This little man just melts my heart! He has been so lonely since Ellery started school. This morning he started to cry when Ellery had to leave.....he just does not understand why he can't go to school like his big sister. A few days ago he had his 2 year check-up(yes, I am quite late) and had to have several shots. He was brave through the first one, but then was crying through the final two. When we left, he looked at me with those big blue eyes and said, "Mama, dat man huwt me." I could have melted into a puddle right there. Hang in there little man, you will start pre-school in 2 weeks.

Standing with her buddy, Jackson.

Well, it has happened.....the former Kindergarten teacher is now the parent of a Kindergartener! How did this happen? Ellery walked into our room at 6:30 this morning, fully dressed, teeth brushed, shoes on, and bow in hair, ready for her first day. She didn't flinch and did not seem even remotely nervous. She was ready. Her teacher is "the" teacher, and she has 3 friends from our neighborhood in her class. Darin and I both shed some tears, and Dane still seems confused at to why he isn't staying at her school, too. I can't wait for 2:20 to arrive and find out all about her very important, first day of "real " school. Why do they have to grow up???

I can't believe our first born, who has gone from this:

To this:

Will start Kindergarten a week from today. Sniff, sniff.

No explanation needed. Happy Monday!

Darin could hardly wait to eat this guy.

What, haven't you ever seen lobster themed thongs?

Jim and Theresa, two of our dearest friends(who happen to live next door).

Do we look the part?

On Saturday evening, our friends hosted a "Cape Cod" style lobster bake. Although I don't eat lobster, we enjoyed dressing the part and drinking cape cod's. We are so fortunate to have such a great group of friends in our neighborhood.

Trying to occupy the little ones, so that the adults could enjoy their meal.

Carrie trying to take advantage of Blake.

Sweet Lainey.

Carrie, myself, and Casey.



Date night!

Last weekend, my best friend since 8th grade, Carrie, and her family came for a visit. We had such a nice visit.....the children get along great, the boys' enjoyed a golf outing, we had a date night on Friday and friends' from high school over on Saturday night. Carrie and I spent the first two days yapping like crazy and trying to catch-up on everything in our lives. You know you have a great friendship when you can go for months without speaking on the phone, and then pick right up where you left off. Carrie, come back ANYTIME--you and your family are great houseguests!!!

Checking out the "hippie van" in Santa Barbara.

These two are pure sweetness together.

Ellery and her BFF.

The crew at the Firestone Winery.

Darin toasting President Reagan.

Ever hear of the movie Sideways? This weekend, we went to the Santa Barbara wine country with our good friends', Jim and Theresa(and their daughter, Tatum). This was the location where they filmed Sideways. It is a beautiful area of the country and we had a great time swimming, hiking, and of course, drinking wine. We had a sitter on Friday night, so we ventured out to the Firestone Winery(yes, this is the Andrew Firestone Winery for you Bachelor fans), and then had dinner at the famous Hitching Post. A great weekend with good friends and great wine!

Silly Darn and Beth.

Swing Ellery, swing.
Hubba, hubba.

This boy loves his papa.

Checking out his stash.

We had a fun 4th of July at our neighbor's house. The children played baseball, went on a 4th prize hunt, and decorated cookies. We were supposed to go swimming, but our weather has been unusually cool for the past month. When it came time for the fireworks(our own neighborhood show), Ellery LOST it. She was terrified and insisted I hold her while she covered her ears. Dane was totally entertained by the sparklers and small display of fireworks. I am always a little concerned when the dads are lighting the fireworks after about 6 margaritas.....they seem to suddenly forget all sense of safety and rationale.

After MANY a cocktail.....can you tell???

My dear, sweet friend, Nicole.

A rare picture of the two of us.

We had the BEST time in Boston. Let me start with items that felt like a breeze without our children:

1. Packing for our trip--no diapers, medicines, thermometers, wipes, baby soap, or car seats.

2. Standing in security line for 30 minutes--no problem.

3. Sleepless night on a red-eye flight--who cares.

4. Waiting 3 hours for our room to be ready--no worries.

5. 90 degree heat with humidity--totally fine.

6. Being hungover--just sleep half the day.

It is amazing how everything that used to stress me out before children, now seems easy when I am only responsible for myself. We travel frequently with the children and don't plan to stop, but I will say that having a child-free trip once in awhile is such a healthy thing for a marriage and your sanity!!!

