". Lily got up on stage and sang "Popular". She did a great job. The boys did a magic light show with glow in the dark rings which was pretty funny. The reunion ended Sunday morning with a morningside and a Father's Day tribute. It was lovely.

Sunday afternoon we headed back to Mortensen Manor for Father's Day dinner. It was quite yummy. Adam got up really early and made chocolate pie with Uncle Brent. Damon had a Luau Show in Corona Saturday night and asked if for Father's day he could take a nap. How could I say no to that. We enjoyed a fabulous meal and desserts. We love all the Father's in our lives. They are wonderful examples to follow. My kids are so lucky.

The Spa, Baseball and a Recital. Oh My!

The end of the business. Now we can finally relax. Ya right. Until the next stressful period, but it is nice to know that there is a bit of a breather right now. I really needed one. Now if school would just end. 4 more weeks!!

Friday the girls headed off to the spa to get mani's and pedi's. Lily was in heaven having her feet and legs rubbed. Then she got flowers on every single finger. She looks like a flower garden. We did some shoe shopping after that and then some clothes shopping. We called Damon to see if he wanted to meet us for lunch. So he joined the girls day at Soup Plantation. Lily couldn't wait to show her daddy her toesies (as she calls them).

Saturday we busy running around getting last minute things for the recital. Adam was given the sportsmanship award for his team so he had to attend closing ceremonies. He also won some gloves and got a medal. He thought it was a great day.

The piano recital was great. Our theme this year was musicals. All the kids worked hard on learning one song from any musical. Adam learned "Spoonful of Sugar". Noah learned "Edelweiss". They both did a great job. I took the easy route and played "Music of the Night". I played that in a recital back in 1992. Right before I started to play a fire alarm went off. Fun stuff. It was eventually shut off and everything finished on time. I am glad this recital is behind us and I don't have to think about it again until next January. Unfortunately we don't have any pictures of the boys playing the piano. I will try harder next year. Much thanks to Damon who continues to help without complaint during recital time. I sure do love him.

Now it's time to start planning for summer.

One More thing.. ... YEA LAKERS!! CONGRATS! Fishman you are the best