Do something!!!! Yep, we for sure get out and do things. Sometimes 'hot mess' style...just like this post...a hot mess!
I love my parents, but we really did not do that much when we were children. Divorce, three kids, lack of interest to do so, sports...maybe it was not in their personalities. I digress.
Culture, is what my children will never lack in their lives. As long as I am around these babies will go and hunt out beauty, help others, and enjoy the short time that they have here on earth. We may not travel the world, but I make damn sure we get the most bang out of southern cali:) Active is what they will be. I just pray it does not back fire on me!
So, Presidents day...we go to the RNL with the kids. They even got to see Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt (live actors). Even though we have been numerous times since they were little it will never get old. I think this last trip might have been Derek's first?
*I remember when the above statues were bronze*
*of course there is a tree to climb on just past the rose garden*
My new favorite spot is Corona Del Mar. I am beginning to love South County. So flipping expensive though. Over spring break we went to walk the streets and go to Rogers Garden. There is this sweet shop, SO cute and the kids loved the ice cream. I am not sure if we will make it this summer because of the tourist crowd, but for sure in the winter!
Oh and of course my races. My time was horrible, but I finished 7th in my age group. So sad to see the pictures of those that have lost their lives to disease, but it is very inspiring.
This and the above picture are out of order...sorry.
So Derek and I have been making more of a point to spend time on dates with the kids. I take Drew and Derek takes the girls. Of course, we always hang out on our own time with one child or the other, but we have "date day" so that the kids know/notice them. Most of the time Drew and I go bowling. It is cheap and fun. This time we went for Inn & Out and had a picnic at one of our favorite spots, The Fullerton Arboretum. This last time we actually got to walk the ENTIRE thing! All the way to the end. That is very interesting because when you are there you tend to forget that you are next to the freeway on one side, on another side there is the CSUF baseball field, and at the south side there are the dorms (maybe), I love seeing that huge smile on my eldest face.
**btw, no more
picnics at the arboretum. I am not sure if it has always been like that, but regardless they are cracking down on it. That really pissed people off! Drew and I just found a beach in a lovely spot and ate our yummy burgers there**
Rogers Garden. Oh I love it there. The kids and I walked and walked around that garden/gift shops. SUPER pricey. Lets put it this way..... the bottom left picture below was about $300. I am having Derek make me one. Really I did not realize rocks wrapped up in wire was so pricey! haha.
Awe, one of my cheap favorites! The Ocean Institute in Dana Point. With two old 'working' ships, kid workshops, all the fish you want to see, microscopes, HUGE skeletons, and the beautiful ocean as the backdrop...who would not like it! Our favorite part was the ship. Man, those old ships were cramped! OH and just a tad hint of mold!
Since the kids were wonderfully respectful and patient, we met up with Mr. Kelly at the jetty took some pictures, went to lunch, had ice cream then headed home. The kids use to love it down there with my mom and Brian. Heck, I loved it down there when I was little. Same restaurants, same long line at the ice cream shop. Our kiddos remember everything! They could literally give us adults a tour. I love how Kelly lives in Dana Point now. It just gives us one more reason to make the 30 min trip.
**inquiring minds....no we did not go see Brian/Papa. Divorce stinks, no matter how old a child/adult you are**
Wow, we really love the arboretum! haha. The pictures below are from the first time Derek has ever been there. Dare I say....I expose him to things as well. One day he will appreciate me. The main picture is located by the children's garden and we were wondering why it was so open. Well, Drew and I found out when we were there on our date. They hold wedding ceremonies in there. Beautiful!
We also enjoyed baseball season for Connor. Drew played, but that is for another post to come. Right now Connor is playing on the Al stars for his city. He even hit a home run last weekend and scored twice! But I must point out our cities team is a little better....hehe.
Oh and every once in awhile we go out! Awhile back Derek and I grabbed a bite to eat at DaVine in Brea. Literally some of the best Lebanese food I have ever had! There is even a belly dancer! Sammie works there too, so it makes it even better!
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The doctors and dentist. We love both of them. Well, except for shots and fillings. The babies rarely go to the doctors. Maybe twice a year at the most. All are healthy and happy kiddos. It feels like a family in a $100,000 room. That figure is purely a guess, but I think I am close. Each examination room is state of the art. Good or bad....I am not sure. But technology has not left bedside manner at the door. WE LOVE OUR DOCTOR! The kiddos doctor's son has been in Emma's class for two years now. Yes, it is a little strange because she knows so much about us and I have to see her a class parties. Well, not have to in a bad way. I of course call her Dr. *** and she tells me not to, but I do anyways. She has known our family for 8.5 years,,,she deserves the Dr. in public.
Then there is the dentist. The kiddos were one of her first patients. I am not sure she is super happy about that when it comes to the screams that come from Emma's mouth, but I have referred families to her that have gone and received the same wonderful treatment that our family has. Once again it is a state of the art office and she is USC (I think their physician is too) trained. Ipods- flat screens above every chair, Lego's, a wonderful staff that we see around town and can say hi to, balloons, and most of all they LOVE the kids. She even opened her office up to us on her day off and did not charge extra. Now that is great costumer service. Now if Emma would just not have a cavity that required 'gas' because she screams bloody murder and if Lilly would some how get a bigger mouth so she does not get cavities that would be AWESOME! Drew, of course, has had only one.
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It is always interesting to go bowling and miniature golfing.
First, Camelot is super old and super ghetto. Really it is. My sister in-law use to make out there when she was younger and they have to post cops at night. Perhaps because it is close to the freeway or down a darkened street. Either way, it is a little gross. Please do not get me wrong, I go to parties there...but they must be during the day. Then again now that I think about it we took Drew and his friends there to golf last year at night on the weekend for his birthday. humm. I should really think about things better before I do them, well sometimes. Also, the amount of times I had to find a ball was crazy! I was over it at hole #4. Tis last time Lilly won.....I swear I did not fudge the numbers...hehe.
Second, bowling. It is fun place, but it is a little strange how they are trying to make it hip. It is bowling, does it need to be hip? Clean and clean is good for me. It does not even smell like a bowling alley. Maybe I should not have been bowling with my dad in the worse blowing ally ever when I was little. Perhaps my expectation for them are 'low.' but we do get the mac & chz balls and nachos whenever we go:) The last time the kids and I went and Lilly WON! Yes, the baby won. She was so excited. It was so much fun and cheap! I had two coupons so I only paid $9! Also, for those that do not know sign up for Kids Bowl Free and you can get free games during the day, but you have to pay for the shoes.
I did tell you this post was a hot mess!!!!
