slateblu

six flags

I chaperoned a field trip to Six Flags today.  I chaperoned Ava and two of her classmates. She is sweet at this age and I'm enjoying it...

9

We didn't have a birthday party for Jason's 9th birthday - but we had a birthday lunch at Olive Garden (his favorite place) and a Disneyland trip.  The kids had fun and had fun hanging out with their cousins.  Disneyland was very crowded as I'm sure everyone went there for spring break.

 The kids enjoying pineapple ice cream.

The beach boardwalk at California Adventures...

This is the first time I didn't drag my SLR to Disneyland.  It was a lighter load walking around.  The ice cream and boardwalk pictures were taken with my phone.

Bought the boardwalk tote on sale at the store before the trip. I love the size.  I can even hold in my hand and it won't touch the floor. It's usually a problem when you're short =)

Resting today to recuperate from the trip as Disneyland is not quite relaxing.  Not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.

ava

I took off two days last week to take care of this little girl. It entailed going to the doctor's office one day, a follow-up the next, and then a trip to children's ER just because the equipment in the hospital could do a bit more. Ava's back to almost healthy again.  It's hard when your child gets sick.  I'm glad she's doing fine now.

We went to Japantown last Sunday to pick up mochi and to stop by Paper Source.  We also went to la boulange (bay bread) to pick up almond croissants, chocolate croissants, meringues, and bread.

Ava in Japantown at the Peace Plaza (feeling much better).  The day we went was the one year anniversary of the tsunami in Japan. There were some events during the day.  We stayed a little to watch the large scale calligraphy performance.

happy valentines day...

Pictures of Valentine's Day cards and treats in the making:

Learn how to do the origami box here.

ava's first haircut

We haven't cut Ava's hair since she was born...and it's about time we did.  She loves her new haircut even though she's not smiling in the pictures.  With people she's never met before (like the hairdresser) she turns into a very quiet little girl.  This is five years growth of hair.

Now there are hardly any tangles...and never having to tuck her hair in her shirt when she uses the restroom.  

handmade gifts

from Caitlyn of "Knitter in the Kitchen".

The kids and I received a lovely package from Caitlyn just yesterday.  

I love the door knob organizer she made me.  It really comes in handy when you know where everything is and just need to grab and go.

Phone and keys...easy to find...

Coloring sets for the kids... paper and crayons...neatly organized and easy to grab and go when you're out somewhere and they need an activity to keep them occupied.

Thanks so much Caitlyn!

kiki and coco in paris

Last Friday I took off early from work to take Ava to this event. My sister and cousin came as well.

It was a book signing and tea party for the Kiki and Coco in Paris book.  You can see images of the book here.

The author, photographer, and doll maker were present as well as Kiki, the young girl in the book to take pictures and sign books.

From left to right: Nina Gruener, Stephanie Rausser, and Jess Brown

Here is Kiki signing her autograph...

There was crafting and face painting for the little girls...

Champagne, tea, sandwiches and desserts for everyone...

Author Nina Gruener reading the story to all the little girls...

Decor at the tea salon...

The dolls...

Little Miss Ava smiling and ready to go home...

first day of school

I took the day off to take my kiddies to school last Wednesday.  It was Ava's first day of kindergarten.  I was a little nervous for her but she did fine.  At first she didn't want to sit with her class during assembly so she sat by herself.  I stayed in her classroom for a little bit until I thought she was fine and she was.  I only stayed about 20 minutes.  I left when she started to participate in class.  I didn't tear like I did on Jason's first day of kindergarten.  The thing I like about uniforms is that I don't have to figure out what they're going to wear the next day.

disneyland

We went to Disneyland and California Adventure last week with the kids.  Fun but tiring.

Once we arrived we were a bit early so we didn't check into our hotel.  We hung around Downtown Disney and ate lunch at Rainforest Cafe.  We picked up some Lego things for the kids before trying some beignets at the Jazz Kitchen (express) and then headed to our hotel for some swimming and rest for the next two and a half days of Disneyland and CA Adventure.

It was nice and not so crowded at Downtown Disney when we were walking around.

Day 1 at Disneyland, Jason played musical chairs with Alice and the Mad Hatter.  When he became an "unwinner" he had to tell a joke.

Day 2 we spent our time at California Adventure. Ava loves to get her face painted.  At least this painting was smaller compared to the one she had last time.

Day 3 was our 1/2 day at Disneyland again for things we didn't ride before and then we drove back home to the fog, which I welcomed just a little bit.  

Disneyland is fun but not quite your "relaxing" type of vacation.  I think next year we'll go to Hawaii so we can just lounge on the beach instead.  Last day of summer for the kids is today. Tomorrow is the first day of school.  

five

The very beginning of the month little miss Ava turned 5!  Hard to believe how fast she is growing. We had a small family dinner at the house and celebrated with family and friends at a jumphouse the following day. 

 
She is still a big fan of Hello Kitty.

 
Ava and Paige...(hard to get them to look directly in the camera).

 
 
Petit Collage Garlands

 
Made my toothpick flags again...

 
I took the day off today.  We did a quick mini trip to Legoland this past weekend and I'm somewhat resting today and spending time with the kids.