Goodbye June!

June was crazy busy! How do you recap an entire month in one post?? With a real long one full of photos. So here we go....

First we started the month in San Diego. When we got home it was back to seeing friends and getting into our Summer routine. Mondays at the Zoo, Wednesdays at Summer Movie Camp and Fridays we spend with the same small group of 5 moms and 12 (soon to be 13 kids).

So we have been spending time keeping cool by swimming.



And what day of Summertime swimming would be complete without good friends?



And of course splash pads with water slides and caves are fun too!



And when we are too hot to be outside there is Daddy's personal favorite... our girls playing video games. (that is until Ryen somehow manages to get both controllers and sit on her sister! wth?? ha ha)



And something about the word Summer just invokes so much desire to stay busy, and do fun things and savor it while it is here (even though our Summer seems to be like 6 mos and not 3) we still fall victim to this thinking. So celebrate Summer with little things like:

Cotton Candy...



and firepits...



and dancing half-naked in loud Princess shoes.



Impromptu sleepovers where we play Hairdresser with friends,



and having buttery, yummy, Summery corn on the cob for the first time!



And in Summertime we love to to wear our bright colorful clothes,



and get a cup cake sugar high ! Ha ha (love the face!!)



Also in June I had the pleasure of having Ella be my date for my friend Keely's wedding reception. It was a kid friendly reception in her backyard (her and hubby had a private ceremony on the beach of San Diego so this was just a celebration with friends and family.) It was so nice and I had the best looking date there. She insisted on wearing her dress after she saw I was wearing my tuxedo dress. So she was my mini-me for the night. And we had to mark the occasion with a fun indoor and outdoor fashion shoot!! ha ha

Work it... work it... (PS Notice my dogs being complete camera whores. They would NOT get out of the shot... determined to be part of the fun! ha ha)



And Jimmy and I also took the girls to the city of Chandler's day of water play event at the downtown common. It was cute. They had these big water slide bouncers and baby pools with toys etc. Can't say we had a ton of fun. The lines were long, the girls preferred the $10 baby pools and the bubbles to the big bouncies. Ella went down a couple bouncy slides just fine, until we waited 20 minutes in line for the last one and she got stuck at the top, too scared to come down... yeah that was fun. NOT! Here they are having fun!

Weeeeeeeeeee!




And Summer vacation brings some things that make Momma smile like:

Nostalgic throw back Happy Meal Boxes (instead of the cheapo paper bags)



An Ice Cold cup of deliciousness courtesy of my Hometown Favorite: Dunks!



My desire to bake with my kids (which I always usually regret later! ha ha)



Ella insisting on wearing pretty sun dresses all the time, and finally allowing me to pull her hair up...



And cutely napping quiet babies also = Happy Mommy!! :)



Bust most of all Summer Vacation means TONS of time to spend with my two girls making memories that will last a lifetime. And that is what truly makes me the MOST Happy Momma. I am truly lucky to be able to stay at home and raise them, and spend this much time with them. (Even if I develop a wine addiction by the time they are both in school full time, it will be worth it... ha ha!)

And of course we had one last trip to the zoo in June...





Goodbye June... hello even hotter weather and more adventures...

2010 San Diego Family Vacation

This year our trip to San Diego was earlier than last year. We went the week of June 4th-11th. We traded our Orlando Disney time share to stay at the Welk Resort in Escondido. It was about 25 minutes North and inland of San Diego.

So we packed up the car and headed West!



The resort was great. It was very family oriented and our suite was great. We had a full kitchen with appliances a huge bathroom with jacuzzi tub and a separate bedroom where the kids could sleep so Jimmy and I could sleep on the pull out sofa in the living room. We also had an entire wall of sliding glass doors in both the bedroom and living room that looked out over the golf course. The resort had a rec room with air hockey tables and toddler playroom filled with fun toys (many of which we recognized from home.)

Here are some photos of us having fun at the resort.



We spent the first few days hanging by the pool at the resort and just relaxing. The girls loved it.



Then we took the girls to Queen Califia's Magical Circle in Escondido which is the only American sculpture garden. (Apparently there are some of these in Europe and the artist who created this and donated it to the city of Escondido was French.) It was a real cool sight to see and the girls had fun running around the giant maze looking for each other. There was so much stone, colored tile and glass and mirrors used in these sculptures.



Then it was off to LEGOLAND. Had it not been cold, windy and overcast we probably would have enjoyed Legoland more. But the June Gloom made it impossible to dry off, so we opted out of the new water park and the splash pad/pirate boating attractions (which would have been the kids 2 favorites). At least we have something to do next time we come back though.




After Legoland we hit the Sea Life Aquarium. One of these just opened in Tempe, AZ but this one was free with our Legoland ticket package so we took the kids through. Ella thought I was crazy when I told her and Ryen to climb in the tank with the fishies!



Both kids loved the Aquarium but Ryen especially loved the shark and sting ray tank where they swim overhead.



And seriously call us crazy but there was one stingray that took a liking to Ryen and kept coming back to her. And since they always look like they are smiling it was pretty darn cute.

Here is a great shot of Ryen's friend the Sting Ray...



