The Twin's Disneyland Birthday party

   I love throwing parties for the kids birthdays.  I know that they always have a great time and I think I will make some great memories for them growing up.  So this year I was trying to come up with a theme for Joe and Nick.  They would be celebrating their third birthday.  We tried to think of things that they really like and the best I could come up with was Disneyland.  They are obsessed with Disneyland.  They talk all the time about when we will go next and what we will go on.  They even pretend to go to Disneyland.  They take one of our toy buckets and run through the house telling me which ride they are on.  So it was decided.  Disneyland birthday party.  Here is what we came up with and how we celebrated.

First thing is the attire.  I found a great set of instructions on how to make mickey mouse tie dyed shirts. I made 10 shirts total.  One for each kid, one for Ray and I and each Grandparent got their own shirt for the party.  I think they turned out pretty good.  I want to wear them to Disneyland one day so I can get a castle picture in our cool shirts.  Ray is a little reluctant.  He just said "I don't think tie dye is that popular any more."  Maybe I will allow him to bring a shirt to change into as long as he will be in one picture.

Family picture right before the party started.

     I got some simple Mickey mouse decorations from party city.  Although I had tons of fun DIY crafts for Disney I just didn't have the time.  I will just use some of our ideas and craft projects with the kids later.  The one thing I did make was Disney quote print outs.  I found quotes from different movies and printed them out with a picture from the movie.  I taped them up all around my moms house.  A lot of people came up to me and said they were great.   I didn't take many pictures of just the decorations but in this picture you can see a pooh bear quote and a little bit of our Mickey banner.  Not to mention it's a great picture of Lilly with her Grammy and Great Grammy.

Lilly got a new princess chair 

   I decided to have most of our entertainment outside.  With as many kids as we were expecting it would be difficult to keep them cooped up inside.  So we turned my parents backyard into a bunch of Disney inspired activities.  My parents have a small pool and a play structure already.  So we made signs for Ariel's undersea adventure.  We put some Ariel bath toys for the kids to swim with.  Mostly these got thrown out for more play space and the sign got destroyed in some water gun fights but the thought was there.

Pool Set up before the party

Squirt gun battle between swimmer and grown ups

The play structure we named Tarzan's Tree house.  Underneath the play structure is a sandbox which we turned into a Pirates of the Caribbean treasure dig.  Each kid got to take a loot bag and find the buried treasure, gold coins and plastic rings.  I set up a Finding Nemo's bubble chest filled with bubble solution and a bunch of bubble wands.

Nemos bubble chest

Pirate Treasure Dig

We had a Jedi Training academy.  Each kid could pick a home made pool noodle light saber and a cape (made by my mom) and learn to fight the dark side.

Jedi Training Academy

Ray made Pool Noodle Light sabers for each kid

Home made capes in a variety of colors for each kid.

 Luckily my husband and a few other parents were willing to play light saber fights with the kids.  I didn't get a picture of it but my husband said he tripped on his Jedi robe and fell on his back side.  Then was attacked by about 15 pool noodle wielding kids. Oh how I wished I was out there for that moment.

Light sabers = fun for everyone even the grown ups

Father  and Son Jedi Training

We had a toontown bowling, a toy story bean bag toss and a splash mountain boat races.  Our boat races were in rain gutters and the kids used squirt guns to power their boats and race.

Toy Story Bean Bag Toss

Toontown Bowling

Rain gutter boat races

Marry Poppins also made a guest appearance for a few minutes.  She couldn't stay long because it was really hot and her coat is ridiculously hot.  But the kids did enjoy her coming around for a bit.  She even let them play with her umbrella for a bit.

Grandma dressed up like Mary Poppins to Surprise the boys

    We had a bunch of food for everyone.  Chips dips, and sandwiches.  But of course the favorite is the desert.  I made a cake that I tried to make look like Sleeping Beauty's castle.  Not a easy feat for an amateur cake maker.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle cake

 I also tried to make some fun Disneyland treats.  We had chocolate covered bananas, mickey mouse rice treats and some chocolate covered mickey pops.

