Tiger Trails

Out of nowhere, i recently realized that I can't remember seeing the tigers at the zoo since having kids...and when I go i am usually walking out of the park through the Tiger river.
When we spent a family day there, i asked for the guys help in tracking down a tiger...and I got to enjoy the tigers for the first time in what seems like years!

they were right at the window!

Safari Walk

An after school safari walk was the agenda - the mission was to scout out mosquito fish, owls, elephants, gibbons, lemurs, walk on lily pads, and boardwalks.

Dad was a key guide to get us into the inner layer of the forest to see the owls
off the beaten path

thanks for taking us to the back country dad

milky owl (i'm sure i've mistaken the name!)

tree-climbing

couldn't find the mosquito fish on the map, so dad, guided us there too...

and Miss Heather pushed the jungle vegetation aside so we could see the fish glimmer in the sun

mission accomplished. naptime next.

"He Will Outgrow Them"

Many of you know Josh's story.
It was at 9 weeks of age when we first discovered he has anaphylactic reactions to dairy (not stomach problems, aka lactose intolerance) - hives, inflammation, swelling, deep red splotches. He was a breastfeeding baby, and that was my first time being away from him for about 3 hours, when Lolo and Lola, Aidon and Tita Marnie got to experience his first allergic reaction to enfamil formula.
Aaahh (deep exhalation)....
At our first consultation, Josh's allergist assured us that he'd likely outgrow his allergies to dairy, oats, squash, and egg..since he is not allergic to peanut, the lifetime allergen.
God couldn't have planned this whole situation any better - I enjoy baking and cooking, so parenting and cooking for a child with food allergies seemed to be a smooth adjustment. Pete and I chose that we'd all eat the same dairy free, egg free food in our home - Josh is worth the sacrifice :)

"Learn to get along happily whether you have much or little..for we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us" Phil 4:11, 13
Here's his first lick of "frozen"yogurt:

On February 11, Josh's allergist called with blood test results and the great news that Josh has outgrown his dairy and oat allergy! Oh, has it been fun, to introduce seafood, yogurt, cheese, milk, peanut butter, and all the basic kid snacks (cheerios, goldfish), treats made by someone else (ice cream, donuts, cake, brownies, cookies) for the first time. Of course, he didn't know what he was missing. but Pete, Aidon and I did!!! We were more excited to eat these foods again than he was! Here's his first plate of macaroni and cheese:

Mac n cheese is his favorite. He really likes yogurt. Now, we get to have some plain yogurt, with fruit and fresh bread spread with peanut butter each morning.

Now, Pizza! Pizza is a different story. We've had pizza once a week since we reintroduced dairy to him.the rest of us are loving it..and he will NOT take a bite!! He ate broccoli and cauliflower instead at his first pizza opportunity - i can't call it his first pizza meal since he wouldn't touch it!
Here is what Josh said just after being served his first pizza (this was spontaneous, i was tickled):

Toddler Fish

Our youngest's FIRST fishing experience!

what does he have to say :"I dint catcha fish!"

the many faces of fishermen
kickin' back in the shade, "practicing" holding the top of the pole up, rather than bashing it on the ground ;/
holding the cool "fiss" (fish lure) from Seante
He enjoyed getting his fingers into the power bait....sometimes he threw it straight into the lake to feed the fish
He sometimes sat next to his pole propped against his chair, he liked to squat near the edge of the lake

Five on Friday

1. Our younger son has outgrown his dairy and oats allergy!
2. Miraculously (thanks God!) we've lived within our means even with the expected drop in income that started in february.
3. We've been enjoying after-dinner family time at the park,
4. including biking, kicking the ball around, swinging, chasing
5. just itsy bits of exercise!

March Gladness

Reunions are good times..Good times...

