Friday, August 31, 2012

Back to School

 Stopped for a little back to school shopping at the outlets on our way home from the tram.
The purchase they were most excited about...rash guards.
Oh, you don't need rash guards for school?
Shoot.

They got to spend the day before school started with me at the grocery store.
If we hadn't been desperate for groceries, I would've waited one more day.
 But it was good to go to remind me that going back to school has its bonuses.

That day also included swimming, hair cuts, and father's blessings.


The big day...
They both did awesome going to their new classes.

3rd grade Owen all of a sudden seems a lot more grown up.

1st grade Drew was tough, but fighting back tears.
He couldn't look at me to say bye as he sat there coloring his little balloon picture.

And then there was me full on crying at school.


They both came home happy.

Drew was relieved the long day was over and that he found his friends at recess.
(he's not so sure full-day school is a good thing)

Owen was happy to see long-lost friends and he likes his teacher.
(but neither of us was a fan of homework on the first day)


In bed that night I heard Owen say, "I liked the first day of school Drew! Did you?"
"No."

The Tramway

Justin made the mistake of telling me about this place he heard about in Palm Springs where you can ride an aerial tram high up into the mountains (Palm Springs Aerial Tramway).

He can't tell me about things like this and expect me to wait to go explore.

Sounded like the perfect pre-back to school family activity to me.

So that's how we spent our Monday.

The tram ride was cool, but a little over-rated for the price.
+ The views were awesome
+ We can now say we've ridden in "The World's Largest Rotating Tramcar"
- Too short for the price (10 minutes each way)
- No chairs
- Too many people crammed inside (is our own private tram too much to ask?)

BUT at the top, it was really cool and made up for the above minuses.

 The dreaded Angry Birds shirt he talked me in to getting him for school.
I let him wear it all he wants in hopes it'll wear out faster.

 Smells like vanilla.

She has no tennis shoes that fit and preferred being barefoot to wearing sandals.
 




 Excited to find a Christmas tree.

 His bark collection he was sad to leave behind (park rules, not mine).

A crappy picture in front of our tram.

Justin and I loved this day...Justin was happy being in nature that reminded him of the rim in Payson (AZ) where he grew up. I always love seeing new places, and loved being just our family with no distractions (I don't think that's happened all summer).

Owen loved it about half the time. He wasn't sure our little nature walk was ever going to end, and was most affected by the swaying of the tram.

Drew was so happy exploring, except every time he tripped (which was a lot) he wanted to go home. Then a minute later he'd find a new piece of bark and was happy again.

Sally did super awesome, barefoot and all. I really don't think she complained.

Baby in my belly made me tired.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Amused

This is our last full week of summer, so I wanted to do some fun things with the kids.
(Justin was on the rifle range so couldn't miss work or join us for anything..but he did shoot expert!)

Owen wasn't approving of any of my suggestions on Monday so I asked him what HE wanted to do.
Sea World.
I don't think he thought I'd really say yes.
But we still hadn't used our free military day yet this year so we went.
It was so hot that the boys wanted to be in the splash zone at the Shamu show.
Towards the end when they still hadn't been splashed, they got distracted and a little whiny.
And then when none of us were paying attention, 3 huge splashes came our way and we were all DRENCHED.
As in, it looked like we showered in our clothes.
The boys loved it.
Sally cried.

Is it sad that the highlights of our day was the disappearing ink the boys got thanks to someone giving us their tickets in the arcade?
And also, running into a huge turtle that was out for a walk (with Seaworld employees)?
Neither really fit into the "sea" category.
Still love the Monterey aquarium the best.


 Our Disney day had been planned for awhile.
Ideally I wouldn't go on in hot weather being 34 weeks pregnant,
but Sally's pass expired the next day so we had to get in our last visit.

 
The main goal of the day was to experience the new Cars Land.
It's awesome!
But we were nervous when right at 8AM there was already 1/2 hour line just to get a fast pass for the Radiator Springs Racer ride.
That was the worst of it, though.
Thanks to Annie (my friend who met us there w/her 2 kids) we got right on the Luigi ride.
And then the Mater tractor ride was a short wait after that.

But then we had time to kill.

 

Annie took the boys on Tower of Terror (Owen's first time).

While we did a kiddie ride.
 

 Little Mermaid/proof I was there.
(It might be time to retire that F21 t-shirt. I've definitely gotten my $5 worth)

Exploring Cars Land.

Then finally the big ride.
Loved waiting 15 minutes (verses 2 hours).
 And loved that ride.

And obviously, Disneyland.

Heat Survival

Yes, I'm still talking about the heat and how we survived.
I should note that outside it wasn't that bad.
But with humidity, no breeze and warm temps our house was usually around 85 inside.