And there is nothing like fishy kisses...



Later that night I ended up having to take Ryen to the Emergency Room cause she couldn't breathe that well and was crying pretty bad. Turns out she had CROUPE. Figures first time she gets sick and the first time I ever have to take one of my kids to the ER is in a strange city... But bunny was awesome. She was a trooper and all the doctors and nurses thought she was the happiest sick baby they ever saw. :)



We had to take it easy the next couple days and then we were finally ready to hit the beach! Mission Beach is one of my favorite places and I was looking forward to it ALL week. And when we got there it was raining, windy, cold and cloudy. But we still managed to get a family photo of us at the beach. :)



Seriously though?? I asked a passerby, hey when will this burn off? She said July. DOH! So we made the most of it. The girls held hands walking the beach and couldn't help but love on a cute dog they saw at the amusement area.



But we couldn't swim or make sand castles etc. Oh well. Life gives you lemons... throw em out and take the kids to Chuck E Cheese!


And you know it was a good vacation when your kid passes out at 5pm for the entire night in a naked baby face plant on the couch. Ha ha



Don't worry beach... I WILL see you soon! XO

School's Out for Summer!!

Ella's school got out at the end of May. We are changing her school for the 2010-11 school year in anticipation of her testing into early Kindergarten next year. School starts July 26th so we have 8 full weeks of Summer break and are determined to have as much fun as we can! Ella will be going to school now MWF from 9:30am-2:30pm, so I am looking forward to having this alone time with Ryen. I think I might sign her up for a Mommy and me class like I did with Ella, or start enjoying Story time at the library. I can't wait, although I am sad that I will not have as much time with Ella.

For Ella's graduation we had a little recital for her with her classmates. We also took photos on the last day of school and even Ryen got in on the action and wanted to join the class. Here are some pics.



One of our first orders of business was to sign the girls up for the Harkins Theater Summer Movie Program. You cant beat this deal. One movie every Wednesday for 8 weeks for only $7 per person. Less than a buck per movie. I bought three seats so Ryen could come too. And I realized something very cool... Both my girls saw their first movie in the movie theater together at the same time. There aren't many times when they get to do something for the first time together so this was really cool. Here they are at their first movie together (and with friends).



We have a lot planned for this Summer and the first thing planned is our Family Trip to San Diego! Our next post will have those photos... San Diego here we come!

May Fun (Train Park, POLE dancing, and Children's Museum!)

May was a fun month for us. But a busy one too. We tried to hit some of the major attractions in the area before it got too hot and before the schools got out so that we could enjoy these places without dealing with the crowds! First stop was the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park where we met up with friends for a day of fun! It was great.

I just love the ambiance here. It looks old and historic to me, kind of nostalgic. The old trains available for touring add so much to the place...



And my girls loved exploring and playing!



And what trip to the train park is complete some of your girlfriends...



...and a ride on the carousel!



And of course when we took the kids to the playground all they wanted to do was hit the sand! Maybe they are all beach babies at heart!?



My girlfriends and I decided to take a fitness based POLE dancing class in May also! I loved the motto of the dance studio painted right on the wall of the waiting area... "Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes"



I firmly believe this and it is something I am trying to live by and something I am trying to help my girlfriends believe. Once you have sacrificed your body for child rearing you really need to let go of this ridiculous standard society has set that we strive to live up to. And we should just enjoy being our fabulous selves (stretch marks, cellulite and breastfed saggy boobs and all). And FABULOUS we are! Check us out:



We had so many laughs! It was hard to take photos cause the room was SO dark. But we managed to grab some good ones.


It was a little awkward in the beginning but once we started doing it and loosened up and starting not taking ourselves so seriously it was a lot of fun! And we learned a cute little routine for our Husbands! :)

We also went to the Children's Museum before school got out. With the exception of me getting into an argument with a retired male OLD museum employee who was treating me and my Mom friends like crap and telling us how to parent out children in the most rude and disrespectful way, we had a real good time with our friends! The girls always go nuts at the museum and like seeing and touching everything they can!



Ryen was fearless when it came to running blindly through "noodle forest". I was impressed! She was also fearless when it came to licking the giant ice cream cone at the pretend ice cream cart. UGH! Blah!!


Here are some more of my favorites from their time at the museum.

Weekly Trips to the Zoo!

I have not blogged much in a while. We just have been so busy this Summer traveling, playing, swim lessons, exploring the Zoo and Museums, reading, swimming and sleeping! :) Basically as Kelle would say "sucking the marrow out of life" But I promise to get caught up.

We got a jump start on Summer but deciding to commit to hitting the Zoo once a week throughout the entire Summer. We are zoo members and can go whenever we want for free. So we decided to get use of this asset. May weather was crazy. One day it was windy and cold and we were all freezing. The next day was super nice out and breezy and comfortable, the next time it would be hot and we were sweltering- but we make do. The kids never care and a little sweat never hurt anyone. My favorite part about trips to the zoo is the cool free photo souvenirs I get. Ok so technically they are not free and I do steal them from the zoo photo website (hence the big PROOF word on them). But I still think they are cool to share. Here are some of my favorites:





And of course we have our own photos of fun with friends:





And photos of our special trip with Aunt Lori before she moved back to MA :(



I finally had someone there to take photos of me and my girls! (Thanks Lori)



Both of them had fun going down the tunnel slide:





And of course who can forget about the animals... oh the animals!!


