This is how we have been spending our summer...swimming and cooking out with our friends. It's a lot of fun, especially when all the kids are together. I'm so thankful to have the friends that we do. It's like one giant family!
Sure, she looks all sweet and innocent...but this little diva has a whole other side to her.
Yup, Gabriella is finding her spot in the family. She's a tough little cookie and doesn't take much from anyone.
Don't get me wrong. For the most part she's just as sweet as can be, but if nap time is missed or food is involved she becomes a different person.
Since it's been awhile since my poor little girl got an entire post dedicated to her, I'll share some fun details on her.
*She loves to play with her baby doll and her dishes. She can occupy herself for a long time with just those things.
* She LOVES to go swimming!
* She loves music and sings most of the songs on the radio. Thanks to Alyssa who listens to them over and over again.
* She has no interest in the potty. Unless you give her a fruit pop and a bag of popcorn...then she'll sit.
* She still sleeps in a crib and seems the happiest there. Hey, I'm not complaining.
* She talks. Alot. Like, from the time her eyes open in the morning till they close at night.
* She loves singing the "Alyssa and Wally" song...sooo funny!
I can see a definite change in her personality. She holds her own, which is important when your big brother is ALWAYS in your face. We love her tons!
I know this is late...sorry.
Last Friday, the 16th, my sweet boy turned 8! I can't believe how fast time goes and even though it's not all been "fun",it's all been a blessing.
Brandon adds a certain spark to my life that nobody else seems to. He has the gift to make me crazy, often making me mad, laugh and leaves me speechless all at the same time.
In honor of his 8th birthday here are 8 facts about my monkey.
1. He loves wrestling. Just in case you might have missed it. :) He's a dedicated, hard working and determined boy. It's not uncommon to see him working out at home, running the treadmill or lifting weights. Yes, he's just 8.
2. He LOVES his daddy. Where ever daddy is you'll find Brandon. Unless of course daddy is working.
3. He is an excellent brother. He loves his sisters, especially Gabriella. Alyssa and him share their moments, but it's not uncommon to see them snuggled in the same bed at night.
4. He likes to think he's a break dancer :)
5. He says the craziest things. I often find myself holding my breath...just waiting for the next off the wall thought to come out of his mouth, usually at the most inappropriate time!
6. He LOVES Legos. Loves to build and create all sorts of things from castles to toilets. :)
7. He's 8 going on 13...
8. He's a blessing to our family. He adds a dimension that nobody else possibly could. 
I was down sick all last week with Strep and Tonsillitis. Not a lot of fun, just in case you were wondering.
This week it's back to the grind for me, again I say, not a lot of fun!
*The trip to California for Brandon's Judo tournament was a success. Daddy even surprised Brandon and flew in so he could be there to show his support as well. It was Brandon's first Judo tournament and we knew it would be hard since it was a national one. We saw competitors from Brazil, Australia, UK as well as many other states. Brandon even got to carry the "Nevada" sign to represent our state.
The tournament is A LOT different than a wrestling tournament. The officials all wear the same suits and the commands and scoring is all done in Japanese. (or some other Asian language :) ) The competitors must bow before entering the mat and again once they are on the mat. After the match is over, they bow again and walk backwards off the mat, bow again and leave the area. It was interesting.
Brandon was confused the first match. I think all the bowing threw him off and he lost. However, he came back with a vengeance and won his other matches and took 2ND PLACE!! I was shocked at the size of some of the boys he went up against. His wrestling skills really came through. Needless to say...we are so proud of him.
*Alyssa's dance intensive program starts up today. She'll be dancing the next two weeks from 2p-8p. I have no doubt it will be intense and she will come home tired and sore. I also have no doubt that she will be loving every minute of it!
*I finally took Alyssa to see the Beatles Love show at the Mirage. Her "special friend" is one of the dancers and she has been dying to see him perform. He did a fantastic job and of course she was in heaven.
We had a lot of fun prepping for it as well. We purchased a new dress and shoes, had our toes done and spent an insane amount of time prepping before the show. I just LOVE my girly girl!!
That's about all...
I know, I know...this is super late....
I can't believe I didn't take the time to post about the amazing daddy my kids have.
Maybe because I tend to take him for granted.
Fathers Day around here was dull. In fact, dinner that night was my choice and Jeff cooked. :) Sorry honey, I owe ya.
Anyways, the day was spend doing a lot of nothing. Jeff and Brandon played a little XBox and Alyssa, Gabriella and I did a little shopping.
On a serious note. I am so grateful for the daddy that Jeffrey is. He's a great parenting partner and shares the load of raising our three blessings. He works hard to provide the kids and I the things we love and need. Dance classes, wrestling trips, TapOut classes, shopping trips..you name it.
I love you Jeffrey. I think you are an amazing daddy. I appreciate you and admire you, even when you're making me nuts I couldn't ask for a better partner.
We're heading off to Cali (yes, again) tomorrow for Judo Nationals in Irvine California. This will be Brandon's first Judo tournament. He's been training hard at TapOut so I hope to see his efforts pay off.
Good luck Monkey!!
Last weekend the kids and I along with my mom and sister and her friends took a trip to California. Santa Monica to be exact. We spent the weekend playing on the beach and the Pier and shopping. Most importantly, we visited the American Girl store.
Alyssa is making the cross over from playing with the dolls to collecting them, she had a great time looking at all the dolls and accessories. Gabriella got her first American Girl, a Bitty Baby that she calls Mia. Even Brandon seemed to enjoy looking around at everything. He came home the proud owner of Honey.
The Pier was a blast too. Besides being chilly in the evening. (Duh, it's over the ocean) we had a great time riding all the rides. Gabriella and I rode the scrambler together, she loved it! Grandma, the girls (Alyssa and her friend Alyssa) and Brandon must have rode the roller coaster a dozen times.
It was a great trip. I'm looking forward to our next one...
