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This year is the big 4-0.  The day itself was pretty chill but the big party is scheduled for the 6th of June.  Stay Tuned.

Mothers Day

This year the boys got me a fuchsia hanging basket

Then they took me down to Coulon Park to have Ivars fish and chips for dinner.

While there Aaron's cousin Mike stopped by (he lives in CO but was in town of the weekend.)  When I greeted him Matthew leaped up into his arms, ga e him great big hugs and said"I'mm so happy to see you!".  Mike sat down with us and chatted while we ate and Matthew entertained him with stories and jokes (Alex was basically silent).  When we finished and were walking away I asked Matthew if he knew who that man was. His response "No".  When I explained he said "so he is part of our family?!"  Yes Matthew he is.  It would seem we need to keep having the stranger danger talks.

First Field Trip

On May 8th, Matthew's kindergarten class took a field trip to SoUth Seattle Community College.

First time riding on a bus.

Selfie time. It would seem that Matthew has inherited his mother's tendency toward motion sickness so it was a quiet ride. 

a moment to play b before the tour began

Matthew and Dameon

The whole group. It was exhausting for all of us.

Swimming Lessons

In February we decided to enroll the kids in swimming lessons.

  Matthew needed them because he was convinced he was an olympic swimmer and I am afraid that he is going to drown himself with his confidence.  He is our water rat.

Alex needed them because he had perfected his barnacle impression leading us to believe he needed to get more comfortable in the water. He is our water cat.

Daddy and Mummy traded off getting in the water with Alex.  Here he is showing off his back float skills.  He has gotten so good in the water.  If only I had a before picture.

He does his best when he can show off his impressive skills to someone.

  In order to get him to back float for me I have pretended that Daddy is watching from the bleachers then when he is done and pops up for a wave, I have had to explain that Daddy had to go to the potty. insert sheepish grin and shoulder shrug here.

This might not look like much but at this point (near the end of month 3) he is actually jumping up and in on his own although he continues to hold hands for security.

Then he actually gets his head and face wet.  You would not believe this kids ability to keep his head out of the water even when an adult is trying to (gently) force it under.

At our second to last class, on the count of three he would hold his breath and let me dunk him under.  It was such a massive leap forward that we did it over and over and over almost all class.

The moment he figured out how to not suck water up his nose. I was so proud and thrilled.

Water rat getting ready to jump. His favorite part of lessons.

10 points for unique style.

Alex's favorite pat of lessons.....hiding in the lockers as mommy finishes getting dressed.

Easter

Easter morning started bright and early as usual.

Alex was having some trouble getting his eyes to work properly.

Checking to see that the Easter Bunny indeed needs to work on his bathroom etiquette. Alex was shocked that that bunny would poop in his toilet.

The eggs we dyed.

This threw Alex for a bit of a loop because the orange fish(s) died, Archie died, and now we were dyeing eggs.  Ahhh the english language is such a labyrinth.

We started the day with a Canadian egg hunt.

Translation: foil wrapped eggs hidden in the house

 Then Daddy came by to delivery the baskets from Grandma Joyce.

 She was feeling under the weather so bowed out of the celebrations.

 Then we went outside to do the American egg hunt.

 This year the Easter Bunny hid the eggs in the back yard.

THE NEXT DAY......

Alex is thrilled to find there is still chocolate.     Matthew is still trying to get over his sugar hangover.

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY MATTHEW!!!

On his official birthday Matthew had school so he had a few special treats.

Animal shaped french toast with candles.

Because one of the kids in his class is allergic to eggs, baked goods  are out.  I got balloons instead.

I went to his classroom and surprised them all.  Matthew got his birthday boy balloon and while the teacher Mrs. Bajaj asked the kids their birthday wishes for Matthew, I handed out star shaped balloons.  It was a hit!

Matthew's 6th Birthday Party

This year I talked Matthew into having a couple of friends out for a movie and pizza rather than a big crazy party at our house

 the three musketeers: Julien, Matthew, Kevin

These are the boys that live on our street and who play together every moment they don't have school.

After the movie, we went to Chuck E. Cheese  for  pizza and games.

 Since it was just the five of us (Daddy was there too) we did presents first.  Everyone helped!

Again since it was just the three kids, we got very small but very cool cake.

 It was a yummy cake and we still had enough left over for three more deserts at home. Including a teeny slice for breakfast before school the next day!