Cartwheels

With Allen having school twice a week and swim class only once a week, there were still two days where Allen wasn't learning anything or enjoying any fun activities. Jei wanted to enroll him into some kind of sport... but with Allen not really into any particular sport yet and still too young and uncoordinated, I didn't think he was ready for that just yet. Instead, I thought of my little nephew, Sam Hightower, and how he's been involved in gymnastics now for quite some time. And after getting to see a little preview of what he's learned and how much he enjoyed performing back when we visited last year for the Christmas Holiday, I knew that would be perfect for Allen to try out.

I found a gymnastics gym not far from the house and after getting a quick tour around the place and seeing all the fun activities that Allen would be doing... I immediately signed him up! Naturally I was worried that he wouldn't like it and not want to participate, but believe me... it was quite the opposite! He absolutely loved it... so much so that he even practices his balance beam on the bleacher bench before class begins. 

Jack of course is still a little too young to participate...

but he loves watching his big brother jump around and have fun.

And whatever Jack sees Allen do...

he wants to do it too!

All the play & tumbling areas are fenced & gated off... but there's plenty of room in the spectator area for Jack to run around and be crazy!

Class starts with some light stretching...

...and a whole lot of silliness.

While Jack looks on, takes notes, and cheers on his brother.

Once they get all limbered up, it's on to the balance beam.

Allen really likes his coach (Chris). He's got some crazy hair, but he's really funny and great with the kids.

After the balance beam, it was on to the high-bar.

Whether it's the high-bar or the rings...

if Allen can hang like a monkey, he loves it!

One of the more difficult maneuvers he's had to learn (believe it or not)... is the somersault / forward roll / or as Allen calls it, a "flip." 

Here's a cute video of one of his first attempts. First of all, the little boy in white totally has ADHD and is all over the place... definitely makes for good comedy! And then second, Allen had a difficult time understanding what his belly button had to do with doing a forward roll. Coach Chris tried to get Allen to tuck his chin and to look down at his belly button... but when he asked Allen where his belly button was, he simply raised up and pointed at where his belly button was... as if to say, "Duh, right here Coach!" So funny!!!

He's certainly not fast when it comes to crossing those balance beams... but like his coach tells him, slow and steady wins the race!

Allen's pretty decent at most everything they do... but if you ask him what his favorite thing to do is, he'll tell you he loves to "bounce!" 

Poor Jack sees all the fun things his big brother does and wants nothing more than to get in there and do them too.

These two silly boys love coming to gymnastics class.

Big thanks to Sammy for being our inspiration!

Allen did so well on his first day...

that Coach Chris gave him a free T-shirt!

Mi Familia

One of the things Jeilene really wanted to do this year... a goal you might say, was to see her Dad, Oscar Sr. Of course for that to happen, she'd have to travel down to Mexico... and that's exactly what her and the Boys did this past February.

When things are meant to be... they're just meant to be. Not only did Jei find some cheap airfare to go down to visit her Dad, but Momma Soch was able to take the time off and tag along... and their visit down south just so happened to coincide with a trip her Sister & her family were taking to the same town for a wedding. Needless to say, Jei and the Boys were super excited to see Oscar Sr... as well as Michele, Jorge, Sofia, William, Catalina and Leo!

One of their first stops together was to visit Wela's vacant house...

where Jei & her family spent the majority of their years growing up.

A little dusty... but Allen sure did give it his approval.

Hungry for some lunch? All they had to do was flag down an old guy on a motorcycle selling coconuts!

No motorcycle of their own...

but they could definitely improvise!

Jei, Wela & the Boys all got to go to the family wedding too... which provided an excellent opportunity for some great Cousin pictures!

No doubt two of the best lookin men there!

Jack... such the social butterfly.

Jack & his Nino Jorge gettin their groove on.

And while everyone else is having fun out on the dance floor,

Allen sneaks in a quick snack!

Just a couple of handsome cowboys...

hanging out with Lady Gaga I think?!?

Once night fell, Allen grabbed his mask and his balloons

and hit the dance floor like a true raver! 

Jack sure as heck wasn't going to be upstaged by his older brother!

If it wasn't a mask, it was a hat.

Jack was changing identities faster than the DJ could change songs!

And if he wasn't entertaining crowds around the table...

then he was entertaining them on the dance floor!

The next day Jack finally got to meet his Granddaddy!

Jei & the Boys drove out to the family ranch to meet with Oscar Sr., or "Tata" as he's referred to by the little ones... where they all got up close & personal with lots of livestock.

Oscar Sr. and his son 'Tano" show Allen how to feed the cows.

Meanwhile, Jei & Jack relax and enjoy a little down time.

Wela introduces Jack to his 94-year-old Great Grandmother,

'Mama Cuy'.

Allen keeping a close eye on all the chickens roaming around.

Thank God for Tano being there... as he & Allen bonded and played around the ranch together. Otherwise, Allen would've had to make friends with one of those chickens! 

Oscar Sr. bonding with his Grandson.

Just because they were there visiting, didn't mean they could

get out of doing some work around the ranch! 

Allen & Tano helping Oscar Sr. pull fruit from a tree...

While Jack enjoys quite literally... the fruits of their labor.

A full bucket of fruit and some happy little helpers.

Allen & Jack meet Mama Cuy's parrot "Currito"...

and feed him his daily dose of Jalapeno Cheeto Balls!

We sure do hope Currito is still alive and well, as Allen thought it would be a great idea to also treat him to a gummy bear!

Jack joins the women to lend a hand deshelling peanuts. 

One of the coolest things the modern world has brought to the ranch (aside from a working toilet!) is network television... which includes Disney Junior and Nickelodeon to entertain the kids. Certainly something Jei and her siblings & cousins would never have dreamt about having when they were that age visiting the ranch!

 Besides seeing family and all the animals around the ranch...

the best part had to be getting to see and climb on all the cool tractors!

Needless to say... Allen was in tractor Heaven!

Jack on the other hand... wasn't all that interested initially.

"Come on Jack... hurry up and get in here before they see us!"

But once he finally got on one, he realized just how awesome it was!

Jack had a lot of fun both on and off the tractors...

but eventually he just got all tractor'd out!

There wasn't much to play with there at the ranch...

but the boys improvised quite nicely.

Oscar Sr. takes the crew over to the family mausoleum on the ranch...

Where they watered the flowers and payed their respects. 

Allen gets a few pointers from his "Tata"

on how to take care of some flowers.

Allen loved hanging out with Oscar Sr...

and no doubt the feeling was mutual.

Allen hugs, kisses, and says goodbye to Mama Cuy...

and thanks her for the wonderful stay.

I don't think Jeilene could have been more thrilled or satisfied with her trip down to Mexico. Not only did she fulfill her goal of seeing her Dad and having him meet Jack for the first time... but she & the Boys also got to see and spend some time with Michele, Jorge and the kids! Doesn't get much better than that... well, maybe if I had tagged along, and I certainly wish I had... but somebody had to stay home and pay for the trip! =)