Tuesday, September 13, 2011

James' First Day of School

James had his first day of school last Wednesday. James was SO ready to go back to school, especially since Brianna had started three weeks before him! He kept asking when he gets to go to school! When we learned that James would have Mrs Reyes for his teacher and NOT one of his three close friends would be in his class I decided I should prepare him for a couple weeks that he may not have the same teacher and his friends may not be in his class but he will make new friends! He didn't like the idea of this and told us a few times he didn't want to go to school! The night before school started the parents had orientation and meet the teacher and when I learned which classroom Mrs. Reyes was I told James it was the class right next to Mrs. Wedekind. He used to LOVE to go in her room to play. He was so excited! And there is a boy he knows through another friend at school and they were also in summer camp together, so when I told him Owen was in his class he couldn't believe it!  
Here he is, ready to go! 
Waiting in the "hug line"...
Finding his classroom...
The first day they only go to school for an hour and a half just so the kids get to meet their teacher and the kids in the class. It is nice for a little introduction! That is his teacher in the background.
James only knew the boy next to him, Owen. They got to playing trains right away!
After school we went and found Brendan in his class and James played with him for a bit. Brendan's teacher invited James right in because she was an aid in their class last year! She was happy to see James! 
The second day of school! A full day and taking his lunch to school! 
James had a great first week of school! He loves his teacher and is making new friends! He also gets to see his other friends out on the playground!





Tuesday, September 6, 2011

End Of Summer Fun!

For our last fun weekend of the summer my Mom and Tom had a beach house in Newport and we went down there for the weekend with them. It was down at the very end of the peninsula so it was a different experience for us since we are used to being up towards 35th street. We had perfect weather all weekend.
We had lots of fun at the beach. 
The waves were really different down there and it made me really nervous. The waves would crash down on the shore and James had to stay right by our side. Craig had to give a James a little lesson about the waves...
When I was with him I held onto his hand so tightly, the waves were so strong. One time James fell down and I tripped over him and fell too! The waves kick up so much sand we had sand ALL over us! I had so much in my bathing suit I felt like a little kid. 
Craig and James running away from the wave
There were SO many dolphins! They seemed like they were feeding on something because they kept coming back to the same spot. There was a pod of about 10. They were so close to shore people were swimming out to them. You can hardly see them in this picture but if you click on it I am sure you can see better. 
Nonni and Jake playing in the sand
 Craig decided to take James out on the jetty. The one that comes out of the harbor. I guess it is a mile long and it is all rocks. For some reason Craig remembered from when he was a kid that when you get further out there was cement down the middle of it so it would be easier to walk. Well he didn't remember correctly, there was no cement. It was hot and James was walking in flip flops and they had nothing to drink and the rocks got pointier and harder to walk on the further they got out!
 Along the way they saw sea stars and sea anemones. 
 
They also saw a pelican that James wanted to touch! It was obviously not afraid of people!
About half way out Craig was getting tired and thirsty and told James that they should go back. James says, "Dad come on we are almost there, you can make it." Haha! So Craig kept on. 
And they made it!!!
See in the background how far out they were!
Craig ended up carrying James back because James was tired and didn't want to walk. He didn't want him to fall so he carried him, thinking it would be safer. 
It was nice for me because while they were out there Jake took a nap I had some alone beach time to sit, relax, and read a magazine. I think the last time I did that was about 4 years ago! 
The house also had bikes for us to use so we went and rented a trailer for the boys. We were a little nervous  James wouldn't want to get in it because of his accident in one last time. We did have to coax him in and promise Daddy would go slow. They loved it and had so much fun! 
We rode to the Balboa Pier and got a shake!
And then later we rode all the way to visit Nonna and Granpy! We would definitely like to ride bikes more often! 
We had such a great time that weekend. James didn't want to go home and Craig and I both said we really felt like we were on a vacation! 

Last week we were finally able to use our Disneyland passes. They had been blacked-out since the middle of June. We were all so excited and because school has already started for some kids Disneyland was empty! We were SO thankful, the park felt like it was the middle of winter! The longest ride line we waited in was 15 minutes! 
It was so empty that we were able to sit on the porch on Main Street! We have always wanted to sit there but have never had the opportunity!
James went on another new ride! Last time he wanted to go on Goofy's roller-coaster but it was closed. This time he didn't want to go on but I talked him into it. Craig and him went on. 
 
