earth shaking

"It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake." -- Frederick Douglass

We had a little rumble today, in case you spent the day under a rock. Pretty much immediately this news was splashed all over - including CNN. Pretty much everyone under the sun was immediately sensationalizing the story and making jokes about it. We felt it, I saw the evidence of the garage door, the van and the pool all rocking. (Pretty much in that order)

Luckily though, I'd already been through a 4.7 with an epicenter about 1.5 miles from my front door. So, this 5.8 from about 20 miles away (that is a guess of mileage) seemed a little more mild. Still a bit freaky though!

In as big of news, it's official! Harrison is crawling! It's off to a slow start but, like everything else, he's getting bigger faster than I like. He doesn't crawl across the room or anything, but he will go a foot or two at a time. One would think I would have considered getting a gate. Eh, all in due time, I suppose.

No pictures today...sad, but true. I mean, I have a life!

My preference

“Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach.” -- Michelle Held

Isn't that the truth? I prefer to post updates more often. If not every day, then every other day. The last few days I honestly, have not had the time or ability to post what's been going on around here.

Thursday we had my friend Cara and her girls over to play a little bit - I also took some photos of her daughters. It was super fun and we got a few good shots that I'm happy with. They aren't big bucks great, but they are pretty good - and it's great practice for me. I spent most of my free time the next day and a half in front of my computer.

Since then I've played bunco with friends, my aunt and cousins came to visit, Andy and I went out to dinner (ALONE!) and we went to the beach.

How we love the beach so! We went back to Newport Beach with 2 other families and spent a couple of evening hours. The boys had fun frolicking and playing - the boogie boards both got a lot of use. Harrison loved digging in the sand and playing with Emma. The air was cool, the sky cloudy and the water warm. All perfect conditions for a summer day.

So, it's been a fun few days! We're trying to make the most of our last days of summer. Something like 16 more days. Where does the time go? At least we feel like we REALLY made the most of our vacation.

*so good*

"This feels like my best day ever." - Sawyer Henry M.

Just when I thought that these kids didn't appreciate all of the fun things we do for them, Sawyer goes and says that.

Alright, I'm not *that* deluded, he doesn't exactly appreciate all of the fun things we do for them, even on laundry day. (Which at 1015 pm, I'm still not done with. In case you cared, I'm running a pre-rinse on diapers and they still need a wash and an extra rinse, as always. then, I still have another load of towels to do)

Today was the banner day that "felt like the best day ever". We got up this morning and went to the movies with some friends. Then, we had lunch at Wendy's. (Sawyer's favorite friend was there) Then, we came home and watched a few episodes of SpongeBob (even though Andy has banned them from watching him) while the baby napped. Once the baby roused himself, we headed to our friends house for some fun in his pool. As if that weren't all enough (because honestly, any one of those things sounds like a *good* day) we had Sawyer's favorite dinner, spaghetti. (Lets be honest. Aside from take-out, there is nothing easier than cooking some spaghetti noodles and warming some bottled sauce!)

Whatever the occasion or reason, I will take the joyous statements like the above and run with them. I will let them warm my heart and soul, and I will just love them. Raising 3 boys can really be hard, but it's so very rewarding.

My baby:

My boy

"Whoever is happy will make others happy too." -- Anne Frank

Today was like all of the rest of our typical summer days. We had swim and a stop at the post office. We stayed home for the afternoon and had a swim after dinner. It was really a fine day until about 4pm. Then, it just all went out the window.

The boys have a loft of sorts, it looks like a castle with a twin on top (Cam's) and a double on the bottom. (Sawyer's) Occasionally, someone will jump off the top onto the bottom. Today, Sawyer did that, getting his shirt stuck on one of the pieces. Cam had to lift Sawyer's shirt off the bed in order for him to get down. Naturally, the shirt ripped.

After that, they found a bag of toys that they had acquired on our trip to Iowa. Then, they began writing all over their bodies with some tattoo markers they found in the bag. They thought they would write on their faces like football players. They really looked more like native Americans.

Cam put a single plastic step stool on top of a 2 step stepstool, got on the kitchen counter and pulled down all of the confiscated play weapons that were on top of our kitchen cupboards.

I could use a glass of wine.


The baby is up to some real fun these days. He's enjoying cheerios (he loves to eat them. getting them in his mouth is a bit of a struggle, however. he can pick them up but he can't figure out how to let go. He gets them in there, though...) and bananas. He still dislikes green beans.

