First Day of Spring Break- Irvine Park

 

Today was the first day of Spring Break for the kids. I really wanted to do something fun and spend time with Kristy and her kids so we decided to go to Irvine Park. Grandma joined us for the fun too. I had heard of Irvine Park but neither of us had been there. I'd always assumed it was in Irvine but it is actually in Orange. It is named Irvine after a man who donated the land to the county many years ago. Anyhow it is a really cool place. They have a railroad with a cool train going through it. There's pony rides and tractor rides, a lake with paddle boats and ducks, bikes for rent and a ZOO! We had a great time and it was a beautiful day. The Zoo had some pretty cool animals for a small zoo and it was great because it wasn't crowded at all.

I thought this picture was funny. Sawyer had to go pee really bad and I just had him go in the bushes since there was no one around. I couldn't resist taking a picture!

 

Kindergarten Program

Carter had his Kindergarten program today. It was just adorable to watch him really get into the songs and do all the motions. He is such a cutie pie! I video taped the whole thing so that Chris could watch it when he got home. He was sad not to be there for it. Carter also got a writing award and the California Scholastic Achievement award. We are so proud of him. Wait to go Carter!

Another day at Disneyland

Yesterday we all went to Disneyland after school. The weather really warmed up after being so gloomy and cold for so long which made it a perfect day. It was a little more crowded than I would have liked due to Spring break season. I had a mystery shop and we got to eat at my favorite restaurant, The Blue Bayou. Even though it was pretty crowded we still got on a few rides. My favorite was going to see Captain EO after so many years. The kids loved it and it was awesome to be in a packed theater. The audience cheered the entire time so that made it fun. Our reservation at the Blue Bayou wasn't until 9 o'clock (oops I forgot to make the reservation until the night before!) so the kids were pretty restless and ready to go home by then. It was still a good time and we had a delicious meal. We didn't get home until midnight so it was tough getting up this morning for school but we did it!

Libby's not very happy to have her picture taken in her new hat

Sawyer waiting outside Captain EO. I think he learned some new dance moves watching the show.

My attempt and taking a picture of us on the rockets.

Dinner at the Blue Bayou
(Saywer was pretty good until he started break dancing in the middle of the floor. We have no idea where he's learned this but he break dances in the most random places)

Carter is Child of the Week

In Kindergarten they select a child to spotlight each week. It is a pretty big deal and Carter has been waiting all school year to be the "Child of the Week". He was so excited when he was picked and brought home a poster to make. We had fun going through pictures of his life and deciding which ones should "make" the poster.

On Thursday Grammy went to his classroom and played her guitar and sang for the kids. She has so much fun and they just love her. She even wrote an adorable song for Carter. She told a fun story to the kids as well.

Chris and I got to go in on Friday. We brought all the kids a little bottle of Carter's favorite juice, Odwalla Apple juice and Orange juice. I also made rice crispy treats, another of Carter's faves. We enjoyed watching him interact with his friends. Sawyer also enjoyed sitting next to his big brother.

Buddies Forever

His cute poster that we made together

Carter with Ms. Maloney, his teacher.

Libby- 2 months

Libby had her 2 month check up last week. I can't believe how fast time is flying! It makes me a little sad I have to admit. She doesn't look much like a newborn to me anymore. I am enjoying her smiles and cooing though.

Here's her stats: 22.5 inches 11lb. 12oz Head Circumference: 15.5 inches

She weighed in at a whopping 11 lbs 12 oz.

Libby enjoyed looking in the mirror while waiting for the Dr. to come in and check her

Little did she know what was coming next... SHOTS! I am not sure who it hurt more, Libby or Mommy. Poor baby!

She cried for a few minutes but calmed down once she was bundled up and had her binkie.

Libby is such a great baby and has been sleeping through the night for a couple of weeks now!

Libby's Blessing

Last Sunday, March 7 2010, was Libby's blessing. With church being at 9 am we were rushing around quite a bit. I had prepared a lunch for our family to eat afterward and was trying to hurry and make a vegetable platter. I opened a can of olives and set it in the sink with the lid standing straight up. Then I grabbed a handful of cherry tomatoes and washed them. As I shook my hands to get the excess water off, my hand went straight down on the lid of the can and sliced it pretty deep. This was minutes before we needed to leave. I was so mad at myself for being careless. I was worried that I was going to ruin Libby's blessing day. We quickly wrapped up my hand and rushed off to church. I had a friend help me put her white dress on so I wouldn't get blood on it. Libby wore a beautiful dress that my Mom had made for Maddie to wear on her blessing day. (Hopefully Libby will also be able to wear Maddie's baptism dress too someday.) Chris gave Libby a beautiful blessing and she slept peacefully through it. Maddie shared her testimony and talked about how much she loved having a little sister. She said, "I'm so happy that my family is complete, cause Libby is our last baby." Everyone got a chuckle out of that. It was wonderful to have our family and friends there to be with us.