Chocolate Disneyland treats

After the kids had played around for a while it was time to cut into the cake.  As I was bring the cake around Nick kept saying "That's my cake, that's my birthday cake."  I know they were very excited to have a cake that looked like a castle.   Nick and Joe were so surprised to have people singing to them.  They just stood there grinning.  They loved blowing out the candles, which they have been talking about for weeks.  I think everyone enjoyed the desserts.  Its always a little nerve wrecking when I make something like that.  I always hope it comes out OK.

Blowing out the candles

Singing happy birthday

Joe loves his mama's cake!

Lilly says, "Ssshhhh. Don't tell mom Uncle David Gave me Cake."

 Last but not least the boys got to open their presents.  It is amazing how much they can change in a year.  This year they really understood presents and saying thank you.  It makes a mom so proud to see that.

Joe and Nick getting ready for presents

Nick digging into one of his presents

At the end of the party each guest got to take home their pirate treasure bag, their pool noodle light saber, Jedi cape and a little party bag.

Mickey gift bags

All in all I call it a successful party.  The boys had a great day.  I think all of the guests had a god time.  I watched all the kids having a great time swimming and playing.  I think all of the food was great.  The most tell tale sign that it was a successful toddler birthday party, I was exhausted!!!  Well worth it though to see my kids enjoy their day.  Time to start planning James and Lilly's party now...

31 years old today

    Today I am 31.  I had a good day.  It was pretty laid back.  I am not one to make a big fuss over my birthday.  In fact my husband has come to find it quite an annoying attribute of mine when he asks me what I want for my birthday and I can't think of a single thing.  So today we had a pretty normal Monday.
    Lilly woke up a ton during the night so that was a bit of a bummer.  I have to admit I was pretty cranky and over tired this morning but nothing too bad.  The kids and I did some water color paintings then went to swim lessons.  The boys are doing so good.   I was really amazed at their progress when we went to a pool this weekend and Joe was swimming around perfectly with no help.  James is almost there.  He tends to swim straight up and not want to put his face in the water.  A bit of an awkward dog paddle.  Nick is a little less adventurous and likes to have a pool noodle under his arms.  I'm sure he will be swimming soon too.

The boys enjoying their swim lessons

   When we came back home the boys wanted to help get ready for their birthday party which is this weekend.  So I decided to make some of the cakes I needed to get done.  The boys love to help me bake.  It s a little tricky because they spill things and dump stuff on the counter.  I really hope their cakes are OK and not missing too much flour or sugar.  We will find out on Saturday.

My big helpers

   When Ray came home he had a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me.  I admit I do love flowers.  The boys and Ray went and got my presents that the boys picked out themselves.  They told Ray that I needed a watch a backpack and some books.  I don't know where they got that idea but that was what they picked out for me.  They got me a pretty purple watch, a great backpack to replace my old red bag that I use for a diaper bag, and Ray got me a gift card for Barnes and Noble.  I am exited to take some time to go look around a book store.  It is one of my favorite things to do.

The boys yelling Happy Birthday Mom with my pretty flowers.

   After dinner I went to book club to discuss Molaka'i by Alan Brennert. Its a nice way to spend the evening.  It was a great book and I enjoyed talking about it and hearing different people's perspective.  When I got home Nick was still awake.  He came out of his bedroom and checked to make sure I was still wearing my watch.  I put him back into bed after getting a few goodnight kisses.  When I thought he was asleep I took the watch off and put it up on the mantle.  He came back out looked at my wrist and asked where my watch was.
   I told him that I as getting ready for bed and took it off so I could put it on tomorrow.  He looked all around and told me to put it back on.  I have a feeling I am going to get a lot of use out of my purple watch considering I can't even take it off to go to bed.
   Ray is going to get me a Sunday from Baskin Robins which I am very excited about.  All in all I think it was a pretty good day.

