Chocolate Face

Nutella and Jelly...

...that's what I like in my belly!

(and all over my face!)

I love that chocolate face!!!!

Jonathan's Glasses

Look who has new glasses like Daddy!

Chris has been teaching Jonathan to read over the past few months. In doing so, he has noticed that Jonathan gets really close to the book as he's reading. I've noticed the same when he plays his Leapster, and even when he watches our 42" TV. He stands directly in front of it, where most people would go cross-eyed. So we took him to the pediatrician to get a referral to an eye doctor. The pediatrician said he was 20/40, which is actually normal for this age, but sent us to the eye doctor to be sure anyway. The eye doctor said, it's not so much that his eyesight is impaired, but that he has astigmatism, which may effect his vision. She said he didn't really need glasses, but that some kids like to be able to see more clearly, so she prescribed some, but really said it would be for him to decide whether or not he wants to wear them.

That's what every parent wants to hear -"Go buy your child some glasses that they may not truly need!" So I went to the Exchange and got the cheapest pair, if he wears them, we'll consider a nicer pair...

Clara was excited for him

He thought it was cool, to look just like Daddy!

Time to try them out!

After a while he started to look over them, instead of through them, holding his head in an awkward position, so we took the glasses off. We'll try again a few more times. Plus, we're supposed to go back to the eye doctor with the glasses on in April so they can reassess as well.

See how flush his cheeks are? He came down with a fever last night while he was reading. It's wasn't until bedtime that we noticed he was warm. I didn't notice how you could practically see it come over him until I was going though these pictures.

Guess who finished 'Hooked on Phonics for Kindergartners'?!

I did it!!!!

All the books Jonathan has read!

We're so proud!

Jonathan and Daddy (the best reading teacher!)

The Cutest Leprechaun EVER!

I found the cutest leprechaun ever sitting on our front yard swing to brighten my St. Patrick's Day!

Notice, he came complete with his very own rainbow (his choice for an accessory)!

I thought leprechauns were supposed to be grumpy!

Well...he may not be grumpy, but he's certainly up to no good!

Blossom Trail

Last year I learned of the Blossom Trail here in Fresno. Of course, every Spring I notice all the trees with their gorgeous blossoms, but it didn't occur to me that there was a trail where you are actually allowed to stop and take pictures! I first read about it over the summer, so I had to wait until now to go see the trees in all their glory. It was beautiful. I think next year, I'd like to get a professional photographer to take family portraits of us in the blossoms. For this year, my own pics will have to suffice!

The first orchard we stopped at was much prettier in person than in this picture, though the tress were not very full yet.

Matthew in a peach or nectarine tree. (I'm not sure how to tell the difference by looking at the blossoms.)

Clara in a tree

Chris' dad came along with us to check out the blossoms, so we did manage to get one picture of the whole family!

Chris and Matthew

Matthew flyin' high!

Close up of some peach/nectarine blossoms

The second orchard was much prettier, but by this time the novelty of going to look at flowers and take lots of pics had worn off on the kids. So pics were interesting after that!

Last couple pics of my cooperative children...

Clara wasn't in the mood at all. She wants to be a singer/dancer when she grows up, so I told her she should start practicing poses for when she's famous!

Jonathan thought that sounded like fun.

Even Chris and Matthew go some practice in!

When it was my turn, the kids were once again over having their pics taken!

Some day we'll get a nice family pic with everyone looking and smiling, this was not that day!

We found an almond orchard too.

I convinced the kids to pose for just one more pic.

We made it to the blossom trail right around the end of blossom season, due to weather and Chris' work, so the petals were starting to fall to the ground like snow.

The only person I could still get to pose for me!

Chris climbed a tree to snap a picture of the orchard from above!

Reflection of the tree in my van's window.

We found an orchard were the white blossoms were up right against the pink ones. These white flowers may be plum.

When I got out of the van to take pics, I notice the walkway was paved with peach/nectarine pits!

After a long day of stopping to smell the flowers!

Brushing Teeth

Matthew loves brushing his teeth before bed. After we brush his teeth, we let him keep brushing on his own, and surprisingly, it keeps him busy long enough to get the night time routines for the other two kids wrapped up. If not for brushing his teeth, Hurricane Matthew would be running around the house leaving a huge mess in his wake, as he does the rest of the day!

So Big!