After Sacrament Meeting I went to Kaiser urgent care to get my hand stitched up and a Tetanus shot. I was worried I was going to miss the lunch I had prepared and miss being with our family. Luckily everyone had planned on staying for the rest of church before eating lunch. By the time they got home I was already done and on my way home. It turned out to be a great day even though we had a little mishap with my hand.

My Mom made these adorable white and pink cupcakes

My Sis-in-law Amanda made these precious sugar cookies. She even sprinkles sugar on the white part on the baby to resemble a blessing dress!
We also had yummy chicken salad sandwiches, salad, fruit, veggies, and strawberry lemonade.

Mom and Baby

Libby with Grandpa Ed and Grandma Faye

Grampy Tal and Grammy Debbie

Our little family of 6

(Aunt Amanda made her headband too!)

Maddie was excited to wear her white baptism dress and match Libby.

Baseball Season is here!

You wouldn't guess it by the weather we've been having but it's baseball season! This is Carter's first year playing and its just adorable to watch. He is very excited and looks forward to every practice. On Saturday we had his first game and he had so much fun. I didn't get any shots of him playing because by the time I got the camera out he had already batted and it was the last inning. I think he looks so cute in his crisp uniform. He was so proud of himself because he slid into home plate after he ran the bases.

Bathtime

I just can't help taking pictures of my chubby baby in the bath! Bathtime is my favorite time of the day with Libby. She's always so happy and just loves her bath. Then of course after her bath I get to smother her with yummy baby lotion and pick out an adorable outfit for the day. She really is my doll!

Lots of Love to go around

The kids are having so much fun having a baby in the house. I do have to say it has been very nice not having a toddler and a new baby this time around. Sawyer is 3 and a half and is at a perfect age. He loves Libby and tries to be gentle with her. He is very happy to have a new sister and so far he hasn't acted out or been jealous (knock on wood). Carter is just as sweet as can be and wherever Libby is he comes up to her and says, "Liiiiiiiby" in a sweet little voice while he pets her ever so gently. Then there's Maddie. I could have never predicted how sweet and just adorable Maddie has been with her little sister. For the first few weeks we were really careful and wouldn't let Maddie hold Libby while walking. As our confidence in her grew we started letting her take care of Libby more. She is just amazing with her. Its obvious Libby knows her and feels comfortable with her. Maddie can calm her down from being fussy, change a diaper and get her dressed. It has been so fun to watch Maddie love and adore her little sister. I do wonder how long this will last :)

Tea Party

As a birthday gift, Kelli made reservations at an adorable Tea Parlor in Glendora. It was such a fun day to spend with the Ladies. Kelli, Maddie, Libby, my mom, Faye, Areli (her good friend), and I sat down to a wonderful lunch at the most adorable place. We had herbal tea served in antique tea cups, yummy scones, salad, tomato bisque soup, a variety of ribbon sandwiches and blueberry apple cobbler. Maddie especially enjoyed the little tiara she got to wear and tried it on Libby. It was quite a special day! Thank you so much Kelli!

Grandma Faye's birthday dinner

We've had lots to celebrate over the past couple months. On February 19 we celebrated Grandma Faye's birthday at Outback with the whole family. The kids just love to see their cousins and ended up playing with their DS's most of the time (which made for a nice quiet dinner for the rest of us!) Its so wonderful to have such wonderful families that we can spend time with. I'm so glad that we live so close to both sides of our family.

Libby- One Month Old

Libby's first month flew by! Of the four kids it feels like she has grown the fastest at this age. I think she is probably the biggest of my four babies at one month. I am not sure of her weight at one month but I suspect she was somewhere around 10 lbs. Her cheeks have gotten so chubby and her thighs chunky. We are just loving how cute she is getting. She started smiling around 3 weeks but at one month she was smiling all the time and just happy all around. At one month she was only getting up once or twice during the night and following a pretty good schedule of eat, play, then sleep which I was never able to do with the other 3 kids they all had to nurse to sleep which was a hard habit to break. I know I sound like a broken record but she really is a good baby. I can put her down in her crib for a nap or bed and she only fusses for a few minutes then falls asleep. She only slept in the bassinet in our room for about 3 weeks and has done wonderful in her crib. With a little coaxing from Maddie we decided it was time for her to go to her crib at night.