L.O.V.E

Being that I work full time, I cherish the moments I can just hold my girls close to me. After feeding Kaitlyn 8oz of milk (she is such a pig!) and laying her down to sleep, Ava climbed into my arms. While talking with her about her day, she aburptly turned to me, looked me in my eyes and said, "Mamma, I love you" and went off to play. I told my husband, it's the first time that I felt Ava told me she loved me and actually knew what she was saying and how she felt. I will always remember this moment.

Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose

We L-O-V-E this place. Ava can spend endless hours exploring and always finds something new.

Ava checking out a large tire...


Playing in a boat...


Making bubbles (one of her favorites)...



And Daddy found something interesting to do this time. Making corn husk dolls!!


They also have a face painting station. All the parents were in there painting perfect paintings of soccer balls, butterflys... I let Ava on the other hand paint her face herself. Although other parents were laughing, I thought Ava looked amazing! She was so proud of the "makeup" she put on.

A Day in Monterey

It was to be soooo HOT in Santa Cruz this weekend that I convinced Jacobe that we should go to Monterey. We tried to go to the fantastic Denis the Menace park on Wednesday but it was closed (which left Ava in tears) so... we ventured back today.

Thinking that it was going to be somewhat hot there too, I wore a skirt. To my delight and that of many others, it was windy which made for many booty shots (my skirt kept flying up). EEOOOOOW!

Daddy and Ava on the paddle boats. Kait and I had to stay behind because Kait was too little to ride. Bummer.


Ava climbing trees. Her favorite.


Pictures from Wednesday's trip...-



And of course the token picture of Kaitlyn.

Our Butterball...

Kaitlyn had a follow up visit on Thursday with the Doctors from Stanford University. It was so wonderful to finally hear all positive feedback about how great Kaitlyn is doing. In 3 months, Kaitlyn has grown over 5 inches and is 16 pounds! Kaitlyn's muscle tone is improving and we were told "she will soon be the CEO of the household with how much she is talking". The girl talks all the time!!

It's all about payback...

Jacobe was out of town this weekend so I hauled the girls to Walnut Creek for the weekend. It was a whirlwind of a trip and one of the most rememberable times yet!

The girls chilling in bed before getting up. Kaitlyn looks so alert for being up since 5 a.m.


So I succumbed and bought Ava (well Grandma Betty did) a 100% polyester nighty. I think they must be so uncomfortable but Ava loves it! She loves her nighty so much she had to wear it with her new running shoes and sunglasses she found at Grandma's house to the ice cream store. Oh yes, she was also wearing her new Dora backpack. Glad to say I did not see anyone I knew but we did get a few good stares. My mom says it's all about payback. I didn't think I was that bad growing up.

Our Picasso

Can you tell what it is?


"Look Mommy, a kite!" was what Ava said as she showed me her drawing. Impressive indeed.

Feeling a Little Sick

It has been a rough few days for Ava. It all started with a cold and today she bumped her head hard on the wall. She insisted on putting a bandaid on her head but I talked her into an ace bandage instead. She has been wearing it all morning. Oh, and the sticker on her neck is a "tatoo" she says.

Day Trip to Walnut Creek

With the recent fire and the bad air quality, we decided to get away for the day to Walnut Creek to visit Grandma Betty, Grandpa Roger and all the dogs. It was soo... HOT that we spent most of the day in the pool.

Kaitlyn outside not sure whether she likes the heat or not. Look at those cubby legs!


Another picture of Kaitlyn wide awake!


Daddy and Ava chill'n in the pool. Ava had to wear her Keens in the pool. I think she was afraid of burning her feet on the cement when she got out. It was that hot!

Ava's 1st Roller Coaster Ride

So our summer thing this year has been going to the Boardwalk every Tuesday night for locals night in which rides are only $.75. Jacobe & Ava love it. I'm a little bored with it until I get to witness something as exciting as this:







Two things I didn't expect:
1. Jacobe being able to squeeze onto such a little ride.
2. Ava LOVING the roller coaster!

Our Girls

Kaitlyn was such the happy baby today and Ava.... well, she took pictures for Skittles.

I love how Kaitlyn is smiling not knowing she is about to be dropped on her head.




Our hands are going to be full when they turn 13!!

Wednesday

Wednesdays... mid-week... energy level starting to dwindle... so today we took it slow. A stroll along the harbor. Where's Kaitlyn? She's asleep in the stroller of course.

Ava and that goofy smile!


Ava loves this dolfin statue. She had to give it a hug and told it we would see him tomorrow.

Thomas the Train

A day with Thomas the Train...


Of course I had to buy tickets for car 1 that was right behind Thomas himself...


And look who was up soaking it all in!



Ava patiently getting her face painted with a picture of Thomas the Train. Did I mentioned that she was so excited to see Thomas that she didn't take a nap?



Shaved ice, Ava's favorite!


Oh, the melt down! You can actually see the tears pouring down her face. She did not want to leave.


3 minutes into our ride home... Peace and quiet at last!

Tic-Tac-Toe

Ava listening intently to Uncle Brian as he explains how to play tic-tac-toe...



Ava wondering if the move she made was the best choice...


This is actually how the game really went down...

Seacliff State Beach

So Ava took her camera on our run today. I promised her when we were done running we would walk on the pier (her favorite). Here are a few of the many pictures she took. I must say I am very impressed with some of the shots she captures on her dinky Dora the Explorer camera!

The stroll down the pier.


This is only 1 of the 15 pictures of birds she took...


The Lifeguard Tower...


A fish trying to make a quick get away! Sorry, but the fish will be on someone's dinner plate tonight.


The State Park Ranger rescuing an injured pelican.


Of course there are still pictures of feet...


And of course the traveling gnome is sound asleep!