All About the Money

Every year they work hard on their Pinewood Derby cars but they've never won a race. After seeing two Pinewood Derby Races I've learned that if you want a fast car you have to work on the axels and wheels. But even getting the cars cut out was proving to be difficult. Finally, I broke down and went and bought $70 worth of new tools because it was my boys' last Pinewood Derby and it was important to them. I wasn't going to let them go without their cars. Thankfully, once Papi realized that he called up a friend who helped us cut out where the wheels would go then we were able to finish cutting the cars with a member in the ward between conference sessions and I returned the unused tools.

We cut out their cars, sanded and painted as we do every year. But then we went to a friend's house to have him show us how to make the cars run fast. AJ worked on both cars. DJ wasn't feeling good. So AJ straightened and sanded the axels, drilled new holes and placed the wheels. He helped add the weights and glue. Two and a half hours and a couple of filthy little hands later we had what I hoped would be some pretty fast cars. How did I know that someone in the pack would have their wheels and axels professionally done and pay almost $90.00 to get their car ready for the race? I was proud of AJ for working so hard, not only on his car but, helping his brother when he couldn't do it too!

Race day came and the cars were lined up. 3-2-1! The gates were down and the cars were speeding down the track topping speeds over 200 mph. There in the lead was AJ's silver bullet, DJ's gold streak and the expensive and sleek sun devil machine. There were some fast cars but only these few kept winning every race.  It was going to be a close finish. After 32 races and 30 minutes of pure excitement the boys got the results. Would AJ's hard work pay off going against a professionally made car? Or once again would it be all about the money?

Does this tell you anything?

1st PLACE!!!!!!!! He got first!! I was so happy for him I couldn't even sleep that night. He had worked hard and it paid off!

DJ got third place. Although if you ask him it should have been second because he beat the sun devil machine in the races. But I guess the sun devil machine had a faster overall average because it took second place. 

There's the scoreboard with my boys listed as first and third. Take that money machine! Sometimes it really is just hard work and knowledge that pay off. What better lesson could you learn in cub scouts? Congratulations boys!!! I am so happy you had such an awesome last Pinewood Derby!

Stolen My Heart

They had their first basketball game of the season this morning. Their team was on fire, winning by over 20 points!! DJ ended up passing the ball to the other team just to help them make a basket and add some more excitement to the game. They made baskets, passed the ball, and stole the ball. Then smiled at me and stole their mom's heart. 

Privileges

"At 16 you get to drive and you get other 'privileges'."-DJ

Can you tell this kid's a clown? Usually, I want them to stay small forever.  But there are the rare moments when I just can't wait for them to grow up just to see how they turn out.

Weblos Trained

While harvesting the sugar cane yesterday, DJ let me know that he's, "got this, I'm weblos trained!" Go scouting!

Plane Tired

After dropping Papi off at the airport late at night we got home and DJ flew himself on to the couch.  Is this what they call just "plane tired"?

New talents

We have had a very loud house this summer.  The boys are working on learning new instruments.  They've got Mary Had a Little Lamb down and are working on concert pieces for the end of summer band.  The blue room has become the music room and it's always busy.

 

 

Then we have our beautiful ballerina.  Isabel is gorgeous on stage and she dances with so much excitement that you have to applaud.  Way to go chica!

Late Night Home Run

 

Or was it early morning? If we can't be there in Taiwan in person watching Papi hit a home run live online is the next best thing even if it was at 1 in the morning.  Time differences, so confusing!

Mother's Day with Bang

It was the perfect Mother's Day morning.  My kids had made me a delicious breakfast in bed with scrambled eggs from our chickens, a cranberry, strawberry and banana smoothie and a multi grain piece of toast.  The kids had given me their presents they made in school and then they showed me my present that Papi got me the night before out on the patio, a brand new bike with a trailer for the baby.  Excellent!  We were figuring out where to ride to on that beautiful Sunday morning when I hear a BANG! CRASH! SHATTER! 

Yup, I was lucky enough to get two presents on Mother's Day.  A new bike and a new window?!?  Actually, it's been a few weeks and we still have designer zebra duct tape over that hole decorating our front window with no plans of fixing it in the near future.  DJ swore the rock bounced when he threw the rock at the ground trying to break it open, and instead broke open our window.  I'm not totally convinced. 

Then there's my mom who instead of me buying her a present on Mother's Day she buys me one, soft matching pajamas.  She's the best!  She makes up for my broken window.

I was so excited about my new bike that we rode over 3 miles on Sunday and on Monday I took Stella for a ride to go see Mikey so he could wish me a Happy Mother's Day too.

Last Day

 

If it weren't for the fact that I love sleeping in over the summer I would be bawling my eyes out right now since this is the last day they will all get to go on the bus together and see each other in the same school.  Alexandria won't have another sibling with her until she is a Senior. in. Highschool!  This year there were tears.  Isabel cried because Mrs. Rother is leaving.  AJ cried because he's just a sweetheart and felt bad leaving his crying teacher, Miss Meek.  I've never seen so many tears on the last day of school.  I'm going to chalk it up to them being emotionally drained after working super hard and doing their very best this year.  Now bring on the sleep!

