happily ever after: Bungee Jumping Birthday Party... (Week 266/128)

This week we went to take Tyler's 5 year photos. A month late. It's funny how things pass by and we don't even realize it. While we were there, we picked up Katelyn's 2 year photos, which we took in June (only 3 months late). At least we still did it!

How cute did she turn out? Here are just a few of my favorites:

This week also marked Tyler's first week of swim lessons at Waterworks Aquatics, a swim school here in Irvine. I scheduled him lessons twice a week for 20 lessons. Each lesson is only 20 minutes, and they're semi private so he shares the time with another kid. If we're lucky, there isn't another kid signed up for that slot so then Tyler gets a private lesson! He did GREAT! He was totally ready to learn how to swim. Makes me think it was a good idea to wait until now, when he's 5 and ready, instead of trying to push him at a much earlier age. No fear of water in his face at all, no fear of water! I was so proud of him!

His teacher on Tuesday was Anna, who was recommended to us by a friend.

Video of Tyler swimming with Anna:

Exciting news this week. Katelyn actually used the potty at school. TWICE! This may not seem like a big deal, but for a kid who has absolutely refused and screams bloody murder when they ask her to go at school - this is a HUGE step back in the right direction. I still can't believe she was completely potty trained for a whole month, just after she turned 2, and then reverted back so drastically due to parental error. Hopefully in September, when I have her with me most of the time, we'll get her back to her underwear-wearing self.

Wednesday this week was parent conferences at Tyler's school. I got to have a nice long chat with Tyler's Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Vose. She's fun, 28, and I think she'll be a great teacher for the kids. She did mention that Tyler is QUITE chatty. Hmmm. I caught him and some of his ICDC friends heading to play before I had the conference.

They played with the same building magnetic blocks that they have at ICDC! Tyler built a cool spaceship.

Back at ICDC, Katelyn was having fun hanging out with her friends.

Wednesday night - a MUCH needed Saketini night with my friend Yoko. We have new things in common now and have a really nice and relaxing time hanging out. Sometimes you just need to vent!

Thursday, Tyler was back to swim class in the mornings. His lesson is at 840am-9am. Then he plays in the water until about 920, and then he gets a quick shower and we are ready for school before 10am. How productive I am, huh! His teacher on Thursdays is Lauren. I think he likes her because she's blond! Heehee.

A video of Tyler swimming with Lauren:

And another video with Lauren:

Thursday night, we took the kids for Tyler's photo shoot at Target. Katelyn was in such a good mood. I'm amazed at how much quicker these photo sessions go when the kids are well behaved and listen to the photographers' instructions! Can't wait to get these photos back.

Friday night we had dinner with the Fongs and Saitos at a local Korean restaurant and then hit up YogurtLand afterward. The kids love to have dessert! We bumped into one of Katelyn's new friends from ICDC, Mason. Can't wait for them to get together!

After dinner I headed over to my friend Mariam's place for a nice Girls Night In. Good conversation and good friends. Very low key and relaxing.

Friday morning, Mojo got a hair cut and a "spa treatment"! He sheds much less now and I think he's happy being much cooler in this hot summer heat.

Saturday morning we headed over to Nordstroms at the Irvine Spectrum for a free shoelace tying class. So cute! Tyler definitely learned the tricks, but I think we have to re-enforce it so that he doesn't forget how. They gave all the kids lots of cool stuff/treats at the end!

After the class, we headed to a birthday party in Irvine for Evan! He was turning 7! They had a trampoline/bungee jumping party. Tyler didn't look too interested in the beginning. I think he was kind of intimidated so we let them play inside for a while. Of course Katelyn gravitated toward the kitchen!

After a while we convinced Tyler that he needed to try the bungee jumping. It was SO hot outside though, even just waiting under the canopy for our turn. Here he is with the birthday boy Evan and his friend Kaden.

Uh-oh, his turn is getting closer. He's starting to get nervous..

On deck, with the harness on!

And he's UP! I would say Tyler may not be a thrill seeker. While some kids were begging the guy to 'slingshot' them, Tyler was perfectly fine going up and down. He was not a fan of getting pulled too high, and I could tell by some of his facial expressions that this wasn't exactly enjoyable for him.

Whoah!

Video of Tyler bungee bouncing at Evan's birthday party:

KK, meanwhile, was giving kisses to Mackenzie inside.

Ninja time! While the older boys were running around playing with pretend weapons, Katelyn found a sword and asked one of the teachers to put it in her shirt like the rest of the boys. She's a ninja too now!