Harbor Fishing

After what I'd say was a productive day and a half working on the workshop, we took a break and went fishing in the harbor. Jared bought some frozen squid to use for bait, and it was the perfect set-up for the kids to catch a bunch of fish really quickly. They must have caught at least five different species in the first twenty minutes. 

Both boys caught fish at the same time--but Levi was totally not interested in posing for a photo op. 

Itty bitty sand bass!

Even itty bittier calico bass!

Jared teaching Parker how to take the hook out of his fish. 

Lipping a fish for the first time for that "professional" shot!

Eek!

Introducing: The Workshop

Jared is in the midst of constructing a 10 x 12 (120 sq. ft.) workshop in the backyard. We've never quite known what to do with this corner of the yard, and eventually decided it'd be the perfect place for a little structure like this. Jared did a lot of research online and came up with a design that he liked; he bought some plans, and then ended up "customizing" them as he goes along. He has taught himself how to do everything, learning as he goes, and is building it single-handedly. He works here and there whenever he can find the time, in the evenings after work and on the weekends. It's really coming along! 

March 25, 2015: The skids

March 28, 2015: The foundation 

March 28, 2015: The floor

April 4, 2015: Wall #1!

April 5, 2015: Wall #2 (and a window)

April 27, 2015: Wall #4 

May 12, 2015: Late night fire and saw

May 14, 2015: Walls and the first rafters

Checking in with Levi

Freestyle Arms

Levi has officially moved up to Levi 3: Clownfish! :) He is starting to learn his freestyle arms. As always, I'm amazed by how brave he is and how hard he tries--I think he is doing awesome considering he is just learning these things. Right now it seems like he hasn't quite connected all of the moves in his mind/body--he seems to forget to roll over to his back when he needs to breathe, and then when he rolls back to his tummy sometimes he forgets to start swimming again. I'm sure it will just take more practice and then it will become second nature!

Swimming!

Levi has had about six swim classes so far this year, and he is doing AMAZING! He is making such huge progress. I did a mommy-and-me class with him last winter, but he really didn't like it. But then he had so much fun playing in the pool and boogie boarding in the ocean and swimming in Lake Powell last summer--although always with his floaties or life jacket on. He really didn't know how to swim yet. By this year, he really wanted to learn how to swim--he sees how much fun Parker has swimming and definitely wants to be able to play along with him. So he started up swim classes again, and this time really wants to learn, even though it's still a little scary for him. He tries so hard, and gets better and better with every lesson. I always get there a little early and then stay after class as well so he can play in the shallow play area. Even though he is a little nervous during his class, he always listens to his teacher and pushes himself to try everything she tells him to--he's so brave. And then he feels like a million bucks afterwards and has so much fun playing! This is going to be such a fun summer :)

This was from a class last week--the first time he swam across the pool by himself! It was so unreal to see him be able to float on his back by himself without the teaching holding or helping him!

Playing after class today--he swam to the wall by himself for the first time!

His teacher suggested that he try goggles for parts of his upcoming lessons since they'll be doing a lot of work with his face in the water--it'll help him be able to see under the water (I think they're starting to learn freestyle arms). So we tried out a pair of goggles from the Lost and Found bin to make sure he liked them before buying some--he loved it!! He said, "Mama, if you were me you should really try going under the water. It looks amazing!" I remember that when Parker used his mask and snorkel for the first time he swam around Grammy's pool just looking around for about 20 minutes straight. Needless to say, we bought some goggles :) I feel confident that at this point he won't come to rely on them to swim, but that they can be a way for him to have fun and enjoy playing in the water. 

Bike Adventures

It's so great that Levi is getting so good on his bike--bike riding is something we all enjoy and can do together. It's going to be a fun year as he keeps getting older and better! 

This was Levi's first off-road adventure, our favorite trail at Lake Hodges. We carried his bike up and down the steep parts for him, but I was really impressed with not only his riding skills, but also his ability to run up and down all of those parts without tiring out! He did a great job. And Parker always kills it on the trails :)

I couldn't get everyone to stay still long enough to get a good photo to commemorate the occasion, so I had to settle for a still-life instead.

I took Levi to Mission Bay on Tuesday morning, and we did a short loop together. I wish that this was closer to home, it's the perfect place to ride with kids (or alone, for that matter)--nice and safe, no cars to worry about, plenty of places to stop and play or rest along the way. 

He brought his new stuffed fish along for the ride! He waited at least a week for this fish to come in the mail, and the people sent us the wrong one :( We ended up keeping it, though, and Levi has warmed up to him.

We found this trail along the lagoon in Del Mar last weekend--it's fun because it's dirt, but there aren't really any parts that are too hard for Levi. I took him back there today for a ride, but it was 84 degrees out with no shade and super windy--we didn't last long.

Monster Jam!

Thank you to Dee and Niki for a fun-filled Monster Jam weekend in San Diego! We got to enjoy a little mini-staycation with the family at the Marriott on the Bay, swimming in the pool and enjoying great food and wine. And in the middle of it all was the main event--the Monster Jam show at Petco Park! We went to the Pit Party on Saturday afternoon before the main show, where we got to check out some of the trucks up close and Levi got to have his picture taken with the driver of Metal Mulisha--the 2014 Freestyle Champion! The hotel was within walking distance of the stadium, so we could easily go back and forth from the rooms to the show. The weather was beautiful on Sunday and we enjoyed a last afternoon lounging by the pool and playing in the water. It really felt like a vacation! 

The view from our balcony

Enjoying stories and a fine New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Nate is up there waving from his 16th floor balcony

Another angle of our view towards downtown

Walking along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade to the show

Getting a peek at the Pit Party from the line outside

Levi with the driver of Metal Mulisha--he signed his shirt!

Checking out El Toro Loco

Cousins with Captain's Curse

Grandpa Niki and Levi with Captain's Curse

Mohawk Warrior used to be one of Levi's favorites

A view of the Pit Party

The main event in Petco Park

The sun setting behind Point Loma--view from our balcony