Our California Trip, Part I

We just got back from California and we had such a blast on our trip.  First of all it was amazing to get out of the blazing heat even if it was just for 5 days.  I think we timed it perfectly because we were getting updates from back home that it was 113 degrees.  That made the 78 degree weather in Malibu seem pretty awesome.

We woke up SUPER early on Wednesday morning and headed out.  The plan was to leave at 4am but Ryder woke up at 2am with a bloody nose in our bed and by the time I cleaned it all up I was wide awake.  We decided to hit the road at 2:30am and I drove for the first 2 hours.  By 4:30 I was pretty tired so we pulled over and Cory drove the rest of the way.  We got into LA just in time for breakfast and some rush hour traffic.  When we arrived at Alexa & Justin's house they were at swim lessons but we got settled in and they arrived around lunch time.  We took it easy that first day because we were all pretty pooped from driving in the middle of the night.  Alexa & Justin took us to Stonehaus, one of their favorite neighborhood restaurants.  We had wine & snacks while the kids ran around and played outside.  It was so nice.  After we got back home the kids were dying to put on a concert with all of Justin's instruments.  It was one of the funniest things I've watched in awhile.

 They were rocking out and having so much fun with Lexington.  Ryan looked super cool in her shades.  Ryder was so tired that he fell asleep on the way home from the restaurant and slept until the next morning.  No rockstar Ryder that night :(

 Reese picked out her fancy outfit with bow and dressed Lexington up to the nines.

 I'm not sure what they're whispering about but I'm sure it was about the grand finale.

 Then it was our turn to duet.  Eight years of piano lessons for both of us and we can play some mean heart and soul jams.

 Justin was the designated baby Zane holder.  I could seriously eat that kid up.  He is too precious.

 Cory got on the guitar and had a jam session while I recalled some of my Richard Marx tunes I had memorized from 8th grade.  Epic.

 There's that sweet little squishy boo again!

Day 2 we woke up and had some breakfast and played in their garden.  Alexa had ladybugs to release and that turned into oodles of fun for the kids.

 

Then we headed to the beach in Malibu that afternoon.  Our Aunt Marilyn & Greg were staying down the road in Ventura and joined us for some fun in the sun.  The sun kept peeking in and out of the clouds and it was a wee bit chilly at times but we still had a blast.  The kids love running from the waves and playing in the sand.  There's just something so awesome about the salty air and having your feet in the sand.  Below is a photo of all of us minus Aunt Marilyn because she was snapping the photo.

 Then I got a cute one of Alexa, Justin, Lexington & Zane together.

 Here is our crew about to start running from the waves.  Seriously our most favorite game ever.

When we got back home we had a gourmet dinner of gazpacho and grilled shrimp that Justin threw together.  Our kids wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole unfortunately so I made noodles with butter and parmesan and they tore that up.  The beach always makes me so hungry.  Not sure what it is.

Day 3 was our day to leave and head to San Diego.  We were so sad but we know we'll see the B family soon when we all head to CO in July.  Before we left we tried to get a photo of the 5 kids together.  Of course it's like herding cats and Reese & Ryan were fighting over who could hold Zane, but we finally got a few good ones together.

 I seriously can't get enough of this kid.  He gives me baby fever in a major way and that hasn't happened in awhile.  I am dying over this photo of him in shades.  What a hoot!  That was Ryan's idea.

 So long for now and we'll see you soon!

Hey, batter batter!

Ryder is loving baseball right now and it's pretty darn cute.  He's been hitting the ball consistently off the tee for awhile now but recently he started hitting in the air when Cory pitches and he's so proud every time.  We love cheering him on and I know Cory thinks it's so much fun playing in the front yard with him.  I think he's ready to sign up for Tball next spring and I can't wait to see his cute little fanny in those white baseball pants :)

A brand new closet

Our master closet was in need of a major makeover.  It was cheap builder grade shelving with no storage space.  We've been wanting to do something for awhile and we finally bit the bullet and the closet got a makeover.  We used Classy Closets because their price and design was the best I found.  I'm SO beyond happy with the outcome.  There is so much space for both our clothes and shoes.  We have drawers and so much storage space up to the ceiling.  I am a happy camper and it was a great excuse to do some much needed cleaning out for both of us.

They came on Saturday the 1st and the day started off really rough because Ryder boy started puking at 5am and threw up most of the day.  My dryer was broken, the laundry was piling up, and our closet contents were strewn all over the bedroom and living room.  It took them most of the day to finish the closet but it was so worth it when it was finished.  Reese was my super duper helper that day.  She was right by my side ready to help when the clothes needed to be put away and she gave me advice about how to arrange it all.  We did rainbow order for the shirts, of course.  She was also mildly obsessed with organizing the jewelry drawer we had put it.  It was great having so much help from my sweet baby girl!

Date nights

Ahhh....date nights.  We treasure them so much.  We have been trying to get out every other weekend and it's been pretty easy to do since we had Ms. Lydia booked 6 months out.  Now that summer is here things are changing a bit and we won't get out as much as we like but hopefully we'll squeeze in a few dates to sit on the patio at CHoP or catch a few summer blockbuster movies.  There's nothing like being out together alone and catching up on life.

