Saturday: Legoland

Sean rode his stroller. Gretchen slept the whole time (almost). Patrick hated then jumped with the performers of the Jumpitz show, P drove a car, P played legos, we toured the new water park, we rode the spinny pirate boat, we rode the bouncy ride and finished with the roller coaster. We'll keep our eyes peeled across the lagoon for this evenings fireworks (at home).

Friday: Lazy bones

Couch potatoes in the AM.

Car nap in the afternoon for Patrick.

Dad's office, Golden Spoon, Trader Joes, Rite Aid and Major Market visits during that nap.

Sean drove in in the evening. Yay!

PS: sprinkles at the bottom of the cup too are key!!

Thursday: Lovely ladies lunch (w/kids)

Sarah came down for work today and got the rest of the girls together (including moms and kids) for lunch at the Stratford Court Cafe on 13th St. In DM. It was super-delish and a perfect casual place for kiddos who want to run around.
Patrick loved chasing Rori and Kai. He even picked a flower, gave it to Rori and ran after her, lips puckered. I think she managed to dodge him...so cute!!!

Wednesday: mall & beach

This morning we took it easy and I played dress up with Gretchen's new purple dress. Thanks Jenny!

We went up to he mall in Oceanside for a veggie sandwich at Pat and Oscars, merry-go-round ride and shop for more sand toys.

We cruised down the coast, stopping by the Leucadia Pannikin for a coffee and a sit in one of their yellow adirondack chairs.

We ended up at Moonlight beach for some sun and sand castles.

Patrick fell asleep on the way home, again. ;) Another fun day!

Tuesday: happy birthday dinner

Cake from a local French bakery to go with surf n turf dinner with Keenan.

Happy Birthday Grandma Kimmy!

We love you soooo much!

Tuesday: Chillaxin'

Leucadia Roberto's for lunch @ Moonlight beach

Thrifting

Pretzels with yellow sauce

Monday: Del Mar

Yesterday we packed up the double stroller and walked all over Del Mar...the old stomping grounds.

We brought Board and Brew to Powerhouse Park where we met up with Dad and Keenan. We played at the park, ran in circles, checked out the L'Auberge, walked The Plaza, shared ice cream/gelato/a pb cookie and petit four, saw former mayor of DM Tom Pearson and did some window shopping. So fun. P crashed again (this time in the stroller on the way to the car). Tired boy!

Sunday: Sarah's wedding party, Jenny

Sunday was a big day. Gretchen and I went up to Long Beach to attend the party of my friend Sarah's wedding to Ginger. We had such a nice time out in the sun (under an umbrella) hanging out with old friends. Lance (Ash's hubby) took the top picture of me, Gabi (out from DC), Sarah and Ashleigh.

Then after the party I met up with another dear friend, Jenny. She drove down from LA and we both got yummy crepes at a creperie close to the wedding location. She got to meet Gretchen for the first time too!

Yay for girls' day!

Patrick went to the races with the rest of the family (Keenan and Nicole too). They had so much fun that he crashed in the car on the way home. He's done that every day so far this trip. So much fun to be had!!

July 25 morning

A little cartoons, setting up our home away from home, and some play dough.

July 25 afternoon - Gretchen's first trip to the beach

She slept most of the day and most of the time at Torrey Pines beach. Patrick "surfed" on his boogie board (picked up for $1 at a yard sale) and played with sand crabs. The water was a bit chilly and the sun didn't stay out but we had chocolate dipped strawberries for a snack. Yum!!

Patrick missed dinner...he's still sleeping on the couch. Mom made caprese salad with Frank's tomatoes that I smuggled over, marmalade salmon, corn and asparagus. Deeelish!!

Our big Summer trip. Travel day.

I'm going to attempt to blog throughout our trip this Summer.  We have lots of fun things planned.  We just wish Sean/Dada were here with us the whole time.  We can't wait to see him this weekend. Yesterday was a travel day.  It took us 8 hours with 5 stops.  Uncannily, (is that a word?) both kids needed to stop at the exact same times to eat/go potty.  So we did, at:

1. Gila Bend McD's

2. Sidewinder Rd. Outside of Yuma

3a. Gas in El Centro

3b. Just outside of El Centro (can't remember that exit name) to nurse/poop

4. Alpine

5. Lakeside

Then we drove all the way in to Shelter Island to meet up with everybody on the huge rented sailboat.

The evening cruise - part ll

The sunset, moon and skyline lights were beautiful. We listened to bands playing along the harbor and Gretchen crying for much if it. It was her time if night.

We ate a dinner consisting of veggie plate, flax crackers, Utz cracker mix, and sodas/coconut water.

We thought we'd see fireworks at The Pops but when we heard they didn't start 'til 9:45, we decided to head back.

We made it up to Carlsbad at 10:15. We unloaded, set up the pack n play and went to bed. No fussing. (Sean: Did you hear that sweetie? No fussing. Yay)

It's 7:36, they're both still sleeping. I think I might shut my eyes again. I'll tell ya what happens today later. :)

The evening cruise - part 1

I can't figure out how to post two pics in one email yet. So, here's part 1. Patrick was so excited to see Papa. I grabbed the kids (sans baby bag) and went straight to the water...they were ready to get out. Patrick ran to Papa and I handed the kids over to the folks on the boat so I could prep for the next stage of our day. We'd gone from 90 and rainy, to 111 and dry, to 60something and windy. Wow!

We got ready and changed and took off into the harbor.

We can't wait for our trip to SD

Loving iPhone photo apps

They make you look like a professional!!

Teaching Chocolate the bear to go potty

Cheery

We love it when Eddie comes to clean the yard

Bugs are fun

This is what we did today.  He had to put in the dinosaur one in so that he could take really good pictures.

Fluffy cheese

Patrick just asked me for some fluffy cheese.

I said I didn't know what that was.

He said fluffy cheese, the kind that goes on a tortilla.

Ahhhh.

Shredded cheese. :)

Kisses

Walk run

Suburban Snapshots: Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party*

http://www.suburbansnapshots.com/2010/06/10-reasons-having-toddler-is-like-being.html

I've gotta use my imagination more

P just walked up to me with a pad lock and foamy packing paper and said

"Look! A dragonfly!"

Tell me that doesn't look like a dragonfly. Wow!

Bored?

1. I look up and he's sitting upside down on the couch with his legs up. The backwards way. The way the body shouldn't bend.

2. He was complaining about not having pockets in his outfit earlier. Just now, while we're watching a movie (in just undies), he looks down and says

"hey! I do have a pocket!"