A tree is re-planted

For my 35 birthday (which won't happen for another 8 years since I am only 27), Tim and the kids planted a japanese maple for me in front of the house. After the loss of our apricot tree from front and center of our yard, we invested in massive stump grinding episode and transferred the maple out front. We can't wait for the tree to grow up with the kids!

Memorial Day Recap

Another Memorial Day, another weekend surrounded by Reeths! This time we spent the weekend up in wine country, which was a great addition to Yosemite, Shasta, & Mendocino of years past. We headed up Saturday morning, and despite a little rain, had a great time in the pool, at Train Town in Sonoma, at various eateries, and generally around the hotel with the cousins - its amazing how exciting an elevator is for the under-4 set. It was a great tradition, a great weekend, and we're already looking forward to next year.

4/16 At Gilroy Gardens

Wow - so now it takes about 6 weeks to stay current on the blog. Life is good, job is not, but children are wonderful!

In April, we went down to Gillroy Gardens with Mamma & Poppa and had a wonderful time. Miles loved the cars, the train, the rides and running around. Amelia needed a little bit of warming up (she went straight from a nap in the car to a merry-go-round), but took to it after that. We'll certainly go back soon.

Dance!

Miles has always loved music, but Amelia is coming along on the same trajectory and loves to dance. She'll actually say "Dance" and then clap her hands and move her body back and forth. 2 days ago, we actually motivated the kids into the bath and up to bed by a parade. Amelia loved the whole process.

Happy Easter

This was a jammed packed Easter. Miles must now believe Easter as well as birthdays last days. Easter "started" on Thursday, with an egg hunt and party at Momma Sues. Followed by Momma and Pappa coming to visit that evening and staying through until Sat. mid-morning.

This video of Amelia pretty much sums up the party at Momma Sues.

Friday, we all went to Happy Hollow, had pizza for lunch, naps, then egg painting followed by Chinese take-out.

Miles giving the Frog Hopper at Happy Hollow a second chance.

The first attempt (months ago) ended with stopping the ride so he could get off.


Mia looking fab, checking out the scene.

Saturday was the Easter egg hunt for Miles and Amelia in our yard. The Easter Bunny laid some massive amounts of eggs. After Momma and Pappa left, we took Miles and Amelia, via CalTrain, to the San Mateo Park for their egg hunt, which included live music, magic show, Easter Bunny, miniature train rides, a lady on stilts.... We had about 30 mins to spare before the train home would arrive, so we popped in to a movie theater along the way to get Miles and Amelia some pop-corn. $5.50 for a small - OUCH! I took Lina paying for the pop corn as an opportunity to take Miles into one of the theaters to see the big screen. "Too dark" he said, but was impressed with the magnitude of the screen. After naps we chilled at home, finished off the pop corn and played together.

"Sit next to Mia and smile."

Sunday we washed and dressed for Easter Sunday at Aunt Patsy's. Miles and Amelia couldn't have been better dressed or behaved. Third egg hunt and some running and bouncing later, we had a great lunch then headed home.

Peter Pan Explained

"Miles, eat your dinner."

"Why?"

"So you can grow up to be big and strong."

"I don't want to get big."

"Why?"

"Because then Daddy can't carry me anymore."

Howling at the Moon

Brennan came to visit Miles and brought his Mom to BBQ with us. Brennan and Miles used the bouncy castle (a birthday gift from Daddo and Beebles) to its fullest. It was a great day, which quicly turned into evening. Both stayed up past their bedtimes, eating snacks and watching "Cars" from their sleeping bags.

Miles and his BFF, Brennan - Howling at the Moon.

The week previous, we opened the bouncy castle and test drove it on the driveway. We had a bout 30mins before it would rain. We were surprised at how fast it inflates, how rigid it is (sturdy) and how fast it packs back up.

Miles testing out his Bouncy Castle.