Yay for videos

I finally figured out how to easily upload videos to my blog.  These were taken back at the beginning of May, and there is still one really funny I just can't seem to get on here.  But when I do, I'm sure you will be laughing at it too.  So enjoy these for now. 

  

Swimming Videos

Swim Lessons=Huge success

The boys just completed 2 weeks of swim lessons and I think we are ready for a water-filled summer.  Marco has had lessons in the past, but none like these.  At the end of the 2 week session the instructor assured us that both boys would be swimming and jumping off the diving board and swimming to the opposite end of the pool. I was a little skeptical at first because although I was pretty sure Marco would be able to do that, Joaquin has never had a lesson before in his life. But he did great and on the last day he even dove off the board into a hula hoop and retrieved a toy off the bottom of the pool. 

Joaquin getting ready for his decent.

And there he goes!

Marco was not so sure about the diving part.  I think his brain just goes into overdrive sometimes and he gets himself all worked up.  But he did jump off and swim down to the bottom

And Camila was just happy to sit on the side and watch.  She is not a huge fan of the water right now, but we are working on that.

Marco doing the backstroke

The swim class.  Too bad Marco is hiding behind the instructor.

Where's Waldo?

I only do laundry once a week, so when it gets done IT GETS DONE, if you know what I mean.  It usually takes 3-4 loads, which isn't too bad considering I know some who do a load everyday.  But that is their method and this is mine.  Since the boys are out of school and they are interested in earning a little money, they help with a few extra chores around the house.  This does not include cleaning their room, picking up their dishes after meals, or keeping their (the guest) bathroom clean.  We keep a sticker chart and each sticker is worth 50 cents.  (one day I'm sure they will be asking for more, but for right now they are happy with the agreement.) When the laundry is done they like for me to dump it on them and cover them completely with clean clothes.  Today I went to get something real quick and I came back to a huge pile of clothes but NO boys.  Can you find them?  PS. Some of these recent posts do not have any pics of Camila.  Not worries, we did not ship her off to Aubudabi.  She is just snuggled in her bed taking a nap.

Joaquin and his camera

I must give my mom (Nonni) a warning now.  The following pictures are super unflattering, but were so funny I just had to post.  As we were looking at some pics at the end of the day last week we came across these that Joaquin must have taken while no one was looking.  It sure did give us all a great laugh for the day!

This one was everyone's favorite.  He looks like a bloated I-dont-know-what

And this last one Marco fessed up to taking a picture of Joaquin's bottom for some unknown reason.

Pinterest Anyone?

I have recently become addicted to a website called Pinterest.  It is a great tool to help us keep busy this summer.  Here is a sample of some things we have done from ideas found on Pinterest. 

Glue random pictures on a piece of paper and draw funny add-ons and captions.  You cant see it here, but the paper is actually a huge roll of drawing paper attached under my kitchen table with a spring rod. (kind of like at the doctor's office.  Once we are done I can just rip off the old paper and replace with new. ) Yep, found that idea on you know where!  :)

Bath time glow sticks.  This is a shot with the lights on.  Notice I X'ed out Marco's man-parts.  (at his request) And below are some  with the lights off.  Kind of hard to see who is in the picture, but they glow sticks created enough light to see and the kids had a blast with them. After the bath was done, I dried off the glow sticks and put them inside a blown up balloon.  2 for the price of 1 activity.  Now that's my kind of fun!

This project was cool- literally and figuratively.  We filled large balloons with water and food coloring and put them in the freezer over night.  Once frozen, we took them outside and cut off the balloon.  And what do you get??  A frozen marble, gem-like orb.  The boys pushed them around while they melted and then destroyed them by crashing them to the ground.  Potentially dangerous, but fun none the less.

Marco's frosted gem. Other Pinterest projects we have completed but did not get pictures of include1) homemade ice cream sandwiches made with graham crackers, pudding and cool whip 2) Sand paper/crayon t-shirt transfer  (this one didn't turn out so well)  3) Cornstarch sidewalk chalk/goop  4) multiple paper airplanes  And plenty more are in the works!

Fritz petting zoo