Cherries, Galore!

We have two cherry trees in our backyard and one of them was full of cherries just waiting to be picked. Last year this tree has barely any cherries on it, so I was so excited to see it full this year. The kids were so excited to pick them off the tree. Our other cherry tree is just about ready and the best part about it is it's a Mt. Ranier cherry tree...my favorite cherries!!

Here are just a portion of our cherries. By the end of our picking the bowl was filled to the top.
I am going to make a cherry pit warmer pillow out of our cherry pits so I knew I needed a tool to help me get the pits out without having to do it myself. I went to Globus (think Walmart in the States) and picked up this handy dandy tool.
Grace and Jackson loved pitting the cherries with this thing.
Yaya and Jackson had a good system down. She put them in the container and Jackson was the pitter.
When all was said and done, we have about 5 pounds of cherries from that one tree! I might make a cherry pie out of them, but for now they are put into our smoothies we make on a daily basis. I plan on looking up some good cherry recipes so I can make some yummy treats.

Italy-Pisa & Cinque Terre

With Mom Scherden here for a visit, we decided to take a weekend vacation to Italy. It is a place that she has always wanted to visit, so we figured why not make a trip down to the beautiful country.

We flew on Friday afternoon into Pisa and had a few hours to walk around the area, eat dinner and grab some yummy gelato for dessert. I think everyone really loved to see the tower! The kids kept calling it the "bending tower." It was fun being back again after my last trip with my mom there this past February. The weather was much more nice this time around.

Nothing like chianti in Italy.

According to Jackson that was the best pizza he has ever had.
The baptistry.
The infamous tower.
We woke up early on Saturday and took the train into the Cinque Terre. This is a place that we have always wanted to visit. The Cinque Terre is comprised of 5 small coastal villages along the Mediterranean. We were all so thankful for the beautiful weather we woke up to on Saturday morning. Not a cloud in the sky and a nice, cool breeze to top it off.

Mom Scherden and the kids on the train into the Cinque Terre.

Great picture of the two of them! This is a view from Vernazza.
We were very limited on space since we flew Ryan Air, so our friends let us borrow this back pack for Grace. We did a lot of walking and were so thankful to have something to let her rest in.
Sweet photo...
The colors are just magical!

Jackson eating some gelato.
Grace doing a dance for us on her sugar high after her gelato.

This view is of Manarola. Absolutely beautiful!

I love the streets. So close and cozy with so much character.
On the path from Riomaggiore to Manarola there is a walk called the Via Dell'Amore, or "lovers walk." Along the way, you have the opportunity to put a lock on one of the many gates or rails to seal your eternal love. Kinda cheesy, but we had a lock on us and thought it would be fun to do.


View of the lovers walk from Manarola to Riomaggiore.
It was a fantastic, but quick trip. The kids did amazing on our busy days. It makes it such an enjoyable trip when they are so good. We will be back in July when we drive back down for a family trip. I am sure we will love every minute of it then as well.

Yellow Belt Karate Kid

Jackson earned his yellow belt today in his class session. He was supposed to test on Saturday, but came down with the stomach bug and couldn't make it. And the best part about it is Yaya (Jason's mom) was here to watch the testing.

Jackson did so well with his kata I and answering the questions that Master J had for him. His favorite part was he sparred someone for one minute. He did awesome!

We are so very proud of his accomplishment! Way to go Jackson!

Bowing to Master J after he earned his belt.
Master J tying on his new belt. Look at that face...so proud of himself!

"G"

Grace loves to practice writing her name. Lately she has been writing the letter "G" and can do it pretty good. She is so proud of herself!

There was a little caterpillar crawling on a leaf...

While the kids and I were playing outside I noticed a caterpillar on the cherry tree. I was SO excited because I have really wanted the kids to see the process of how they change into a butterfly. He ate...and ate...and ate for about 4 days and now this morning we noticed that he attached himself to one of the sticks we put in the jar. I keep thinking he is going to start his chrysalis soon, but it hasn't happened yet. I have sung the kids a song about a caterpillar changing into a butterfly many times in the past...so now I am singing it all the time. (I'll try and get one of the kids to sing it and put the video on the blog.) I think I am more excited to see the process than they are! I'll be sure to keep the blog updated on his/her progress...

The caterpillars home for a while.
Munching away on the cherry tree leaves.

Jackson's T Ball Game

I was very excited to see Jackson's t ball game on Saturday. I missed his first game last week because Grace was a little under the weather and didn't sleep good the night before. He gets so excited when it's game day and he wears his uniform. His team is called "The Buzz" after a minor league team of the NY Mets. As a parent, I have looked forward to these days of t ball and other sports. Makes me proud!

Patiently waiting for his team to get on the field.
Ready and waiting for the ball to come his way.
Jackson's turn to bat!
Making it around the bases and back to home plate.

Waiting at first plate...
This one makes me laugh. He is raising his hand to let the person know to throw it to him.
Go and get it, Jackson!
Game over...
Great job, team Buzz!