I'm A Goner

Yup, summer's here! Ever since the kids started going to school, I have had a love/hate relationship with summer. Summer means sleeping in (it's been less than a week and the kids are already getting up later and later), no homework, no lunches, etc. Summer also means longer nights, loud children 24/7, no me-time. Luckily, summer camp is starting next week! Baby and I are used to quiet mornings. We've been adapting this week.

Anyway, summer's off to a busy, but fun start. It's still been less than a week of summer, but we've done a lot of fun stuff already. Fun for kids, fun/tiring for parents.

 Look who's three months old!

 Part of his graduation celebration (still): McD's

The last time we went fruit picking was two years ago. Charlotte was too young/not strong enough to pull strawberries on her own. This time, she was much better. I found a place in Gilroy (right near the outlets) for some cherry picking. The kids had a blast picking some expensive cherries!

 Throw the cherries in the bucket

 Our loot

 Shinn girls

Next summer, Evangeline will get to join in on all the fun too!

 Showing off their loot

 Me and my boss baby

 The girls are zonked OUT!

 Osmo: a very educational, yet fun iPad game

 Big kids entertaining baby

 Daddy and his second favorite girl

 Cutie pie

Evangeline is a smiley one! She greets you with a smile when she wakes up. When you kiss her cheeks, she smiles too. I can't wait till she starts making those cute coo-ing noises. The only time she's not all smiles is when she has a poopy diaper or when she's overly tired. 

I'm pretty sure Pier 39 was packed during Memorial Day weekend. However, the day AFTER Memorial Day was a different story. We took a day trip to Pier 39 and went on a tour around Alcatraz. We didn't go inside (don't think the kids would've enjoyed it), but got to ride on a boat around the Bay. It was a fun experience. This was Evee's first time experiencing wind and she was not a happy camper. 

 The rest of us had fun with our goofy selves

 Dad watching the kids while I was stuck inside the boat

I'm obsessed with Alcatraz

They're obsessed with sea lions

Obsessed!!!

Rare photo op of us without the kids

 Can't leave Pier 39 without having some seafood 

Soon, Evangeline, you'll be eating like us too! Filet mignon. Salmon. Sake (not the drink, mind you). 

 Rewarding the kids after being behaved at school with me the whole day

Evangeline, you will be introduced to ice cream in less than a. year. 

No words...

My Kinder Grad

Today is a special day for Lucas. He's been looking forward to graduation day the entire week. And now it's come and gone.

He looks so grown up here

Before entering Kindergarten, Lucas could barely read. He knew about blends, but that was it. Leaving Kindergarten, he's excelled at reading. I have to be careful with my FB and texts now. He's also quite the Math whiz (he's Asian, what can I say). I'm not kidding when I say he can figure out some problems faster than his father. That decomposing thing that started teaching in Kindergarten is working out for this kid. 

Receiving his diploma - as well as Responsibility Character Award, Phonics, Handwriting and Math Award.

While many people said they wanted to be a doctor, SWAT officer, teacher, etc when they grow up, Lucas was different. He said he wanted to be a construction worker. After prying, I still believe he wants to be an architect that can BUILD things. He's thinking along the lines of real life Legos. When he graduates high school, then college (I hope!), we'll look back on this day and laugh. *Note: I have nothing against construction workers. 

 High school class of 2029!

Wow, class of 2001 sounds ancient... class of 1994 sounds prehistoric!

 Our attempt at a family picture with a crying baby

 Goong Goong and MaMa came to celebrate this day as well

 With his bff, John

 His Kindergarten gf, Ever

 Kinder teacher, Mrs. Craig

Lucas is such a nerd. He loved learning and also loved his Kinder teacher a lot. 

 Proud of my handsome grad

 Grad dinner at Black Angus

Lucas compared today to his birthday (which is coming up in roughly a month, he's been counting down the weeks already). He got a lot of love - leis, balloons, AND presents! I don't think I got as much as him during my graduations. I asked if it was okay to skip his birthday this year and he said no. Oh well, it was worth a shot!

The Final Countdown

This is it! The week before school's out for the summer. Honestly, the last week of school is an academic joke. Even if you attempt to do any academics at all, the students are already on summer mode. Luckily for me this year, I don't have to deal with this. As a mom, I've already zoned out too. The kids' normal nap laundry is still sitting in front of the wash, lunches aren't as thought out as usual, and I'm already dreaming about them slowly sleeping in later and later.

 Evangeline's going to get some love over the summer

I'll be honest, I'm getting away with a lot right now (with a NB). I would nurse and play for an hour, then put baby down for a snooze on the swing. I can see summers being a bit different with more noise in the house, more drop offs and picks ups, and a more alert baby. Luckily the kids are signed up for summer camp so we may have some peace and quiet every once in a while.

 A very rare moment - passing out on the couch

 We call her Crazy

 Crazy's still waiting for the day when baby will cooperate and take a picture with her

 They kids love watching me in the kitchen

Now that summer's right around the corner, I should really think of recipes that the kids can help out with. They've been asking me to let them help me with cooking lately.

 Saturday morning

Is it the warmer mornings? Is it because summer is here? Is it because of iPad Saturdays? For whatever reason, the kids get up WAY earlier than a normal school day. Note: if you have kids, investing in a nice king size bed is a good idea. 

 Sunday morning

I'm still waiting to frame that one picture where all three kids look somewhat decent and our smiling. I think this picture will do for now. Baby is almost three months old and she still does not have a photo presence in the house. Sorry child...

 She wanted me to buy her at Target

 Char does a great job making Evee smile

... and she's 12 weeks old (already)!

She was born tiny (Shinn kid standards) and started off with NB clothes. I can't believe we're moving on to 3-6 month clothes soon. DON'T. GROW. UP!

Life Lately

Things have been busy with the end of the year approaching. I can't believe there's only one more week of school left. One more week before my baby boy graduates Kinder. One more week before Evangeline doesn't get a good quiet house in the morning. 

Summer means staying up later and waking up later (goodbye alarm clock!). Summer means VBS and swimming lessons and play dates. Summer means Mommy is going to be zombie-fied due to an almost 6 year old, 4 year old, and 3 month old. 

 Summer also means strawberry season!

 Staring contest - battle of the baldest

Since I'm on leave, I'm doing what I can to be more involved as a parent. Being involved means chaperoning a field trip to Happy Hollow.

 Lucas and his boys

 When did he get so tall?!

And when we're home...

 Tummy time!

 Holding baby time

Lucas is still on and off about giving baby attention. He's not jealous of her or anything, but I'm pretty sure he thinks she's kind of boring. He would much rather play with his other sister.

Even though we have a sort-of newborn, she's not going to stop us from having some fun. We went to "Taste For The Space" at Eastridge this Saturday. It was almost like a Yelp Elite event, but more family friendly. Different vendors are competing for a space at Eastridge Mall. 

Free picture? Why, yes please.

 Charlotte's fave - Rita's!!!

 Everyone but Mommy likes Rita's

 While the parents were tasting, the kids were playing with Jenga blocks

 Making their candy lei

 Taking a break at Barnes and Noble

The kids can spend forever here 

I guess that can be one of our summer activities. Hang out at B&N - I can't complain when there's free wifi and a/c.

 It's a win when all three kids are k/o-ed

And then it was Mother's Day on Sunday. I seriously think moms should be spoiled every day of the year... not just on Mother's Day. And to make things even better, the Warriors came back from a 25 point deficit.

Mommy never says no to a photo op

The reason why I'm a mother

... and it's almost the weekend!