More Monterey

I have officially fallen in love with Monterey. I could get used to this place! I think we all could. And to think I turned down a position to relocate here working at NPGS years ago. What was I thinking????

We drove around today and found a beautiful strip of beautiful trees along the beach.

The same bribe was practiced today – if mommy gets to take your picture…then you get to enjoy the aquarium as long as you want later. =)

They were oh so cooperative.

I employed the “fake laugh” technique that I heard Me Ra Koh discuss. Cody took it to heart and couldn’t stop laughing. =)

Aren’t they cute sitting together enjoying the waves? In reality, Cody is kind of yelling because DJ has one arm behind him and the other in front of him. Cody didn’t appreciate being held in lockdown position. =)

This is one of my new favorite pictures. I think I am going to get it enlarged and display it in the house. =) I just haven’t decided if I like the black and white or color one better.

I couldn’t figure out why Cody kept pointing while I was taking their picture. Then I turned around and figured out why. He was saying…

“Look at that HUGE wave!”

 

DJ just loves the outdoors. He definitely takes after his father. =)

 

After walking around town to window shop, we finally headed to the aquarium. DJ had 2 priorities:

Otters…

and the octopus…he was in that same position when we were there yesterday.

The octopus picture was a real challenge for me. It was really dark in there and I had to bump up to ISO 1600. It would not have been so bad if the octopus wasn’t camouflaged into the rock. =)

We have to say goodbye to Monterey tomorrow! =( The great part about tomorrow is that hubby does not have to work so he will get to enjoy the day with us before heading home.

Monterey – Day Two

 

The kids and I were excited and ready to explore Monterey today!

After we dropped their dad off at work, we parked the car in the hotel’s garage and started our walk around Cannery Row! (Not sure why I enjoy exercising most when I am on vacation….if only I had this same enthusiasm to walk while home!)

I love that Monterey has a “Recreational Trail” for walkers and cyclist. It makes walking around town much easier than maneuvering a stroller through tiny sidewalks. THANK YOU MONTEREY!

Part of the deal for today was that the boys let me take their picture BEFORE we enjoyed the Aquarium. Okay…it was more of blackmail than a deal, but it worked for me! =)

My favorite picture from today…doesn’t that just yell – I’M HAVING SOOOO MUCH FUN IN MONTEREY!!!

DJ was more into jumping on rocks than sitting on them.

The day is absolutely gorgeous and after awhile, we didn’t even need our jackets.

The view is just amazing from every angle!

This morning we also visited the aquarium. Thank goodness I am getting the hang of taking pictures in the dark. =)

 

 

We are going to check out the rest of the aquarium tomorrow! We can’t wait!!!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Here’s a fun Valentine’s Day (or any other Holiday) craft that’s fun for little ones - http://wondertime.go.com/create-and-play/crafts/valentines-crayon-necklace.html.

The other day, DJ and I tried our hand at it. Unfortunately, I had cleaned his pencil box and crayon box of broken crayon pieces so our project did not turn out as successful as we had hoped.

The intensity of peeling crayons. I have to admit, it isn’t an easy task! =)

Then we mixed colors into a foil-lined muffin pan. DJ did a great job mixing coordinating colors together. This pink, red, and white combination is my favorite!

While they melted, DJ goofed around and made faces for the camera.

This is how the melted crayons looked

After they hardened a little, we formed them into a heart shape.

The finished crayon heart looked like this

Although they weren’t as pretty as we had hoped for, DJ was proud of his work and that made me happy.

We didn’t have enough  melted crayons to make hearts with the other color combinations so only daddy ended up with a crayon heart pendant for Valentine’s Day.

We had intended to make one for other family members, but unfortunately, we didn’t have enough crayon goo.

CAUGHT!

The other day, I had caught someone in my household in the act of thievery! GASP!

Yesterday, I caught the thief in action again! This time I took pictures!

Like last week, I heard the pitter patter of feet running to the table, the chair get pulled out then the bump of a head hit the table before sitting up.

I walked into the kitchen and found this….

He was caught in the act of trying to eat his brother’s Valentine’s gift! Worst part is, he doesn’t even like chocolate!

The box was hidden on top of my craft table and set in the middle of the table to stay out of reach of this little culprit. He still managed to somehow reach it. I think it involved him standing on top of his ride-on car because it was left at the crime scene!

He doesn’t look remorseful, does he?

Poor Spongebob didn’t know what hit him!

My favorite part about the whole thing is that after he was done, he shoved all the candy back into the box

Then walked away…

(The darkness of the photo helps to enhance the damage done to the box! Poor SpongeBob never even saw it coming!)

I Love This Face

…and the boy behind it.

DJ was in the middle of playing video games, fully taking advantage of the fact that I wasn’t feeling well and doing as he pleased, when I looked over at his serious face and couldn’t help but grab my camera and take his picture.

He and I butt heads a lot and I usually wonder how a 5 year old could be so strong willed. But then I always remember he is my child and has a lot of my personality, good and bad.

He likes to push my buttons and always has to have the last word in, but in the end, I love this face and the boy behind it.

Babies R Us Super Bowl Party

Saturday was the Super Bowl Party at Babies R Us. They didn't quite get the turnout they had expected, but it was still fun!

This cake greeted us when we arrived at the party!

They were kind enough to let me decorate around the cake table. :)

I brought along my cousin's daughter and my husband and older son met us for the festivities. Here she is in her hula hoop glory.

This little cutie saw the games getting started and jumped right into hula hooping!

Our hostess, Theresa, slicing up the cake....

The kids had to guess how many mini footballs there were...22

The kids picked a color (red for the Cardinals and yellow for the Steelers) to represent their team choice. 2 for Cardinals, 1 for Steelers. Too bad the kids I brought didn't pick the WINNING team!

Oh and CONGRATULATIONS STEELERS!!!!!