We're On Vacation! We're On Vacation!

Actually we're back but that's exactly what our family was chanting on Wednesday at 12:00 noon as we headed to San Diego for a two night getaway. We stayed at the Marriott on Coronado Island. The views were great and the boardwalk was just a few steps away from our room. I've always wanted to stay on the "island". CHECK

I think we were spoiled by staying in Palm Springs in a huge room with the full kitchen. We were all in one room and no fridge so we needed to eat out for meals but thankfully we thought to bring a large cooler to hold snacks, waters, and of course beers! It was fun to check out different restaurants in the area.. the first night was pizza (really good), then we checked out Hodad's - a famous burger place in Ocean Beach, the line was out the door! I think they required you to have tattoos to work there. We got ours to go and enjoyed it on our large patio at the hotel.

In fact we ate so much.. Maddie seriously needs to go on a diet. Only fat-free milk from now on girly!

Just Kidding! Our friend Dalena took that photo with her iphone "fatbooth" application

There was a really nice seating area just outside our room so on the first night Matt and I sat out there while Maddie went to sleep. We thought it was going well until midnight when she woke up and proceeded to wake up every 10 minutes or so until we brought her into our bed... anyhow I guess sleeping problems are to be expected in a strange place. Night number two went much better. She had two teeth poking through too so I'm sure that didn't help... she always seems to be teething when we travel. Why is that? Hopefully our trip to Disneyland goes smoother... we brought a bunch of things to make her feel at home.

The weather was pretty nice.. low 70's. Didn't get a chance to use the pool but the grounds were really pretty. They had a little bird sanctuary that you go inside to see the finches. The property had ducks and flamingos too. On our last day we rented a bike and rode up and down the boardwalk and even stopped at a local park next door. (Maddie was having swing withdrawls!)

Here Birdie Birdie


Fun at the park





Bike Rental.. the helmet lasted about 2 seconds. I can't tell you how many people stopped to tell us how adorable she was.. if I only got a nickel for every time. :)



The highlight of our trip was Sea World on Thursday. She did sooo great! It was a very long day of walking around and checking out a few shows. About half way through the sun decided to join us. Maddie's favorite part was the Sesame Street area.. very cool for toddlers. She got to meet Bert & Ernie, Elmo, and Grover. We went on two rides and there was an area for them to run around on that she really enjoyed. The best part was when the characters came out onto a large ship and sang a few songs.



Heaven!


It was hard to wait for "Maddie's Turn"


Elmo Fishy Ride


Over too fast!


Lots of fun getting energy out!



So many monsters... so little time!


Daddy surprised Maddie with her very own Abby Cadabby Doll



Get this... Maddie actually fell asleep in her stroller! I swear that has maybe only happened once before. She was pooped!


Fun With Shamu while Maddie Slept




Don't worry, we came back




As if we weren't short enough.. fun mirror


Just before leaving town we visited Point Loma.. It's a great view of the bay with lots of action.. ships, sailboats, and planes flying overhead. If you've never been, you should check it out. Then it was on to 5 hours of traffic to get home. All I can say is thank goodness for our DVD player and the videos we brought. She was awake the entire time and wanted OUT of her car seat... us too Maddie!

Maddie's first Starbucks (milk of course)




Just before we left to go on vacation, Maddie and I went to my MOMS Club meeting.. the guest speaking went well and a few of the ladies are going to give canning a try.. They LOVED the green beans!



San Diego is so much fun.. can't wait to go back and show her the rest! It's really a wonderful thing to see the excitement in your kid's eyes when their heroes come alive... Wow!

The Green Beans Turned Out....

PERFECT! We've been waiting a few weeks to try them and opened the jar on Saturday... they're soooo good. Thank you so much to my Aunt Mary for the recipe and for the great childhood memory that inspired me to give canning a try.

