Happy 4th

One thing I have always loved, even as a child is a good fireworks show.  Lucky for me Monrovia has a great show right in the center of town.  It's free to all and is totally sponsored by local businesses.  We just have to set out a blanket early in the morning and come back later that night for a great 20 min. show. 

This year the kids wanted to do some crafts too so we made hats from solo cups and the girls got shirts made from Rick rack.  It's always a good time on the 4th.  Who doesn't love a lazy day with good food, blue berry pie and fireworks?

Mr. Snaggel tooth

Almost two weeks have passed and we still miss our little dog Yoda.  One Sunday morning I came down to find him asleep on the couch.  When I called for him to go out and pee he didn't come.  I went to the couch to notice that he wasn't breathing.  He had died sometime between 7 and 8.30 that morning. 

We all miss the funny, stupid, silly, and naughty things he did.

As we talked about what to do with his body the kids became a little distressed at the idea of him being in the ground either here or in Utah.  Then I later found our that it's illegal to bury a pet in the yard here.  At any rate we decided that we would have him cremated.   After all what's another 150.00$ when we have spent thousands on this "special dog". 

Now, I know you are rolling your eyes (Ryan), @ the cost when you would have taken the dog to see "the guy" long ago. But to the kids and Bjorn and I he was the perfect fit to the problems we were facing at the time.  He was our first baby and he will be missed by our whole family. 

The kids wanted to each draw him a picture. And then we wrapped him in his blanket he slept under and took him to the vet's for pick up.  We just got his remains back today.  I've had a very stern talking to the kids about how we don't open the box to look at the ashes.  I don't EVER want to come down the stairs to see him spread out over my living room. 

Lydia asked me tonight if she could bring Yoda upstairs for bed.  I had to laugh a little.  They are still trying to wrap their minds around what cremation is.  On second thought, I better get a locking latch on that urn...

Disneyland

Long ago, mom and Ella came for a visit.  I knew we would be going to disneyland so I set out to make new disneyland shirts for the kids.  After some thought, and discussions, on what was possible and what wasn't I came up with Rapunzel,  Snow White, Cinderella, and Woody.  What do you think? 

And a big thanks to mom for making our day so magical.  We all had a wonderful time! 

Birthday girls

I don't know where the years have gone.  My babies turned 5.  It's a bitter sweet thing to have your little ones grow and be more self reliant.  I'm loving that they can each follow directions and do simple tasks like, "get on your p.j.s and brush teeth."  Do I miss some of those baby stages...uhm...NO! 

For the girls birthday they took a friend and we went to the American Girl Café for lunch.  Talk about cute.  You. Have. No. Idea!  They don't miss a thing.  From the birthday girl crowns, to the tea set for your doll, to the present shaped cake it was fabulous.  Take a look and see what you think.  I think it's every little girls dream. 

Then for dinner we had our friends the Terrills, and our adoptive grandma, KK over for dinner.  The girls wanted an Ariel and Flounder cake so this is what I came up with.  The Ariel cake I made an ice cream cake.  What. Was. I. Thinking? Do you know that you have about 30 seconds to decorate the cake before it's a "hot mess".  I'm sure that will be my first, and last time I try that!  Sheesh...

The last payment

I couldn't be more pleased that I have written the last payment for preschool.  The girls had their graduation ceremony on the 10th of June.  They were very excited to be done but sad to say good bye to their teacher and classmates.  

Momma is ever so excited that all three kids will be in one school, at the same hours, of every day.  What will I do when they go back to school you ask?  Oh, the possibilities...can you say no kids between 8 and 2p.m..

Myles kindergarten graduation

I can't believe my oldest child is now done with his first year of school.  Myles LOVE his class and teacher at Bradoaks Elementary.   He was a good friend, a class leader, and by far the tallest kid in the class.  Just by chance Papa was here for the ceremony on June 4th.  Thanks for coming to help out. (More on that later) One year down, how many more to go?!

Spring break in San Francisco

Spring break caught us off guard this year.  Since this is our first year of public school we are just now getting used to planning around the school calendar.  I didn't think about spring break till about two weeks before.  The kids had been bugging us to go camping since last fall when our camping trip to the local mountains had to be canceled due to the federal government shut down.  We agreed this would be a great time to go, but where?  Yosemite and Sequoia both too cold still.  Enter China Camp.  A state beach just 20 min. North of San Fransisco.  It was a perfect spot to spend our short time.  We arrived on Saturday afternoon and would spend three days exploring the area and then pack up the 5th day.  The only hitch, rain.  Lots. of. rain.  And did I mention there was rain?!

 The campground was great.  We'll kept, with many ammenities, even hot showers and flush toilets.  Camping is well and good, but, if you leave camping land and enter society I must have access to a hot shower.  If I'm in the mountains with no city in sight I can do without a shower.

 We were greeted by the camp wild turkeys and gaggle of quail.  That night we were serenade by a pack of coyotes, and I assume a honeymooning couple (if you know what I mean;).)  The next morning we where woken by the local wood pecker.

Day 1: San Fransisco.  Golden Gate Bridge, drive through the Presidio, Lombard Street, the Embarkedero,  historic cable car ride, J-town.  This was a beautiful sunny and warm day.  The kids loved the trolley car ride.  They could spend the whole day just ridding.  A short, but fun visit, to J-town where we met up with Auntie Janie and Uncle Eric.

Day 2:  Muir woods.  The trees are AMAZING.   The rain held off just long enough to get us through the forest.  We then had a picnic lunch in the car and a short drive over to Point Reyas.  It was raining too hard to get out but it was still quite beautiful. 

Day 3: Back to the city for a day of trolly riding,  aquarium visit, fortune cookie factory visit and taste test, dim sum trying, San Francisco Giants stadium looking and a late dinner. 

The rain got the better of us on night three.  Our tent is more of a summer time tent and thus we set out to find another bohemith tent when we got home.  We may be few in number, but we like our space.  When the rain is coming down you need room to entertain three lil ones inside the tent.  All in all, a great trip.  My kids are having such a great time trying new things and visiting new places.  It reminds me of my own childhood.  Thanks mom and dad!