Lily's Party

Today we had the pleasure of attending the 6th birthday party for our neighbor, Lily. Jack is totally getting the whole birthday party thing. Between Junia, Max and Lily, Jack has had nearly one party a week for the last month. When we told him it was time to get ready for Lily's party today he jumped up and ran for the bedroom. He got to eat pizza, watermelon and M & M candies. He made a bug jar and got a load of ladybugs to go inside and release at home. He got to take his first swing at a pinata and then watched the kids go crazy for candy. He even went on the water slide with Daddy. All that followed by a two hour nap made it an extra special day for all of us!

For the record, Jack wanted to do it again about two minutes later...sorry Daddy! On Sunday we will be heading to the college for Jack's first firework display. Surely more photos will be coming soon. Hope you are enjoying your Fourth of July weekend.

Week in Review

Do you think he is Rob's son? Check out the intensity with which he plays his video game on the iPhone. A technology junkie in the making!



I also wanted to post a few photos from Kelsey's graduation party. Despite a 2 1/2 hour ceremony during which time we sat on metal bleachers, it was a great day to celebrate. Jack loved the cake, Max loved cuddling with his Mommy before dinner and Kelsey and her boyfriend, Scott, made an adorable couple. I remembered the event for several days after, due to my sore butt! Curse those metal bleachers! Kelsey reminded me that she has endured two of my three graduations, so I should stop complaining! I swear it felt like I'd gone on a 100 mile bike ride! Seriously, congratulations to Kelsey on her achievement and good luck at El Camino this fall.

Happy Birthday Max

We had so much fun at Max's first birthday party today. Family, friends, food and fun! It was a great party complete with a fantastic buffet and even a characature artist. Max got some cool new toys, but after he opened the airplane rider from Grandma and Pa he was done--all he wanted to do was scoot around and play. We also got to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday, which was today. Plenty of cake, beautiful weather in Long Beach, kids having fun, parents enjoying their day too. Thanks for the great party Max!

Party Too Hard

Yesterday we headed to Redondo Beach to celebrate Kelsey's high school graduation. After swim lessons, a two hour drive, a 2+ hour graduation for 557 students (while sitting on metal bleachers), and finally a late dinner...Jack was pooped. But he didn't know it! After 10 PM we finally put him down to sleep, but he insisted he wasn't tired! He cried for the iPad so he could watch a movie...and I mean CRIED! Howled! He got out of bed twice and we kept putting him back. Finally, the crying switched off and we figured he finally gave in to the inevitable, bed time. Well, I decided to make sure he still had his blanket on, so I checked him one more time before going to bed. I found him sound asleep on the floor at the foot of the crib! He was headed for the door to escape again, but couldn't muster the strength! He fell asleep right there on the ground, mid-tantrum! To add to the laughter, we turned the lights on to take this picture and he never even flinched! We then put him back to bed where he slept soundly the entire night. Apparently he is not the party animal he thinks he is!!

Swim Lessons

Monday was day 1 of swim lessons, 20 minutes of crying. I figured nobody needed to see video of that. And certainly when Jack is standing on the Olympic podium in 18 years getting his first gold medal in swimming, he won't want ESPN to air video of his first swim lesson. Day 2 was a little better. Some initial crying, but mostly just whimpering. Today was great! He didn't cry, only a little fussing. Mostly brave swimming! He has now learned to be completely submerged without any trouble, he was jumping off the wall today and learning to turn around for the wall, he can completely pull himself out of the water by grabbing onto the wall...and it's only Day 3! We have 5 more lessons to go! I am so proud of him and so grateful for the help of my awesome friend Karena. We have a little fish in the making!

Happy Birthday Max!

I can't believe my adorable nephew is already 1 year old. Here he is with his Happy Birthday pancake this morning. We are all looking forward to his big birthday bash on Sunday! Hugs and Kisses!

Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3, Toy Story 3, Oh My Goodness, It's Toy Story 3!!!

The anticipation was intense! We were as excited about the release as Jack. We were anxious to see how he would handle his first theater experience. It was fantastic! Both the movie and his reaction were super! After talking about the movie for several hours this morning (and the last two months) he was ready to put his Buzz Lightyear shoes on and get out of the house on the first request. He literally ran from the car to the theater as if he knew where he was going. When he saw the movie poster he knew he was in the right place. So up the stairs, over to the popcorn machines, past all the candy bins and into the dimly lit theater. He loved everything about it! The popcorn, the Crunch candies, the previews and of course, the main feature! He did get a tiny bit fidgetty for the last 30 minutes, but shifted to Daddy's lap and remained tranfixed to the screen until the last credits had run. He joined the entire theater in applause at the end of the film, "Good movie, good movie!" he cheered. Rob and I both loved the movie, as well as sharing the theater experience with Jack for the first time. I am such a hormonal mess, that the scene when Andy was leaving for college did me in! I know Jack is only 2, but I swear my life flashed before my eyes during that scene! What a wonderful day. And as a bonus to us for being good parents, Jack fell asleep in the car and is now napping peacefully in his bed! NICE!