Covid 2020 Summer

Of course we could talk about all that the 2020 summer of Covid took from us... the girls' national soccer championship, our annual trip to FL, and Cedar Point - just to name a few.  

           INSTEAD, we want to talk about how the 2020 summer of Covid gave us ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and each other.  While the family time was A LOT, the older 4 got to see first hand how precious life can be.  They bonded with their little brother and influenced how he grew by leaps and bounds.  Xavier saved us this summer.  His funny personality and desire to learn and be involved with his siblings made our days brighter.  

So... I hope that when the kiddo's look back to the year 2020 and think about the pandemic... they recall how much they enjoyed getting to watch their brother enjoy some "firsts" and that Mom and Dad tried to make the best out of the "lemons" they were given! 

annual trip to the metroparks where mateo golfed and the girls played "foot"golf..
X was in a stroller for about three holes!

first annual foosball tournament

X creating an additional "target" for the kids during the chipping competition

putt-putt is always a FAVE

happy boy

"Uh, Dad...this thing doesn't go very fast..."

strawberry picking

cleveland metroparks - skipping rocks!

happy 18mo birthday X!  (check out his face!)

all aboard the "triplets" choo-choo train

sisterly love (they will not be happy I posted this!)

blueberry picking - a first for us!

When Hurricane Isaias stole our ocean front vacation,
Dad saved the day by finding us a cute little house in Pinehurst, NC with a pool!

X loves his Dadda

Daddy's response to X asking for a faster car... Tesla Model X...
The kids are totally in love with this car..
Momma - well, I'm still trying to figure out the technology.  

Xavier's first hair cut

Cute little spot at Clague Park

"That's alright.. I'm good."

 

photogenic

Couldn't pass up an opportunity of gorgeous weather, a beautiful park, and my adorable kiddo's...

I just need to read up on how to get the "perfect picture" the first time!

SIXTEEN months

Thought we would take a stroll down memory lane....  Can you tell who is who?

the CORONA

Mateo has not-so-lovingly named the covid-19 pandemic - "the corona."  The corona has forced us to shelter in place and complete the school lessons at home - for the rest of the school year.  Our club soccer actives are now done at home and "take out" replaces visits to our favorite restaurants.  We appreciate that our efforts are flattening the virus curve and protecting our health workers - even though being confined within these four walls is a little too close for comfort! 

Daddy's goalie training for Abby

Abby doing school work.

Gabby trying to inspire others...

Girls doing their soccer training.

G school work.

Toe teaching X the ps4 ropes.

T schooling.

M schooling.

Xavier "zooming" for Spanish class.

Xavier's turn for ISR

All four of the older kiddo's took part in the ISR program.  Infant Swimming Resource is a program that teaches children how to self rescue if they were to fall into the water.  They "swim" for 10 minutes at each lesson, 5 days a week, for roughly 6 weeks.. and what they are taught is based on their age.  Xavier learned to float and then they tried to teach him to do a "swim" to the edge.  The coronavirus cut our lessons short - but X was able to learn to not only float but to flip himself over to get to his float from a short swim.  "X-man" (as his instructors lovingly nick named him) did not like being away from Momma when he was in the water... but towards the end of the program, realized that swimming could be fun!

week 1 

week 5

shenanigans with Xavier

X and Mateo "selfie" (for a Spanish assignment during the coronavirus home school edition).

He loves me so much.. I love waking him up in the morning.

X loves his food... sometimes preferring to wear it instead of eating it.

His sisters have taught him the importance of a firm buttocks (Big butts can't rely on a full diaper).

"Ah, Dad.. how about we switch?  Yours works better than mine."

(I love my Dad most of all when he is sharing his food... shh- don't tell Mom!)

"Get in my belly!  As fast as you can- cheese pizza!"

"She is always posing for pictures with me.. gotta love my Abby."

(She is the first one to play with me in the morning.)

"See, I told you I knew it was in there."

Mary said to say "cheeze!"

(She isn't afraid of a dirty diaper.)

G keeps telling me she wants me to stay a little baby...

 (Does this mean I can get away with picking my nose and touching her with it?

 She's pretty grossed out by my dirty diapers and I don't think she will like my boogers.)

christmas 2019

Merry Christmas 2019!!