Las Vegas

Hi friends, 

The title of this blog may be a bit deceiving. While I have visited the city of Las Vegas several times (my sister used to live there!), this blog is instead about the TV show, "Las Vegas." 

It's a program that used to be on NBC on Friday nights and was pulled off the air on Feb. 15, 2008. I really got hooked while it was on. (I think it started in 2003.) But life got really crazy and I couldn't keep up with it. 

It turns out that TNT is showing two episodes each weekday morning in reruns. In October, I set the DVR to record and I was catching up on the program when time allowed. One night, Chuck started watching with me and soon it turned into one of our nightly rituals. It was an hour of quiet time for us to snuggle close on the couch. I really looked forward to that hour. It was a nice way to wind down. Mind you, this is not any kind of heavy program ... more just mindless TV with an interesting plot line. 

So last week we were finally at the last episode ... this was not the season finale or anything ... NBC stopped the show mid-season. However, it was getting really good. In the final episode there were three weddings about to happen, one funeral and loads of question about who actually owned the Montecito (the hotel the entire show is based around). And what happens in the final episode? 

WE DON'T KNOW! Not only did NBC pull the plug mid season ... the final episode actually says, "To be continued." That's right. They left us hanging without any idea of what actually happened to anyone. 

*sigh* 

I know there are a lot of things going on in the world today, and I should probably be blogging about something so much more important. The truth is, Chuck and I were both really disappointed. I mean, "To be continued ..." on the final episode? Couldn't they have made just one more so we'd know what actually happened? 

Okay, rant over. : )

--M

Gavin

Gavin is so full of energy and questions and innate Star Wars knowledge that it can be truly dizzying at times! He can name the smallest of characters ... it's amazing how he picks up on the details! Here are some things to update you about: 

1. On March 18, Gavin turned 7! Holy cow! He received a bike from our family (gee, go figure!) and Chuck was able to get him a pretty cool Specialized bike. This one has brakes on the handle bars and gear shifts. We've been doing quite a bit of practicing so that he can make the adjustment. So far so good ... Chuck is looking forward to the warmer weather when we can take Gavin over to Empire Mine and onto some of the trails to try a little off-road riding. 

2. Gavin received his yellow belt in Kuk Sool. He's now working towards his blue stripe for his yellow belt and shouldn't have any problem earning it the next time testing comes around. I pick Gavin up on Thursdays right after school and take him to Kuk Sool. It's been fun watching him progress. Last week the instructor asked Gavin to do a kick he hadn't done before ... Gavin asked for some help and then nailed it. This wasn't just a kick ... there was jumping and spinning and a lot of other things happening at the same time. I was impressed ... so was the instructor! 

3. Right now Gavin is working on his first big project for school. He has to create a desert landscape in a shoebox. You remember those projects, right? The diorama? Anyway, we'll finish it up this week. I'll have pictures to share when it's finished. Truthfully, I think Gavin is eager to take it all apart so he can play with the fake bugs that will be inside. : ) 

4. Gavin loves to read! He reads the signs on the side of the road while we're driving, he reads DVD movie cases and he's even reading the intro to the Star Wars movies ... "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away ..." Well, we were really impressed about how well he was reading Episode VI and then the theme song came on in the car and he recited it for us. We asked him to read the intro the Episode IV and it turns out that he had memorized Episode VI and wasn't actually reading it at all! Sneaky, sneaky! 

5. Gavin loves to play. He plays with his Star Wars figures and builds things with Legos ... complete and original little ships. They are really cool! He's also loving his new bike. The last time we took everyone over to the school to ride bikes, I had the kids get together for some pictures before we left. It broke my heart when he asked, "Why do we have to take pictures? It just takes away from our playtime." Chuck and Gavin had a talk about it. I wrote in Gavin's calendar that night that I hope someday he appreciates why we take pictures and take time to create scrapbooks and photo albums.  : ) 

And now for some pictures ... (I will add more a little later ... these are the only ones I have on my laptop and there are more at home. At least you can get a bit of your Gavin fix for now!) 

