M-i-c-k-e-y M-o-u-s-e

We decided to take a spur of the moment trip to Disneyland last weekend.  I was looking for something different, so we decided to stay at The Disneyland Hotel (even though we only live 40 minutes away).  It was so much fun!  HOT, but fun.

We went with our friends Ryan, Connie and their kids Cassidy & Kyle.  

Camille really surprised me by being a good trooper and doing great on big kid rides.  

Nap time!  Cassidy & Kyle went home to nap and our angels slept in the stroller while Mommy and Daddy found a cool place that served beer.  I love how Connor never let go of his Buzz Lightyear toy (that the gift store lady gave him after he left the Buzz ride crying because it was "too scary").

Next-up, the California Adventure park.  The lines were much shorter here and we really like the rides better.  We got to see all of Connor's favorite characters from Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters Inc and Cars.  

ICE CREAM!  They were pretty happy about this pit stop.

Disneyland was great, but Connor was equally excited to spend the following day at the hotel pool.  He sat at our hotel window starting at 5:30 am asking if the pool was open yet. The monorail looking things in the background under the "Disneyland" sign are water slides!

The kids both swam and went on the slides for a good 3 hours straight.  They were asleep as we were driving out of the parking lot to head home.

Such a fun, memorable (exhausting) weekend for us!  

Swimming along

Connor is really exceeding expectations with swimming this summer!

Last week, he swam across the deep end for the first time:

This week, he is learning to dive in (aka:  getting thrown in/belly flop):

choo choo ice cream!

Chad was out of town for work, so I took the kids on the scenic train along the waterfront to kill some time on Sunday.

Camille's first time on the train.  She didn't love it.  She didn't hate it.

Waiting for the water show.

This was the best part of the afternoon for the kids, naturally.

 Skinny dipping after dinner.  Look at those swimming trunk tan lines!

Happy 4th Birthday, Connor Allen!

On a regular basis, I ask Connor if he will stay my baby forever and his reply is always the same..."No, Mommy, I'm going to keep getting bigger and BIGger and BIGGER!"  He usually tries to make me feel better by saying that Camille will stay my baby forever.  But then he changes his mind and tells me that she is also going to grow bigger...so the kitties will stay my babies forever.
SIGH.

 So handsome!

Ice cream cupcakes with all of his friends at daycare:

Dinner out at a teppanyaki restaurant and first time using chop sticks!

  

Last year, I started asking him 20 questions on his birthday.  Here are his replies as a 4 year old:

1.  What is your favorite color?  GREEN
2.  What is your favorite toy?  SPIDERMAN
3.  What is your favorite fruit?  BLUEBERRIES
4.  What is your favorite tv show?  SHERIFF CALLIE
5.  What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  A SANDWICH
6.  What is your favorite thing to wear?  CLOTHES
7.  What is your favorite game?  PLAYING BALL
8.  What is your favorite snack?  STRAWBERRIES
9.  What is your favorite animal?  SHEEP
10.  What is your favorite song?  ABC's
11.  What is your favorite book?  THE AVENGERS
12.  What is your favorite cereal?  THE NEW SPECIAL ONE (Lucky Charms)
13.  What is your favorite thing to do outside?  PLAY BALL
14.  What is your favorite drink?  JUICE
15.  What is your favorite holiday?  CHRISTMAS
16.  Who is your best friend?  YADIR
17.  What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  MY BLANKEY
18.  What is your favorite breakfast?  A WAFFLE
19.  What do you want for your birthday dinner?  PIZZA
20.  What do you want to do when you grow up?  BE A REAL IRON MAN

Our little fish

Every day, I find myself in awe and proud of Connor and Camille's accomplishments, but there are a few that really stick out.  Last week, when I received this video of Connor at swimming lessons, I had one of those moments.

Up until last week, Connor has really enjoyed being in the water, but hasn't exactly been interested in doing much that involved putting his head under (playing on the steps and kicking on a paddle board have been his specialties).  On his last trip to Grandma and Grandpa's, he did jump in a few times, with a life jacket, which was a big step.  After learning how to go under the water without getting so much up his nose and down his throat, he seemed more interested.

I was shocked when only days later, I saw this video of him SWIMMING!

We're so proud of him and, better yet, he is so proud of himself!

Legoland California

I successfully convinced Connor to agree to a trip to Legoland instead of having a birthday party this year.  In retrospect, it wasn't all that much cheaper than throwing a party...

Connor loved the water park area and he even went on 2 roller coasters!

Meanwhile, Camille stayed with Grandma and Grandpa and painted, played in the pool and went to the park.  I just love how Grandma clipped a barrette to 1 tiny strand of hair to make her look more like a girl.

San Diego Fair

Grandma Karen and Grandpa Jerry took Connor again last week for some more fun in San Diego without Mommy, Daddy and Camille.  Grandma took Connor to the San Diego fair for 2 days in a row (she's so brave).

They watched pig races, turkey races, went on rides, played games and indulged in plenty of special treats.

Here is Connor in the butterfly area.  Nectar + a Qtip = holding a butterfly.

Of course Grandma bought him a toy that's bigger than he is!

I'm guessing that this 17 MPH pitch may have been from the kid in line before him.  Or not, I don't know.

And he ate the WHOLE thing...

Thank you so much, Grandma & Grandpa, for doing such special things with Connor!  He LOVES all of the fun and attention (without having to compete with Camille).