He can get just about anywhere with rolling and is getting so close to crawling. He loves to get up on his toes, too! And I think I'm busy *NOW*.

The skinny on sawyer's allergies

Let me start off by doing *THE HAPPY DANCE* !! Sawyer had his scratch tests on Friday and amazingly, he is no longer allergic to any foods!! WOOO-FREAKING-HOOOOO!

Dairy, gone! Eggs, gone! Wheat, hardly an issue at all. Barely even registered as an allergy! YIPPEE!!! There were a couple of trees or something (and not typical southern california things!) but that was IT! Now, to get him to drink cows milk. (After drinking vanilla rice and soy milk for 5 years he's not quite into cow milk!)

The allergist is concerned that he has another allergic condition that we have to see the gastro doc about. I can deal with what is thrown our way, though. I'm just thrilled we're allergy FREE!

Go big or go home!

"The best days go fastest. Keep up." - on the door to Starbucks. (To clarify, I didn't actually go *in* Starbucks. It was just the meetup point for picking up Cam from todays playdate) The past 5 days have FLOWN by. They have gone faster than any days in recent memory - and I think that they all go fast.

First, I will warn you. (Amy) I only took a few pictures of our weekend in Vegas. There are a couple of cute snaps of Harrison - otherwise the older boys look fairly demonic. Oh well, it was fun and it'll live in our memories!

Friday, after the allergist (I'll save that quick and EUPHORIC update for tomorrow!) we got gas and headed out of town. It's only about 250 miles to Vegas but it takes FOR.EVER to get there. The traffic through the Cajon Pass is sloooooow moving and really makes the trip take longer. So, instead of 3 hours it takes about 5 hours. In those kind of conditions a stop is necessary - and anyone who knows me on a car trip - I *hate* to stop. (I don't hate much, either)

We pulled up to the Paris and we were thrilled at how fun it looked. We actually also had a European Vacation moment too -- "Look kids, Big Ben!". When we arrived our friends were sitting right outside the entrance waiting for us. this was a great way to start our super fun weekend!!

{The boys on Saturday morning. Charlie, Campbell, Anthony and Sawyer}

{We went to the Belaggio to watch the water show. Sawyer, Campbell and Charlie}

{Just because he's cute}

{Andy was SO HOT to take a picture with a showgirl or the like. Therefore, he used these french maids as his props}

There was a bidet in our room. that in itself is pretty funny. what is actually even funnier is that while checking out the room, the boys turned the thing on. oh yea, they did. and when they did, they were both standing right over it looking down at it. they both came out wet (the front of their hair) and laughing hysterically. Cam proceeded to tell us "It's filtered water. We could drink it." This is childhood at it's finest.

Seriously, this trip was enormous fun. We just had a fun time all weekend long and the hotel was great. It's wonderful to have such opportunities and friends.

Amy D.

Because apparently no one reads this blog but Amy, I'm going to happily write about my dear friend Amy. Thanks for the shout out Amy, I love knowing you read along -- it's great fun to read your comments. Thanks for reading and thanks for leaving comments!!

Amy is my friend who lives in Cincinnati, OH. (interesting side note. Amy actually lives in HARRISON - the third of our Cincinnati area namesake children has the same name as her little town!)We met when we both worked at the Compass School. We quickly became friends and Amy was even Campbell's first babysitter! Amy is married to John and mother to 15 month old Rylee. (I'm really looking forward to meeing Rylee in 2 months!)

Amy is a rabid Ohio State fan (go BUCKS!) and fun girl. I miss seeing her on a regular basis and hopefully our lives will be located closer to one another.

FUN!

To spice things up - a little reader participation. I'd like to make this an interactive blog.

LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THIS ENTRY sometime before Sunday afternoon when I return from Las Vegas. I will *randomly* choose one person who commented and discuss them. If I have pictures, they'll be there - a funny story, I'll include it - a bit of information, you guessed it!

It's fun and mindless - so do it!

and just because

Because it seems like I should...I'll make a quick AAAAAAAH before I head to bed. I should be doing something else, anything else because suddenly I have 1,000,004 things to do. Because TONIGHT we decided we'd go to Las Vegas TOMORROW. This is very unlike Andy, yet we're doing it anyway.

This morning, while I watched the boys in their swimming lessons, my friend Cari casually mentioned we should join them in Las Vegas this weekend. I told her I'd talk to Andy about it - I never in a million years thought he'd agree. But, here we are - going to Las Vegas. Cam is thrilled, he's been bugging us to go for months. So, here we go! We're staying at the Paris.
https://www.harrahs.com/casinos/paris-las-vegas/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml
Never been but it looks good.