Friends from high school pulled together a quick reunion since one of us was visiting from Switzerland. A great chance to catch up, meet each others kids and spouses!
Here are some of the kids..

and here are some of us....20+ years after high school
We were surprised to find out that great grandma, great auntie nene and great uncle bill were in town! at Pio Pico campground in Jamul....I grew up swimming, and bbq-ing there as a teenager with extended family! small small world!
hug, squeeze, smoosh

matching hats anyone?

We got a "taste" of the RV lifestyle, and enjoyed munching on snacks, cookies, coffee during Auntie Nene & Uncle Bill's horse shoe tournament. Skilled! they came in 1st & 6th place out of 20+!

we also enjoyed home cooked filipino food - sinigang!

Being sweet to his great grandma :

Oma, Uncle Bill & Auntie Nene love to laugh . "Can't find the alligator!"

Outdoors. Dirt. Rocks. Woodchips. Fudge bars!

Fishing Is For Me

Our older son has been looking forward to this fishing date since early January. Our friend Seante has a love for fishing and all things nature. We are so appreciative that he chose to spend a Saturday, with two energetic boys, a toddler and a 5 year old, sharing his time, his talents, and his treasures. As he teaches the boys the basics initially, Seante casts the fishing line for the boys... and teaches them to practice patience and being still, as we wait..

The new fisherman asked, "Can I try?", and Seante gave a lesson in casting the line. Here is his 4th or 5th "go" at it. Seante's encouraging words can be heard in the background. This was SO exciting for me as a mom, to see the learning and development of a skill happen!! It really touches my heart.

Here, toward the end of the day, Seante has blessed our boy by sharing a variety of fishing hooks and lures, "First I throwded the orange hook, then the yellow hook, and then the green hook, and the orange hook again, and then a blue fish, a yellow fish, and then a red and white fish, and a gold bird".

Seante soon asked, "Gina, can you handle being with him as he fishes?", I said "Sure, he's doing it on his own". And later, as we parted with good byes, Seante blessed the boys and our family with a first fishing pole (that he said he'll share with his younger brother!) and the younger one with a first fishing lure.

You know, God really answers prayers. Seante's heart, of loving others, is divinely matched by that of his wife, Amy. I'm so glad for their presence in our lives.

Memories at the Museum

Our older son missed the last week of school because of a cough, and just when ready to get a break from the cabin fever...the younger one's cough started for the President's week vacation.

We were glad that he was fine for our weekend plans to hang with the Price family.

Here the cousins lounge on a 200 year old bed with some children's books in the FamilyRoom

Squeeze in for a picture just as we arrive at the museum.
Garden beauty
Reflections in the rear-view mirrors
Tubular! Check out these vibrant connections.

Tracing "creatures" at the Light table - Artists in the making

The Family Room was the kids favorite activity along with water fountains, yet

they are most fond of the time together.

Boardwalk Bicycling

The boys' cousin planned a special day: cycling, ocean breezes, cool crisp air, and the seashore. what a delight to the senses.

As the official photographer, I laid down and enjoyed this view of the sky, the palms and the sand... while everyone biked.

Nico was an encourager to our older son...rooting him on whenever possible. Nico picks up that habit from his dad.

Here's the entourage before the caravan to the next beach town began (our little one is already strapped in the yellow bike trailer)....

Auntie towing the littlest one, with my brother-in-love as rear guard

The boys excited to get moving!
This one is enjoying!
Cruising together

Check it!

Drummin' to the BEAT!

the Young

the Younger

and the Youngest

Five on Valentine's Friday

We are looking forward, as a family, to tomorrow! It means:
1. Remembering who loves you more than anyone else. yes, He does!
2. Heart shaped pancakes for breakfast.
3. Wearing red.
4. Eating red throughout the day: apples, grapes, spaghetti with marinara/meat sauce, you get the idea :)
5. Making momentos: Heart-shaped cut out construction paper valentines we decorate and exchange with each other each year.

For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him

is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
~ Psalm 103:11, NLT

Happy Birthday Lolo!

You are loved as you are! We miss you!