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What a busy weekend we had. This year, even without much fireworks, we had a great three and half days of fun.

The festivities started on Friday, when Tizi left work early to participate in Keegan’s 4th of July Bike Parade (=a super short ride around the block from his school with bikes, wagon or strollers). The kids created decorations and necklaces and got ready to start. Keegan was very excited: the tricycle was all decorated, he was wearing his patriotic t-shirt, and all his friends from school were riding alongside him.

Ready…

Set…

Go!!!!

Of course the excitement decreased proportionately as the road become more and more uphill, but with a little push from mom, he finished it off, a few minutes later. As a reward, there were popsicles waiting for the riders. It was a short day at school, so after lunch, we headed home. Between the change of routine and the workers that, obviously decided to start banging on the roof just today, it was hard to get him to sleep, but he finally drifted off.

On Saturday, our Hannah and Mila stopped by for a play-date. I guess their parents were “crazy” enough (or maybe curious enough) to want to come by even if we are in the middle of construction. I guess they found interesting to visit the skeleton of our future home. Fortunately, the heavy marine layer that has been very present disappeared by early afternoon, replaced by a pleasant sun. Not too warm, mind you, but enough for the kids to have fun in the pool. Keegan could hardly wait, and as soon as his friends showed up, they all jumped in the warm water. They had a very good time splashing an jumping around, and despite Keegan’s WWE maneuvers, nobody got hurt.

We even attached the hose to create a small waterfall. What a blast. After the water play, the kids started playing very well together (!), and the adults chatted and got the food ready. The little ones had their own little table, while the grown ups sat at the grill and ate some great food.

Happy 4th of July!

Hannah is trying to get hired by our construction crew (or maybe Caltrans)

After dinner, we moved inside, for more chatting and desserts. The kids loved the ice cream and the lemon cake, and so did we. Then it was story time! Dave “volunteered” to be the reader: by then the kids were so tired (it was way past their bedtimes) they listened and sat quietly and still…or at least as quiet and still a group of young toddlers can be.

It was getting dark, and so it was sadly time to say Goodbye. What best way to do that than a Group Hug???

By the time we got our little guy to settle in bed it was past 9pm! Of course, all the excitement and the running and jumping had absolutely NO effect on him, and he woke up at the same, ungodly hour the next morning. After Tizi took her early morning nap, it was time for more fun. While Matt rested at home, we went to play at a park, and at noon, we headed to a 4th of July Carnival sponsored by a local church. It was awesome…and totally free. They had popcorn, different game booths, but most importantly…a jumpee. Keegan was so excited and bounced up and down and down and up for more than half an hour. He only took a small break when the big kids came in.

Then it was pop-corn time. After the jumpee, we headed to the star attraction: a huge inflatable slide! Wow: he could not have enough. He was not afraid or hesitant at all, and immediately climbed up and jumped down. He obviously got that from mom…he is already saying he wants to jump from a parachute “if only bigger”.

It was hard to pry him away from it, but after more than half an hour we had to leave. Once again, he was WAY past his lunch and nap time, so we went home. After a quite afternoon, and average nap, our neighbors called and asked us if we wanted to go grab a bite to eat. So we headed with Sharon, Joon and Jada to a semi empty Chili’s and the kids had some fun. He is always happy to see his buddies.

After Keegan went to bed, again around 9pm, (and again, this did not affected his wake up time at all), Matt and I went upstairs and caught a glimpse of some fireworks. Unfortunately, even with a second story, you can only see the highest ones: too many trees are in the way.

Since the 4th of July was on a Sunday, we all had Monday off: one more day to celebrate, and for us adult, one more day to get an extra nap. In the afternoon, we met up with Krista, Eric and Torin at the Liberty Station Playground and Park. It is a great place: huge green fields, two playgrounds, bathrooms, and lots and lots of space. The boys, big and small, kicked the ball around: soccer mania has hit…and by the way: Go Netherlands! Krista flew a beautiful kite, and we all just chilled…literally it was pretty cold. I am not sure what is this “summer thing” people are talking about. Most of the country is sweltering, but here in San Diego, we are freezing! No sun, drizzle and low temperatures.

After some fun playing around it was dinner time. Keegan really got spoiled: he loves restaurants and got to have dinner out twice this weekend. We went to the relocated Corvette Diner, a fun place, styled like a 50’s diner, a la Happy Days. The food was as good as I remembered, and the atmosphere was really fun. The kids had fun, and Keegan even ate lots of food. Not very healthy, mind you, but still food.

What a great tail to a great weekend.If you count the playdate with Kenzie at Mission Bay on Thursday, Keegan got to see all his favorite friends!

For Tizi, the best was yet to come, as her school is closed for Summer break the whole week. She had grandiose plans of getting lots of stuff done and getting caught up on things…but of course, Keegan had other plans, and on Thursday, he woke up with a nice fever. Well, I guess I had two days, right? At least he compensated with being very affectionate and cuddly (if a little clingy).

So, all in all a wonderful weekend and a great beginning for the summer season, in spirit at least. Now we are just waiting for some sun and some warmth.

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In the last post I wrote about how much Keegan has grown, and about all his accomplishments. Now is time to show some of the fun he is having, just being a little boy.

He has been going to the same daycare/preschool since he was about 5 months old, and one thing we really enjoy about this place is that is a small school and everyone knows each other, teacher and kids alike. And this includes parents as well: I can’t never sneak in and observe him, because a few kids, as soon as they see me, start screaming: “Keegan, your mommie is here”.

This also means that now that he is in the preschool part, he plays with all the other kids, even if they are older and he knows all the teachers too, so graduating to the next class is less traumatic: in fact is something he is looking forward to. He knows that, as soon as he is completely potty trained, he will move to the Green ‘Gators room, and he can’t wait. I don’t know if this was the incentive, or the fact that MacKenzie already moved up, but he started pooping on the toilet! Now, he is still not 100% accidents free, but he is very close. Like we hoped, the first time it happen was somewhat of an unplanned event, but after that, Keegan lost the fear. In fact the first thing he told me afterward was :”it is not scary to poop on the toilet”. So we are keeping our fingers crossed and hope this transition will happen soon.

Keegan loves his school, and often he does not want to leave when I pick him up. All the teachers are very nice, and he seems to learn quite a bit, besides having a whole lot of fun. His best friends are as always Mackenzie and Kelsen (whom he has the love/hate relationship with). He also plays with Elliott a lot. These are some pictures that were shot at school.

A rare sight (for us): Keegan reading on his own

Finger-painting with Kenzie

Playing dress up with Kenzie, Kelsen, and Elliott

The three Musketeers: Keegan, Kenzie and Kelsen

He still enjoys his swim lessons, and he is beginning to feel more comfortable with his teacher, Courtney. Last week, he started swimming using his arms, spontaneously, deep jumping (with a little help), and spent more time under the water. Let’s hope this trend will continue.

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