Aside: Notice I used some past tense? Hoping the heat is gone!

Anyway, Owen's heat-induced frown turned upside down after jumping in a bucket of water.

And I got happy after figuring out how to make grilled brownies.
 
 They were delicious with Danna's caramel sauce on top.

After living here 2 years, we finally visited the base pool.
Don't know why I have such an aversion to going on base.
Well, kind of I do.
But I should get over it for this awesome & free pool, cheap groceries
(only gone to the commissary twice here),
and the cheap theater (where we saw "Brave" after the pool).
 





Last Sunday I was super grateful to eat dinner at Brent & Errin's.
No heating up my house and they're closer to the ocean, so it's a little bit cooler there.
Oh and Errin makes good food.
Also grateful for our after-dinner entertainment.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Olympics Viewing

We are normally fine watching our TV shows on Hulu or Netflix.
But that wasn't going to work for the Olympics.
So rather than pay for cable, Justin bought this cheapo antenna to see if it'd work.
NBC comes in totally clear!
When the antenna is positioned just like this.
Another ghetto moment for our household.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Heat Stroke





This is the one time of the year I can complain about the weather here so I'm going to do it.
It's 10 at night and my house is 82 degrees.
82 might sound like nothing, but don't forget the humidity.
And the fact that this house has no AC.

I'm a swollen, sweaty mess.

At least we've found ways to escape the heat most all week.

Like the day Danna and her kids came down for some bowling, shaved ice, and swimming (pictured above).

And the day when we met the long-lost Messervy's, who are back in town for the week, at the beach (wish I got a picture).

And today when we met some even longer-lost friends from NC at another beach.

Play by Play

 Shower.

Swim.

She plays while they swim.
 

 Or mess around.

Towel off.

Ready for her turn.

Then they play.

While she swims.

And there you have the play by play of our 9-10am for the last 2 weeks.
Your life is complete.

Loved having early swim lessons...got them moving and us out the door.
Drew & Owen did 4 weeks total (2 sessions).
Sally did 1.
They all loved their lessons/teachers and totally improved.
I'm getting some good little swimmers.

Thursday, August 09, 2012

It's Still Summer

This was from week 2 of swim lessons.
Drew & Owen are in the same class.
Their teacher just so happens to be a young woman from our ward.
They love her.
And are possibly IN love with her.
Drew told Justin she's cute.


 
 Errin has been telling me to try Bagel Shack ever since we moved here.
Finally made it (it's in San Clemente) on our way up to Danna's one day.
Wish I tried it sooner...my new favorite.

 
 Drew was reading after lights out!
Do you know how happy this made me?
They can sneak to read any time they want.

 
 Discovered way too late in the summer that Surf Bowl in Oceanside offers
free bowling for kids all summer long.
Owen was proud to have the highest score.
Being the oldest one there could've helped.

 
 White trash moment of the summer...Sally bringing Mickey to the beach.
In place of a towel.

The next 3 are from an especially good beach day.
Low, low tide and awesome weather.
Every Wednesday our ward meets at Tower 30.
We were so late that day, that the last group left almost after we got there.
But then a weird thing happened...the kids had to play w/each-other!
And they entertained themselves so well.
 

 

 
 I don't even bring beach toys anymore (other than the boogie board if they carry it).
The pringles container worked just fine that day.

 We've been doing the reading program all summer.
They earned their humongous t-shirts after reporting 7 different times.
When I exclaimed sarcastically over the greatness of another pajama shirt,
Drew informed me he was going to embarrass me and wear it as a day shirt.
Hasn't happened yet.

 Errin, Jones, and Ellis were in AZ for awhile and so we got the privilege of extra visits from Brent.
One night he was nice and took the boys to see the new Wimpy Kid movie.
But then another night he felt the need to tell them about a poop-throwing incident from his past.
He's lucky he didn't get out of the car after going to Rubios with Justin.
Drew had a little surprise waiting for him.

 
More Jeep time for Justin.
Love those $3 coveralls from the base thrift store.

 Finally started passing off some Scout stuff with Owen.
One requirement was to cook his own breakfast.
That plate is full of 5 scrambled eggs.
He ate them ALL.
He was so proud of himself, he made 2 more and ate them, too.

 Justin got me this cookbook a few years ago.
Sally loves to look through it.
She's been requesting this recipe for awhile.
Finally got the ingredients and we made it together with her friend, Brienna.
It was really good.
And I felt accomplished when it turned out.
BUT I really think the main appeal for her was the strawberries and cream.
We could've skipped the whole meringue madness.
Next time, I'll just get these instead (another yummy thing Errin told me about).