Who would't want to spend their birthday with these cuties?

 

It's been six wonderful years

 

Six years ago July 2006

     Six years ago I married Ray.  We were done with college and moving on to our careers.  We had moved up to LA and bought out first home, my grandmothers house.  It was exciting to be married and fixing up the house to make it our home. 

Five years ago, summer 2007

     Five years ago we were trying to grow our family.  But while that wasn't happening as we planned we spent time enjoying each other and our family.  We planned a sailing trip to Alaska with our parents and had a fantastic time.

Four years ago, July 2008

    Four years ago we had decided to adopt.  We went forward with a domestic new born adoption and were on the waiting list to be matched with a birth mother.  It was a difficult time trying to wait to hear a phone call that would make us parents but we managed.

Three years ago, Summer 2009

    In one year we went from a family of two to a family of five.  What a wild ride. In November our first son James was welcomed into our family then 8 months later Joseph and Nicholas were born.  It was a year of struggle with a contested adoption and a high risk pregnancy but we were lucky to have each other and our three beautiful babies.

 

Two year ago, July 2010

Two years ago we were finally getting the hang have having three little boys.  My husband is an amazing man and I don't think I could have made it through the first year with three infants if I didn't have him by my side.  We cherished the quiet moments we had together as they were few and far between.  We faced every obstacle as new parents as a team and our marriage has grown stronger each day.

One year ago, summer 2011

    One year ago we were moving into our new home.  It was difficult to say goodbye to our home but it was exciting to be moving onto a new chapter in our lives.  We were also expecting our fourth child.  We had just found out that it would be a girl.  Most people thought we were crazy but there we were three two year olds and a new baby on the way.

July 2012

Our crazy kids

       Now after six years of marriage we are a family of six.  I look back at our  life for the past six years and I just smile.  I love my husband more and more each day.  I love our children and the family we have become.  I feel like I am the luckiest person to have found such a wonderful man and I know we have many more great years ahead of us.

Fourth of July in San Diego

    Fourth of July was a little awkward since it was on a Wednesday this year.  We decided to head down to San Diego on the weekend before and stay through the fourth.  We had a great time.  It was a little tricky as we are still in the middle of potty training.  We did survive with lots of activities and minimal accidents.

Sometimes there were some fights on the rides

   We drove up on Friday and planned on going to the Del Mar Fair on Saturday.  The kids had a great time.  Last year they were a little small to enjoy any of the kiddie rides.  This year they couldn't' get enough.  I can tell you it is very easy to go through tickets with three kids.  It was great fun to watch them enjoy rides.  I can't believe how fast they are growing up.  Most of the rides the boys were able to go on by themselves.  Their grandpa was nice enough to ride on the small roller coaster with them when I was afraid that they would fall out.
    Of course one of the best parts about the county fair is the food.  We didn't indulge in too much of the friend wonders that were available except the kids did have corn dogs.  This year Ray and I had BBQ chicken served in a pineapple.  Everything is more fun when you eat it out of a pineapple.  We also had some huge ice creams.  Everything is big at the fair.

James enjoying his ice cream.

    One of my favorite things about the fair is the animals.  I know that most of the animals might not seem that interesting but I love seeing all the different livestock.  The boys liked walking through and looking at the cows and goats but they also loved the elephant rides.  We go the the LA zoo so the boys have seen elephants but they are usually far away in the middle of their enclosure.  Here they get to see how massive they are up close and ride on one.  This year they went on with Grandpa.  When Joe got off he told me "Mom, it's a little tippy, you have to hold on."  Although it is a pricey day its worth.  The kids had a great time.

