Game 7 Magic!

 

I didn't catch all of the Game 7 of the Kings-Warriors game today since I got called into the birth center. However, I had low expectations, figuring the Warriors (actually the lower, sixth seed) would get blown out on the road in Sacramento, as they did last during the game (where they played at home!).  The game was close (Warriors down two) at half-time, and I didn't think they'd be able to pull off a win unless they had a large lead going into the second half...

However, WOW! Kelvin texted me the final score (120-100) and I was shocked.  Steph apparently went to town, stepping it up in the second half, seemingly unstoppable (as far as I could see from the highlight reels) and scoring from anywhere on the court, ending with fifty points. 

Some friends are thinking that the Warriors will be taken out by the Lakers (7 seed) next round (a bit tricky since Kelvin, a SoCal native, also likes the Lakers). But I wouldn't bet against this guy, Steph, one of the best shooters and scorers to ever play this game of basketball.

Captain Poopy Pants!

 

There is a cartoon-y kids' book series called Captain Underpants. We've read one or two of the books and they weren't my favorite (but I can also be accused of being a very serious person. Truthfully, Niall asked me the other day when something was actually funny, "Why are you laughing? You don't usually laugh!"

However, the other evening, after showering, he showed up in the bedroom wearing all his fresh/clean clothes upside down-- a blank tank top as a strapless leotard, undies as a tube top/bra, and shorts as a hat. When asked who he was, he replied, "Captain Poopy Pants!" He also added, "and I even have a built-in pee hole (the shirt's neck)!" We all cracked up.  Sometimes we all need to lighten up!  

Painful to the ears

Kelvin is far more outgoing, less inhibited, and more extroverted than I am. He also enjoys a good karaoke when it happens and his go-to song is Oasis' "Wonderwall," a song which I absolutely detest but which I have heard (him sing) many, many times over the years. 

A 90's nostalgia meme popped up for him and it totally cracked me up!  If you know this song and the lyrics, you'll know...

Best boy buds

Niall's best friend Dylan was in town the past weekend, as his parents, who recently relocated to Redding, returned to town for a wedding. 

We got to see them over at Jen and Miles' house on Saturday night, when the many many boys of our friends roamed free and adults socialized. 

It wasn't the original plan, but Dylan asked if he could spend the night and so he and bestie Niall had another sleepover.

Just like old times!

(it's milk in wine glasses, rest assured!)

Seeing my little boys have so much fun together affectionately (Dylan is one of the sweetest, most calm children I know!) warms my heart. 

Here are a couple of other snaps with his preK besties.

With Max at a field trip to the Natural History museum.

with fellow Spider-Man loving Grant during "Park Day."

 

Humboldt Math Fest

 " Mathematics is the most beautiful and most powerful creation of the human spirit." - Stefan Banach

The Humboldt Math Fest went on at the Adorni Center on Saturday afternoon.  It featured booths and tables led by local kids, math teachers, and professors about all kinds of difficult logic, math, and creative problems!  Iver, while he didn't think he'd enjoy it, really loves math, and it was entertaining for both our boys and us!

Learning Coordinates from a Cal Poly prof

Straw creations from HumCo library

Niall loves origami!

Shape-grams

 Cup-stacking competition!

Blacksmith puzzles (I have one of these at home saved from a National park!)

Iver enjoyed extricating himself from a person knot.

Giant chess!

They had so many problems, games, and activities (including a Rubik's cube contest!). I'm sure we'll be back!

Run fast, jump far!

The second (and last-- for K-4) track meet of the spring was held this past Tuesday at Arcata HS's track.  Iver couldn't wait to participate and invited his friend Hudson along (Hudson's school doesn't have an under-4th grade team). 

Iver and Hudson "ran up" in the third grade 4x 100m relay and their team JUST missed the first-place ribbon, again to be beaten by the long-legged Blue Lake redhead who eked out Iver in the same race during the last meet!  (Hudson ran the first leg and Iver the third. Ryder, pictured here, did his best as anchor but finished second).

Iver and Hudson both tried their legs at long jump, and Iver improved (from last meet)  by a couple of feet to a jump of 10 ft 3 inches on his second try!

The last race of the meet was again the 100m (no time for the 400m this time), and Iver took home first place again! He told me he "retired" from the 800m and feels that the 100 m sprint is "his race." I had trouble uploading the video but tried to show his finish here:

Quite the ribbon spread from spring track!

He actually wants to watch the 5-8th grade race on Thursday to watch the older kids in their distances, hurdling, etc. Despite him dragging me out on runs and causing injuries (I tripped and fell on my left side, abrading my hand, hip, and knee on Sunday morning on a three-mile jog with Iver!), I'm excited to witness and foster his love of track & running!

April Showers Bring...

We had a reprieve for a week in El Salvador but the torrential rains and winter weather continue up here on the north coast! It was cold, and HAILING with impressive thunder and lightening interrupting our bedtime routine on Monday night! 

The rainy winter projects a great California wildflower Super Bloom season, which has already started.  

We were lucky to see beautiful poppies in So Cal's 2019 Super Bloom. 

Happy Spring!  Now if we could only enjoy warmer-than-50-degree weather up here! 

 

Kayu/Playa El Sunzal (El Salvador, Parte Cinco y Final)

We really enjoyed our various day tours while in El Salvador. On our last day, we rested.  Our tour guide, Chamba, had told us about the Kayu Surf Resort just a few minutes' walk from our rental which had a restaurant and direct beach access (and an outdoor shower) so, after morning pool time, we headed there for lunch and beach time. My mom was too tuckered out after the long hike the day before so Dad brought her some take-out.  We enjoyed cold drinks and watching the surfistas on the waves in this popular surf spot.

The food was excellent but took a while to arrive. This is what happens when you give a bored, hot five-year-old a digital camera :)

   Look who came in from surfing just as we had ordered!

My ceviche was delicious!

After the meal, we headed out to the sand. 

The ocean was SOOOO warm (perhaps the warmest I've ever felt and RARE for the Pacific!), and that's coming from someone who hates to be cold and wet! 

Iver was suspicious for sneaker waves, which is a thing in Humboldt.

Niall was initially apprehensive about the ocean but when he realized it was warm and he could cling to me, he enjoyed it!

Once in the water, Iver loved jumping over and ducking under the waves.

It's hard to take family selfies with my water camera.... and right after this, a wave hit us and knocked my sunglasses off, to be swallowed by the sea! 

Sand castle time! 

We rinsed off a lot of sand and spent the rest of the day relaxing at our house's pool.  While we may have worn my parents out with the walking and the heat, I felt that this week was the perfect blend of sunny, hot weather, lovely people, scenery and hiking, and delicious (mostly sea)food. I slept so well and felt so little stress even while traveling with the munchkins, truly feeling rested after this *trip* (I always hesitate to call trips with children "vacations")! The kids really enjoyed games and family time and Niall told me, "I want to live in the Yacht House in El Salvador!" I highly recommend visiting this little gem of a country if you get a chance!  Until next break/family reunion!