It's a Boob! No, It's a Jelly Fish?!!?

Today we hit the beach for some more California sunshine and fun. Day before yesterday we were lucky enough to spy some Sea Lions both out on the boat and at the pier where we had dinner at Ruby's Diner. Today we saw at least a dozen dolphins playing at the closest break up and down the beach AND we discovered some strange looking UFO which mom thought was someone's silicone breast implant (seriously!) After a few minutes of contemplation and the discovery of several others we figured out that these were Jelly Fish. Yikes! Thankfully we were spared of any stings, but it does make for a fun story to tell.

It's a Small World After All

So at only 22 minutes away on a rather cold CA day, we headed for Disneyland. While this was not on our itinerary, Buzz remodeled the house and lets just say it isn't particularly kid/family friendly. It's mostly designed for the "adult set." As a result sitting in the house and doing nothing (like playing games or watching movies--which we were prepare for) was out of the question. We made the most of our day arriving at about 10AM and leaving the parking garage at a respectful 12:10 AM. The kids did amazingly well and lets just say it was the real let your hair down fun we've had as a family since Jessica was born. All the kids walked and rode and laughed and we had an amazing time! Before you think how can I say this is the only "real fun" we've had since Jessica was born I need to qualify the statement with this: Having little kids/babies is fun, but it is also very hard. When you're the mom all the responsibility and sacrifice rests squarely on your shoulders. Before Jessica, Mikensee was almost 6 and was an amazingly mature child. We traveled together a lot and she was an only. We went from that to having a hard baby (Jessica) and then to losing Lillie and on to having 2 preemie twins. I have not really had the ability to let my hair down and just have fun for quite some time. At Disneyland today we were just a family having fun, no strings attached. Did we have moments of tantrum? Yes. Did I have to carry more than my fair share of the load? Yes. But comparing the whole of the last almost 6 years, it was a cake walk. We all just hung together. No strollers, diaper changes or carrying kids. Thank heaven for a great day at Disneyland!




P.S. We never hit main street, saw the parade, any shows or many characters. We didn't do "Fantasy land" where all the kiddie rides are. Jessica, Wyatt, Walker and Dad all went on Splash Mountain together (which was Jessica's favorite ride.) We rode Thunder Mountain 3 times (Mikensee, Wyatt and Walker's favorite ride.) We hit Space Mountain (Mom and Dad's favorite ride), The Haunted Mansion, Toon Town, Pirates of the Caribbean (twice) and just about everything in between. We didn't make Finding Nemo (2 hour wait) or the Matterhorn (we just never made it), but we did make the best of the entire day!

Look out Ocean. . . Here we come!

Yesterday Julie came with us on the boat and the water was a bit choppy so we turned back from heading into the ocean (from the bay). Today we were extra brave! (I didn't even wear make-up and I'm showing the pictures!) Our venture was worth it as we were able to see the sea lions up close and personal and we really enjoyed our time out! After boating we hit the beach. I'll share some beach pictures later!

Balboa Island . . . Here We Are!

For today's post I decided to put a photo of me and Mike. Mike is not often in the picture (pun intended) because he works, a lot. For this I am thankful because although I do work and add to the income stream of our family, without his dedication and commitment I would most likely not be able to be home and in the kids' lives quite the way I am now. It is also due to his dedication and work ethic we have the use of Buzz's house on Balboa this week. Thanks hon!

May 30-June 1st

May 30th was my first class of the 2008-2009 registration year. Frankly I cleaned like a mad woman, finished up the class prep and dropped into bed about 1AM (this after sleeping from about 4-8AM.) Some friends asked to use our pool so the kids were entertained, but nonetheless with the exception of my Card Box Project, no photos were snapped today!

May 31st I organized my closet and the entire media/school room plus washed all the sheets and laundry in the house. I also cleaned the patio and the picture windows and french doors. I showered about 11 PM. . . no photos were snapped today!

June 1st we went to church where Wyatt and Walker gave the primary scripture and said the prayer. Walker quoted the First Article of Faith, "We believe in God, the Eternal Father and in his son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." Jessica gave this talk:

We’ve all heard and often say these things:

What would Jesus do?

If the Savior stood beside me?

CTR or Choose The Right!

Do unto others as you would have others do to you.

Kindness begins with me.

We all say these things, but do we stop to think about them when we choose to do the things we do?

