More from Disney

The music of Disneyland is enough to do you in. I had never been while everything is decorated for Christmas. It was magical. The lines weren't too bad and yet you get to enjoy the festive feel. 

 First flight on Dumbo.

 Carousels are always a hit. We also hit one up at CA Adventure.

 The Pixar Parade was awesome. The boys recognized many of the characters and danced right along with the performers. So fun.

 The Little Mermaid Ride was a hit and we got to enjoy it with Parker's buddy Elizabeth who was there with her fam. Even Austin now recognizes Ariel by name.

 And here he is... the main event... Mickey Mouse!

 Oh and who can forget the precious morning of pancakes we had at the great grandparents. Those boys sure love them.

I'm thankful for...

Today is Thanksgiving and I must admit, there were some challenging parts of the week where I was struggling to feel grateful. When I just want to get a few things at Target and my son is hitting me and screaming over not getting a toy. When I've vacuumed for the 500th time and yet there are new crumbs on the floor. When the boys are screaming (they are happy, playful screams... but loud and ear piercing nonetheless) and I just want a quiet home. When the boys get up before the sun, and you must as well. 

Being a parent is hard and tiring... but at the end of most days... no matter how long and hard it was... I can typically find myself reflecting on the sweet boys I get to spend my day with and the wonderful moments we shared. I have two healthy boys who love each other so immensely it brings me to tears. Parker will always ask Austin, "Do you want to be my best friend?" and then Austin replies, "Yeah!"

I am thankful that Pete has a good job that allows me to stay home and get to experience their early years. I'm thankful that Pete musters up the energy at the end of a long day to wrestle and play "leg trap" with the boys who run to him as soon as he walks through the door. 

I'm thankful that we have so much family close to us, that can share in the every day joy of our lives. 

I'm thankful for good friends near and far who make me want to be a better friend. 

I'm thankful for Austin. 

 I'm thankful for Parker. 

I'm thankful for Pete. 

I'm thankful for this family of mine. Happy Thanksgiving!

Meeting the REAL Mickey Mouse...

The boys and I went to Disneyland last week for the very first time. We decided that we don't need more toys this Christmas, so we opted to use great grandparent Christmas money for Disney passes. I'm so excited. Pete hopes to go with us sometime for a day, but we didn't get a pass for him.

So we surprised Parker after preschool last week and told him we were driving up to Disneyland. He was happy, but not ecstatic... then it occurred to me that since he's never been to Disneyland he has no clue what that means. When we got there and he heard the music and saw the larger than life decor, he got MUCH MORE excited. We spent the afternoon and evening going on rides and walking around. The pass also gets us in to CA Adventure, so we went over there to watch a parade and go on some rides with friends who were there that day too. So fun. I can't wait to go back.

Goofy kissed Parker on the head... I think that was the highlight of his life. 

On it's a Small World... got to do it twice in a row without exiting the boat. Whoop whoop. Parker asked Austin, "Is this the most amazing day of your life?"

After a full day, we went to my grandparent's house to spend the night since they live close by. It worked out well and the boys loved spending the night there. Fun for everyone. Then we went back for a few hours the next morning. Am I the best mom or what? 

Until I finish uploading photos I will leave you with this... in Toon Town we met the "real mickey mouse", as Parker likes to call him. It was thrilling. Austin loved pointing to his shirt and then pointing to Mickey. Pure childhood bliss. 

Reading buddies

Sometimes there are special moments your kids share where you run to get your camera, lest you forget that the sweet moment ever occurred. Like this moment when Austin was "reading" to Parker in his bed. It was so sweet how he was really trying to describe the pictures. Then, things got wild as they ALWAYS do!

Preschool

Parker is so lucky to have Grammy as his teacher. Not only is it fun for her to see him in action, but she's an amazing teacher and can handle all his energy in the classroom. 

Here's Parker finding treasures with a classmate. 

 Raking fall leaves. Nice to see how they put these kids to work!

Playing store... someone did NOT want to share the cash register. He is truly my son. I used to want to work at a grocery store one day both for the button pushing on the register and the scanner. It's the little things. 

Little Hercules

Parker has always been very active and agile. He loves all sorts of physical activity. He often tries mimicking what Pete and I do for our workouts in the morning. Like pushups... my parents were impressed.

Drop and give me 20!

Trampoline park

How great is Groupon? We love it and it's a great way to try out new things for a fraction of the cost. Some of our favorites have included a family pass to the Children's museum for only $39 for the year, Pete got to drive the Ferrari last year, Crossfit classes for Parker, and now this... a pass to the new trampoline park that just opened here. I took just Parker and he had a blast. At first I didn't know he wasn't allowed to jump everywhere, but since he's under 46 inches, he has to stay in the toddler area. Lame... but he still had fun. Here's some videos before we got kicked out the of the older area:

Identity conflict at the football game

Pete and I are both Poway High Alums. We have pledged through the alma mater, "Faithful Titans we will be, through the years to you." But... we now live in our rival high school's boundaries. All the young men Pete works with at church go to RB High, and seven of them are on the JV football team. Wanting to support the boys, we went to the game last week when they were playing Poway. How ironic! The boys had a fun time and Austin especially loved the cheerleaders and the music. It was a fun game and our boys played great!

boys are just funny

Listening in on boy conversations is a riot. All about superheroes, fighting bad guys, flying, and going super fast.

Lest you think these kids are about to fall off a ledge, let me reassure you there is flat ground and a few feet before the fence on the other side of where they are seated. 

 Parker and Connor. We'll miss him when his family moves soon.

Coming out of my kitchen lately...

I made Pioneer Woman's Peanut Butter sheet cake. It was good... not very peanut buttery but good. I prefer the chocolate version and Pete prefers this one.

