Happiness with Kids!!

Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself how lucky I am to get to spend ALL day, EVERYDAY with these kids!! Maddy will be off to PreK this Fall (5 days a week!!!) and I'm going to miss her being with me all the time :(

 Today being the little sister paid off-- Abby's classmate celebrated his birthday at pickup and distributed cupcakes!! Maddy got one too!!

And this afternoon while I was cleaning up the house, Abby went and got the mail for me (her new favorite thing to do) and told me something was on the wipe off board for me. In case I was going to miss that note!!! "Mom its to Days Mail" --I love that she can read and write pretty well now!

International Day- FOOD!!

Saturday afternoon Mike's school hosted an "International Food Day"

36 countries were represented and served/sold a traditional food/drink!

I ate my way through $15 of ethnic foods that were DELISH!!

I ate some from Japan, Pakistan, Canada and MORE!

This is truly a good event to come visit for next year!!

They had bounce houses and face painting for the kids!

 Canada- Poutine (fries covered in cheese & gravy)

Did the Canadians really invent Rice Crispy Squares?? Hmmmm

Sparkle!!!

 

Mike surprised me this past Friday night, on our way out the door to a adults only Auction night out for Abby's school. I was all dressed and ready to go, but needed to throw some earrings on before the sitter arrived. He turned and gave me a small box, an early 10 YEAR anniversary gift!!

Gorgeous diamond screw-in earrings!! Beautiful, sparkly, and very special!!

XOXO Love you Mike!!! I haven't taken them off yet!!!

Tea Party

We spend a LOT of time outside!

I joined Maddy one afternoon for an Olaf tea party!!

We JUST discovered that the play coffee maker set we got them for the holidays, actually processes liquid!! Who knew??!!?! So now its evolved into an outdoor water fun toy!!

Sun & Water

Last week was warm and wonderful here!!

So we took full advantage after school one day and headed to the beach!!

Race & Friends

Two weeks ago my good friend Danielle & her girls came for a weekend visit!

It also happened to be the weekend of Mike & Abby's 3K Kids Race!

The race started/ended at Lovers Point park!

Great weekend of running, tball & friends!

Easter with the Smiths

Taking full advantage of still being in CA, we ventured North for Easter to Mike's mom's house.

It was a beautiful sunny day and the kids got to enjoy some little dog time!! Which they LOVE!!

 My Easter appetizer creation!! (from Pinterest of course)

 Our nephew Dane

 The girls horsed around in the backyard with Uncle Anker and had him all tied up!!

 Clearly Easter wore her out!!!

Family Ride

A few weeks ago we went out one evening for a family bike ride!

Abby's first bike ride solo, out of the trailer! She did over 3 miles all by herself!

SO PROUD!!

Stopped along the way to see the new seal pups along the beach!

Nom Nom YUM!

We've been pretty good at eating low/no carb and no dairy for most meals these days, but especially dinners!! Last month I tried a cauliflower pizza crust! I LOVED it!!!!

I need to adjust the recipe a bit to make it more hand-held, but as a base it was fantastic and much less filling; but still VERY satisfying!!

Growing UP

This kid just keeps growing up......too fast sometimes!

This morning I let her ride her bike to school (Maddy and I followed in the stroller of course)!

But she amazed me!! She stopped at every intersection, as instructed. AND made it all the way up the steep hill to her school without stopping or running over anyone :)

Parked her bike, hung up her helmet........and off she went to school!!

Pretty sure she's going to ask to do this DAILY!!!!

Of course riding home is downhill and WAY more fun!!

Family TWISTER Game Night

 The kids LOVE when we all play games together. And now that Maddy is growing up, and can understand it all, its fun to do it together!! She spun the wheel during Twister last night.

Giggles heard all around!!!!

Sunny Days

 Monterey is one of the best places to live......so versatile!

Maddy and I got out on Tuesday this week for a run at the wharf! Her growing body gives me more resistance each time we go!!

And yesterday the girls played at the park a bit after school--a little See-Saw time!! 

Not a cloud in the sky!

Visit with Family

I love living close to everyone on this Navy tour!

It allows day trips to visit family on a whim!!

Got to see my Cousin Erin and her family, as well as Amy & Adam last weekend!

Great fun had by the adults and kids!!!

Batter UP!!!!

 The girls joined their first T-Ball team this season!

And they are on the team together (Ages 4-6); even better!!

Last weekend was their fist game, and they did GREAT!!

 Above: Maddy chewing the coaches ear off.....usual chatty cathy!!

 Above: Abby with her pink glove, ready for a ball!

 Snacks on the bench after the game!!

 Being on a team together is something they will remember forever!! (Or at least I will :))

Practice Run

 Mike and Abby are signed up to run the "3K Kids Run" race as part of the Big Sur Intl' Marathon that is happening here next weekend 4/26. So a few weeks ago we went out for a practice run! Abby's first time running!!

April Happenings

 Abby decided she LOVES runny eggs!!

 And they both decided they now love ROXY

 Otter time!!