I'm 16 years old today!

 

Besides being almost as tall as my Dad, there's a new Bear in the photo.  That's right we got a Yorkie mix and his name is Bear.  I also got my driver's license today and will soon be learning how to drive stick by myself.  This past year I've done Pole Vaulting and managed to clear 10'6".  I did steel drums again and have been enjoying all the cool music.  Next year I predict I'll be taller than my Dad and driving stick like a pro.  

I'm 15 years old today

 

A lot has changed over this past year.  I finally got my phone.  Iphone 13 mini to be exact.  I also got my braces off just in time for my freshman year in HS.  I'm just 6 months away from getting my learner's permit and I'm only about 2 inches shorter than my Dad.  This past year I did track and field pole vault and tried out for the soccer team but unfortunately didn't make the cut.  Maybe next year.  I still love to game and one of my favorite classes was Engineering and the robotics club.  Steel drums was pretty cool too.  We got to wear Hawaiian shirts for our performances.   

I'm 14 years old today!

 

I can't believe I'm just months away from getting a cell phone.  Finally!  This past year, I've started growing my hair out cuz that's what's in.  I continued playing on the middle school soccer team and even ran my first 5K earlier this year.  Next year, I'll be a freshman in HS and I'm looking forward to getting a ride with my sister so I don't have to take the bus. Oh and I'm taller than both my mom and sister.  Just need a few more inches to pass my dad.  

I'm 13 years old today!

 

I'm finally a teenager and every teen should get a cell phone right?  Unfortunately I still didn't get one for my birthday.  This year we went back to in-person learning at school, had free school lunches, and I played soccer for our varsity middle school team and did track (high jump, long jump and hurdles).  I really enjoy playing video games on the computer and the nintendo switch.  Rocket league is probably my favorite.  Hopefully I get a cell phone next year or a gaming laptop.  I don't think either will happen though.  

I'm 12 year's old today!

I'm just 1 year away from being an official teenager.  Might as well hand me a cell phone now.  Although given my sister still doesn't have one, I don't think I'll be getting one anytime soon.  This past year, I've done remote learning which isn't too bad since I can sneak some computer games or youtube when classes get a little boring or I finish my school work early.  I do miss playing soccer, recess, and seeing my friends.  I did manage to swim over the summer last year and play soccer until they cancelled the season due to COVID.  Hopefully they'll have a vaccine available for kids soon so I can resume play sports and seeing friends.  I've been reading a lot this past year and my parents can't get enough books from the library to keep my busy.   

I'm 11 years old today!

I'm officially a tween as they say. I've been binged watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or TMNT as the cool kids say during this whole stay at home quarantine. All my other activities have been cancelled. No soccer season and most likely no swimming season this summer. I've been mountain biking more and luckily haven't hit any cactuses. I've been playing minecraft and coding on scratch. I've shared a few games and racking up some views on them. I've also determined over this past year that I'm going to be an Mechanical Engineer.

I'm 10 years old today!

Double digits!!! Yes that's right, the big 1-0! No more piggyback rides to bed for me. I think it's partly so my Dad doesn't hurt his back. I started playing AYSO rec soccer this past year. A lot better competition than the YMCA league where we mostly scrimmaged. I also stopped swimming at Gold Medal Swim School so that I could concentrate on soccer. I think the biggest change though from last year was attending a new school - the local public elementary school. I actually get homework and quizzes now. I also have my own account on the computer because I have to check my homework online. I might sneak a few computer games on the weekends before everyone is up.

I'm 9 years old today!

Time sure does fly by. I'm finally 9 and yes my parents still have me sitting in a booster seat. I don't mind so much since I get to sit higher up in the car. I've lost a few more teeth and even had surgery to remove an extra tooth growing upside down. Crazy. I'm still playing chess and I've moved up to the champ section for tournaments. I've joined swim team level 2 that swims 2x a week now. I'm still playing YMCA soccer although I've topped out on their age range. I'm planning on being a mechanical engineer and want to drive a cool muscle car.