This one makes me smile. Everybody in their jammies! 

Gavin checking out his Spiderman birthday cake !!

Just a goofy picture of Gavin! 

Sir Gavin! 
When Gavin walked in the door with his new yellow belt he got bombarded with congrats from his siblings. 

Chloe

Chloe is, well, Chloe. It's hard to find the right word to describe the Little Miss sometimes. She's beautiful and fun and funny, but she's definitely a girl who walks to the beat of her own drum. Some major notes about Chloe: 

1. She has learned to tie her shoes! It's been pretty fun to watch. She figured it out rather quickly, and I think (much to Gavin's dismay) she enjoys being able to do something that her big brother can't do, yet. She offered to help Gavin learn but he wouldn't have any of it. :) 

2. She is very close to being able to braid hair, as well. I don't mean that she's french braiding or anything, but being able to take a long chunk of my hair, divide it into three and braid is a pretty big accomplishment, I think. Chuck and I noticed that the fine motor skill type work ... tying shoes, braiding hair, etc is a true talent for her. In the interviews for the kindergarten round-up, the teachers were amazed that she could tie her own shoes! On top of that, her coloring is far superior to other kids her age. : ) 

3. Chloe continues to ask some of the funniest questions and make the most interesting statements. On Sunday I was chewing gum and Chloe mentioned that one time she swallowed a piece of gum. After a few minutes she asked, "If I swallow my gum can I blow a bubble out of my butt?" Fair question, actually, right!? 

One of her more profound statements came during dinner the other night. She said, "Our old house is new again." What!? This was out of the clear blue. What does this mean? After asking some questions we discovered what she meant ... our old house is new to someone else. She pointed out that since we don't live there anymore someone else is "borrowing" the house and it would be their new house. 

4. Chloe and I are having a great time with braiding hair and trying to squeeze in as many braids as we possibly can. The last few days she's had nine small french braids ... each with a different color hair tie. This is one my favorite activities with her. It's some really  nice one-on-one time for us. 

And, now ... some pictures of Chloe ... : ) 

After Chloe's birthday (on Feb. 1) the family met at John's Incredible Pizza for a party. I never did share our pictures from the celebration. Here is Chloe sharing with us how old she is ... she's no doubt polishing off her serving of mac and cheese. 

And the birthday cake. Notice the red finger nails ... this was a big deal! We paint nails for special occasions and you only turn five once. 

This was one of the rides at John's pizza place. Chloe requested that I (why me!?) ride this with her. The individual car spun around as the whole ride went around. This after a full lunch. Gulp. Turns out that Chloe LOVED it! 

Playing with some of the new birthday toys. I think this Barbie head has been great fun for her. She's doing much better with the braiding and styling. Although, mostly I think she just wants to see how many clips she can get in her hair!

This was another birthday present. Nana and Papa (Chuck's parents) gave her some little dogs that can be painted and decorated. This first dog (there were 3 in the pack) turned out to be all yellow. She really enjoyed painting. :) 

This was our family Easter gathering at our house. The kids had a great time with the Easter egg hunt ... each one had 20 eggs to find. I think one of Chloe's eggs is still out there. Crazy Easter bunny ... :) 

This has quickly become one of my favorite pictures. It was a day for riding bikes at the school and some quick family pics on the playground. 

Chloe and her bike ... 

The preschool Easter egg hunt at school. This happened to be at the same time as Chuck's prep time so we both got to walk to upper campus and enjoy the festivities. 

The hats are so cute ... : )

Chloe and Zack have developed quite the little friendship. They are only nine months apart, so a lot of times they are an even playing field. Here, they are hanging out in our bedroom as Chuck is assembling (actually building) a desk for us. 

Chloe also enjoys playing with her big brother. I have no idea what was going on here, but Gavin has the swords and Chloe has the bubbles ... 

Zack took this picture ... you can tell because of the small finger in the top left hand corner. If you look closely, you can see Chuck making a silly face in the background ... nice, hunny. :)

And, so that is the update on Chloe. She has to get a cavity filled this week, which is a bummer. This summer she will be taking swim lessons and doing gymnastics. 

