Knott's Berry Farm!

We have several friends who are annual pass holders at Knott's and rave about the little to no lines during the weekdays, easy parking, significantly cheaper rates (than Disneyland), and all the fun that is Camp Snoopy. We finally decided to check it out with our friends Elsie, Vance, and Zane. Since an annual pass is just 12 or so dollars more than a day rate... I went ahead and joined the bandwagon. :) I had been hesitant because theme parks with 2 little ones and one mommy doesn't sound like something I want to do all the time... but when you go with friends, it's easier and a lot of fun. I have to say that Camp Snoopy (and Knott's in general) was pretty easy to do. There wasn't much walking or standing in lines. In fact, we could almost stay on every ride for as many turns as we'd like because no one was in line behind us. Kyle was tall enough to ride on all but 3 rides and there were enough rides for Gavin to ride on, too. I loved that this area is located right past the entrance and the rides are really close to one another (again, not like Disneyland where a stroller for every young child is a must!) The best part was having a friend to go with (for me and for Kyle!). Fun times.

This roller coaster was actually pretty fast. Kyle and Elsie went on it by themselves while I nervously looked on. He was so brave.

Kyle, the truck driver.

Gav was a bit overwhelmed! ;)

On Kyle's favorite, the Ferris wheel!

Brothers ;)

And Snoopy!!!!

After watching a bit of a Peanuts stage show, we called it a morning. Since Rudy works so close to Knott's, we were anxious to surprise him on his lunch break! (We had spontaneously gone to Knott's after a friend invited us this morning, so Ru didn't even know we'd be close by.) It was so great to see how much it meant to him to have us stop by. Kyle loves Daddy's work because of all the machines and contraptions Daddy lets him tinker with. Kyle is very mechanically minded and loves to see how things work. He could stay and "play" for hours.

Gav's 1st visit!!

I think we'll get a lot of use out of the pass and it will be fun to see Rudy at work more often! 

Preschool Shopping

I can't believe we've reached the time when Kyle will (soon) go to preschool! Just calling to make an appointment to tour one of the local preschools brought mixed feelings of excitement and disbelief. I am sentimental anyway, but since becoming a mom it's gotten worse grown so much!

You may remember me blogging about how I found a preschool for Kyle back when he was just a year or so old. I know it was way early to have been thinking about it, but I set foot on this particular campus and just knew I wanted to send him there. Well, when considering working another year in my job-share position, I knew the flexibility to take Kyle to school on the days I didn't work would be best, and unfortunately, my ideal school for Kyle runs on a set schedule (M,W,F or T,TH) that conflicts with mine. :(

So, following the recommendation of several other friends of mine, I checked out another local campus. Unfortunately, though the schedule flexibility would be perfect, I was not impressed. So not impressed, I just can't even consider sending him there!! Yikes! We left that site and went directly over to the place we'd been to years ago. And once again, just setting foot on the campus made me realize that I have to solve the scheduling issue, some way some how, and send him there!! I'm in love with everything I see in the classrooms and I'd love to be a student there, myself!  (I do have one minor issue with the place, but hey, can anything be absolutely perfect!? :) Though I am feeling sentimental about him getting so big, I am SO STINKIN' EXCITED for him to go there!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like, I can hardly contain myself, can't wait for September, can't wait to watch him in his room, think every penny is worth it, so excited to be a parent volunteer, when's summer going to end?....!!! :)

(sigh!) So, today, we dropped off Kyle's enrollment papers and he's officially registered for preschool!!! Where on earth has the time gone? 

Stickers for a Train Ride

Because Kyle's 3rd year has been challenging for us, we've had to use some positive behavior reinforcements in our discipline plan. Since a sticker chart worked to (finally!) get Kyle sleeping through the night (yes, at age 3!), we decided to try out another chart to encourage positive behavior. Thankfully, it has helped. All Kyle wanted was to ride the train! He even wanted to go to the farthest depot just so he could stay on the train longer.Weekend rates for the Metrolink are fantastic and even allow you to hop from place to place however many times you'd like all weekend long. Well worth the few dollars... and we enjoyed a family outing in the process!

Here's Kyle proudly showing his chart just before we hopped on the southbound train. 

 We're suckers for anything our kids enjoy, aren't we?! :)

San Clemente!!

Watching the surfers right below us. Such a beautiful, hot (summer!!!) day.

Auntie was down in the exact same spot waiting to photograph her friend get engaged! Bonus!

 Kyle's blue ice-cream.

I caught a quick picture of my sister's friends who got off the train here so he could propose!! I secretly followed them to "the spot!" Okay, and I got all teary just watching them!! :)

 Kyle was so excited to leave...just to be able to get back on that train!!

That is, until we had to get off the train and say good-bye.

Leaving the station, Kyle said,"Bye train! I hope you can come back when I get all my stickers again!" :) 

I am outnumbered!