Ryder's preschool photos

Cutest little munch in the world.  I'm laughing at the fake log and backdrop that they posed against, but I still think it's the sweetest little preschool photo in the world.

Ryder's hair

It's getting long but we're trying to grow it out a bit.  Sometimes we have to break down and give it a little trim.  That's what happened today and he was oh so excited about it.

Best coach ever!

The girls have played soccer for 3 seasons now and Cory has coached every time.  They are pretty lucky to have such a great dad who is an awesome coach.  This spring season has been fun because the weather hasn't gotten obnoxiously hot yet and we have lots of friends on our team including: Barrett, Avery, Dylan, and Bryce from last season.  They are having a blast together.

Hancock Field Day

Reese & Ryan love P.E. at school so it was no wonder that they looked forward to Field Day for almost 2 weeks.  The Kindergarten classes went first thing in the morning before it got too hot and they had such a blast.  I vividly remember doing Field Day at my school and it was always one of the most fun days of the year.  The apples don't fall far from the tree.

 This one below of Ryan is so HER.  She is always posing and I just look at this photo and it makes me smile.  Sassy little Ryboo!  Love her so much.

 Reese is pure joy in this photo.  You can tell she is having so much fun!  I love her squishy face and wrinkled up nose.  That sweet girl slays me.

Pool crashers we are

My cousin, Bryson and his family are in town and staying at the Phoenician.  We would have visited every day this week if possible but life just didn't allow for that.  We did make it up there on Monday & Wednesday and it was so much fun.  The girls had a half day on Wednesday so we went after lunch and spent the afternoon there.  They loved the waterslide and checking out the koi pond.  It's such a pretty place and I hope we can go back and visit this summer.  

That's how we roll

I've been trying to catch up on the blog but I still need to post about Christmas and now it's been so long I'm starting to losing my steam.  So much has happened in January and Feb so far that I need to write about that too.  Problem is I don't have a lot of 'me' time to myself.  By the time I get everyone down at nighttime and clean up the kitchen it's almost 8:30 and I want to go read and decompress in bed.  I'm not even really watching TV right now (except for Downton Abbey, of course).  Ryder has started preschool, a 2/3s combo class 2 days a week in the afternoon.  It's nice for him to have some school time while sissies are at school and I get a wee bit of a break, but usually spend the entire 2 hours running errands alone or working.  There is a definite misconception that once your kids start school you'll have all this time on your hands.  I can't believe how much busier our lives have gotten since school started last July.  I feel like I'm still trying to figure out how to balance it all as a mom, working woman, wife, & friend.

I do have one funny story to share:  Me, Cory, & Ryan were together last week at therapy (for some of Ryan's food and emotional issues) and Mimi was home with Ryder and Reese.  They were playing out front like we love to do in the cul-de-sac.   While they were all out front (Mimi, Ryder, Reese L. down the street, our Reese, and Muffin), the UPS guy made two deliveries on our street.  Then, he pulled up to our house and said that our street looked like the UPS driver's training videos with kids, dogs, and toys in the street.  He was laughing and asked if it was a test and if I was taking notes.

Yep, our crazy life looks like the training video for the UPS guy.  Welcome to our world of crazy.

Ryder's stats

I have to write Ryder's three year old stats here so I don't forget them.  He's growing up big but still a long and lean dude, just like his dad.  (His dad who just weighed himself today and told me the scale said 172 and he's 6'3"!).  Ryder did great at the doctor today.  He finally got his MMR shot, which they usually give at 18 mos but we have put it off and now that he's going to preschool we figured it was time to give it to him.  They measured him at 37 1/2" tall, which is 25-50% and weighs 26.6 pounds, which is 5-10%.  His BMI is 13.4, which is less than 5%.  As I said, long and lean.  I had the Dr. do a hearing test because we felt like he was saying "What?" a lot and we weren't sure he was hearing us or if he was just processing what we said.  He passed the hearing test with flying colors so he is just being a typical 3 year old and ignoring us sometimes :)

He's really into Avengers and all things super hero right now.  He loves cars and trucks, playing outside, hitting the baseball with dad, and just being a crazy boy.  We love him to pieces!!

Ryder turns three!

This little stinker turned three today and we are SO excited to celebrate his special day.  He is such an amazing little guy and we love him more than words.  Here are three things that I adore about little Ryder boy:
1) He knows exactly what he wants and he isn't afraid to tell you.  Love that little spitfire personality.

2) He is all boy but has enough confidence to rock a pink dress or fingernail polish during dress up time.  It takes a special man to be OK with all that girly stuff that's all around our house.

3)  He is such a mama's boy and I eat it all up.  The girls have always had each other and never 'needed' me the way Ryder did.  He is my little buddy and I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have his sweet companionship all day long.

Ryder boy, you are one special kid.  We love you to the moon and back, you sweet little boy!

xoxox,
Mom