Tuesday, April 26, 2011

rock climbing

I met up with a coworker and her family for indoor rock climbing. It was our first time and was pretty fun. Xander finally got the hang of it after seeing my coworkers daughter climb. Initially, he wasn't too hip about it.



But he did eventually get the hang of it.


I got the hang of it too.


I auto-belayed to the bottom and lost my balance; then was accosted by two toddlers!!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter Celebration

Easter seemed to last a very long time for us this year. We had two different Easter egg hunts in the house. The first was when their uncle and aunt visited at the end of March. The second was when their grandma and grandpa were here the week before Easter. We were going to have another on Easter day but I decided against it. They didn't notice.


During Holy Week we had a couple different activities. We colored eggs. They were fascinated. And it wasn't until Chris opened one that they realized they could eat the eggs. That led to eggshell and squished yolk everywhere.


We made a couple cards to send to the grandparents. Xander wanted to make a rainbow so we spend lots of time mixing paint to get the colors right.

In an effort to find some traditions to start with the kids, I found this neat recipe for Resurrection Rolls. Xander loved making them and they turned out super sweet (but not as pretty as on the website).


One of the things I did not bring with us from Ohio was Easter baskets. So I collected all of the Easter type toys to display on the table along with a few presents.


And of course I had to get the kids dressed up for church.


"Give each other a hug!"


Look at Xander's disappointment at not getting a hug from Josie.


After Easter mass, we went to brunch where the kids devoured Mickey Mouse pancakes and I enjoyed a healthy parfait with a side of hot chocolate and chocolate chip muffin. After that we headed out for a hike, which I'll post separately.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

San Diego Vacation - Hotel

This is the last post about our vacation, I promise. We just had so much fun I that I have to get it all documented.

Our hotel experience went pretty well. We had a two bed room with a crib for Josie. The first night was lousy with the spring break boys playing WrestleMania at 11:30 at night. The next few nights were much better. You already know about the pool. While there was no free continental breakfast, there was a nice restaurant with delicious food. By the last morning Xander was running in yelling "Good morning!" to the cashier.

We went out for dinner a couple nights but stayed in the other nights because we were just so tired and knew the kids wouldn't deal well with sitting patiently.

We turn into zombies in front of the television.


"Hey!" Made them look!



Xander is in his zone.


My favorite picture ever. Once again I have to add that she did not learn this from me.


Bed head!


I accidentally had my camera phone on video mode when I originally took the above picture.
Perfect timing on Chris's part!

Friday, April 8, 2011

San Diego Vacation - Day 4 Safari Park

Ah, our last day of vacation, Saturday. We planned on going to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, but took it easy and spent the morning on a different section of the beach.

We tried to go to the same beach as our first day but as we went down the first set of stairs we realized the beach was covered in water. Silly tourists, forgetting about high tide.

So we went back to the road and walked a little to the next stretch of beach. This one was dog friendly and had lots of dogs running around. Chris and Xander wandered around, waded in the water and looked for shells and rocks. Josie and I sat and watched the action.

Don't look directly at my dazzlingly white legs.


We switched kids and Xander and I waded for a while. He fell down in the water on my watch. After arriving home I realized that I never rinsed out his clothes and the zipper on his jeans is all corroded now. Meanwhile, Chris walked with Josie and managed to get her to wade a little.

After a quick lunch, we headed to the Safari Park.


Once again,we took lots of pictures of animals. I'll spare you from looking at them. I'll just make you look at pictures of the kids some more.

Xander explaining the size of an elephant skull.


Josie feeling a giraffe pelt.


Josie comparing her hand to a gorilla foot.


While we enjoyed this park, the weather was a little chilly and we were tired of walking around and looking at animals. We wanted to go on the Safari Tram but everyone and their mother was already in line for it. So we started to head out and passed the carousel. Since it was free, we figured we could do one ride.


Josie had so much fun that Chris took the kids a second time. I don't think she smiled so much on the rest of vacation combined.





Thursday, April 7, 2011

San Diego Vacation - Day 3 Zoo

On the third day of our adventures, we went to the zoo. Basically our entire vacation was going to a new city next to the ocean and looking at animals.

The kids were tired of getting their pictures taken.



The first thing we did was go on a bus tour of the zoo.
We saw lots of animals this way and had minimal problems getting the children to come along with us since they were stuck on the bus.
Josie was not amused.



I was completely awestruck by the peacocks. They were in the trees and walking around. This one was in the flamingo enclosure and was trying to scare off that duck.


Dad: Xander look, a one hump camel!
Xander: A one hump camel makes a one hump poop! Just kidding.
(you have to read "Everyone Poops" to get it)




Gibbons!


Xander at the petting zoo.



Josie at the petting zoo.
I was able to get her to pet a sheep. Barely.


We were able to see a cheetah with it's dog companion.



Look at the baby giraffe!


Josie finally finds an animal she likes....


About time to leave.


And here is one more thing that Josie was scared of on our trip.
I should just make a post about the phobias of my children.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

San Diego Vacation - Pool

I already mentioned that we went to the hotel pool on the day we arrived in San Diego. We also went swimming after a warm day at SeaWorld.

Xander wore his water wings and did a good job of getting around by himself.
He tends to 'swim' by running in the water. It was slow, but got him where he wanted.


Josie was put into her floatie. She was content to sit in it and lean over to splash the water with her hands at first.


Then she wanted out to practice trust falls with Dad.


Then she just wanted to play on the steps.


Of course you can't just leave her to play in the steps of the pool, so Dad had to carry her around.


Meanwhile, Xander really wanted me to get into the pool because it's cool for me (whatever that means). Notice that he is the type to use his hands and body while trying to talk Mom into the pool.



After swimming was over, we headed out to lunch. Thanks to the fancy apps on our phones, we were never at a loss for suggestions or directions. This night Chris decided on a Mexican restaurant.

Surprisingly, Xander has a fear of mariachi bands.
I expected him to get up and dance when the band came over to play "It's a Small World." Instead, after sobbing and clutching Mom, the band stopped and slunk to the next table where there were no temperamental three year olds.


Josie just wanted to know when the food would arrive.

Monday, April 4, 2011

San Diego Vacation - Day 2 Seaworld

We arose bright and early on our second day to get to SeaWorld. We decided that a Thursday would be a good day to go there. It was busy but not overcrowded. The weather actually turned hot and I had the fun of a mild migraine but toughed it out for the kids. Here are some of the 100+ pictures we took.

We rented double strollers everywhere we went.
There was a lot of bickering, but it was better than carrying two kids all day.



We were all impressed with the walrus. It was huge!
When it started swimming, it came over and tried to spray the kids. The picture only showed a wet window, so here is the walrus before swimming.


Xander meets Zander the Otter. I was all impressed that the lady holding the otter's leash was using my son's name. She must have been confused why we were telling the otter to freeze like a statue.


Snack time!


You could buy fish to feed to the sea lions.
The sea lions begged in very loud barks that scared Josie.



In the space needle!
Except it's not called a space needle and I don't feel like looking up the correct name.


We went to see the Sesame Street 4-D show.
Xander was spellbound. Josie did not appreciate the water.



Of course we had to see Shamu!
Xander will still randomly start waving his arms and yelling "Shamu!"


Of course we bought the kids matching stuffed Shamus so the kids couldn't fight over them. Right?
Chris was intrigued by the Shamu car. Check out the tail.