Title.

I have concluded lately that there just isn't enough time in the day. Our laid-back, not much going-on schedules have picked up. We've had guests, and Spanish, gymnastics, and Spanish, other stuff, and Spanish...

I've begun my twice a week tutoring sessions con Carolina. We basically just try to have conversations together in español. The two sessions we've had so far have consisted of me nodding and acting as if I know what she just said, and then me responding with broken Spanish that probably is the equivalent of what a 3-year-old native speaker can say.
She said that she was impressed with how far I've gotten in self-study, but I'm pretty sure she's just being nice.

Tomorrow I start a once-a-week Spanish class offered by the city.
Tonight I'm going to lay out my clothes and see if I can get a new lunchbox for my first day of school.

Except it's just an hour or so.
And not during lunch.

Nevermind.

Are you sensing a Spanish theme here? I'm really trying to learn, and I feel like I'm making the s-l-o-w-e-s-t progress imaginable. My goodness there is a lot to learn. I've spent a full two weeks now on the past tenses, and if I stop to think about every verb I use, I can almost have a coherent conversation.
Almost.

Alex lost another tooth last night, which makes 4 in a row across the top that are missing. Hi-larious.
But not for long, because it looks like her two front teeth with be poking through soon.
I was hoping we'd get a toothless kid for longer, but I suppose it will save me time from having to cut her food up. 

Josh and Derek have taken up wrestling as their main hobby. They are always tangled up on the floor having a fight to the death. This is a quote I heard my husband say tonight as we were getting the kids ready for bed.

But first, let me interrupt that thought with a moment to reflect on what I just said. "My husband" said it as "WE" were getting the kids ready for bed. Oh, how lovely! Every night, people! He's home every night! Now that I know how the other half live, I might never be able to go back...

Now we can return to our regularly scheduled programming.

"Okay, Derek. We're going to have one minute of no holds barred wrestling and then you've got to go to sleep."
Certainly we all know that a minute of intense wrestling action is just what most 4-year-olds need to get them in the mood for sleeping. 
Sheesh. Boys.


In other news: Mango Quinoa Salad. If you don't like it, you're wrong.
Oh, but add salt.

Next week, Pepaw and Grandma Cindy are coming to visit from Michigan! Derek wants to be their tour guide. He tells me often that he really likes it here "because of the aquarium and the beach and because of all the big hills we get to walk up and down." 
Future postcard for Monterey.

Not gonna lie. I really like that kid.
He still wakes me up every morning at eight o'clock with a big smile and the same question, "Mama, do you want my snuggles?"
Yes. Yes I do. Every morning for forever.
He is so sweet and tender-hearted I almost can't take it. He's promised me he wont turn 5, but I don't believe him.
I could listen to him speak Spanish all day. Probably because he only knows how to say "I love you very much mom."
But it's the cutest little Te quiero mucho mamá that you've every heard.