I'm actually going to the be guest speaker at my MOMS Club business meeting tomorrow. I'm going to give a canning demonstration and let the ladies sample my beans. Who knows, maybe I'll inspire them to give it a try. What a great way to use food that otherwise might go to waste... not to mention make very personal gifts for the holidays.

I can't wait to try other things!

It's Getting HOT in Here!

Finally some warm weather.. of course now we're all complaining about how HOT it is.. It's the middle of July and it feels like summer has just started.

Maddie and I busted out the sprinkler we bought her a few months ago.. she was so impatient while I opened the package.. seriously you need a torch to get those things opened, they're like hermetically sealed for some reason!

At first she wasn't so crazy about getting wet but by the end of our time outside, she was soaked and laughing! Hold back your boys because she's tooo cute!


Again, if it's being cut off, click on the video to go to youtube to play

Same thing happened at the pool today.. Little Miss didn't want to get as much as her pinky toe wet despite all her friends being in the water but by the time we had to go she was being dragged through the water by her arms (much kinder than it sounds) and didn't want to leave because she was having so much fun... Mommy had fun too!
If you get a chance to visit the pool at the Village At The Park (new development in Camarillo) go.. it's like a resort! Absolutely beautiful, we're hoping to be invited back soon. (wink-wink, nudge-nudge)They have a large pool for the big kids and a smaller one foot pool for the little ones.. perfect size and the property is just amazing.

Aiden (still rockin' his Cars theme) and his mommy


Maddie and Carson avoiding the water at first

Camarillo Fiesta & a B-Day Party

The Camarillo Fiesta was in town this week. When it was just Matt and I, he could pretend these fair-type events weren't happening... but NOW, we have to show Maddie what they're all about. Yay, Maddie!

We walked past booths selling items and services and some of the best smelling fair food (I LOVE those glazed almond nuts!) and then we saw the sign... "KiddyLand" or something like that. An entire area designated for toddlers and the like.

Dis Way Mama!


The ponies called to us as we saw them from afar.. Cowgirl Maddie is a natural and had to show her riding skills to another group of admiring folks... so, on she went! Darn she's cute!




On our way out, we walked by the game booths... as a kid I remember the county fair very well.. my parents took us every year. Looking back they must have spent a small fortune on food, games and rides, but I know now, they had just as much fun as we did!
I always loved the games with the sign 'winner every time!'- the ducky game was just that. I recall it a bit different than ducks just sitting there but the concept was still the same. We walked up and saw all the glorious monkey/banana prizes.. how fun.

We paid the (carnie) lady our money and got to picking... 1.5 seconds later we were ready for our prize.. drum roll please! TA-DA a $5 purple teddy bear. What no monkey? She did love her teddy and talked to him all the way home. She was probably telling him about how crowded our house was and that even though he's new, she has 5 or 6 other teddies that she loves equally as much. He did get the sweetest sleeping spot, snuggled next to Maddie.
First Carnival Game- check!






Maddie's little friends are starting to turn 2... this afternoon we were invited little Aiden's party. His mommy is also on the MOMS Club board. The theme was from the Cars movie.. super cute decorations and lots and lots of yummy food.

We've tried bouncy-type activities in the past with Maddie but she's always been a bit freaked by them... this time she actually went in with Matt and while she didn't leave his side, she had a good time in there. Guess that Gymboree and day of gymnastics is paying off... just goes to show as kids get older their interests change and evolve so keep offering even if you think they may not like it.

Birthday Boy





Maddie did experience three things that she loves... first, CANDY... even though she's never had a piece in her life, she was super excited to see the candy showering the kids after the pinata broke open. She yelled out candy and ran to get her share. PS little kids with big sticks are very scary.





JUICE BOXES... oh my, you'd think she died and went to heaven after tasting her apple juice box. I'm sure she's going to wonder what's up the next time she gets her normal watered down version... she didn't want to put down the box and drank almost every drop. Yummy!




CAKE... she's a cake addict. Just like the blueberries, she couldn't get it fast enough...







Happy Birthday Aiden, looks like you had lots of fun at your party and we did too!