Zackary

Zackary is developing into quite a little guy. He is trying to figure out his sense of humor and will often make a joke or a statement and then ask, "Is that funny?" or "Should I not say things like that?" He's very conscious of what people think and how they react to him. 

Okay, so some major things about Zack ... 

1. He's eating more! Hooray! He's now eating corn each night with his dinner. We started with just one kernel, but we're now up to three or four spoonfuls of corn. It has been going so well that we're now working on peas. Currently, he eats one pea and then a full serving of corn. We're taking baby steps, but at least the fussing has subsided. Dinner has become a little easier. He's also more open to trying new things. He loves to have yogurt (with added vitamins!) in the morning with his scrambled eggs. One night he asked for pancakes, but then didn't want to eat them. Eventually, he tried them, liked them and then polished off the plate full. Still not big on sweets and such, but chocolate chips remain a favorite.  

2. Zack will be attending junior kindergarten in the fall. He'll be here full time for school (still working out some of the custody things) but I think it will be a great move for him. We have an IEP coming up soon for him and he continues to have two days of speech therapy at school and meets with an occupational therapist off campus once a week. 

3. Zack has decided to try gymnastics this summer. He'll also do swim lessons, so he'll be busy! 

4. In the next couple of weeks we'll be taking Zack camping for the very first time. Chuck has a bike race, Gavin and Chloe aren't with us, but it should be quite an experience. The last time Zack stayed with my parents, they made a bird house. Zack took the glue and pieces of nature and started gluing things together. My parent's house now has little knicknacks like a stick glued to a rock, a pine cone on a rock, and the best part is the large pieces of kindling that were all glued together! 

And now for some pictures (sorry they're out of order) ... 

Playing in our room while the desk was being built ... love that smile! 

Sorry it's sideways ... he thought he'd try the scooter. I love that he's still wearing the apron from helping Chuck build our new desk. Zack hasn't been too keen on riding his bike, but seemed to really enjoy the scooter. 

Zack rotates between so many things ... Thomas, Dora, Little Einsteins, etc . Here he's dressed in all his Bob stuff and helping Chuck build. What fun! Zack had all his tools and kept asking for things he could hammer. :) 

Chloe took this picture while we were celebrating Gavin's birthday party at our house. Love it! 

Zack trying out some of the chalk from his Easter basket. I love that say, "Cheese!" includes closing the eyes. 
A play date at the school and always time for family pics. 
Zack's climbing skills have improved! 
The Easter egg hunt at school ... I love the ear that's drooped down ... 

Helping Papa plant a tree in their backyard. 

Riding the carousel while we were celebrating Chloe's birthday at John's pizza. 

Another one of Zack's favorites ... playing outside. 

And there's the story on Zack. 

Quick catch up!

Hi friends, 

I have been such a slacker. It's true. 

Life has overwhelmed my extra time. It's not a bad thing ... it's just a reality that I'm tired at the end of the day and it's difficult to sit down and be creative. However, there are so many times throughout the day that I think, "Wow, that's a blog-worthy moment!" And then it passes and I never get a chance to share it here. I have been working on calendars for each of the kids. Each night I've been jotting down a few things that went on for the day and then at the end of the month I add pictures. They've become pretty cool, if I do say so myself ... and it's already fun to go back and read about the previous months. (I've been doing this since January). It will be a hoot to read these when the kids are older! 

And so, although life remains crazy, I'm going to work on updating this more. It's the best way to share our news and the kid's moments. Give me a little while though ... I'm going to break up the updates and discuss each of the kids individually and their latest news instead of trying to do one major monster post. We'll see how it goes. 

I hope this finds everyone doing well. We've certainly been busy, but it's a good busy. I wouldn't trade it for the world! The school year is coming to an end and that's a good thing. Chuck and I are ready to wrap up this year and start focusing on other things ... like the kids and warmer weather. Hello!? It's May. 

Thanks for being patient! 

Much love, 

--M