How about this little guy who just walked right up to us cause he wanted our cheerios. Ever seen anything as cool as this?? He must have really liked those cheerios cause he rewarded us by fanning his feathers.


And how about this one... while visiting our favorite baboons one of them perked up when he saw us coming and was chatting with us through the glass. One of the perks of coming to the Zoo so much is you make friends... The girls loved it!



And of course there is always the Carousel. A trip to the zoo is not complete with out the magical music and blinking lights of our beloved carousel. The place where my girls give out the most smiles, giggles, and excited squeals as their animals of choice ride up and down and we carousel in circles. They love it... it is our weekly tradition. And shhh.... Mommy loves carousels too.

Nothing like a Big Sister!

Most people would probably say my girls are really close. Yes they fight and taunt and toy with each other and push each others buttons. And they steal toys away and push and hit on occasion when they think we aren't looking. But they really love each other. Our decision to have our children so close in age was one we have regretted many times from pure exhaustion and frustration and the wish that things didn't have to be SO hard. And there are times I think I should have waited one more year...

BUT... then I see them playing with each other. And laughing with each other. Actually watching the same TV programs and still interested in the SAME toys (hence the fighting). And nothing makes me happier then to see them hug and kiss when I am not asking them to make up from a fight, or because I have my camera out, but just because they want to do it on their own. Or when I sneak a peak in the rear view mirror and they are HOLDING HANDS quietly as they watch TV in the backseat. Or how when we park at the gym Ryen repeatedly refuses my attempts at holding her hand through the parking lot cause only her Big Sister's hand will do. Oh.My.Heart... Tonight at bedtime Ryen was laying in bed saying "Ella bye, Ella bye!" I said "You want to tell Ella goodbye, goodnight" "Yeah" said her little voice. So we went and got Ella who climbed up and gave her kisses and hugs goodnight. It was so cute.

And something else happens sometimes that makes my heart smile. Like when a stranger gets a little too close to Ryen, Ella will move right in to protect her. She has even said "this is MY Sister" on a few occasions. When Ryen gets hurt Ella is there to help her up and make sure she is ok or tell me about it. And her sweet little voice says "Are you ok Ryen?" And it goes both ways too. If Ella is hurt or crying or in time out, Ryen walks over to pat her back or rub her head or try to hug her.

My kids are water babies. I have always taught them to respect our pool and the water but not to fear it. Maybe that is why I have a 3.5 year old who is in swim classes with all 5 year olds, who has been truly swimming unassisted since before 2.5 yrs. I always watch them closely around pools and they are never outside or in a pool without me. But I am also not afraid to let them explore the pool and the water. Ella learned to walk in our pool at 9 mos old and was walking on land at 10 mos. Ryen was a month behind her on both. Yes they lost balance or stepped off a ledge and went under once in a while and I was there to scoop them out within seconds and make sure they saw a smile on my face instead of a look of fear. I sternly warn them not to lean over pools or not to try to climb into the pool where there is no step (and many time outs have been given for failure to listen). But I ultimately let them "safely" learn from their mistakes and am there to help them when they make them. And today we had the best Big Sister moment of all...

While Ryen and Ella were playing on the steps of our spa, I was trying to shoo a menacing bee away. I took my eyes off the girls for a couple seconds and when I turned to look back I couldn't see Ryen. I was already springing towards them saying "I don't see Ryen" when at the same time I heard Ella yell "Mommy- Ryen slipped into the deep area" Ryen had simply mis-stepped and slipped off her play area (18" deep) and into the shallow spa (3.5 ft deep) But her Big Sister was right there for her. Ella is so tall she can already stand in our spa and she was trying so hard to pull Ryen up above the water as best she could till I could gather her. She actually did pick her up and hold her above the water and since Ryen weighs more than half Ella's weight it was no easy feat for her to hold her baby Sister up like that (even in water). But Ella knew to instinctively grab her for the short seconds it took me to get to her. I was so proud of her. As kids they are taught so many times when another kid is in trouble in a pool you tell a grown up and don't try to rescue them yourself. But she just couldn't resist when it came to her Baby Sister. So I told her how proud I was of her that not only did she immediately tell me when Ryen slipped off her step but that she tried to help her. Ella was smiling from ear to ear and looked really proud of herself as Daddy and I gave her high fives and tens!

Even though I felt bad that Ry Bunny was a little scared after she slipped in, I know she will be a little more cautious next time. And if not, I will be there to remind her that she fell and needs to be more careful of where she steps (it can be hard for them to see where a ledge stops under the water). And Ryen learned how to burp from some water she swallowed- ha ha. She even tried to run her naked but back to the pool when I was drying her off! But what made me truly happy today was how her Sister had been there for her when Ryen "needed" her. It is that kind of protective instinct that these girls have for each other that left me feeling peaceful inside. That lets me know that they will continue to look out for each other for many many years to come. Hopefully their entire lifetimes.