Best Seats in the House

As the weather warms up that means one thing around our house. It's ball season! This week we have a game every night. The boys have 3 games. Alexandria has 2. It can get kind of crowded at the games since the bleachers aren't very big. No problem for the boys though. They have Papi's innovative skills. They just made themselves a seat in the trees, little monkeys! I'm not a big fan of the weather warming up or a big fan of ball. But I love watching my kids play. 

Conference Weekend

Did you hear about the stupid criminal who kept boxes under the hood of his car?  He robbed our flip house, stole all of Papi's tools then couldn't leave because his car wouldn't start probably due to the boxes under the hood.  So he called a taxi and a tow truck instead.  The thing was we got there before the tow truck.  He left his wallet, ID, everything we need to know who he is and where he lives. If it hadn't have ruined our long anticipated conference weekend I would have been laughing at the dumb guy's losing efforts.  Let's be honest, I am still laughing.  Such a fool!  But now I'm wondering who is really the fool because it's been 3 days and the Mesa Police still haven't arrested him. 

Fortunately, we were able to watch conference as a family on Sunday.  We love conference weekend!  My kids even watched it while we were talking to the police on Saturday.  And they were home alone!  Everyone has their conference binders.  We eat candy, lots of candy.  We make food that we only have on conference morning.  It's such a relaxing two days at the Cesar home.  I'm already looking forward to October!

Pony bite

 

"Mom! I think the pony bit me." DJ showed me the red markings on his leg while in the Jacuzzi tub in the cabin.  Then, he looked at me with pain in his face, making his eyes like he needed help. This kid tries to get away with everything.  Luckily, I'm usually a step ahead but it's a challenge that I am always working on.  This time was an easy one though.

"Oh, dear! You could get pony rabies!" I lied. "We need to get you out now and cut that out of you." Fear crossed his face as he looked at his marked up leg.  I continued.  "Unless you think it might have been the intake for the Jacuzzi that made that mark? Then you're probably fine. You'll just have a funny looking tattoo for the rest of your life."

"Really, Mom?" he caught on.  I smiled, then told him not to do it again or he might get spots on his whole body.

Baseball Beginnings

 

Papi is coaching again.  This year is their first year that they get to pitch.  I think we are working on a pitcher and a catcher. I'll be honest.  It's getting a little crazy with practices 3 times a week.  But it will be worth it, right?  I love my boys!

Nerds

When this school year started, I had a bunch of cute kids with bright eyes and white teeth.

 

Then somehow during the school year they all evolved into kids with braces and glasses.

 

But somehow they manage to pull it off and not look like nerds.

In fact they look adorable!

 

Last Christmas Sing

So bittersweet!

They are all growing up.  While I'm having such a blast with their big kid personalities it's hard to say goodbye to what was.  This year is the last Winter Sing where these four all get to be in it together. Isabel was the only one who wanted to go but I made them.  It was the last one!

We couldn't leave out the selfie on a big night like this, in the car, on the way to get ice cream.  Don't worry, I was at a red stoplight when we took it.

Mine are Nine

Nine years ago today these two sweet baby boys were put in my arms.  First, DJ then AJ.  They were the cutest boys I had ever seen.  It was love at first sight.  Now they're nine! Half my time of having them is gone.  I'm not ready for them to grow up yet.

But the birthday was fun!  Grandma and Grandpa treated them to Amazing Jakes where they could play arcade games and ride rides to their nine year old hearts' content.  I even got them all out of school early to go.  Know what I put down as their reason for leaving?  "It's their birthday."  Just wait until the school finds out I did their homework for them today too.

This is my attempt at making a baseball and a football out of one mix and cupcakes.  Don't judge! I'm sure they tasted better than they looked.  

This birthday would not have been as great if it weren't for Grandma and Grandpa hooking them up.  If I were doing a month of thankfulness, like everyone else, today I would say I am thankful for grandparents...and twins.  They are both awesome!

Happy birthday boys!!  I love you!

Sleep Tight Little Ones

Don't let him fool you. It's not a brotherly love thing that has him sleeping by his twin. It's more of a "I'll sleep in his bed so I don't have to make mine in the morning" kind of thing. Still cute though. 

DJ and Stella

Know what DJ's favorite way to take care of Stella is?

I'll give you a clue.

Video games!  I've heard it will make her a great gamer.

Planes, Rockets and Automobiles

Since Papi is gone again I'm really going to try to post daily...again. 

DJ's imaginative moment today was turning the box he was supposed to take to the trash into his own private plane, then car, then rocket ship. It was sad that thirty seconds after we took the picture his box ripped. He cried. Game over. At least it was fun while it lasted. 

Last Day of School

Somehow time flew by and I never finished up the last day of school. Isabel got to have a speaking part in the Kindergarten Sing.  She was super excited and did fantastic.

 The boys had Mrs. Stradling and now Isabel got to have Mrs. Stradling for Kindergarten.  Hopefully, she will still be there when Stella is ready, which I don't even really want to think about yet.

 Mrs. Conrad was the Kindergarten aide for all of our children.  She's retiring and will be very missed.

 Thank goodness Alexandria had a wonderful teacher this year.  Her love of school came back and I was happy to see her back to her old self after her awful teacher last year.

 Mrs. Vilhauer is retiring too.  Alexandria and my boys got to have her.  We love her and will be sad to see her go.

They all had such good teachers this year.  It was sad to see it over.  Next year will be the last year that all of them are in the same school.  I love that they're all close in age and will all have sweet memories together.