I should suck it up, you say? Well, yes, I should. But, today after swimming lessons I took the gang to Huntington Beach for some waves and rays. Fun. (We met Kate and Staci there as their 7 year old boys were there in Surf Camp!) Tomorrow Sawyer has his allergist appt that I've been waiting many weeks for. (I'd say how many weeks, but inevitably I'd exaggerate because that is just what I do! Exagerrations aside, it's been many weeks.) I'm nervous. he should be too, but he doesn't know that he should be.

{The little girl in the pink suit is our friend Ellie. Isn't this a funny picture? It was funny to watch!}

Funny video - starring me!

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Takin' it back

On Friday the kids and I headed over to my friend Allison's house to swim. The boys brought along their subskates and I was prepared for the wild behavior that might ensue.

Instead, we walked in and I saw the giant inflatable turtle floating, completely alone while bobbing in the water. I was instantly taken back to Randolph, NJ and the Fishkin's pool.

When we lived in NJ we had dear friends, the Fishkins. We met through a mutual friend and became good friends over time. We did many activities together, individually, as a family and with others. I always considered Rebecca first in anything I planned - and I really miss our close friendship and her companionship here in California.

The turtle was a trigger because there was a giant turtle that resided in the Fishkin's pool, as well. He had been purchased on a trip to Hawai'i and settled in the pool. That turtle was so popular! Everyone loved him and enjoyed riding on him or holding onto him while floating.

Inadvertently I took a couple pictures of Sawyer at Allison's on the turtle. Later, I realized I had a similar picture of Sawyer from June 2006 on the Fishkin's turtle. (The Fishkin turtle picture was taken 2 weeks before we moved to California)

{Sawyer last Friday at Allison's house}

{Sawyer in 2006}

If you're still reading, you're a saint. I have no real point with this story, other than time flies and hopefully your friends come along for the ride. If not, you still have your memories. Luckily, I have both. I would also like to say that I distinctly remember that Sawyer hated getting in the water before we moved to California. He would walk around the side of the pool playing - but getting in like this was rare. This picture was taken shortly before he began having a huge fit.

Some of the baby from yesterday. Technically, not good, but I don't care. I love how cute and smooshable this baby is!

happy happy day

Yesterday was a big and a happy day. Toyota's summer family picnic was held at Dave and Busters. I thought it was a great idea -- air conditioned fun at a place that is fun for adults and kids alike. Our kids were totally excited for several days before -- Sawyer woke up on Friday thinking it was Saturday and was disappointed that he had to wait another day for the fun.

We arrived at around 1130 and enjoyed some average food for lunch. Then the fun began. We spent the next two and a half hours enjoying video games, trivia games, skee ball and choosing crap prizes. The gun games weren't as asked for/popular with the boys as I might have thought -- they were very hooked on Deal or No Deal, as was Andy. I was enjoying the trivia game, of course, and won the boys many tickets while answering questions about history, curiosities, music and more.

{Teaching his minions trivia!}

{Air hockey is *always* popular with these boys!}

{This is a new face Harrison makes. BIG smile with squinted shut eyes. Super cute and full of personality!}

{All of the noise was the perfect lullaby for a nap!}

The minute we walked in the door I had to prepare for my friend Staci's surprise 40th birthday party! She was really surprised and I think she really enjoyed hanging out with friends from Horsethief, Orange County and family!

{Kate, Me, Rhonda, STACI!, Concha and Julie}

Happy birthday to my dear friend!

just overheard...

It's lunch time here...and I just heard the following conversation:

Sawyer: When you're in high school you'll have girlfriends. Lots of girlfriends.

Campbell: Yea, so will you.

Sawyer: Yea, *HOT* girlfriends.

Littlest Fan

This is what happens when you introduce a baby to the Iowa State Cyclones!Okay, not really. But, it's a funny thing to think, right? Because Andy is such a rabid (Iowa State) Cyclone fan, I thought I'd take a couple of pictures to put the baby and the 'clones together. While it was willingly I did this, it was not happily. Do you see the difference? Anyway...

Summer is really going swimmingly - we are enjoying it very much. If I could get the boys to do what I ask with ease, I'd almost call it perfect. We're swimming, going to the library, seeing movies, reading and hanging out with friends. The only thing that I can think of that is missing is fireflies. I'm not sure they have those here, though!

