Newport part 2

( I truly can't get enough of this big eyed chubby cheeked bundle!)

The BEACH!! We filled the rest of our days in Newport with sunny days at the Beach. Lizzy is most definately loyal to the land of her birth. This Cali-girl would live at the beach if possible and cried each time we left. Rosie enjoyed herself, almost as much as the delicous shakes we had to have after a fun filled day. Max was less then impressed. The big waves were scary but he tolerated playing in the sand. He wanted to get back to Disney, NOW. Baby Drew, sweet Baby Drew, was happy just to be there, out of his carseat.

Newport part 1

When I was a girl, I loved checking out from our school library American Girl Doll books. Samantha and Kirsten we my favorites. I loved them. I wanted Samantha desperately. When I begged my Mom for her, she told me I was to old for dolls and that I wouldn't play with her enough to pay the $$ for them. She may have had a point, since I was in 6th grade, but STILL!

Luckily I've been blessed to live through these two girls of mine who also love American Girl. While in Newport, we made the 1 1/2 hour (gotta love LA traffic) trek to the mother ship, The American Girl Doll Store. It was more than I could handle. Nana came and we both were dazzled. The girls, Nana and I had a wonderful lunch in their cafe, and it was worth every last penny I tell you. If you are even remotely close to the area I highly suggest a visit, it was a highlight of our Newport trip......even though it wasn't even close Newport.

...Second Star to The Right,

Out of the Mouth of Babes:

What was you favorite part about going to Disneyland?
Max- Riding Jet Blue!!
Parents- Wow! Okay Max! What about a ride in Disneyland?
Max- Umm, Buzz Light Year and Pirates
Lizzy- I LOVED California Screaming and Soaring' Over California. DREWY was so cute there, he loved it.
Max- I loved that one, that was my favorite too Lizzy.
Rosie- Holding Baby Drew on Small World (about 5 times), and loosing my tooth by the Matterhorn.
Max- Yea Matterhorn! That was my favorite too Rosie!
Rosie- Max, you didn't loose a tooth, I DID!
Max- Oh yea, I know Rosie.
Rosie- And getting my face painted (thanks Aunt Nancy!) with Emily.
Mom- I loved Small World!
Max- Small World was my favorite ride!
Mom- I also loved going at night (thus the super dark picture) and it was so fun to be there with my entire family, my dear Grandparents, Aunt, and Kelly's brother Kurt, our Sis-in-Law Natalie and our cute cousin Emily (on her birthday nonetheless).
Max- I'm going there for my birthday. Nana is coming.
Rosie- I WANT TO GO ON MY BIRTHDAY! CAN I MOMMY! THAT’S NO FAIR!
And, so goes the conversations about our delightful September trip to Disneyland.

Just the Ticket

Amazing. Inspiring. Breath-taking. Super Fun. ****. However you want to critique it, Lion King is super-fab! It was the perfect show to introduce the girls to BROADWAY. Because we did group ticket sales, we were surrounded by our very own "circle of life" and enjoyed every minute of it. I've been bit by the theater bug once again and am itching to book our next show.

And where were the boys you may ask? Why at home having "guy time" where Drew proved to be the star by rolling over for the first time. He apparently forgot the "Mom must be at every milestone" rule.

Doing The Can Can

Back-To-School Theme 2010-2011 is (Ta-Da): I CAN DO HARD THINGS!

Both Kel and I are excited about our theme for our young learners. We sensed this year would be a big one academically for each of our children. Lizzy will be learning cursive and her times tables, Rosie will become a reader and Max, well, Max will learn all about listening to a teacher and playing well with others. To help our students believe in themselves (even when it's hard), we made a "I CAN!"Can for FHE. The "I CAN!"s are full of valuable reward coupons just waiting to be redeemed. When our kiddos accomplish something "hard" they get to pick a coupon from their can and away we go.

We shared stories from the scriptures about people who accomplished hard things as well as personal experiences from our own lives. Needless to say, our theme was well received and each child couldn't wait to tackle something hard. Last weekend we had our first coupon redemption drawing and activity which included a movie night with Dad. I'm starting to think I need my very own I CAN can just for staying caught up on homework for 2 children in school instead of just one!

GONE!

And now Drew, for exactly 45 minutes, twice a week, it's just you and me kid!

Going Three Times...

Lastly was Max, off to his first year of Preschool. He's been waiting for his turn for quite some time. A few notable comments after day one-

"First we Learn-ded, then we played" and "I miss-head you Mommy, and Baby Drewy too" and "Tan I have a snack...ice cream?".