I'm passionate about this cajun pasta recipe. Super simple and tasty.

Sometimes it grosses me out to freeze food that's already been cooked, but I had way to much meat after making these pork burritos, so I decided to try freezing it. I am SOOOOO glad I did. Especially since I hate cleaning my crockpot, you could not tell a difference between this meal and when we originally cooked the meat. All I did was make another batch of cilantro rice and then whip up the burritos and sauce. So definitely cook more than enough meat and freeze half of it. You'll be glad you did.

This pumpkin bundt cake was good. Not something I have to make again really soon, but I made one and then plated up several slices for friends and it went a long way. This pumpkin crumb cake is on my list to make very soon.

In other news, I really think our no food coloring, reduced preservative diet for Parker (and all of us) is working in terms of his behavior. We've had a few really good days in a row and I'm encouraged. We'll see what this week holds.

Cali burrito for a California boy

Do you know what a California burrito is? If you don't, you must not be from CA. A California burrito is a carne asada burrito with french fries in it. Sounds gross but don't knock it til you try it. Austin and Parker are all about it. Austin couldn't even handle me offering bites to him. He needed the WHOLE burrito ( I was going to say whole enchilada but it's a burrito:)). 

Chef Parker

Grammy is super fun. She is always doing crafts and sensory things with Parker. He loves it and I love it because the mess is at her house:) That morning they made blue play dough. Parker loved helping and then creating all kinds of things with the dough. Meatballs were his favorite. 

 Muah!

Sweet boy

This is the sweetest boy... that's all:)

I always want to remember...

Parker at the park talking to some other little children: Hi, I'm Parker. What's your name?
Kids: Jake and Leah.
Parker: Hi Jake and Leah. How old are you?
Kids: 3 and 4.
Parker: So... do you want to play with me?
Kids: No.
Parker: That's not the way this works. I need a friend too. Do you see any other friends for me?


Jessica: Parker, how was church buddy?
Parker: It was perfect.


Parker: Mom don't you want Austin to always stay little? He's just such a cutie.


After I accidentally used the word stupid in Parker's presence: Oh Parker, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.
Parker: I know mom. That's not a nice word and you are teaching me.

Parker yells to be while watching commercials: Hey Mom... Let's go to the American Girl Store!


Parker: So you are painting your walls?
Grammy: We are painting the walls green.
Parker: I like blue. You should paint blue underneath.

Parker: Mom, who gave me this dinosaur?
Jessica: Gran and Grandaddy gave it to you last Christmas.
Parker: Oh, we should write them a thank you note.

And for a dose of reality, amidst all the sweet things coming out of this little angel's mouth... in efforts to get him to leave the playground after school he hit, kicked and head-butted me in the nose, all in front of a very large audience of parents. Sweet.

Giggles

Have a mention how much I dislike Daylight Savings? As in, I'm almost willing to move to Arizona just so I don't have to do it. The boys woke up at 4:51AM that first day, and it was a gradual process to get them on a normal schedule. As it is they are VERY early risers (6:00-6:20am is the norm). Austin is still struggling and gets up in the 5 o'clock hour most days. Ouch. Fall back is supposed to be the "good time change" where we get an extra hour of sleep. Instead, I view it as an extra hour to parent. Rant complete. I love my kids and can't get enough of their smiling faces;)

Here's giddy Austin at the end of our VERY LONG Sunday. 

 I made this paper banner during naptime. When Austin came out he pointed to it and said, "Aweeee.... cute!" Glad he appreciates my attempt at crafting.

Happy 11/12/13... pretty cool date. Someone pointed out that next year on 12/13/14 is the last date in this century with consecutive numbers. Interesting fact.

Never a dull moment with these two!

These boys are inseperable. Whenever the other one isn't around, they are always asking for them. Parker, considering how "busy" he is, is typically very loving and patient with Austin. It's a tender mercy. 

Tricycle built for two:)

 Trick or treating... the Mickey and the knight in shining armor.

 Bubbles at the Children's museum... oh how we love that place. And how lucky are we to have a November with weather like this?!?!?!

Birthday in a box

My friend Alison never ceases to amaze me. She is having her 30th birthday today (happy birthday friend!) and since many of her friends are not within driving distance she did the cutest thing. Yesterday I received a box in the mail (which was labeled that it included obscene amounts of confetti... and she was right!)... anyway, I open the box and there are loads of goodies and instructions. She made a party in a box, so we could all celebrate with her. We are talking there was a party hat, noise maker, poppers, decorative gloves, cookies, and even change in a change purse to go buy a celebratory Diet drink. Amazing. 

What a thoughtful way to celebrate the big 3-0! I felt so special, and I hope she will feel just as good today. Happy birthday! She and I go way back to our Junior Prom planning days. We've been through so much and I couldn't be happier to celebrate her birthday in style! Love you, Alison.

G'mommy's birthday

We went up to Yorba Linda last week to celebrate Grandmommy/Gran's birthday. It was a lot of fun. Initially we planned on going later in the day, but considering the boys woke up at 4:51AM due to daylight savings, we knew things were only going to go downhill as the day progressed, so we got an early start. The boys had fun playing at their house for a while.

Austin automatically demands the "Word Book" with Grandaddy.

 Parker loves all birthdays... especially when he gets to help open the presents.

 We had a great lunch at Islands. The boys had fun and the food was delicious. Success.

 Parker loved the birthday dessert. Chocolate is this kid's middle name!

 Parker loves playing in their backyard with the balls and bats. Grandaddy is always a good sport being the pitcher for him.

 The boys in their hats. There's about a 76 year age difference between them:)

 Gotta love the Cozy Coupe which was around from the time I was a year old. Still in great shape.

Happy birthday Gran! We love you!