photographs of the kids

This is one of my favorite photos taken of the kids by a photographer last November. I meant to have prints made of some of her photos but totally forgot to do it. I really must get that done soon.

Beautiful Meredith

Meredith: Mommy, do you know what Miss Vivienne said to me? She said, "Stop it, Meredith. Just stop it. Stop being so beautiful." Isn't that so funny!?

his special friend

This afternoon Thomas made a bracelet, put it in this envelope and wrote a girl's name on it. He wanted to send it in the mail to her but when I suggested he just give it to her at school tomorrow, he immediately put it in his lunchbox so he wouldn't forget. I don't know who this Isabella girl is, but she sure is lucky to have a special friend like Thomas. First crush? I don't necessarily think so. He said he really likes her and wanted to do something nice for her. [I have to admit this made me smile but also a little sad to realize one day I won't be the most important girl is in his life.]

Legoland's Water Park

Last summer Legoland opened their Water Park but cool temperatures all summer long kept us away. We only made it over there twice. They've opened the Water Park again for the season and this week's warmer temperatures found us there today. The kids had such a great time! We may have to go again later this week!

lagoon walk

We love having a lagoon so close to our house. There are actually three in Carlsbad and we are about a mile from one that does not allow any water activity so it's always very quiet and serene. This morning the playgroup met up with a docent for a nature walk complete with magnifying glasses, checklists (to record what they see) and several fun wild animals to observe. I brought Bela and Greta along for the walk and they were definitely a huge hit. Two of the little girls would not leave them alone the entire 1.5 hours we were out on the trail. Needless to say, our dogs were absolutely exhausted from all the attention and loving!

the joy of climbing trees

Greta turns 9

Greta's birthday almost went unnoticed this year. I guess that's just what happens when your actual birthdate is unknown and another date is assumed for you. Since Greta was adopted from the Humane Society, they estimated her to be about 6 months old so we've always considered March 17th to be her birthday. We figured having it be on St. Patrick's Day would help us remember the date, yet it always seems to pass by us anyway (to be fair, we always remember late in the day or the next day). Our sweet Greta turned 9 years old this month!

NASCAR

Thomas and Mike had a special full day outing to a NASCAR event yesterday. Fontana, Calif. hosts a NASCAR weekend once or twice a year. It's about 1.5 hours away up in Riverside Co. and it's one of those events that we always seem to hear about after the fact. This year I purchased a ticket for them as a Christmas gift so it's been something they've been looking forward to for months. And they had such a great time! With 25 cars racing around a 2 mile track at speeds up to 180mph, that's exciting enough but there's bound to be something. Yesterday there were some spin outs, but no major crashes. Mix in a couple of celebrities, no shortage of racing motors (LOUD!) and lots of fun things to do and see outside the track and it all adds up to a memorable day for these two!

The New Children's Museum

A friend from college and her family came to visit this weekend! They live in Los Angeles, but we still go months between visits. We love having guests and their family was especially fun to have stay with us. Thomas and Meredith had such a great time with Kai and Xander. It was non-stop fun for all four of the kids. My kids loved making pizzas with their friends and Thomas enjoyed having Kai bunk with him. They stayed up late chatting about how great it would be if they lived closer -- how cute is that!?

Saturday Mike and Thomas already had plans for a NASCAR event so it was just Meredith and I that joined Sofie's family at the New Children's Museum in San Diego. It was a first visit for all of us. This children's museum is different than any others I've been to. Each area is designed by a different artist complete with cards regarding intent and some fun options for how to engage the children at every age. There were several opportunities, too, for the kids to "make & take" things likes clay sculptures, paintings, musical instruments, and fabric arts. The exhibits engaged all their senses. I was really impressed and purchased a family membership so we can return again soon. The first week of April is Spring Break so you can already bet we'll be spending one of those days here!

Beautiful Bela

Meredith over the weekend

all set to go ~ new jeans ~ inside an Asian market

Meredith cracks me up with her purse, baby, makeup, sunglasses... It's fun to see just how different boys and girls are from each other. None of this stuff is necessarily from me, it's all part of just who she is.

.

New jeans this weekend! Two things Meredith has been asking for lately: jeans and a bikini. I've always bought her stretchy pants or cords with an elastic waist. I wanted her to dress herself and be successful so it was the easiest thing for her to do quickly. But then she started asking for jeans and this weekend I broke down and got her a pair. And as usual, the snap closure is not an issue for her. Her favorite thing is the snap and the front pockets. She's also asking for a very specific bikini. It's something similar to one of mine and she's been asking for one ever since she saw another young girl in the Palm Desert pool wearing the same thing. I'm going to drag my feet on that one a little longer...

.

We went to an Asian market over the weekend that we haven't been to in a long time. Neither of the kids are fond of the smell inside, esp. in the back where they sell live seafood. Honestly, I don't like it either and avoid that area but I don't pinch my nose. Her nose was pinched just about the entire time we were in the store!

Kinderate

At Thomas' school, all Kindergarteners do karate. They start at the beginning of the school year and continue until the school year ends. Rain or shine, the students have "Kinderate" every Tuesday and Thursday morning. They each have a belt that is kept at school and during the year they earn stripes once they have successfully completed certain moves, combinations, or sayings. There are 4 different karate masters that come from a local studio. They stress self-discipline, setting and achieving goals, focus, courage and self-confidence. The program has been very successful and applauded at Thomas' school for focusing the kids and giving them specific goals to work on. Thomas loves it.
.
Today there was a belt ceremony where most of the students received their new belt. They demonstrated moves, combinations, and repeated sayings that they've memorized. Thomas did an excellent job and demonstrated the "Black Belt Focus" that his master kept saying. Yay, Thomas!!

reading to the dogs?

Both dogs were such good listeners this morning as Thomas read a book on the sofa. Then I realized he had brought his toast with him and that was really what they were after. No wonder the girls were so attentive!

Mmmmmmm!

Thomas' pick today for a design-your-own-cupcake: snickerdoodle with vanilla buttercream frosting, topped with gummy bears. Mmmmm.

Meredith & Daddy

Temecula Rod Run

Our family goes to a lot of car shows because we all enjoy looking at the old cars, trucks and other vehicles. This afternoon we went one inland (Temecula) for their Friday Night Parade of Cars. This event was so much fun! I knew we'd have a good time seeing the cars, looking at the vendors and enjoying the nice weather, but this event stood out because the vehicles actually moved. We got there early enough to enjoy a look at them all as we meandered up and down Main Street (closed to traffic) and eat some dinner. Then just after 5pm the parade began. One by one the cars pulled out of their parking spots and cruised up and down the old town Main Street. It was quite the sight! And such a fun, festive atmosphere with everyone enjoying themselves to the sounds of revved up engines, the smells of BBQ and kettle corn... What a fun evening!