Parlier Picnic

Everyone looks forward to the Parlier Picnic... I remember loving the picnic as a kid and our kids always enjoy it.  I credit the Parlier Picnic with being one of the reasons why Sho was willing to move!

When Kara was little, we would practice her Parlier Picnic run in the backyard... she still smiles when she's running her races.

Ben got strategic with his running and by the last race, instead of running in a totally straight line, he admittedly ran in his friend's "lane" to stay in front.  Who knew he was such a competitor?

Even though the chopstick game was for the adults, Jason was interested in practicing so he can keep the family streak going... (Sho and I both won our respective rounds for the under 55 group!) 

For the first time, Sho and Kara entered the bocce ball tournament.  Kara was the youngest participant and though she was reluctant at first because she didn't know how to play, she was a quick study and they came in second.

Before Ben went to bed last night, he kept saying how he couldn't wait for the picnic and to play BINGO.  Fortunately, he sat by Uncle Gary, who offered to switch cards mid-game, which allowed Ben to win two prizes.

It has become tradition that the prizes for the last race are some type of water squirter and soon after the last race, a water fight begins using the ice cold water that the drinks have been sitting in... 

The other constant is a great time with family and friends.  It's always good to have things you can count on :)

We love Spring Break!

We could not ask for better weather during spring break... it is that sweet spot that doesn't last long... not too cold and not too hot.

We spent time outside enjoying the simple things... the kids took their sidewalk chalk and created their own masterpieces.  Ben drew all of the dragons from "How to Train Your Dragon".

Jason drew his first family portrait!  Mommy is on the left.... hmm.

Now that we live among acres of grapevines, we got to see the tiny beginnings of the grapes that will soon be flourishing around us.

We were one with nature and found some little friends...

And then there are the oldies-but-goodies that always make for a fun time. 

And after all of the outdoor fun, you top it off with a big, big bubble bath.

Now who doesn't want some of that?!

Kara's Recital

Kara finished the first Suzuki piano book and to celebrate her accomplishment, she had a solo recital.

Kara played the entire book from memory... all eighteen songs! And then played four duet pieces with her teacher.

We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful piano teacher.  Kara has learned so much since she started lessons in June!  The kids have spent the last month or so learning about Bach and they know all kinds of Bach trivia... did you know Bach had twenty children??

Kara received support from her brothers... Jason helped make cookie dough and both boys helped to decorate all of the cookies.  Ben was very complimentary of Kara's performance and Jason did his best to keep quiet.

Kara was lucky to have grandparents and uncles travel into town to attend her first recital.

Kara really worked hard and Sho and I sat, very emotional, watching our little girl in amazement of how much she's grown and accomplished.  We are so proud.

When the kids started piano lessons, Sho would try and play what Kara and Ben were playing... and he was good up until the right and left hands did not play the same notes, which was probably the third song.  

I was able to keep up with the kids and sometimes we'd joke about how I could do a recital as well... But Book 2 is no joke and Kara has definitely passed me up quickly!

Cheers to Kara for a job well done! 

Bring on the Madness!

It's March... and that means it's definitely madness in our house!  For me, the madness is the crazy amount of work I have to do to prepare for the Donate Life Run/Walk... But the good kind of madness is March Madness, which we all love!! 

When we told the kids that the tournament started, they were excited to know that it meant eating in front of the television watching college basketball. Who wouldn't love that?

When Ben started taking piano lessons, his teacher said he was tenacious, which it turns out he is, in basketball as well.  Ben started shooting and was excited to make his first basket.  The next day he made six baskets.  And the next, he was determined to make 20... and ended up making 22.

Kara has been working on her shot as well.  Sho is helping to give her pointers... and we know she listens because while watching a game yesterday, she said, "that's an 'and-one', right?"  That's our girl!

And Jason... well, he can be his own madness all by himself.  But, as our piano teacher said, it's hard to be mad at him because he's just so cute.

With all of the "madness" it is sometimes exhausting... sometimes exciting... but it's always a treat to experience it together.

Straight to Summer?

Even though it's not officially spring yet, I think the kids are already looking forward to summer!  It was such a nice afternoon, they asked to play outside and then wanted to test the water...

Soon they will be in suits and we'll have to invest in many Costco packages of sunscreen. For now, I will encourage them to enjoy the mild, sunny weather... because the Central Valley heat is unstoppable!  Good thing our trio is armed with the pool and the shave ice machine. 

Happy Girls' Day!

To celebrate Girls' Day, we had four generations of "girls" together for dinner.  Everyone ate well... and the boys did join in on the celebration.

My mom would always wish us a happy Girls' Day and said to make sure we had something sweet...

which we did... and we do!

We heart, heart, heart you!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

All the kids enjoyed Valentine's Day parties at school today... Kara talked about playing bingo and making some crafts.

Ben loved passing out his Valentine packages and stuffing them into their personalized mailboxes...

And I now know why Jason came home with pink hands the other day!

Happy Heart Day!