SLO trip #2

This past week, we took our second family trip to SLO (again!). This time, it was to celebrate Goong Goong and Ma Ma's 40th anniversary. The ENTIRE Shinn family came to celebrate. Was a house with six kids under the age of four pretty chaotic? You bet it was. But at least the kids had fun, and I'm guessing the grandparents did, too. 

 

 Tractor ride at Avila Valley Farm

Tractor ride to pick apples

It was opening week... GO NINERS!

 Grandparents with the Shinn kids 

 All the Shinn cousins

Shinn cousins + grandparents

26

 

Today marks Lucas's first official day of school! Yesterday the boy turned 26 months old. To "celebrate" that as well as Labor Day, we took a quick trip to Yogurtland after dinner. 

 

"Lucas say 'cheese'"

When I told Lu that he would be going to school tomorrow (today), he was super excited. He woke up earlier than usual (7:00) and was ready. When we got in the car, we had a nice talk about going to school and he was looking forward to "make new friends". When I parked the car, he clapped and cheered. However, right when we were about to walk into his classroom, I felt his hands tighten and I just had one of those Mommy intuitions that the boy was going to be a hot mess. Although he was completely fine going to summer school in the same room and with the same teacher, something just didn't sit well with him this morning. After trying to calm him down (didn't work), we just decided to go cold turkey and let him cry with his teacher. Looks like this boy is one tough cookie cause he seemed to be doing fine when I picked him up. I came a bit earlier and once he saw me, he yelled "Hi Mommy!" and ran towards me. I told him class wasn't over so he ran all the way back. Lu told me he had fun at school and played with "bubble water" and "bubble bike". I have a feeling there's no such thing as a "bubble bike" since he laughed when I said it. And that was his first day of school. 

 

Waiting by the door, writing a love note to Mommy at school.

In other news, Lu loves cars, sports, and Star Wars. We realized he truly does understand us when we talk to him. We go to Sweet Tomatoes on a weekly basis because he loves his "olives mac and cheese blueberry bao bao ice cream vanilla chocolate". He is talking up a storm, but it is still a bit of a challenge trying to understand him 100%. And of course, he's a major cheese ball and loves to ham it up for the camera. 

Shinn Kids are growing up!

When Char was an infant, different parents insisted that life gets "easier" when the baby gets older and they can entertain each other. Lo and behold, nearly seven months later, it's happening!

Tea parties and computer fun!

 "Reading" and computer fun

 Daddy's dream come true, AT-AT is opened and living in the family room.

My babies

First Day of School

Technically, this is his first day of summer school (we're using this week as a trial run to see if he likes going to school). And... it looks like the kid will be going to school right after Labor Day! Lucas was so excited about school this morning that he didn't really eat breakfast. If you know my boy, you would know that he can easily eat a bowl of oatmeal, a bowl of cereal, a bowl of fruit, a glass of milk, AND some bao-bao (bread). Today, he barely finished his bowl of cereal and said he was all done. 

 Lu was very excited to put on his backpack and go to school!

Once I stopped the car, Lucas clapped excitedly and said "school! backpack!". When we walked inside his classroom, I helped him take off his shoes and he was off and running. I barely got a chance to say goodbye to him. And his teacher barely had a chance to take a family (minus Daddy) picture of us on the first day of school.

While Lu spent three hours at school, what did the girls do? Target. Babies R Us. Eat.

 Char (aka: Agnes) loves to grub!

 Fists are delicious!

What a geek - he went straight for his computer once school was out!

Half way mark!

Whoa whoa whoa... where has the time gone?! Lil homegirl is now 6 months old! 

Looks like someone's surprised that it's already been 6 months too!

uh oh... we're in trouble, already obsessed with the mirror at such a young age!

 Tea party in her "cocktail" dress.

The best of times = hanging with big bro.

 Someone recently discovered spit raspberries and big bro thinks it's hilarious!

Was it an easy 6 months? Yes. And no. The first month was brutal. As each month went on, it got easier and harder at the same time (if that makes sense). The princess is able to sit up on her own 90% of the time... BUT... she will not let me out of her sight. If I leave, she cries. We've been playing peek-a-boo lately to help her realize that even though Mommy's gone, she will be back. So far, it just seems like it's a game to her. We are done with "first foods" (made by yours truly) and lucky for us, it doesn't look like the princess has any allergies at all. And of course, the dreaded 7-7:45 time at home is BRUTAL. Someone is always in a cranky mood... please grow out of that stage, little girl. Yet despite all the hardship, the kids are good overall. They've been entertaining each other more and both their laughter and crying rub off on each other. So when they're both good, it can be real good... but when they're bad... AIIIIIII!!!!

A Long Saturday

It's been around six months since Charlotte was born. This Saturday was the closest we have ever been to SF as a family of four. I say closest because Candlestick Park is actually in Brisbane (according to the husband). Our Saturday adventure started with restocking the fridge at Costco at 9:30 and ended with a super long dinner at Maggiano's before finally coming home at 8:30. 

WHAT. A. DAY! 

At least we know it's now doable for us... and we survived!

 

Friday. Sitting on Lucas' bed and playing with all his stuffed animals.

 

Girlfriend is moving on up in the eating world. First introduction to Mum Mums. 

49ers Fan Fest @ the Stick

You can't tell, but we have matching Kaepernick jerseys.

Happy #7 fan at the 49ers "museum".

Family picture (with Char's arm and leg).

Girlfriend learned how to blow raspberries this weekend (caught mid blow).

Tired. Exhausted. But still Mr. Cool on the drive home.

 Sunday. Having a tea party before church.

25

I guess you don't have to keep track of how many months your kid is once they turn 2. That seems to be the case for me. I almost missed his 25 month old "birthday". Whoops, sorry dude...

 Preseason training has already started and we are READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!

Due to Charlotte's developments as she's getting older, the Shinn kids are spending more time "playing" together. However, Lucas is starting to get annoyed at his sister when she grabs his hair and shirt. After around 5+ months of being "okay" with a baby, I think the boy needs some special time away to get the 1-on-1 attention he's been craving lately. Hello grandparents...!

 Tummy time with blocks

 Current favorite toy? Charlotte's tea set.

Brother-sister love

 Though Lucas is showing signs that he gets annoyed at his sister, he still loves her a lot too! You can't see it in this picture, but they are holding hands and enjoying each other's company.