Mother's Day "Lemonade"

It's amazing how hard it is to catch up when you get behind!  But, as we all know, life happens, and, some things have to be put on hold for a bit.  

Morgan's 1st grade class invited all the mothers in for a presentation back in May.  The kids had made us each a hat (see below), and prepared lots of things for the mothers to enjoy.  Her teacher, Mrs. Barta, had been working with the kids for quite awhile on this "secret surprise", as Morgan referred to it.  

The class recited the entire book, I Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch, with each child reciting a different line.  I was quite impressed because the kids had to memorize their line without taking it home for their mom to help!

They also sang us a few songs.  It was a great morning and I'm so glad I got to share it with my sweet Morgan!

The Next Few Disneyland Trips

Terrible picture, I know.  But, the tram from the parking garage to the park is one of Carson's favorite rides.  I don't know if it's the anticipation for what's ahead, or the fact that he can get in and out all by himself.  Nonetheless, this "ride" tops Carson's list!

Just hanging out by Flo's V8 Cafe!

As we were walking along Paradise Pier, there were a bunch of street games laid out for the kids to play!  So, we stopped and the girls unscrambled a few Disney words and hula hooped!

Carson is exactly 32 inches right now.  So, he's just tall enough for a handful of rides.  Here he is on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.  He really does enjoy this ride, despite the look on his face!

Auntie Logan, Carson, and Mommy (Mackenzie) on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree!

Of course, we couldn't be lucky enough for everyone to be looking at the camera, but, here were on Main Street with Auntie Logan!  We are so glad you came down for a visit!  We can't wait for you to come back!

The following week, Daddy's exam was FINALLY over!  So, we celebrated with a trip to Disneyland!  We happened upon Pooh Corner at the right time for a picture!

This was Carson's first trip on Autopia.  And, just because he's tall enough (exactly 32 inches!), it doesn't mean he can see over the steering wheel!  What a wild ride!

Carson's FIRST Disneyland Trip!

This is how far behind I am.  Carson experienced his first trip to Disneyland over 10 visits ago! When you live 32 minutes away (from our garage to the parking garage!), you can't help but visit regularly.  Especially when your kids are still young.  Not only are you not tied down to loads of homework every night, but, as a parent, it's so fun to watch your kids experience the same magic that captivated you during childhood.  And our kids are the perfect ages for that!  Not to mention, we needed to start our year before Carson turned two, so at least one of us could enjoy a year for free!

We arrived right at nap time.  Morgan and Sadie wanted to take Carson to City Hall to get his "First Visit" pin, which, he wouldn't wear, anyway.  So, we stuck it on the stroller.

We started out in Disneyland.  We took the kids on the Jungle Cruise and Carson was fascinated by all the "animals."  Even while waiting in line, he loved watching all the boats come in.

After a ride or two, Carson started to get the hang of things and enjoy the magic!  Here he is, just chilling in the stroller with his buddy, Declan! 

The girls had never been to California Adventure (and I hadn't been since our honeymoon nearly 10 years ago!), so we cruised on over to check it out!

Morgan and Sadie strolling through Cars Land.

We went on ToyStory Mania! and had a great time!

Next, we visited Bug's Land,  and went on Flik's Flyers.  Not my cup of tea, but Sadie and Braden loved it!

 As you can tell, by the end of our visit, Carson was having a blast!

Fuzzy Jar

When we lived in Colorado, one year in Primary, all the kids took turns sharing a "warm fuzzy" moment, when they did something nice or special for someone, and they, in turn, felt warm and fuzzy inside.  

Desperate for order in our home several months ago, I created our own "Fuzzy Jar".  The kids can earn fuzzies for helping around the house, being reverent at church, and just overall great kids.  The perk: they pick their own prizes.  

Spring Break...the Rest of the Week

Once upon a time, I had time.  Now, I have 3 kids, one of which, happens to be a very, very, active toddler!  Add that to school schedules, extracurricular activities, and I'm lucky to even remember to blog!  But, this is the best way I have to journal right now, so, I guess it's better late than never!

