Edward Cub Scouts Project

Edward is growing up fast and keeping us all busy.  Throughout that busy time we have tried different recreational activities to continue to socialize him.  One of those activities was having him join the Boy Scouts / Cub Scouts back in 2019 with a couple of friends from school.  He was resistant of course.  (It's really in his nature.) He has since dropped out but we did have fun with some games and hikes and meets.

One of the meets was an assignment for a video project.  He chose to do it about dinosaurs.  I thought I would share it here.  I hope you all enjoy this small moment of his fleeting childhood.

Bickering, Battling Beasts

A mash up of blogs

As I say over and over, I am not blogging here anymore because it's not so user-friendly for me.

But I don't like to check back and see so much empty space where I know many beautiful things have happened but have not been documented.

So, here are some (few) things to mention about Eddie.

Since Zero's recent passing, Eddie has handled it better than the rest of us did. He seems to be sad about it when he is reminded of Zero, but doesn't stop to cry about it the way I know G or I have.

In August, Eddie and his dad took a trip to San Francisco. It was Eddie's first time on an airplane (not as a fetus.) Eddie says that when he grows up, he will be a traveler!

Eddie's love for dinosaurs has been taking off in the last few months. I believe he can name about 20 types off the top of his head? Here he is enjoying his field trip with his 3rd grade class to the LA County Fair, where he was able to see the Dinosaur exhibit!



Enjoying his favorite (Oreo) cookies with tio Isai in San Diego

Our handsome son, listening closely to a funny story during dinner at a taco place in Los Angeles. He loves his hat and sunglasses (not pictured below.) On this day, my car was towed because of poor "no parking" notification signs and Eddie learned a lot about how to manage your emotions in stressful situations.

Went to see his cousins perform a live Mary Poppins show. Look at how much they look alike! Twins! Born 2 weeks apart.

Yes he loves to be a ham for the camera, just like mom! But he's a grumpy old man, like his dad nyuk nyuk nyuk!

 

Picking out books with mom, for his AR quizzes, at the second hand book store. He was really into this toy camera he got at McDonald's. He carried it with him and claimed to be taking pictures.

 

 

The usual morning routine.....

 

Jacob is a sweet boy who says "Please" and "Thank you" while my baby says "Now" and "Hurry" hahaha! Just kidding. They are a good pair of friends and enjoy each other's company. Here they are at the Natural History Museum together. Eddie really enjoyed this trip, but he was very disappointed by the shape of the triceratops' frill. He didn't understand why it was sort of folded back and not round the way they are depicted in drawings.

 

Here are some Christmas related photos of activities we have done this year.
G and I wanted to tell Eddie that there is no Santa Claus, but we decided not to because Eddie was super excited about the return of Daniel the Elf.  G decided to buy his own elf this year (a female Elf) and Eddie named her Ashley. She does things like give him dinosaur slippers and play hide and seek with him.

Daniel went to visit Eddie and Ashley. Daniel and Ashley are siblings.

Well, that's all for now. Thank you for reading and taking a look!

Rest in peace Zero

Wish I could post more, but blogger is not very user-friendly. 

Zero (Full name Detective Zero "the hero" Jaime) born July 28, 2004. Rescued around September 2004 by a rescue group called benevolent animal rescue committee. http://www.barconline.com/

AKA: puppy, Dag, and Zee Zee. 

Awards:

*Won "Best dog ever" title in our home. 

*Number one VIP guest 2 years in a row at Eddie's birthday parties.

*Best fly killer.

*Number one protector from mailman and gardeners.

*Graveyard shift security dog.

*Most kisses given to humans.

Personality: Calm and loving around family, nervous and anxious with strangers but once warmed up, super kisser who loved to be pet.

Enjoyed being a running partner. 

Loved walking to the nearby park.

Enjoyed sniffing out the window and the grass

Favorite human food: cheeseburgers and puppaccinos

Doggy commands (human words) learned:

Sit

Stay/wait

No

Ok, yes, it's cool

Down

Come

Want water/snack/go outside/ potty/ go for a walk/eat? 

(If yes, barks or jumps up)

(If no, looks away)

Boundary (don't go in certain areas/rooms or stay in this area - no leash)

Heal (walk by my side no leash)

*Food falls on floor* "Don't touch!" (He would not touch)

Jump or up! (for climbing up on something)

Touch (to reassure him of anything he was afraid of which is actually safe, like a box or a balloon)

Let's play! (Tug of war start)

Release! (Let go of object in mouth)

Back (back out of the way or step away)

Say hello! (shakes hand or barks)
Where's the ball?
Where's the lizard?
Cat!!!