Your mom asks you to do your chores. Do you gladly say, okay Mom? Like you would if the Savior stood beside you?

Your sister accidentally knocks you over. Do you push her back and say “Watch it, big dummy?” or do you think what would I want her to do to me?

You see a child at the playground being picked on. Do you pick on him too or do you stop to think “Kindness begins with me?”

You find some money on the floor. Do you immediately CTR and find out who the owner is?

You just finished a great pop-sickle. Do you find a trash and throw it away. Or you see someone else throw their gum wrapper on the floor in the chapel, do you just walk by it or pick it up to keep our Father’s house and world clean and neat?

I know that I want to do what Jesus would do, but I have to stop just thinking about these things and start doing them. I know that I will be happier if I make good choices each day. I will be a better example to my friends and help others come unto Christ if I live the gospel that I believe.

I pray that we will all think more about how we act and the choices we make. I want to live each day like the Savior stands beside me because he does. John 8:12 says “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

We frantically packed and drove to California. We arrived at the house on Balboa Island about 1AM. What a day!

Swim Team and Piano Lessons - Whew!

Sometimes you have to rush! Today after swim team practice we had to shower and change to be on time to piano lessons! We also had to be home for Mom's much over-due hair appointment by 4. Needless to say we didn't get to all of our errands but we did rush around all day!

Cleaning Up

What a nasty chore. . . cleaning up the bunny cage. It's especially difficult when trying to juggle the babies. Here is the bed Jessica made for them. She couldn't have found more amiable subjects!

 

 

Forest, Sage, Thumper and Poppy

School's OUT!

Officially, yesterday was the last day of school. Fortunately for me, the girls were actually already done and both earned Honor Roll status. Way to go girls! It started yesterday, but we had a freak storm come through in the driest month in AZ. The kids had a ball wearing swim suits and playing in the rain. (It's 70' today, but was only 58' when I snapped these pictures.)


I also thought an update on the bunnies was in order. We are down to only 4, but we've named them now and hopefully these will all live. This is Forest. He is our "PorkChop" this batch around:

This is Sage:

This is Poppy (Petunia's Look alike and again a runt):

This is Thumper. He literally kicks and jumps like crazy when you pick him up!
And our little tailless, earless Petunia. She is so sweet!

Attracted to Hats

Today is Piano Lesson day so we went to the bank, the post office, the gas station and shopping for a new dress for mom. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a tasteful, stylish, modest dress? Ask the kids. . . they endured hours of shopping. Fortunately they found these hats that were entertaining for a while. Mom thought they were going to call security. The price tag for these babies? $79 - $169 WHAT??!!? People actually pay to wear these?

You Know You Want Some

Mom bought these on Saturday but we've been flying and today was the first opportunity to make these:

Prince Caspian

Today was Mikensee's Book Club and we went to see Prince Caspian, the book they just finished reading. Wyatt said at least 15 times during the movie that he wants to watch it again and again, so I guess that means he liked it! The book club decided it is very little like the book and as for me; I liked The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe better.

Unleash the Inner Want Deamon

All day long Mom heard Walker whine that he wanted to buy something. Then dad brought home not 1, but 2 Oriental Trader Magazines and the inner want demon was unleashed with a vengeance. Walker wants this and Walker wants that. . .he has great reasons for wanting the stuff, but no logical reasoning as why he can't have. Fortunately with a lot of distraction Mom was able to dispose of the magazines in the Monday evening trash removal. Nothing to look at, nothing to buy!

Baby Shower!

Meet Bennett Louis Levine:

Mom has waited for a long time for her dear friend Dawn to have a baby. . . Over a decade to be precise! She's been planning the shower along with making the invites, party favors and games (with lots of help with Mikensee) for a couple of months. The party was fantastic and we really had a great afternoon!

Saturday Is a Special Day

it's the day we get ready for Sunday! But not today! Today we ran around like mad people! Mikensee had a sleep over so she went shopping with her friend. Me and the kids went to choir practice for Stake Conference and then made a mad dash to the store. Once we made it home we frantically unloaded and put away the melting food. I helped a friend make a gift for another friend and then changed clothes and ran to the adult session of Stake Conference. Mike and I enjoyed the evening and finished it with some yummy BBQ at a newish place in downtown Buckeye. Of course once home I had to get ready for Sunday as the rest of the day left no time!

I just love this photo I snapped today! Pose Pretty Penny: