Lila is Crawling!

Look out world, Lila is crawling! The cat isn't liking this one bit. She is definitely having fun exploring her world and now we need to childproof our home (like remove the wheel barrow in the picture, for instance).
I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that she is finally crawling though. I think it's a really important developmental milestone and I really didn't want her skipping it. So, she's still very delayed in her motor skills but she is improving steadily.

This is Lila's rebellious face. I had just told her not to pick the flowers and she was trying to do it again anyway.

Birthday Blog Post

Have I ever mentioned that I have the best husband in the world? Seriously, he planned a whole beach birthday party surprise for me today. He ordered a cake and had catered Mexican food and arranged for some of my friends to meet us there.

Sky was finding carnations washed up on the shore and was arranging them in bouquets for me for my birthday. They were probably from some ash scattering ceremony out at sea but I'm trying not to think about that!

Lila had fun crawling around and looking through the sand toys bag.

Brad and Alyce played in the sand together almost the entire time.

Lila enjoyed lounging in the miniature beach chair.

Here's Brad eating his second piece of cake.

Lila hung out with daddy under the canopy for much of the time.

Sky had fun with a boogy board. She never really got the hang of it but she had fun anyway.

The kids dug themselves a beach bathtub and then soaked in it.

Sky and her friend Savannah.

A picture of me with the friends who came to the party (Amy and Christine were there too but aren't in the picture). It was such a fun day! I guess you only turn 28 once, right?

Another great part of my day was an awesome card from my long time friend Jessica (it had a picture of us when we were 14 years old!). Thanks Jess! And my friend Christine wrote a really sweet note to me. Plus I had the chance to chat with 4 friends from Cincinnati who I haven't spoken to in a long time.

Ken's gift to me was a bound copy of this blog (and a gift card to a local day spa!). That was such an awesome surprise.

And I had the chance to talk to some family members who I haven't talked to in a long time.
All in all, it was a really fun day!

Sky's Promotion at Church

This past Sunday at church, the kindergarten class was promoted to the 1st-5th grade class. Now Sky will be in a different class and even a different area of the church.

They sang a few of their favorite songs for us.

Each student was given a certificate and had their name written on a star on the background display.

It was a really nice ceremony with cupcakes and juice afterward. Sky's getting to be such a big girl!

Great Park Helium Balloon Ride

Yesterday we spent 7 hours at Wild Rivers Water Park. It was awesome! The kids had so much fun. They had great water slides for younger kids like Sky and many great play areas for Brad and Lila. 2 wave pools, a lazy river, and even a few hot tubs were also there. And the best part of all is that we got in free as part of our Splash passes. The fun was increased even further because we met 3 other families from church there and hung out with them all day. As a rule, I don't bring my camera to water parks so, sorry, no pictures.
Today we went to Great Park in Irvine and rode a helium balloon.

It fits 25 people and goes up about 400 feet.

It is not a hot air balloon but a helium balloon and it is tethered to the ground. A winch lets it out to go up and pulls it back in to go down.

They offer daily free rides at this park!

The landing is a little rocky as the wheels roll around a bit until it is balanced. Nothing we couldn't handle though.

There was also a kids' play area with some fun tunnels, slides, etc.

Children's Museum Fun

Today we went to the Children's Museum and had so much fun. We met 3 other moms and their kids there and everyone had a great time together. They have a new exhibit on outer space. It's very hands-on and creative. Sky dressed up as an alien. Behind her is a moon jumper (trampoline) that she really enjoys too but the pictures come out too blurry.

In 12 years this driving scenario could be a reality and a much scarier picture!

The kids had fun playing house and fixing themselves some food. What did they eat? VEGETABLES! I guess that's why they call it "pretend play".

Zachary and Lila enjoy a pony ride. Well, Lila likes it anyway. Zachary was enjoying it until Lila came along and started grabbing his neck.

Ok, so this looks like urinals in a bathroom but it's actully a spot where kids can build with legos. Brad always likes this area and here he is joined by his friend Alyce.

Lila is milking a cow! And, it actually looks like she's made some cheese too. She's just amazing! Big news! Lila is weaned. It's bittersweet but mostly I'm really glad, especially with the heat wave we're having.

Brad and Elizabeth, the musical duo. Future worship band members?

The dress up room is always Sky's favorite room. She just loves having access to high heels (there are no high heels at our house!) and a microphone.

Brad in some pink boots. He choose these himself. He's secure in his boyhood.

The other day we were going to a friend's house. She has all older boys and Brad said, "I'm going to bring my fairy wings!". I suggested he go with some trucks or dinosaurs which, thankfully, he did.

We went outside for a picnic lunch. This was the crew of kids minus Lila and Zachary. Not much lunch was eaten. I wonder why...

Brad, Elizabeth and Lila exploring the planets.

Space, the final frontier...Boldly going where no man has gone before.

Daddy uses his musical talents

Recently Ken got his old keyboard out of the garage and set it up in the guest room. He basically has a full time gig playing the wedding processional and recessional everyday as Sky's stuffed animals are constantly marrying each other. Too bad it doesn't pay well... Sometimes he has some accompaniment by Lila or Brad. I'm usually the pastor.

I think he's having some regrets about setting it up. I am so impressed, however, that he still can play so well. He wrote a song for me when we were in high school and he still remembers it! I'm hoping that our kids inherit his musical abilities!

The "Big One Chicken"

Yesterday we went to Soak City, an awesome water park that is connected with Knott's Berry Farm. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera. Sky had a blast going down the water slides, playing in the wave pool, and floating in the lazy river. Lila loved the splashy area. Brad endured it all. Water stuff is not his cup of tea right now.
At one point I was sitting with Brad and he saw someone walk by with one of those giant turkey legs with barbecue sauce dripping off of it. He said, "Mommy, what's that?" I told him what it was and he said, "I want one of those big one chickens!"
So, Ken got one for him and he ate THE WHOLE THING!!!! It totally grossed me out yet I so wished that I had my camera to document my little boy eating that gigantic turkey leg! A little while later, he said that he was hungry again. When I asked him what he wanted to eat, he said "Another big one chicken!!" Oh my!