Summer Vacation 2010 (Day 1)

We went to Newport Beach last week. (to my CA relatives. sorry we missed you, we just needed some good ol family time) We stayed at the Residence Inn in Irvine. We had Marriott points saved up so we only paid for one night. We left Tuesday morning at 9:30. I am anal about packing and being organized. I had everything packed the night before. I even had most of the car packed to. We hit the Cabazon Outlets on the way there. Matt went into the Lacoste store but didn't find any good deals. I headed into the Coach store just to "look". I found myself in line about ready to buy a $100 purse. It was 50% off plus I had a 20% off coupon. The store was really hot and as I stood in line I got more and more irritated because people were moving slow. I then stopped to think...Do I need this purse? Is this a necessity? I then got out of line put the purse back and was very proud of myself for not spending money on a purse I didn't need. (this was a big step for me! I love purses and bags!) Matt was very surprised as well. In the car we watched movies, played Mad Libs and had snacks! Lacey and Carson slept for about a hour the whole trip.

We got to the hotel about 3:30. We headed down to the pool. It was refreshing. There was also a basketball, tennis and ping pong table by the pool. So we just hung out and played around. The hotel had a light dinner so we ate there and headed out for the beach to walk around. We went to Balboa Island and found a playground there. We had a great day with "no melt downs" Except Lacey wouldn't sleep in her pack and play so she slept with us. Which I didn't mind one bit!

Happy 4th of July

Lacey's face in the picture pretty much sums up our fourth of July weekend (on Saturday)! Swimming all day long at Grandma and Grandpa Richardson's house, ribs, salad, and Aunt Pam's homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches!!! I love the 4th of July!

Shea turns Seven!!

Shea turned 7 on June 11. This was also the day of her dance recital. We didn't have a party this year and keep it low key. Her friends Ki, El and Lauren came over for a play date and cupcakes. The rest of the day I made her rest. That night she participated in her 4th recital. She did so good. I am so proud of her. Her grandma and grandpa Richardson and Grandma Pribyl came to watch. Afterwards we me Aunt WAWA at Dairy Queen.

On Saturday we took Shea to get her ears pierced. She has been asking me forever. Of course once she was in the chair she started crying and slobbering everywhere because she was scared. I knew that if we left the mall and didn't get it done she would cry all the way home. SO we took a break and she went back with Matt (he has more patience). She sat on his lap and did it!! She cried poor thing. I had to take her in Claire's to distract her. She bought a little stuff penguin with the money her Grandma Pribyl had given her the night before. AND THEN... she was done crying and glad she had her ears pierced. We then went to Barnes and Noble to spend her gift certificate Grandma R. gave her. She even bought a Waldo book for Carson. She had a great birthday weekend!

Sesame Street: Andrea Bocelli's Lullabye To Elmo

Lacey's favorite bed time video....

Swim Team

I have been waiting for 6 years for Shea to join the swim team. I did it when I was a kid and that is just what we did in the summer! We were on the swim team and played water polo (when I was in high school) all summer. I also coached swim team when I was a lifeguard for a couple of summers. I always said to myself that I wanted my kids to be on the swim team and I wanted them to start when they were little. Swimming is great exercise and it has helped me to get back in shape.

With that said it was totally up to Shea. She tried the swim school this year at the aquatic center and loved it. She is a natural. I can tell her to correct her stroke of do something better and she does it.

Thursday was her first swim meet. Yes, I did tell her no matter what place she got that she was there to have fun and that I was proud of her for being able to swim on the swim team.

The Results: 4th place in the Relay, 2nd place in backstroke (she kept running into the lane lines) and 1st place in Freestyle.

She was so excited and proud. She has a competitive streak in her. She said, "I saw the girl next to me so I just kicked harder and faster." We are trying to keep it fun but it is fun to win too! RIGHT!! I am proud of her no matter what and I kept reminding her of that. So that is what we are doing this summer until mid July!! GOOD TIMES!!

Carson's Last Day of Preschool Party

On Carson's last day of preschool they had a graduation. He still has one more year of preschool and he will continue to go to Small Fry Preschool (Mrs. Barb). She is so wonderful with the kids. Carson can write his name and some numbers all thanks to Mrs. Barb. He knows lots of songs and even the Pledge of Allegiance!! He has grown so much. Today Matt said, "he grew up so fast!" It just makes me stop and rethink my priorities in life. To make sure I am enjoying my time with him and the other kids. Also to spend more quality time with him by teaching him things. He has started to read "BOB" books. This is how Shea learned to read so I am excited for him. Carson is so easy going at home. He gets dressed by himself, always clears off his plate from the table and feeds the dog for me. He could play Mario for hours but I need to make sure I am there for him. (just some reminders to myself!)

Mrs. Barb had the kids stand and present a picture and answer some questions at graduation.
Carson's favorite color is dark yellow (which was a surprise to me.)
His favorite food is soup and rice. (cream of mushroom soup with minute rice)
And he wants to be a super hero when he grows up!

Memorial Day Car Dance

This is what we do on Memorial Day while we drive to Grandma and Grandpa's house to swim!

WE DANCE!!