Open House

Thomas and his teacher, Mrs. Hogg

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Thomas' school held their annual Open House this evening.  It's a nice opportunity to hang out at the school with his friends and their families.  There was food, drinks, raffles, a few exhibits, live music and nonstop running around the playgrounds.  Thomas gave us a tour of his classroom to show us some of the things he's been working on.  It was a fun evening and a nice way to begin to wrap up his First Grade year.   

 our monkeys

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 writing sample - interesting style, right?

SD Botanic Garden, one last time...

We enjoyed a final trip to the San Diego Botanic Garden late this afternoon.  We realized once there that we hadn't been in almost one year exactly.  It was easy to remember because it was with the same friends (the blonde kids) and during that visit Sophia fell and fractured her wrist.  Nothing like that happened today -- thank goodness!  Instead, it was perfect weather and a very empty garden so the six kids were free to run wild and have a great time.  A perfect afternoon!

Memorial Day

we're on an aqua cycle, trying to avoid the jet skis

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The lagoon turned out to be a very busy place today.  We had planned for us all to take a peddle boat out for an hour.  Sounds simple and easy enough, but the peddle boat was difficult to operate.  We think there was something wrong with it, actually.  We all went out but didn't get far.  Meredith wasn't having a good time so then Thomas and I went out but, again, didn't get very far.  For our third and final attempt, Thomas and I took an aqua cycle out for a little spin.  It was easier to manuever than the peddle boat but still required a lot of leg power (mainly mine!).  Thomas had a blast and really enjoyed the aqua cycle ride.  Next time we're going to try a kayak.

not us, but this is what an aqua cycle is

What I woke up to this morning...

#1 beach in America

Coronado was named the #1 beach in America this week.  No surprise for us.  We love it down there and as we're making the rounds of all our favorites, Coronado was definitely a place we needed to go just one more time.  This afternoon we ate at a popular pizza establishment on Orange Avenue, picked up sweets at the Hotel Del, played in Spreckels Park and strolled up and down Orange Avenue enjoying the beautiful day.  Coronado, we will miss you! 

BBQ with friends

Maya's birthday party

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Today was a fun but busy day for our family.  I did my usual run in the morning with a friend.  Then we dropped Mike off at a friend's house for an all day brewery crawl (don't worry, they took a limo so everyone could enjoy the outing safely!).  The kids and I zipped over to a birthday party for our dear friend, Maya.  We had a short hour or so at home so I could whip up a salad and then we were off to a BBQ that went well past bedtimes.  Lots of fun for everyone today!

Mike heads out to enjoy North County's best breweries

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scooting around at the bbq

hand clapping with Meredith

Tonight we started learning the hand clapping for Eenie Meanie Sassaleeny. She picked this one up quick! We just need to speed it up and add the rhyme.

hand clapping w/Thomas

(Video by Meredith!) . I fondly remember the hand clapping songs and ryhmes my friends and I did when we were young. We would do them over and over again, going a little bit faster every time. Sometimes we'd hang upside down from the monkey bars and do them. And there was the one called Miss Susie that always made us giggle. Meredith and I have been doing some and Say Say Oh Playmate has been her favorite. Tonight Thomas tried it for the first time and he did really well! His slaps are a little hard though and left my hands stinging afterwards...

his best haircut... ever!

Thomas was super excited after his haircut this afternoon.  "That was THE BEST HAIRCUT ever!"  It was his and Mike's first visit to this particular (SportsClips) location in Encinitas and both received really good haircuts.  For Thomas, the shampoo/wash, the massage and the warm towel were really cool touches.  He loved getting his haircut today -- and I love the results!

Superstar Reader

Thomas has loved the library's Book Club.  It is a highlight of his week.  What can I say, the boy loves to read!  He reads in the car, sometimes while eating at the table, during Meredith's soccer class, every single night before going to bed, etc.  We love his enthusiasm for reading and encourage it.  Today was the Book Club's final meeting so they had a party to celebrate.  There was pizza, ice cream, juice boxes, special prizes and, for Thomas, a Barnes & Noble gift card.  Awesome.

Cub Scouts: earning belt loops

The Cub Scouts can earn a belt loop for every activity you can imagine.  Most have three requirements that the scout must do to earn the belt loop.  One might be to practice an activity for 30 minutes.  Another might be to keep a journal or some other type of log for a set period of time.  They aren't difficult to earn, but they do require a parent make sure the scout is exposed to various activities and takes note of everything.  I've been going through the requirements with Thomas for a few months and went back through our calendar and blog (another reason this is so helpful!) to remember the activities we've done that could earn him a belt loop.  We filled in blanks as needed, successfully completed a few more and tonight he earned all these belt loops.  Seventeen!  Several earned a few and one scout even earned five, but no one came close to Thomas' seventeen.  Way to go, Thomas!  (and mom!)

rocket launch

family photo

the ottoman

Were you worried about Greta and the loss of our beloved "dog sofa"?  Not to worry!  We kept the ottoman and the four small pillows.  Greta is loving her ottoman -- probably because she knows she doesn't have to share this with anyone else!  It's like an elevated dog bed, perfectly fit for this princess ... 

BlueFire Grill at La Costa

Hey, it's us and not the kids!  We kind of look like a bigger M and T, don't we?

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The kids were invited to a birthday party earlier this evening so we took advantage of the free time and enjoyed a nice dinner out.  We live just a few miles from the luxurious La Costa Resort & Spa but haven't spent much time there together.  Mike has played golf here and I've met friends for drinks, but neither of us had eaten in their restaurants.  Tonight was the perfect (warm) evening for an early dinner outdoors at this gorgeous resort -- talk about the ultimate SoCal experience!  The chef came out to greet us and describe the evening's entrees and, again later, came out to check on us.  Such fantastic service is rare these days!  We really enjoyed our quiet time together with amazing food, drinks and dessert.  Musicians were beginning to play near us as we were finishing our meal.  We're hoping to sneak over again one evening soon to enjoy the live music while the kids run circles outdoors.     

goodbye, dog sofa

This morning we said goodbye to our beloved piece of furniture, the "dog sofa".  I bought this piece from a Meier & Frank Warehouse sale almost 13 years ago! for $400.  It was beautiful and perfect in terms of size, color and overall style.  We've loved it, the dogs have both loved it and the kids were very fond of it.  However, this sofa wasn't meant to last forever and we've been pushing our luck with it these last few years.  The fabric was worn thin in many areas and zippers had torn beyond what I could repair.  Truthfully, it smelled like dog and repeated washings to freshen the fabric were failing.  When I heard the City would be having a "bulky item" collection today, I knew it was time for it to go.  We put the sofa out just after 6am, Mike and Greta hung out on it for about 30 minutes until the kids woke, and by 7am it was gone.  Kind of sad, really, to say goodbye to our first sofa... 

local favorites

We're beginning to feel our time here in SoCal coming to an end quickly.  There are so many things we love about this area and even more things that we will miss.  Tonight (and for the next month), we revisted one of our favorite local places: Stone Brewery.  We've always saved it for special occassions or when guests were in town.  The food is very good, the beer is fantastic and the ambience of the brewery, dining areas and gardens are unbeatable.  During tonight's visit we toured the brewery and enjoyed samples (4 beers for adults, their own root beer for the kids), dined outdoors and savored every minute of it.  It's a fabulous place.  I recommend you go there the next time you are visting this area. 

Lily's party

both girls are 1/4 Korean & 3/4 Caucasian

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This morning Meredith attended her friend Lily's birthday party.  The two have been in preschool together for two years and take dance class together.  We do drop-off playdates with her regularly.  Their friendship is very sweet and even though they would not have been going to the same school for Kindergarten next year anyway (she's doing private school), it's still sad to know they may not see each other again after we move.  Actually, it's much sooner than that because they are leaving for Korea this weekend and won't be back until the very end of June.  Her mother and I have already decided the girls will be practicing their writing skills and mailing things to each other to keep in touch.  Some friends are just special like that.   

ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...

This week has been a crazy one at our house.  Lots going on!  Carpets were professionally cleaned today which meant yesterday was spent clearing out all the rooms, closets, halls and stairs in our house that have carpet flooring.  What a job!  It's a little weird to see half the rooms in our house empty.  It sort of looks like we're moving... oh! that's right, we are!  Have you heard the news?  More to come soon!  

silliness

new ride

Thomas received a new motorized scooter for his birthday.  He loves that it can go up to 10 mph.  He loves that it has a throttle and brake, just like a real motorcycle.  And he loves that he no longer has to push, push, push with his free leg to zip around on a scooter like his old one.  He picked up how to ride this motorized scooter very quickly and is loving it.  Why does he suddenly seem so grown up?! 

The Animation Academy at Calif. Adventure Park

While I waited in line for Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular, Mike and the kids checked out a few smaller things inside the park including Disney's Animation Academy.  This is one of those activities inside the park that is a hidden gem.  The room had stadium seating and at each seat was a piece of special paper and a fat pencil.  The step-by-step instructions on how to draw Minnie Mouse were given by a woman in front.  Meredith was frustrated hers didn't turn out the way she expected but I think all three drawings are amazing!  

Thomas is SEVEN

  

Thomas' special day at Disneyland!

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Thomas' favorite at California Adventure: The Hollywood Tower of Terror

[Inside Disneyland it is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad]

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the kids love the train that circles Disneyland

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Thomas is seven today!  Amazing.  This year we decided to celebrate both kids' birthdays at Disneyland as a family.  We all enjoyed celebrating Meredith's 5th birthday three weeks ago and have been looking forward to coming back for Thomas'.  With this visit, it was all up to Thomas.  We rode all his favorite rides, took in some great shows, enjoyed special treats, made a few birthday purchases, experienced other activities at the park we hadn't before and simply had a great time.  The parks were busy with the holiday Sunday and 80* weather, but the lines weren't bad and we got to do and see all the things we planned.  Great day for a birthday celebration! 

celebrating Thomas

Thomas' sophisticated taste chose this gourmet cake for his 7th birthday

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This evening we celebrated Thomas.  We begged and pleaded with him to remain 6 years old a little while longer, but he's refusing.  He wants to be 7.  Actually, he wants to be much older but for now 7 will suffice.  He's such an amazing person.  Bright, funny, easy-going and always a joy to be around.  We're so lucky to have him a part of our little family!  

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!  It's one day early but that's how we're doing things this year.  Mother's Day and Thomas' birthday happen to fall on the same date this year (tomorrow) and since we're spending the entire day at Disneyland, both celebrations are happening today at home.  And for the mom, that means coming home after a 22 mile run this morning totally drenched in sweat, tired and hungry... to two very excited children holding these beautiful flowers, card and bottle of wine.  All are my favorites -- my family knows me so well. 

dinner in Coronado

after dinner ice cream and walk around the Del

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This evening we headed down to Coronado for dinner.  We picked up Mike's brother, Earl, along the way so he could join us.  It was a celebratory dinner for us since today was Mike's last day working in Los Angeles.  It's been a long 6.5 months of having him mostly gone and we're looking forward to having the family together again, esp. during the next few weeks when he'll be home with us 24/7.  Lucky us!

the hard worker

When I dropped Meredith off at preschool Monday morning I saw a dishwashing station setup in the classroom.  This is a new addition and the kids are all super excited about it.  She came home asking to help me with the dishes so this morning I put the girl to work!  She had a great time.  Again at school today she "washed dishes" with two other boys.  She said one of them had also washed dishes at home this week.  I love preschool!

Thank You notes

This afternoon Meredith and I worked on Thank You notes for her birthday gifts.  She wants to write them, add drawings, etc. so it's a long process but she does such a nice job.  I love that even at 5 years old the "girly" personality shines through on her notes.  Hearts, pretty letters, mixing colors... it's all fun and totally Meredith.  Hopefully we'll make it through all her Thank You notes before Thomas' birthday this weekend! 

fun with bubble wrap

Meredith must have spent a full hour this afternoon experimenting with different ways to pop bubble wrap.  The hour was extremely painful for Greta who is frightened by the sound but Meredith had a great time stomping, jumping, crawling, running, skipping, smacking it with various objects, riding over it with a scooter... 

sibling love