nine will be just fine.

We celebrated Davin's birthday a few days early this year so that his wish could be granted.  He wanted to take his cousin Joe to the Aquarium of the Pacific.





I couldn't capture enough moments like these that day of my almost nine year old and his look of pure enjoyment and amazement at every new exhibit we approached.  He loved every minute of it.

I love birthday celebrations that stretch out over days at a time.  Happiest birthday today to Davin and my mom who share the same very special day! xoxo

not-so-sleepy.

I see a sleepover hangover in our near future...

part monkey.

So much to do to get ready for going back to school.  I have tried to do as much as possible from home to avoid having to take the kids to my classroom for extended periods of time.  As i update letters, classroom plans, and first day assignments on my laptop in the office, I am comforted by visitors all around...

all the rage.

This past weekend, Hunter played in his first soccer tournament of the club season.  The OC Revolution boys played hard... so fun to see them coming together as a team...





Meanwhile on the sidelines..."Can I play a game on your phone, mom?" was all I heard.  My sister gave me her old iphone after upgrading to the "4".  I have been enjoying my new hand-me-down to the fullest.  I don't know who has used it more...myself or the kids.  They have completely acquainted themselves with the ability to upload all the free apps...








So far the favorite is "Talking Tom" the mimicking cat.

What's your favorite app?

cheer camp.

Avery & a few of her friends attended a cheerleading camp at the local high school this week.  They were treated to 2 days of dancing, yelling, cheering, stretching, & pep-rallying along with 200 plus girls.  It was like a walk down memory lane for me.  A bonus was seeing my former students, who are now cheeleaders at the high school level, acting as the big sisters to all the little cheerios.  They are all so grown up!

Avery with one of my favorite former students, Alyse.

disney warriors.

The kids and I were treated to a fabulous day at Disneyland.  I surprised them as to our destination once we got on the freeway.  They were ecstatic.  We were determined to get on every ride in the park.  Being that this is the peak season, it was hot and humid, and lines were long.  But it didn't matter. 

13 1/2 hours had nothing on the four of us!


Just a few quotes you'd never hear me say outside of The Magic Kingdom :

 Let's eat funnel cake for dinner.
 What do you mean your tired? We just got here 10 hours ago.
 PUSH your way to the front.
 How about a churro?
 The weak leave after fireworks, the STRONG stay til midnight.
 How about another churro?
 I need you to last until midnight.
 Do you need some coffee?
 Let's scream til our heads hurt.


Avery was actually a very serious driver and was upset that the picture taking was distracting her focus... it was fun to be her passenger for once.





 We ate dinner at the cutest little water front restaurant.

With the heat and all, Splash Mountain couldn't have felt better.







We happened to stumble upon this picture opp with Mickey.  I was way more excited than the kids. 

Can Toon Town be any more creative?  I want to live there.



Davin was the perfect gentleman and promised not to spin me too much on the teacups.

and i swear it was just a minute ago that she was the same size as this door adorning her little blue Alice dress and apron.  I had a moment... just a small one.



We had THE best day ever.  So fun.  Only 3 rides in the whole park that we didn't do!  We got home just after midnight.  Thanks Ann, for a fantastic summer memory for all of us.