Adventure Ten:

After our cousins left on Tuesday, we helped put Grammy's house back together (i.e. finished folding blankets, washed towels, etc.).  By the afternoon, the events of the crazy weekend had really caught up to the girls.  They each took 3+ hour naps!  I remember begging them to wake up for dinner and they refused!  

Adventure Eleven:

Once they did wake up, they quickly reminded me that I had promised to bake the Amelia Bedelia cake with them over spring break.  So, we found all the ingredients in Grandma's cupboards and went to work!  Grandpa Dale said the cake was delicious!  When Grammy tasted it, she said it was Crazy Cake.  Apparently during the depression, this cake was popular, as it doesn't use eggs or butter, but oil and vinegar instead.

Adventure Twelve:

Every time we go to Target, Morgan asks me if we can make the pancakes in the pictures on the wall in the kitchenware department.  Guess what I always told her?  "Over Spring Break."  So, guess what we HAD to do during Spring Break?

Morgan's pancake creation:

Carson's Pancake Creation:

Sadie's Pancake Creation:

Sadie's actually looks the most like the picture at Target, but everyone's was delicious, and that's what matters!  (Grandma even made a pancake face, but, I forgot to snap a picture!)

And that, my friends, is how we spent our spring break.  We missed Daddy, but, he got lots of work and study time!

Spring Break: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday

After much difficulty, I finally got this post to work!  

Adventure Three:

Our neighborhood is awesome!  Years ago, a few families started an easter egg hunt, and the tradition has carried on to now include a glow egg hunt for older kids, in addition to the traditional hunt for little ones.  

Before heading down to San Diego to play with friends and cousins, we first hunted for a few eggs.  It's been so fun this year to watch Carson discover the joy of an egg hunt!  I'm sure he'll be even more enthusiastic next year when he realizes there are treats inside!

Adventure Four:

When we got to Grammy and Grandpa's, we headed over to our friends, the Vitzian's so Grandpa Dale could teach Ron how to BBQ.  His sweet wife, Teresa, got him all the supplies for Christmas, so he just needed a lesson from the Master!

The men headed over to start cooking ribs, and the women and kids followed soon after with snacks and more easter eggs to hide and hunt in their backyard!

I love this picture of Carson and Ronin hunting for eggs!  (Well, it looks like Ronin hit the jackpot, and Carson wasn't as lucky!)

 

Adventure Five:

Sunday, before church, we lined up all the kids for some pictures.

Adventure Six:

After a fabulous Easter dinner which included Dad's Fried Chicken (the best I've ever had!), Grammy brought out the ice cream cones!  The kids were so excited!

Whenever I try to get a picture of Carson, I squat down to his level and he squats too!

Buddies enjoying their ice cream!

Sadie has such a sweet, tender heart.  She is a friend to everyone and loves to help wherever needed.  Here, she needed to share her ice cream with the twins.  The loved it--one finger scoop at a time!

Chocolate-nosed Sadie!

Adventure Seven:

No trip to Grandpa's would be complete without swimming in the spa!  Unfortunately, I was one of the "lucky" adults who got to join the kids, so the only picture we have is Papa Dale balancing the chemicals with all his helpers!

Adventure Eight: 

Monday, we took the whole gang to the Craftsmanship Museum in Carlsbad.  Definitely not a little kid place, but, we didn't know what to expect.  It's a room filled with hundreds of working models and replicas of famous machines, buildings, etc.  It's all donated by people, so, basically, a retired guy's heaven!

After the museum, we took the kids to the park for a picnic.  Only Carson didn't make it.  He fell asleep in the car, and napped under a tree, instead!

Evelyn tried her first oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.  To say she loved it would be a HUGE understatement!  

Adventure Nine: 

Grammy pulled another surprise out for the kids Monday night.  The Montierth's were leaving in the morning, so we had to make room for one more fun night!  The kids roasted marshmallows and we all enjoyed s'mores over the fire pit in Grandpa's backyard!

We had so much fun with the Montierth's!  Thanks for visiting!

Stay tuned for the rest of Spring Break!