I'm 8 years old today!

I finally lost some teeth this past year. I wasn't sure it was going to happen. I have my adult teeth and I'm no longer required by law to sit in a booster seat. I'm pretty sure my parents though will still have me use one till I'm 9. I've been playing more chess tournaments and have gotten pretty good but more importantly, I can beat my dad pretty easily now. I also started swim team 1 and competed in my first swim meets. I didn't think I would like it but I love competing.

Zoo lights

We checked out Zoo Lights this year and although it was crowded, it didn't disappoint.


Here's a picture of the kid's and the grandparents. Christy was off to the left as this was the most people I could fit in since I had my prime 35mm lens on and couldn't zoom out anymore.


These lights were all choreographed with music.


Photo op with the komodo dragon. Cole did a research project on it for school this year.





Never too old for the carousel.


The bright butterfly is actually a huge lego construction.

I'm 7 years old today!

So much has happened this year. First, I've gone on a 3 day / 2 night school trip all by myself. I'm practically an adult now. Okay my sister was there too but she doesn't count. Also, I've started playing chess and have done several tournaments this past year. I even checkmated my Daddy in 6 moves. I also got a new bike from Santa that has gears and a suspension. So like I said, I'm practically an adult now.

Merry Christmas!

Signs of growing up

Lauren elected not to wear any sunglasses during her last visit to the dentist again. This makes it two times in a row now.


Cole on the other hand still wore them. I didn't get a shot of him in his shades but here's one before his x-rays.

3.5 year old project finally completed

After 3.5 years, we finally completed our photo gallery. The actual process took about 5-6 hours not including picking the photos. I wish I could tell you Cole was jumping for joy but rather he was just trying to get in the shot.


Here's the before photo.


All the frames finally getting opened. Luckily none of them were damaged.


We used wrapping paper for our templates to finalize on the wall design.


Here's the final design.


Now with the real thing. I only had to redo a few nails to get the spacing right.


Here's the final version with pictures and all.

1st big scar

Cole unfortunately banged his head during basketball camp and required some stitches. This was a doozy. His first time getting stitches. Reminds me of the scene in Lethal Weapon 3 where they are comparing their scars. Hopefully this will be his last.


Here he's waiting for the doctor to stitch him up. They applied some numbing gel instead of giving him a shot. The only thing is you have to wait 30 mins before it numbs the area. I think I'll take this option next time too.


Here's the end result. He had about 2 stitches and then the rest was glue. Hopefully it won't scar too badly.


You can tell he was feeling much better because he couldn't help himself on the way out.

July 4th Tradition

Is that time again where we go to our old HOA 4th of July Picnic celebration. Here you can see the Fire Engine cooling off the crowd.



Cole is enjoying the snow cones...


...and Lauren enjoying collecting the cicada shells.



The kids are waiting in line for the water slides. Amazing how times have changed and they are the smallest ones anymore. Here's Cole in line 3 years ago. Here's Lauren in line 5 years ago.


Lauren still closes her eyes...


and same for Cole.


Lauren participating in the hula hoop contest. I also participated in the parent contest but didn't last long enough for anyone to take a photo. :)

Faking it?

I picked up Cole early last Friday because he wasn't feeling too well. I checked in on him while he was "resting" and spied him watching TV like this. He doesn't seem sick or maybe this was making him feel better. :)

Cool shades

Cole is trying not to smile.

Summer reading fun

If only all moments could be this quiet and peaceful.

I'm 6 years old today!

This is a big birthday because I can finally say that I'm potty trained with the exception of a few accidents here and there. I can also say that I've learned to ride a bike without training wheels. I can't believe my parents started potty training me before I was 2. I showed them who's in charge. The only milestones left are learning to drive a car and going to the prom which I heard you have to dance with girls. I can do without that milestone.