Family Camp with Mumi

Mumi has asked me to join her at Family Camp in Bommer Canyon for many, many years now. And I decided that Logan and I were ready to take her up on her offer. She has been a docent in the Laguna Canyon Wilderness for as long as I can remember, and even gets to lead two hikes on this camp. One up a steep hill at twilight, and another the next morning, she is so knowledgeable about So Cal bugs, wildlife, history and plants that everyone is tuned in, parents and kids (and even one teenager) Impressive!

Beautiful Bommer Canyon! This place is so amazing, it is literally in the middle of a neighborhood in Irvine, but once you are there you would NEVER know it. Its peaceful, quite and full of nature!

Mumi lead a hike all the way up this steep hill, she didn't think Lo could make it, but here he is at the top! The best part of this hike was all the neat things we stopped to see on the way to the top. Mumi taught all about the Spanish leaving the mustard, and what the Native Americans used all the native plants for. Best part was the stink beetle all the kids got to hold and the tarantella (just ask Logan).

Me and Lo at the top!

After all that hard work hiking, nothing beats s'mores and songs around the campfire with people you love. Check out the amount of marshmallow on my hoodie, geez, did any even get eaten??

A boy and his Mumi enjoying a s'more

And here is Mumi leading the morning hike I was telling about, check out the way she takes charge of all those kids. She lead that hike in true elementary school teacher fashion! I love to see her enjoy her favorite part of the job she just retired from. Just the kids and learning! Very cool to see.

Ok, now this is NUTS!! Check this kid out, I swear its Logan's twin!! Same age, born a month a part. You just don't see that everyday!

This past March (My camera died on the way so no pics)Lo, Mumi and I travel to the desert to see the wild flowers in bloom. Its true we did see some wild flowers, but I really wanted to see some blooming cactus, and they were not in bloom yet. So what a special surprise to see blooming beaver cactus in IRVINE of all places. But it made my spring complete.

Thanks Mumi for the invite, we had a blast!

Time with Dad

Logan is such a lucky kid, he gets to spend every Sunday-Tuesday with just his Dad, and his Dad always has something fun planned. I can't add a whole lot of commentary, since I wasn't there, but it looks like these two boys have a ton of fun.

A day at the beach is not complete without a sandy tush kid, and the beautiful San Diego skyline in the background
Logan went to the museum of Natural History with his Dad, I got memo that he was having way too much fun to pose for a whole lot of pictures.

And of course a weekend with Dad is never complete without a trip to the zoo. This is one of our most favorite places, and here is Lo checking out the flamingos.

Best Bud Koa

Logan has a buddy named Koa, they have been "friends" for a few years now. I put the term friends in quotes because these two were really more like, well, the best way to put it is...enemies. They stole trains and cars from each other, pushed, hit, kicked and always made each other cry. I am pretty sure Koa even blamed several messes at his house on Logan when we hadn't been over there in ages. As a first time mother to a boy, I continue to be told "oh that's what boys do". And I guess all these wise souls are right, because I now realize that all those tears was just of beginning an amazing friendship. Koa just celebrated his 4th birthday and of course we were there to help him celebrate.

Now since Koa is such a close friend, we actually spend the entire weekend celebrating with his family. The party started with the Holy Trinity Church Festival, now Lo and I do not go to Holy Trinity, nor does Lo go to school there BUT this is our 3rd year in a row going to their festival!!

Here is Kaian (Koa's older and wiser sister), Lo and Koa, riding in the car at the festival

Lo is a pretty fearless kid but when it came to getting on the spinning swings, he was NOT interested. Kaian talked him into it and even strapped him in, but he was not a fan , AT ALL. The more the swings went around, the more he slumped down in his seat (keep in mind, I despise the swings, I feel ill just thinking about them) until he finally started yelling "I WANT OFF' so the ride operator stopped the madness and let him off. For several days he told me that the swings "are dangerous, and not safe for kids"

The next day (Sat) was Koa's actual birthday party, it was race car themed and Lo even came home with a new drivers licence. To top off all the fun, there was a pinata, and here is Koa hitting it.

And Logan taking a crack at it. When all the prizes came out amidst all the candy and cars, Logan managed to find a set of pony tail holders. And he now will insist on a pony tail, just so he can use his prize.