I can say as I snuggled Sawyer extra tonight, I really enjoy these kids. I don't want them to ever grow up!

Enjoy the happier photos, I won't. (Alright, I'll enjoy the adorable smiles but not the fan gear!)

Weekend Update

In an effort to catch up a bit, I'm here early. Way early for me. We start swimming lessons today and I have a couple of errands to run in the big city (HAR HAR. Just up near swimming lessons!) while I'm there -- so I have to get myself together earlier than normal today.

After our blissful fourth of July, we had a super fun fifth of July as well. As I already lamented, I LOVE long weekends or any extra day Andy has off from work. This weekend was NO exception. In fact, it was just another delightful string of days!

On the fifth we packed up around 3 pm and headed to the beach with friends. We went to a new one we'd never been to, in Corona Del Mar. (Which is part of/near to Newport Beach, for all of those who didn't know and are paying attention!) It was a sea of umbrellas, easy ups and people - but it was great fun.

A new discovery was made -- both boys LOVE boogie boarding. For Sawyer to love anything is a joyous event -- one to make sure happens again. He's been begging to go to the beach every day since. (Good things come to those who wait, friend) I feel inclined to oblidge him because there are just a few things in this world that really make his heart sing. And, since we are super lucky and live in a place where we can be seaside in 45 minutes - we should go again soon -- right? YES!

A few fun photos of our excursion. I spent the evening in a chair on the sand with the baby. Who, by the way, was completely fascinated with the sand. He would clutch it by the handful and NOT let go.

As I mentioned before, swimming lessons today! Both boys need to hone their skills in the water and we have a great swim school we love, anyway! Baby will love watching so it sounds like a win win.

8 months old

Despite my wishes to the contrary, each month keeps passing. Two thirds of Harrison's first year is over. It's incredibly sad, but also joyous. Today, he finally pushed up on all fours momentarily and rocked back and forth for a bit. I'm sure a month from now I'll be reporting about crawling or some such nonsense!

July 4!

This is one of those weekends that I just love. I love three day weekends - heck, I love any day that Andy stays home from work! I love hanging out and having fun - I love when the kids are doing fun activites!

Yesterday we started the day lounging, then the bigger boys wanted to swim in the backyard pool. We took the cover off, suited up and jumped in. Even the baby got in on the action, he sat in his little turtle and splashed away -- it was really fun!

Our friend Katty and her neighbors were having a block party for the 4th - so we headed over there for a little afternoon/evening fun. Fun was an understatement. There was a GIANT waterslide and a blowup (bouncy) slip and slide. We hardly saw the boys for 4 hours while they played and played and played. (We did see them for some eats. There were a couple of neighborhood dogs prowling around looking for a bite. One of them that we dubbed MOOSE cleaned Sawyer's plate! It was pretty funny, even to Sawyer.) By the time we left they were completely worn out! We left in time for Andy and Cam to go see some fireworks (Sawyer wasn't feeling well! Poor guy) but Cam decided that he was too tired for that.
If you can believe it, I didn't take my camera to the party. In some ways it was really nice just living in the moment and not recording every single activity. But, I'm still fairly sad that I don't have any smiley, happy fourth of July photos to share!
Todays fun: the beach! In a couple of hours we're off to Corona Del Mar with friends.

Guasti

A few weeks ago, a few friends of mine and I planned to take our kids to a regional park, Guasti Cucamonga (or something similar to that) in Ontario. Today was the day! Guasti is a large park with lakes and fishing, paddle boats, a small spray park, a swimming pool with big water slides and a playground. The place is always packed -- all kinds of family reunions and Quinceañeras. (just joking about the Quinceañeras) There are lots of HUGE shady trees which is a really big deal out here -- as the sun is super hot and bright and there really aren't many mature trees that provide good coverage.

We arrived early to beat the crowds of people and throngs of summer camps. We set up under the trees right next to the water slide and enjoyed our day. The boys had a blast and Harrison LOVED splashing in the water when he wasn't trying to remove his hat.

Campbell is riding on his friend Caden's back (incidentally, today was Caden's 7th birthday!)

You'll have to forgive the photos - they are certainly less than perfect. (They were taken with my so-so point and shoot camera) I really wanted you to feel like you were there, though - so you'll have to suffer through.

After we loaded the van the boys were hungry and wanted ice cream. Since it was 100*, the kids had been good and ice cream is always a nice treat - I oblidged. I must ask however, when is it enough? Why isn't the fun day at the park/pool enough? Why is there always a need for more? Oh well...