I had a moment today where I felt totally, completely outnumbered in this house! :) I say this with a big smile because, as you know, I love having boys. For the most part, I've learned the lingo (body language, grunts, etc.), can be ready to go in a moments notice (boys do not wait for Mommy to get ready!), and enjoy doing the things they like to do, usually outside. There is one thing, however, that I just can't do without getting myself hurt: wrestling! I therefore have to leave the rough and tough play for Rudy cause man do my kids have hard heads that somehow always find my jaw, eye, or nose! It's amazing how much they can take (and enjoy!) without ever shedding a tear. So as soon as I hear growling noises and see Kyle and Rudy crouching down, I gladly get out of the way!

Lately, Gavin has been getting involved and it's in those moments when I have 3 squealing/grunting/rough-housing boys that I'm aware of the fact that I'm outnumbered! :)  I snapped a few pictures today but didn't have much luck keeping my moving subjects in focus. 

Exhibit A: 

Gav thinks this is so much fun!

 And Kyle loves it, too.

All silliness aside, I loved this tender moment between father and son.

I guess this is one of the many reasons my boys need their father. And what a good father he is! 

Rudy's Birthday Camp-out!

Rudy had a birthday last week but because it fell on both of our 12-hour work/gone from the house days, we celebrated throughout the week and spent the weekend camping! The day before his birthday, we had dinner with my parents. The night of, Michelle came over to watch the boys so we could go enjoy a dinner out!! Then, Saturday morning we packed our bags and headed just up the fwy a bit to an amazing Regional County Park that has campsites along a beautiful lake. It was perfect for a spontaneous trip. Surprisingly, the week before, a patient of Rudy's gifted him a generous gift card and we were able to purchase a new, 9-person tent and air mattress so we (and baby) could camp comfortably! :) 

We picked out our spot on top of a hill (pros and cons to that decision, as you can imagine!) and stopped for a picnic lunch. 

 Kyle helped with every step. I don't know if you can tell here, but his face is quite intent! :)

 All the work involved was worth it the second I saw and captured this face!!! :)

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

 The boys.

Our site. 

 

Here's a view inside the tent. It's big, but we'll grow into it! ;) There is a divider we could put up to separate the tent into two spaces (hence the 2 doors) and we may want to use that as the boys grow older and maybe bring friends, etc. For now, we just really enjoyed the space to walk around without stepping all over our beds.

The east side of the lake (where the tent camping is located) is a well-known fishing spot, so Ru took his kayak and fished his first fresh water experience in CA.

Kyle really wanted to help wash! What a big helper! :)

This is a common sight, followed by an adult reminding Kyle to be careful! :) If you're wondering why our boys have such different complexions...

...just look at their parents! :) I laugh because it'd take me a whole summer to get the kind of tan Ru can get in a single hour outside. And even then, I'm sure he'd be darker.

Ru kept Kyle entertained in a variety of ways. This swing made out of firewood and climbing rope was a hit.

After roasting hot dogs on the fire, we drank hot chocolate and ate popcorn. My parents were in South Dakota but Auntie Michelle was able to come by for the evening and then ended up staying the night with us! It was great to have her.

And now we're home. We've got our bags unpacked, laundry done, kids in bed, and 2 very tired parents!! Though it's a lot of work to camp with little ones, there's something about it and being out in nature that just makes us smile. Were there not-so-great moments? Of course! Was it worth it? You bet!! :) We can't wait to go again.

Happy Birthday, Ru/Daddy!!

Gavin - 7 months

Joy. Pure joy. Gavin continues to be just the happiest little guy. His smile is contagious and he loves people, so everywhere we go, Gav spreads joy. Kyle is super in love and very proud of his little brother. It warms our hearts to see their love for each other. Yes, Gav shows his love for Kyle, too. Not only does he watch Kyle's every move, but Gavin will reach for his brother and touch him. He'll smile and laugh at all the silly things Kyle says and does at the dinner table. He is fascinated with Kyle. In fact, once Gavin hears Kyle's voice, it is impossible to keep Gavin nursing or try to put him down. Gavin will crane his neck to find him. I love it. There isn't a day that goes by where I'm not reminded and oh, so thankful for the gift of being able to give Kyle a sibling. And what a gift he is!

At 7 months, Gavin:

• loves blowing raspberries :)
• loves jumping in his doorway jumper 
• still sings himself to sleep (quite loudly at times!)
• is nicely distracted/entertained by watching Kyle
• doesn't care for being strapped into his car seat
• loves to get down on the ground and move!!
• nicknames are: Gavie, Gav-man, Zizzer, Zippy, Shaboo, Chango, Guero ("weh-doe")
• wants to be a part of all the action
• is happy. 

Happy 7 months, little man! You've added so much joy to our lives. 

Baby Car Wash

In case you ever thought Gavin gets left out of all the fun...

 Gavin and his clean, new ride. Watch out ladies!!

Wanna see a little video? Click here:
http://youtu.be/XhEk_rZ4mqU