Craig couldn't believe they were going on this, it was a pretty good roller-coaster. James was a little nervous and after the first drop he said that he didn't like it. 
After they kept going he LOVED it!
He loved it so much that he wanted to go on again! So I got to go with him as well! And I was really surprised he liked it. There was one dip that made me lose my stomach a bit! 
I love that each time we go he tries another new ride! It is so funny though because he will only try one!
Jake on the other hand, who we thought was our dare devil is now maybe getting a little older and coming to realize that these rides are a little scary. He wouldn't go on anything! He only went on Autopia the whole day! 
They were both really excited when they were able to get a couple new Cars!

We had a great long day! The longest we have ever spent there! We can't wait to be going so frequently again!
I am a little sad summer is over, but also SO ready for James to start school! 

Sunday, August 21, 2011

More SuMMeR FUN!

Bear with me as I have a long post. We have been keeping pretty busy, and I just haven't gotten around to blogging so here is more of our summer fun in one big post!
We went to the Orange County Fair one day. We went during the week and during the day so it really wasn't that crowded.
The boys enjoyed seeing all of the animals the most. Here are James and I next to the huge Ox. You wouldn't know though because Craig didn't take a picture of their heads!
The boys as Ox!
Jake jumping off the hay!
Goats...
Baby chicks...
Turkeys...
Clydesdale horses...
The pig races...James loved this, Jake had fell asleep.
Jake's HUGE corndog, as big as him! He could hardly hold it!
Thank goodness James only wanted to go on the ferris wheel and that was it for the rides!
Funnel cake, a must at the fair!
Somebody is worn out!
Jake is his sunglasses!
Family Bowling
Jake's first time...he was really good!

A Day out on the Duffy
We went to the Newport Beach Museum for the first time. It was really cool. James loved looking at the Sea Stars and Sea urchins.
Jake wouldn't touch them.
James and Craig with their pretend catch of the day!
Took a ride on the merry-go-round.
And on the ferris wheel.
Driving back to Nonna's house.
I am so happy we have an understanding dog that lets our kids do whatever they want to him! Even while he is eating!
Craig has been taking James fishing at this little lake by our house. One Saturday he went with our friend Marc and his daughters.
Marc, Ava, Mikayla, and James. Ava was the only one who caught a fish!
We had a nice family day at DJ & Robyn's house.
Craig and Jake swimming.
Jake jumping in the pool, he is a nut! He just keeps going and going!
Playing...

Jade, and Dj.
Jade
Ian
Vince and Michael
Nonni and Brianna
Ava and Lisa
Jade and James reading
Nonna and Grandpy went out of town for a few days so we went and spent a few days at their house! It was a nice little stay-cation for us!
We walked to the pier...
Watched the people fish
Someone caught something...
Happy boys...
Played in the ocean...
James got tumbled by the waves, he is getting so brave but at the same time it is scaring me! The yellow flag was up and the water kept going out far and in far and he would go out further and the all of a sudden the water would be at his neck! Can't take my eyes off! Makes me nervous!
Craig went surfing for the first time in about 5 years!
The boys watched him...
Our friends Lindsay, Zoe, and Ayden came down for a visit.
The kids had a blast...
Such a nice little get away for us!

Brianna started school on the 17th. She is now a Junior!! My how times flies. She drove herself to school on the first day! It was kinda nice for me not to load the boys up in the car and drive for a half an hour! Here she is, I didn't get a very good picture...
We went to The Discovery Science Center. It was a pretty crazy experience! Lots to do with lots of kids running around. I think our kids were a little young and very much over-stimulated!
Jake in his jungle hat!
James in the jungle hat
Driving the jeep...
All of our handprints...
Working the conveyor belt
Pumping water...
Taking a break, watching a movie.
Doing the grocery shopping game...
Our picture after we were done!
Blasting off in the rocket ship!
In the wind tunnel. The wind went up to 85mph!!
In the dinosaurs belly
The kids loved it but I think we won't be going back there for awhile!!
We have had so much fun in the past couple weeks! Brianna already in school has put us more on a schedule but James still has a few more weeks of summer!