Back to Boston. This city is one of my favorites. I could walk around all day looking at the buildings, reading about the amazing history(Casey, I totally thought of you), watching the interesting people and street performers, shopping, and listening to the fantastic Boston accents(I seriously love their accents). The people were so friendly and helpful, and the food was DELICIOUS! We had a great time with Darin's company outing, seeing old friends and enjoying great conversation. It was also such a luxury to have some quality time with my husband, not discussing the children or household tasks.

Oh--and the children were perfect for the grandparents.....just as you all told me!

Late this evening, Darin and I leave for Boston......without the children! This will be the first trip we have ever taken without our children. Darin's parents are flying in tonight to stay with them while we are away. I am having some mixed emotions about this trip....a BIG part of me is thrilled to have a few days alone with my husband and some dear friends. On the other hand, I have never been away from them for more than 48 hours and Dane is a bit of a mama's boy. I know they will be fine and well cared for(actually I think Darin's parents will spoil them rotten), but I am still nervous about Dane being whiny and sad. Wish us luck, and pray that Dane is too distracted to notice we are away.

This man, this wonderful man. When I married him, I knew he would be a great husband and assumed he would also be a great father. Well Darin, you have surpassed all of my expectations, 10 times over. I love to watch the children's faces when you pull into the garage after work....they simply light-up. They give the most heartfelt belly laughs when you play with them and act silly. You are absolutely their hero, and mine, too. Thank you for always making us laugh and try new things. Thank you for working so hard to provide for us and thank you for loving us so deeply! Happy Father's Day! XXOOO

The whole crew.

I LOVED the homes!

My busy boy

Sassy, Ellery.

On Monday, we ventured up to Balboa Island to visit Darin's cousin, Denise, and her two children. They are renting an adorable house there for a few weeks, a mere block from the calm waters of intercoastal Newport Beach. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Balboa Island, it is located in Newport Beach, which is part of Orange County. It is this small island with charming shops, restaurants, and the most gorgeous homes. You can easily walk from one end of the island to the other and enjoy eating, shopping, beach combing, or house snooping along the way. The children had a great time combing the beach for shells and jumping in the calm waters.

Today is Ellery's last day of preschool. This feels like such a big deal and I am a little sad. She is more than ready for Kindergarten....she "gets" all of the academic concepts, she is social and mature, but part of me still sees my little baby. California is one of only three states left in the country with a December 1st cut-off date for Kindergarten. Ellery's birthday is Nov. 21st, which will make her one of the youngest, if not the youngest. Having said that, I am still 100% sure she is ready. Our little baby girl is growing-up and mama is feeling some twinges of pain with her maturity.....cliche, but it certainly does go fast!

While driving today, Dane kept rambling the same thing over and over. His language is developing quickly now, but I can not always understand what he is saying. Thankfully, Ellery can generally translate for him and help us figure out what he needs. Our conversation went something like this:
Dane: Dat a bbbeeeeee boobooooo.
Mom: What, Dane?
Dane: Dat a bbbeeeeee booboooooo.
Mom: That a big boo boo?
Dane: Dat a bbbeeeee booboooooo.
Mom: That a big baby?
Ellery: No, mom. He is saying that's a big booty to you!
Mom: Thanks, Ellery.

Practice snorkeling in the pool.

Love this one.

Hula pie--our favorite.

Watching the koi fish.

Check out the hottie!

.

My first Mai Tai--yumm!

Maui...sweet, beautiful, amazing, relaxing, Maui. We had such a lovely visit. The trip mostly consisted of swimming, snorkeling, eating, drinking, swimming, searching for seashells, eating, drinking, and sleeping. The children LOVED the pirate pool at the resort and it kept them entertained for hours. Ellery went snorkeling for the first time--it took her a bit of time to warm-up to doing it in the ocean vs. pool, but then she loved it. We were fortunate to stay at a resort that has wonderful, calm waters for snorkeling right in front of the resort. Darin rented a paddle board and I actually went out on it for a spin. This is a big deal for me, as I am a COMPLETE wimp about water adventures. I am so glad I tried it because it was really fun and a lovely way to cruise around the water.

The only challenge on the trip was the flight home. Our flight left at 1:40, which is exactly the time when Dane takes a nap. We kept him awake thinking that he would certainly fall asleep on the 5 hour flight home....not so much. About 2 hours into the flight, he started FREAKING out and was inconsolable. We were "that" family on the plane and were getting awful looks from many of the other passengers. What a frustrating situation.....your child is screaming, you are trying everything in your power to stop them, and people are staring at you as if you planned the whole freakin' thing--unbelievable! Thank God Ellery was so well behaved or Darin and I may have attempted sky diving. Oh--and Woody Harrelson was on our flight!