May 2008

Finally! We have had beautiful sunny weather around here! Well, at least in between the overcast/foggy days.

We actually had some summer weather this month, so we have been busy outside trying to make the most of it. Eric and I finally finished installing the flooring that we started last September! It looks so much better...and is much easier to clean!

The kids have enjoyed the nice summer-like weather as much as we have. There have been some great days at school for them...they especially like when the teachers let them strip down to underwear/diapers and play in the water. We have some really cute pictures of them from school enjoying ice cream and playing in the water to keep cool.

There have been a few birthday's this month, as many of Cole's friends are turning 3. His friend, Rowan celebrated his birthday at a jump house place. The kids all had a great time running around and generally being crazy. Cole and his friend Vid learned all about air hockey, but Cole enjoyed hitting the puck into his own goal more than the opponent. (Sigh) We'll have to work on the rules! Cole's friend, Jonah had his 3rd birthday at the park. We all went up to Santa Cruz to a park up there to celebrate. Even though they had not seen each other since Cole's birthday in February, it was like no time had passed. They had such a good time...and Eva got to see her friend, Eden as well. Towards the end of the month, Cole's friend, Braiden, had a birthday party with a rented bounce house - we had an exhausted boy by naptime!

We took a mini family trip in mid-May to visit Aunt Krista & Barish in San Francisco and go to a Giants game. The weather was really hot - one of our mini heat waves - and it was really fun. The kids really enjoyed the baseball game and were well behaved until almost 9:30 PM! (Eva did stick her fingers in someone else's soda behind us, but was quickly reprimanded by the owner, and kept her hands to herself the rest of the game!) Cole is actually beginning to understand the game a bit, so he could follow what was going on. Eva just enjoyed the front row seating...she kept standing on her chair, and waving the "audience" behind her. When we finally left the game, she waved to everyone in the stands as we walked up saying, "Bye, bye baseball!" She was quite a hit with everyone sitting in our section. (Little ham!)

We enjoyed a great breakfast on Chestnut Street and some window shopping before heading back home. The kids enjoyed seeing the store where their "kitties" came from, but were sad when we couldn't take all the new kitties home with us.

Every Sunday, we still have our little playgroup for the kids. We have had some really fun weekends and sometimes the bigger kids get to come too. There have been some fun times with our new friends, and even Cole is enjoying the time with the younger kids (and his friends too!) at River School.

We hope everyone is enjoying their summer! Please remember that we are up for visitors anytime!

Erin, Eric, Cole & Eva

April 2008

April was not extremely eventful, but as the weather is warming up, we have been getting out and about more often. (Great for the parents - long naps for the kids!) The only exciting thing that happened is that ERIC GOT A JOB!!! After a couple of months of searching, Eric is now working for Ross Roofing in Seaside...only a 10 minute commute! He really likes it and there is a lot of opportunity for him at this company. Yea!!!!

We went out to dinner at Peppers (local mexican food restaurant in town - yum!) with Grandma Cilandra in early April. Eva got her first taste of salsa, and it was a HIT! I had to eventually take her spoon away, since she was eating it out of the bowl without the chips! (That's my girl!) They both got to run some energy out after dinner at a local park and Lovers Point beach. Cole really can terrorize the birds when he wants to! We finally went home when they started getting cold, but they slept really well that night!

Eva had a little accident this month...she fell and hit her head on the sink at school and split her eyelid open. We had to run her to the doctor to have him tape it shut. Of course, she ripped it out by that evening, so Mommy and Eva got to spend the evening in the ER getting it fixed again. (She left it alone after that!) They did a really good job, and you can barely see the scar...but she is starting to show a slight accident-prone nature!

In April, we started a weekend playgroup with some of Eva's friends. The first weekend Mommy & Eva went while Cole & Dad spent some "guy time" together looking around downtown Monterey at the ships in the harbor and exploring the local parks. The playgroup was fun, and Eva really enjoyed meeting some new and old friends at a new place to play. The playgroup was great fun! We met at River School in Carmel, and the weather was beautiful. It's hard to beat a playground with a view of the beach in Carmel! Cole had a great time with Daddy, but was feeling a little left out, so now we all go on the playdates. (Except Daddy...he gets a couple hours without us to relax or catch up on chores!)

The Good Old Days also happened in April, and the weather that weekend was HOT! (See the photos of Eva & Cole in "summer clothes?") We went down and saw the parade with our friends Summer & Chloe. Cole was a little grumpy the first day, so Mommy & Eva stayed and walked around, but Cole went home with Daddy for an early nap. He was much better the next day, so we went down and spent a fun day riding rides, looking at booths, and playing at the park. Those are the weekends we look forward to all year with the beautiful sunshine!

Otherwise, the month was uneventful. Lots of playdates with friends at parks, and trying to get outside any chance we get. We have even started going to the park after a quick dinner during the week, so that the kids can play a little before bedtime. Longer days, summer is coming...

We hope everyone is doing well!

Erin, Eric, Cole & Eva

Note: I will be adding more photos to this later, but my compter is in the shop right now so I only had these to choose from!