The Derby

We won't talk about the money spent.
(new tools, magazines, supplies, etc.)

Or how the car was completed an hour before the Pinewood Derby started.

Instead, we'll focus on the positives.

Like Owen's solid 6th place finish.

Out of 20ish boys.
He was totally fine w/that.
His car started winning all the unofficial races after the competition was over.
So in his head he got 2nd.

And his "Best Military Vehicle" award.

Oside 2012

First visitors arrived and we helped ourselves to The Palisades pool.

They were arriving for our big Martindale family reunion
to celebrate my grandpa's 80th birthday.

That night those first visitors got engaged.

Derek (my brother) and Loren.
(Brent & I got to help w/set-up and pictures of the proposal on the Oceanside Pier)

Drew got some fans.

And Owen did, too.

Jones plugged his ears during Owen's entire game.
And I got way too excited about his base hits
(after striking out every time last game).

Saturday Night pretty much everyone was here (40ish people).
Had a big bonfire.

Talent show practice on Sunday:

Our kids are so talented.
My dad taped up every hole but one so they could each play their note and no others.
This was for my grandpa's birthday party the next night.

Sally had a birthday.

I like that she requested strawberry pancakes (in comparison to Drew's donuts).

And strawberry ice cream cake.
She celebrated by shopping with Grandma, having Jones over,
and going to my grandpa's birthday party.

Then Drew had a birthday.

I impressed Justin with my artistic abilities.

Birthday dinner.

His day also consisted of shopping with Grandma and Legoland with Justin.

They made some progress on the Jeep.

We visited everyone at the beach while Justin/Drew were at Legoland.

Then a day at Disneyland.

I mean Disneyland!

Loved that my mom and Rachel got to go w/us.

Awesome day, but they are always so ready to go home at the end of it.
(Owen was bribed to smile...with going home)

Invaded the Oceanside Street Market

Tide Pools

The sea stars were plentiful.

And lots more.

I did so horrible at taking pictures.
My excuse is that in my lazy/tired pregnant state my camera feels like it weighs 20 pounds.

But it was a lovely week and we felt way too lucky that we didn't have to travel for the reunion.

So thanks everyone for coming to us!

Enjoying

A couple birthdays and a family reunion.

Be back soon.

Released

Those ladybugs are now enjoying their freedom.
Well except for the one that Jones ate for $2.
Oh and also the one Ellis ate for free.

It's Leap Day

I bought a container of 1500 ladybugs to release today.

Was feeling the need to do something random to celebrate leap day (leapin ladybugs, right?)

But then baseball, homework, dinner, and more baseball got in the way.
Those ladybugs are still sitting in their container.

So here's the only out-of-the-normal thing that happened today:

Sally & I planted some poppy seeds.

In 4-6 weeks we should have some blooms and I can't wait.

Good Intentions

Like when Owen came in proudly showing me the weeds he had pulled.

And I got excited and encouraged him to keep going.

Then went to inspect and found he had been pulling my little lettuce sprouts.

I caught him with exactly one left, and there it is.

Or like when today while I was taking a shower the kids emptied the dishwasher without being asked.

But the dishes were dirty.

Valentine's Day and a Baby

Valentine's Day:

- Heart bowls, straws, sandwiches, and pizza

(Papa Murphy's disappointed for the first time and it tasted like cough syrup)

- Scavenger hunt for kids to find their Valentines

- Gifts (those flowers and an iPhone)

- Sickness (Owen & Justin)

And now for the Baby part:

- We're having one!

- I'm just 7 weeks, due October 3

- Not really sick but tired all the time and food isn't appealing

- Everyone in this house wants a girl (Drew was pro-boy @ first, but has been swayed)

- Justin gets out of the military as soon as August 11,

but now has the option to extend 6 weeks past my due date.

Currently undecided as to what we'll do.

Either way, insurance will cover everything.

- And ya, we're excited!

Crazy to think about a baby in our house again.

It'll have been 4 1/2 years by the time it's born.

USS Midway

The brig.

"A Toaster!"

- Drew's loud response when asked if he knew what that was.

The Top Gun Tomcat

Earned their wings.

(loved that they had a pamphlet for the kids to complete and earn these at the end)

 

Finally toured the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier thanks to half off museum month here

(coupons at Macy's).

We did the kid version of the tour (meaning they zipped through it). 

The Midway is HUGE though, so even that took 2 hours.

Errin was the main audio guide listener.

Between her and the kids pamphlet, it was fun learning some new things.

I'd go back.

The Pool in February

Okay so it was heated.

But still!

It's February.

I want to live here forever.

A Door Locking Story

 

Yesterday morning Owen thought it'd be a good idea to lock the exercise ball in his room.

He didn't want Sally to play with it.

But by doing that, all his and Drew's shoes and clean clothes also got locked away.

That door's hinges are on the inside of the room.

The lock is the pinhole kind (that twists, not pops open).

And the window was locked.

So Owen was doomed to a morning of chores and homework.

But then a friend offered to lend him some shoes.

So he got to school a couple hours late.

Wearing the exact same clothes he wore the day before.

Drew just missed altogether.

And got to wear Sally's purple, too small flip flops all day.

And then when Justin got home from work he had that door open in 5 minutes.