Died August 26, 2017 

A huge part of our lives.

Eddie's first day of 3rd grade

He was nervous and anxious, but he started 3rd grade August 14th. This year will involve more independence than last and way more responsibility! We hope we can help you succeed this year. Love you Eddie and we wish you the best!

Eddie's YouTube Videos (he made)

The first one is about planets and he is pretending to be teaching younger children about them.




The next one is his erasers haul. He is doing this video like the Youtubers he watches!

Eddie's 8th Birthday Party and Random Thoughts

Every day that goes by, Eddie gets a little taller, a little stronger, a little wiser and a whole lot more independent. As I'm sure every parent feels every achievement of their child's is a momentous occasion. You'll forgive me if I overwhelm you with Eddie information. It's been a while since any information has been shared so I will probably more than make up for it right now.

Eddie has always been anxious to grow up with every birthday being a small stepping stone to the next. He has his eyes set on an adult life and cherishes the fantasy. Occasionally even drawing himself as he would like to be.

He modified an emoji to include the features he wants to have as an adult.

Sometimes he does these little things that remind you how fleeting all these precious moments with him are.  He often speaks to you on such a mature and introspective level that you forget he's still in second grade.  Luckily he still has a very warm and empathetic heart.

He insisted on having a thin lower beard (like Dad)

Career Day he wanted to be a "Poppa" and I couldn't have been prouder.

Never shy to pose and smile for a picture.

Examples of this are his lack of any embarrassment (yet) when it comes to giving his parents hugs, kisses and holding hands.  If I'm sitting cross legged on the floor he has no problem seeing that as an invitation to use me as a chair and proceed to tell me a story without skipping a beat.  He's heavy and grows heavier every day but I would never complain.

The other day we took him to see Kong: Skull Island.  I recently showed him the Jurassic Park movies which got him very interested in dinosaurs and other large creatures.  Kong is another King Kong oversized gorilla remake he showed interest in.  This time the gorilla was gigantic and computer generated imagery.  During the credits I was explaining to him that all those impressive lists of names were responsible for making the movie.  His eyes grew wide and he asked, "Those were ALL the people in the gorilla suit?!?" So many of this little memories occur every day its impossible to keep track of them all.

He has also continued to develop his love for art and cartography.  A couple of weeks ago he drew this freehand.  He goes through so much paper drawing, coloring and painting; I make it a habit to keep a big roll handy from which he can just rip off for large pieces.  So please excuse the rough edges.

ANYWAY on to the birthday party!

Again grandma and grandpa were extremely generous enough to provide their home and MUCH hard work to make this party happen.  Special thanks to the compadres Carlos Y Rosamaria which yet again have been quick to provide help and hard work as well.

For those of you that recall, last year he wanted to have a My Singing Monsters party.  This year it was specific to a very difficult to obtain monster called the Rare Humbug.  It was also his costume for Halloween last year.  He has always had a taste for very unique and nonconforming things and the entire village helping raise him nurture that trait.

  The day of his birthday he posted this Snapchat to his story.

Musical Chairs

That smirk, is a sign of a very happy Eddie

Keeping a bubble in the air.

The day was filled with laughter

Eddie takes a solid swing and Dad makes a rare in front of the lens appearance.

A very strong effort was made to get at that candy!

Kids put all their strength into busting this treasure chest open.

The kids really enjoyed the piñatas.

It was really good to see Eddie surrounded by new and old friends and family.

It takes precision and concentration!

Some of the adults also enjoyed the candy hunt.

The constant sound of happy kids is one of the best things about birthday parties.

Piñata Power!!!!

Those piñata's had no chance.

Caught in the act.

"No thank you!" says Eddie to wish helpers.

A second wind.

Eddie using his favorite volume level.

After a very careful and silent wish...

Every single candle

"That's how it's done!" says the birthday boy.

Time to open the gifts and... I GUESS read the cards really super quick.

 

The day was fun'd and he was surrounded by many of the people he holds close to his heart.  The day was full of smiles and a very pleasant way to mark the end of his 7th trip around the sun.

Eddie is quickly growing up to be a very strong and independent young man.  He is not afraid or ashamed to do things his own way and often demands to, which is strength I admire.

I look forward to watching him become the man he is destined to be.  For now, I will treasure those ever fewer and far between still childhood moments when he sneaks his way into the bedroom then slowly kicks and punches me out of my own bed. :D

Happy Birthday Eddie!  I can't wait to see what new surprises await us around the next corner.  I love you more than anything in the world.