Grayson Turns 4

That's right, Grayson turned 4 this Saturday.
An event this big can not be celebrated in just one day,
so Grayson went for the 3 day celebration.

On Thursday he celebrated with his preschool classmates with cupcakes he made himself.

On Friday he went to Disneyland to spend his last day as a 3 year old.
To make sure it was a big boy sort of day,
Cole stayed home with Nana and Grandpa.

On Saturday he enjoyed some of Daddy's yummy pancakes.

Afterwards, there were lots of presents to open and an ice cream cake to enjoy.
Now that's what I call a birthday celebration.

Ready for Halloween

Twas a week before Halloween when my eyes did meet,
Two cute spooks making a haunted house treat.
They opened their boxes and counted down the days,
until it was time for the big candy craze.
I walked out to the patio and was surprised to see,
Optimus Prime in pajamas pointing a gun at me.

He gave a little giggle and shuffled his feet,
Then said, "How many more days till we can trick or treat?"

On the Move

Cole seems close to a walking breakthrough.
What he lacks in distance, he makes up for in enthusiasm.

Heroes EP Sneak Peek

Moon Sand

MOON SAND
Feels like dry sand + molds like wet sand + won't stick to hands + hours of fun = HAPPY MOM. Cole seems to think it is pretty tasty too.

Homework

The school year is in full swing, so I thought I would take a moment to check how everyone is doing on their homework assignments.
Emily seems to be pretty confident about her page of multiplication problems.
She is quite a wiz at the math.

Grayson was asked to paint a pumpkin for Halloween.
You gotta love that preschool homework.

It appears that Cole has decided to take up an independent study of my flower bed.
I hope he puts those science skills to good use one day.

Looks like all is well. Keep building those big brains kids.

Birthday Twins

The birthday twins, Nana and Cole,
had a great time celebrating their birthdays together this Saturday.

Cole was very pleased with his first taste of birthday cake.
Like everything he does, he dove right in enthusiastically.

Cole enjoyed all his gifts, but one of his favorites was a barking dog pull toy.
You just can't beat those deep belly laughs from Nana and Cole.

Piratitude

Arrg!
The kids work on their piratitude when Nana and Grandpa take them to the Pirates dinner show.

With pirates booty and a few souvenirs in hand, they head home full of tales of the high seas.

Heroes are Coming

Heroes have been putting in many long hours recording their first EP in Redondo Beach.
Jeff, Zak, Lance and Joe were nice enough to take some time off to let us see the inner workings of a recording studio.

Nana and Grandpa joined in the tour.

The kids got to check out some of the instruments.

Jeff showed Cole what a gold record looks like.
Cole was just happy to get some Daddy cuddles.

The Sound of Music

I never knew "Mary Had a Little Lamb" could sound so sweet, until I heard it played by our beautiful, talented Dobbles. Just one day after picking up her violin for the school band, she was already busting out with this little tune. I can't wait to hear more.

Tree Climbing

This morning the boys and I met some friends in the park for a little tree climbing.
Grayson was excited to join in and quickly scampered up the tree.

Cole couldn't get that high, but he seemed content to check out the leaves and sticks.
However, after a few minutes, it was obvious he was going to get filthy.
What mother could let her baby get that dirty...

...without getting a picture of it.

firetruck birthday

Nothing goes together better than kids and firetrucks. This birthday party was no exception. The kids had a great time with Nana and Grandpa riding a converted firetruck and doing some target practice with fire extinguishers.

Disneyland 5k

Does getting up at 5:30 am to run 3.25 miles sound like your idea of fun? It does if you are Emily and you are running through Disneyland with all the characters cheering you on. Here she shows off her fine running form.

Here she shows off her winning smile and finisher's medal.
Go Dobbles Go!

Pretend City

This week we decided to check out a new kid museum called Pretend City.
We started out in the grocery store.
Emily served up some yummy sandwiches at the deli counter.

Grayson took a cruise around the city streets in his hot rod. Good thing he was wearing his orange safety vest so everyone would see him coming.

We decided to slow things down a bit and do a little gardening.

Next, it was time for Cole's checkup at the health center.
He looked pretty calm as he played in the waiting room.

Then he met Dr. Dobbles and he wasn't so sure he was ready for this doctor visit.

He decided to make a run for it. Run Cole Run!

First Day Fun

Grayson spent his first day at his new preschool.
He really liked his teacher Miss Sue.

He made a beautiful flower necklace for me during art time.

There was lots of time for play.
He really liked the classroom toys. A firetruck and a police car were his favorites.

There was even more playtime on the playground.
Grayson is really looking forward to his next day at school.

More Water I Say

Have I mentioned that Cole loves water?

When the slip and slide came out, Cole was ready to go.

Up and down he went on the slide for over an hour.

He never did manage to catch that water in his hands, but he will keep trying.

Roommates

We decided the time had come, to move Cole into the big boy's room.
Despite his doubtful look, Grayson was very excited.

I was excited too. Then I saw this picture.
I couldn't help thinking that I had just seen some frat boy move into the dorm room of a mild mannered student..
Party on Dudes!

Our Tween

Our little girl is growing up.
I had never really thought of her as a "tween". Then she started asking for magazines like Tiger Beat and hanging up the posters all over her walls. Next thing you know, she is asking me to take her for a haircut and asking to use my curling iron.
Where is that little girl I had to remind to brush her own hair?

Hemmelgarn Park

After many months of planning, construction began on the kids play structure.

After the second day, the club house was already taking shape.

Five days later, we had a roof for the clubhouse and a support for two swings.
I think I am more excited than the kids are.
After seven days we have a rock climbing wall, a steering wheel
and a telescope (Grayson's favorite).
Of course, It don't mean a thing if it aint got that swing.
Now, I am pleased to announce that Hemmelgarn Park is now complete.