The Rodriguez Family Blog

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Are We There Yet?

We are planning an upcoming road trip so I went searching for some ideas to keeps the kids from boredom. I found lots of great stuff, including games for all ages, like the one above. Then I also got the idea to have each of the kids keep a vacation journal while we are away. Each day the can make an entry about the day's adventures. Hopefully, they will hold lots of good memories for years to come!

Lightening Luke

My brother and sister-n-law had a superhero themed birthday for my nephew recently. Let me tell you, the kids had a blast! They were talking about it for days afterward! Each kiddo had a series of tests (games) to earn there superhero status, including an awesome obstacle course! At the end they each received their superhero name and certificate with a cape and mask! Here is my Lightening Luke!

Happy 5th Birthday C! We love you!

Friday, March 19, 2010

This Girl Can Talk!

I have a feeling this is going to be a common occurrence at our house for about the next eight years!

They have so much to talk about...man!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We didn't do anything too special for St. Patty's day this year...besides wear green! Although, Luke did make some very cute crafts at school. Including these ones. I just had to get a shot of my lucky little leprechaun wearing his hat and tie, and although he isn't Irish like his ties implies, I gave him a big kiss anyway.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Let's Try Something New

I saw an advertisement a few days ago for the Adventures in Odyssey series on CD. It's an audio story series about children that find themselves on exciting adventures around their town. Each episode teaches a character trait with a moral. These stories have been around for awhile because I remember listening to them on the radio with Dylan when he was small. That got me thinking...Luke loves to listen to music at bedtime and what a great series this would be for him while hopefully building in some good life lessons too! I've heard that the most recent stories are very captivating, even for adults. And heaven knows we've heard enough Phineas and Ferb every night since Christmas to last us awhile. It might even help us pass the drive time on our upcoming road trip next week! Stay tuned, I'll be sure to fill you in on what we thought about them.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

It's That Time Again...

Mariah is in the fourth grade and you know what that means...another mission project! Today we visited the San Gabriel Mission. It was beautiful. Mariah and Luke were able to ring the mission bell and we even grabbed a few snacks along the way. We all enjoyed learning more about it's history and spending the day together!

Soccer Season is Here!

This soccer season we are trying out AYSO! In years past Mariah has played soccer with our church sports league, but this time around we are trying something new. So far, so good! Her first game this past Saturday was so exciting and to top it off she's got a friend who's on her team too! I think it's going to be a great season.

Something to Consider

Adopting a child doesn't change the whole world. But for that child the whole world changes.

Unknown

It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so you may live as you wish.

Mother Teresa

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Truem

Whether you believe you can do something or not, you are right.

Henry Ford

What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.

Eleanor Powell

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition!

The small things we do in life for others don't mean much...they mean EVERYTHING!

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one come to you without leaving happier.

Mother Teresa

A friend is someone who knows you well and still likes you.

Unknown

Kids Say The Darndest Things

Luke often says such funny things, so I thought I would start to share them with all of you from time to time! So here are some of the most recent ones that have kept us laughing...

Apparently Luke has recently become fluent in French. When I inquired about where he had learned French he replied, "From the FBI!"

Recently our dog Maddie was barking to get outside. I sternly said, "Be quiet! Go lay down!" Then I heard Luke say, " Mom, I could be wrong, but I don't think that is the way to earn Maddie's affections!"

Luke has narrowed down his career options recently. He told me he just can't decide whether he should work at Walmart or be a Doctor!

Luke asked me the other day if we could stop at Starbucks for a "Frap-a-chonie".

After our walk through a living nativity this Christmas, Luke said "Wow...I didn't know Jesus was "king of the jewels" thats cool!"

Luke has been asking about heaven lately. When we will go there, who will go there and now...what will go there. He told me that he'd like "jacket" (his blankie) to be there so please put it in a box, write "JESUS" in big letters and He can pick it up at the post office when he has time!

When I asked Luke how his day at school went earlier this week, he said "Great! I met Avery and she's willing to marry me!"

Today Luke announced that he is getting a tatoo. It apparently is going on his stomach and will read: God is awesome...and so is my mom! It does have a ring to it! I like it!

Luke was watching the kids walking by as we waited for Dylan after school today. When suddenly he blurted out, " Oh dang! I just saw a Jonas brother! I didn't know they went to this school." I said, "You did?" And he said, "Yeah, the one with the hair!"

Luke hurt himself on Friday and we had to visit the emergency room. When the Dr. came in she asked me if he had lost conciousness at anytime. And although he was very much out of it, Luke opened his eyes just a little bit and said, "No, I lost my balance!" Then closed his eyes again.

Luke was asking about the logistics of how God could make everything in the world in just a few days. So, I began to review with him what happened each day. When we got to the 6th day I told him that God made the first people. I said, "Do you remember who the first man was that God made? Do you remember his name?" "Grandpa?" was his reply!

On Halloween Luke asked his dad, "What is Jesus being for Halloween?" When Mario said he didn't know...Luke said, "I think he's gonna be a hamster!"

Luke received a call from Geoffery the Giraffe at Toys 'r' Us for his birthday today! He listened quietly, then said, "What the heck? I didn't know giraffes could talk!"

We were at the doctor's office recently and the nurse told Luke that she loved his curly hair. This was his reply, "Seriously, it's not MY fault! It's my mom's..."

Recently one of Luke's siblings was sent to their room for disobeying. As he assessed the situation and they went upstairs, he turned to me and asked, "Are they gonna get their rear-end paddled?" To which I replied, "No! Where did you hear that?" He said, "You know...that's spanish for a spankin'!"

Most nights I tuck Luke into bed and they all go pretty much the same...tuck him in, pray, give him a kiss and turn on his music. But tonight was different! When we were done praying he said to me,"What did you say?" I said,"Amen!" "M-O-M!" he told me,"It's Hey, Man! When we're done praying we say Hey, Man!"

Man, you've got to love kids!