Train Museum

I took the kids to the train museum today. The last time we visited, Spencer was (almost) 2 1/2 and Mia wasn't there. The three of us had a fun time, but after 4 1/2 hours, I was ready to head home. Once home, the kids exchanged more than a few blows and I wondered what it was I came home for...gotta love it!

Before I post (too many) pictures, I found this before and after:

Before:

After:

Even in battle, the kid's pretty cute

For the most part, meal time with Mia isn't particularly difficult. She eats just about anything and we've been fairly successful convincing her to eat at least a few bites of her less than favorite dishes.

The other night we sat down to eat dinner. That night's dinner included beef, which for her, falls in the "less than favorite" category. The rest of the family had eaten and all of us were eager to move on to dessert, but somehow we restrained ourselves for a bit anyway. After all too many minutes of observing little Mia chew her beef like cud (I know, too much information, right?), the following conversation, if you can call it that, took place:

Us: "Mia, eat your dinner baby."
Mia: "Oh!" and laughs.
And after a few more minutes had passed...
Us: "Eat your dinner baby."
Mia: "Oh, man!" (sounds a bit more like "Oh, mee!")

Really, its hard not to laugh.

Five Days of Camping=Lots of pictures AND Laundry

...which would explain why I'm uploading pictures and not loading up laundry :)

We spent five days camping at Rollins Lake in Grass Valley. Three days of the trip were spent with friends and the last two we spent as a family. Fun, fun! Dirt, dirt!! Just enough time away from home to realize I can live without those creature comforts AND enjoy myself.

It was neat to spend this week camping as it was the very same week we found out about Mia two years ago (July 25th to be exact). On our way into the campsite, we passed the very same 76 gas station where we got THE call (first place our phones had reception). It was neat to relive this experience in my head and have the little rugrat in the back seat.

Mia's officially a toddler

Will someone please turn the heater off?!

It looks as though my request has been heard.

Ah, finally a night cool enough to have the windows open.

The fruits of our labor

And I can say that. A tomato is a fruit.

Some things are better left unsaid

One thing I really love about Spencer is he's a talker. He's a thinker too. The combination can sometimes be dangerous.

Here's a sampling of a few things he's said (and shouldn't have) in the last few days:

*Referred to my thighs as "Tunder Ties" (aka Thunder Thighs). This is okay to say to Mia, but Mommy doesn't find it so funny. Even when you use your very best baby talk. This was a fews days post belly comment. After he noticed my obvious offense, he said it was just a "little" belly.

*Announced loudly in Target while in the girly section (you know the section you'd rather avoid): "Mom, you're buying diapers!" When I tried to shush him, he said even louder, "Yeah, you wear diapers because you pee your pants. Daddy told me."

*And lastly, while playing the rhyming game is cute and all, it can get a bit dangerous when your start word is "Duck". It's funny too because we had just had a conversation the other day about never once hearing Spencer spout out a cuss word. That is no longer true.

That's alright. Thankfully, the "gems" far outweigh the slips!

(This picture is my attempt at a bit of payback. He was pretending to be Superman. This is the first time, I'm sure, that a Superman stand-in has been photographed wearing a fairy band-aid and striking a pose that the real Superman would surely avoid.)

My Uncle visits

I love spending time with my Uncle Rusty. When I spend time with him, I'm able to reminisce about those memories I sometimes try hard to forget (or at least not think about too much). I'm so glad he's there to remind me to laugh about those fun times with my mom, grandma and grandpa. Sure it hurts a bit, but I find its always worth remembering.

Uncle Rusty spent three days with us. He was sure to spoil the kids much as he did me when I was a kiddo (and still does). We could have done without the farting putty, but I finally found some competition! It was nice to meet some of the (very) nice folks he works with everyday. We're still wondering how in the world they put up with him!

That last comment was made in love...I promise!

Happy Fourth!

Wish me luck...I'm about to take the kids to the fireworks show solo.

What?! I can't hear you?!

Santa Cruz, Getaway Day Three

We had our third and final leisurely morning. Such a nice change from everyday life. The hustle and bustle can sure wear on you!

Before heading to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, we took the kids to the lighthouse. It's location offers a nice view of the water and both kids just loved all the big waves and surfers. When we voted it was times up, we headed straight for the rides. We squeezed in all we could and both the kids just had a blast. Spencer was super brave. He'd go on a ride with Alfonso and insist I go with him next. I'll be honest, I wasn't thrilled with some of his choices. Some of those rides really were scary!

When Spencer realized our vacation had come to a close, he just cried and cried. He just didn't want to leave. Who could blame him?! For me, it really was the best vacation we've had as a family. The time spent was worth every cent and all the packing and preparation that goes into just getting the family out the door.