Koa's birthday party also included an after party. All the kids partied in the garage until way past bedtime. We finally made them snuggle down together in Kaian's room. There is Lo, Kaian, Koa and Jayden. Such cute, happy, snugly friends. This is Lo's first sleep over where he slept with the kids and not with me. Sniff, sniff, when did he get so grown up???

Photography

Lo asked to use my camera recently and these are the pictures he took:

I am fascinated by his perspective and impressed by his pictures
I am wondering of this is how he sees the world...

A May Weekend

Logan and I traveled to Orange County this past weekend, there was so much going on! We had a great time traveling all over and visiting our good friends. First stop was Mattie's 3rd Birthday party. Everyone one was there and there was even a bouncy!!

Here is Logan actually EATING at a party, he even choked down that carrot he is holding in his hand. I am totally impressed and happy to see him eat.


And here is Logan next to his new friend Ava, he was really into her. They had this game where they looked for treasure in the sand box, I just love how creative he has become, so fun to watch. On a side note *check out the size of the cake he has in front of him* How in the world did that happen???

Then we went over to Mumi's house where Logan got to shower Mumi with all her Mother's Day gifts. Here they are in the morning with the Easter tree. I love the look on his face.

Then a quick trip to Lindsay and Ryan's house where Lo got to play with the doggies. I am not really all that sure that Ryan enjoys this but Lo, Duke and Molly sure do.

And then to breakfast, this hungry little man ate an entire plate of waffles!

To round out our incredibly full of fun weekend we spent Sunday afternoon with the Orliczky women. Here is Logan and his 3D glasses at Ruby's.

Sylvie and Lo trying to look at the Ocean in 3D

I love these ladies, here is Nadine, Sylvie and baby Nora having lunch with us at the pier in Seal Beach. I forgot how small and sweet smelling new babies are, I just love to snuggle new baby Nora, and even Logan liked to pet her soft head.

And finally a trip to the park to burn of some energy. Check out Sylvie's expression, I really think she loves her friend Logan's crazy antics.

More Mother's Day!

I was lucky enough to be taken to the movies to celebrate motherhood. Check out my handsome dates wearing 3D glasses.

We had such a great time seeing Alice in Wonderland!! Thank you Scottie!

Mother's Day!!

Logan and I making cards and flowers for our favorite mothers and grandmothers! We love you!!

Fairy and Elf Spring Party

Lo's playgroup held an "Elf and Fairy Spring Celebration" and costuming was MANDATORY. So I quickly whipped up this Elf costume for Logan (please do not be surprised if you see this again as a Peter Pan costume at Halloween)

Ready to Go!

Little Pixies running up and down the hill. Everyone was so cute, it looked like a little fairy woodland.


Logan and his good buddy Koa in matching elf costumes





Me and my sweet Elf







This party was so amazing, there were tons of craft and things to do. Starting with "make a fairy head piece" , Logan didn't make one, but I did, complete with curly ribbon.




Then off to "magic fairy dust necklaces", Logan made a pink pony for himself, and a rainbow pony for Mom, sweet boy!



And no party is complete without a full dose of kid sugar, so there was make your own fairy wand cookie. As you can see he takes his sprinkles very seriously.





*Sorry I can't get this video to load*




And the best part to of the entire party was the May Pole!! Our good friend Mayo made a 10 foot tall may pole complete with ribbons and flowers. You have NEVER seen anything as funny as a bunch of 4 year olds going around the may pole. Please ignore the fact that Lo falls down and all I do is laugh, I am going for the mother of the year award .






The finale of the May Pole dance leaves Lo tied to the bottom, but his pretty fairy friends rescued him




I absolutely loved this party, it was so fun, and funny, I truly hope we can make this an annual event.

Mow out Air Polution 2010

San Diego's Air Pollution Control Board has a program where you can trade in your old gasoline powered mower for a discount ($300!!!) on a new cordless, electric mower. Removing one gasoline powered mower reduces the same amount of air pollution as driving your car 20,000 less each year!! So Lo and I take our old mower, it was a hand me down from a very good friend (thanks Steph), down to the parking lot where this was held, and we were VERY late! In fact they had already run out of new mowers, so we packed the 1963 Murray Mower back in the trunk.

Every other San Diegan waiting to exchange their mower...

But since this shingdig was held down by the water, Lo insisted that we take a quick peek at the pirate ship...

And the submarine.

Not my first choice for a Sat morning activity, but we will try again next year!!