cousins

My mom is an only child and my dad has one brother who had one son so, we didn't grow up with a bunch of first cousins.  I always wished I had and am happy that my kids get to grow up with cousins close by.  We went up last weekend to celebrate me niece's birthday and to see my sister's new house.  At the end of the day when the kids were getting ready for bed I found them quietly reading.  

this and that

I love spending weekend afternoons paying croquet with my family in Balboa Park.

So much more than spending them on the side of the road with a broken down car, an hour and a half from home.  I am so terrified of driving my car now I cried during the 3 trips I had to make today taking the kids to school and back.

HEXBUG NANO

We recently got the opportunity to play with the new HEXBUG NANO and habitat.  The kids really like this toy and I like it because Porter can build the habitat by himself.  It is a toy I actually enjoy playing with my kids.  Here are a few photos of the day and a video of Liesl and I talking about them.

DISCLAIMER: I received 3 HEXBUG NANOs for each party attendee and the NANO habitat set. These are my opinions and I received no monetary compensation for writing this review.

The Witch

Liesl in the witch costume my mom made for me when I was a little girl.  

an after school hike

cheese!

one second later his feet were in the water

33

Tomorrow morning I will wake up one year older.  Jason was 33 when I met him and I thought he was so old, now I am so old, ha ha!  I don't think my 24 year old self realized how rad of a life I would have and how excited I would be to be turning 33.  Cheers to another year and many more!

Tomorrow I am going to wake up and rock these Toms, like it's my birthday!

PARK(ing) Day

Today Liesl and I participated in our local PARK(ing) Day .  We played a game of Hi Ho Cherry-O, drew some pictures and had a milk shake at Burger Lounge, yum!  

Botanical gardens

Today was Porter's half day at school so, we went with some friends up to the Botanical Gardens.  Our membership is about to expire and I wanted to get in one last trip before it does.  As always the kids had a wonderful time.  

friends

First day

Today was Liesl's first day of pre-k.

number 5

my sister's beautiful belly at 35 weeks. i can't wait to meet my new niece or nephew who will be welcomed by 4 siblings, 2 parents and a huge extended family that is ready to shower him/her with love.  

the 4 of us

Liesl needed a photo of her family for her preschool class so, I asked a friend to take some.

trying to get Porter to join us for a photo

this is the photo Liesl wanted to put up in class. i talked her out of it.

porter had a hard time sitting still 

i think this is the photo she ended up going with

Fun Dip

We went to a birthday party for a friend on Saturday and there was a lot of candy and cake.  Porter took full advantage of it and had his first ever Fun Dip.

the red around his mouth is from the licorice 

First Day of First Grade

Today Porter started first grade at a new school and I really hope he likes this school better than the last. I don't want to be sending him to a new school every year.