Alexander, and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day

For some reason, this books seems to resonate within the heart of every child who reads it, or to whom it is read. I read this to Abby a few days ago, and she loved it so much that now she sits on the couch and reads it herself, but with a few modifications. She couldn't remember it word for word, so she added her own sad commentary:
"My batteries ran out... I had to eat a crusty pear...he wasn't my best friend..."
It was so funny I wish I could have gotten it on tape!
I think we are going to have to buy that book.

Another Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Abigail!
Yesterday was Abby's birthday, and she turned 4! She was so excited about turning four, that we had a countdown of days till her birthday, and she was pleased to inform me that there were no more days to count down. She's been dying to change Sunday School classes and join her friends, who are all four already, and is soooo excited to go to another class this Sunday. I just printed my pictures at Costco today, so I'll download them to my computer soon and post some of her party. We had a water party in the backyard, and at least all the kids stayed cool in our California heat! I think I'll have to do that every year...

~Theresa

Happy 2nd Birthday Jack!

Jack turned two yesterday - can't hardly believe it! We had a little party for him in which his big sister was only too happy to help with the candle-blowing and gift-opening! :) I'm going to try and post some pictures before I forget.

Movin' Up

Just now Abby and I were talking about her moving up to the next class at church, the 4's class, in a couple weeks after her birthday. So, she decided that we needed to write her teachers a card because "they are going to miss me."
Jack could technically move up to the next class this Sunday because it's his birthday, but I don't know if I want him too!

Safety First!

Abby decided to ride her bike in the front yard, so she put her bike helmet on to get all ready. Now she's running back and forth between the trees (with her helmet on), and I'm kind of glad because if she trips and falls into the tree at least she won't have a head injury! :)

Timers...

We set a lot of timers at our house. Timers for the bikes, the toys, the I-have-to-have-it-now-and-my-brother-won't-give-it-to-me items. The only problem we sometimes have is for how long to set the timer. One of those situations happened today, but I found it pretty amusing. Abby had a friend over, and they both wanted to the bike, so we let the friend go first and then it was Abby's turn. Then the conversation went like this:

Friend: Mrs. Barquero, can you set the timer for 5 minutes until it's my turn again?
Abby: Mom, can you set the timer for 10 minutes instead?
Mom: Okay but then you'll have to wait 10 minutes for your next turn.
Abby: Long pause.
Mom, can you set the timer for 5 minutes?

Instant resolution.
:)

Aaahhhh!

Okay, so I've tried to upload those pictures underneath like three times, and I don't know why they're not showing up!!! Any suggestions anyone?
I'm taking Abby and Braelyn and Ashlyn to Magic mountain today - should be fun just the three of them together!

~Theresa

Buzz Cut

Well, we went ahead and did it! Check out the picture on the right! I've never buzzed Jack's hair before, and he looks so cute!!!!!! I should have done it sooner... :)

Back to Blogging

Okay, so I took a sabbatical from the blogging just because I was frustrated with the time it took to do pictures on our new laptop. Should be easier, right? Nothing ever goes according to plan in this world. So, I think I'm back on track, and can start sharing pictures and wonderful stories about life in the Barquero home. My children's exploits have gone too long unnoticed by the outside world, or at least by relatives that care about them! And dear friends as well!!! Last year about this time, I was chasing the scary lizard that lived by my mailbox out of his home in my bushes. Good times. We don't have any lizards this year, praise the Lord, or actually any other slithery creatures that I know of, so my spring has been a little less eventful. :) We'll see what the summer holds...

Mt. Baker

Sunny Southern California

Not really, it's raining today, and will again on Sunday. Reminds me of home, of Washington. It also reminds me that we can't go outside and play. So, we're stuck inside, but it hasn't been too bad. I know I'm spoiled, and the rest of the world is stuck in their homes all winter and can't go outside to play. It's a good reminder to be thankful again when the sun shows itself once more. Right now, Abby is sitting next to me on the couch, asking me to write some things down for her. Here are some of Abby's thoughts at present:

~Next time we go to Disneyland, Daddy will take her on the car ride.
~She really misses Cinderella.
~We've already watched enough TV for the day. (Well, actually that one was kind of my thought!)
~She didn't do enough slides (Right now she just marched over to slide down the slide that we brought into the house before the rain hit.)

Rainy days are good for hearing ones thoughts. Or for hearing your daughter's. I recommend both.

Overheard...

I must be doing something right...
The other day I told the kids that it was snack time and they could pick out a snack. To my great surprise, Abby excitedly asked, "Mom, can I have some oatmeal?"

We were watching one of my shows on HGTV the other day, and they were previewing this home and showing the beautiful back yard and pool, and everything was picture perfect. No one was around in the preview shots, as they were just filming the home, and not the family. Abby was watching intently for a second, and then in exasperation she turned to me and said, "I just don't know! They have a pool and don't use it!"

Abby, after playing with her (kids) dolls and animals:
"I just can't do anything today. My kids just want to play with me all day!"