Elephant ride with Grandpa

  We certainly planned a busy time while we were visiting.  On Sunday we decided to go to the YMCA in Santee.  They have a great pool with a play structure in it.  The kids had so much fun.  Even Lilly got to enjoy splashing around in the water.  Since we started swim lessons and we set up the little pool in my parents yard the boys are getting more and more comfortable in the water.  It took Nick a little time to warm up but eventually he started running around with his brothers.  He is still not a huge fan of being squirted, so a play structure with water shooting everywhere is not really the bet option for him.  There is nothing like being out and swimming to really tired kids out.  Many times I seem to find myself asking "What can I do to tired these little guys out."  Water parks are a definite yes for tiring three little boys out.

Joe sliding down into the water

   The boys had swim lessons on Monday, so Sunday night Ray drove home with the boys and his dad.  He left Lilly and I in San Diego.  This meant that I had the evening and Monday morning with just my little girl.   Unfortunately she decided to be up in the middle of the night.  At about 3:30 she woke up and refused to go back to sleep until about 5:30.  At least I knew if she slept in I didn't have three little boys waiting for me in the morning.  She woke up and nursed in the morning until about 9:30.  I seriously can not remember the last time I was still in bed at 9:30.  We got up and had some breakfast.  I really wanted to take her shopping.  Whenever my mom and I have a day together we would always go shopping.  Even if we didn't need anything in particular it was just a fun thing to do.  

    So off we went .  The first thing I really wanted to do was go to the book store.  So many of the stores have closed around us and it makes me so sad.  I used to love wondering around just looking at books and picking a few new ones to read.  There is one right down the street from my in laws so that was our first stop.  I also had enough time to go clothes shopping at two different stores.  That's right I went to three stores with my little Lilly.  I can't tell you how much stuff I can get done with just one kid in tow.  She even let me try on clothes.  We both got some new clothes to celebrate our day together.

Lilly relaxing after our morning of shopping.

   We got back home around lunch time.  I was so excited I was going to be able to let her nurse and snuggle as long as she wanted.  She took a huge nap while I watched a couple of episodes of The Ghost Whisperer.  (A show which I have yet to be able to get through one episode without crying)  It was great.  We had time to play and roam around the house before the boys came home back.  Of course the second they came in it was hectic and noisy.  I did love my quiet day with Lilly but there was a part of me that missed my boys.

Fourth of July

    On Tuesday we took it easy and played around the house trying to get some things ready for our big Fourth of July.  We were excited that my Aunt Sharon was going to be coming over.   My cousin and her family would also be joining us.  I was very excited to see them.
  On Wednesday we spent some time over at my Aun's house looking at all of her remodeling in projects.  The kids also love playing with her puppy Bella.  We also stopped by the Santee community festival.  They had a  bunch of blow up bounce houses and slides.  The kids had a great time running and around and going through the obstacle courses. 

Party poppers

    Around 5:30 everyone came over to my in laws house for Dinner.  We had all sorts of fun holiday junk to pass around.  The kids loved the confetti poppers  Unfortunately they run out so quickly and leave confetti every where but they are still fun.  It was great seeing my cousin and her family.  My kids love to play with hers.  We has a fantastic evening with fabulous food.  Paul smoked some ribs and Amy made some great sides.  The boys helped me make a fun red white and blue cake which surprisingly turned out pretty good.  We also had a pretty good view of the fireworks from the backyard.  Only Joe survived through the end. James, Nick, and Lilly fell asleep before the end of the fireworks

My three little party animals

Joe showing off his culinary skills with our fancy cake.

My cousin and our daughters

    I always try to make holidays memorable for my family.  I like to get silly things like hats and beads from party city.  I like to make fun desserts with the kids and hope that we make some fun memories.  The best part are those few quick moments that I get to share with my husband.  We are often so busy running around after the kids that its easy to get lost in the hustle.  Every once in awhile we get to sneak in a hug or a kiss here and there.  We are coming up on our 6 year anniversary soon.  YEAH!

One of my favorite pictures, even if I am wearing a silly tiara.

 I hope everyone had a Happy Fourth of July and made some fun memories with friends and family.