Day 3: Universal Studios

Today was a BLAST! We got up early & headed out to Universal Studios in Hollywood. There was so much to see, but I think we did just about everything we could. We planned on staying until the "park" closed, but the kids had other plans. Prince Charming & I are definitely learning to be flexible on this vacation, that's for sure! We couldn't have asked for better weather, it was PERFECT!

I'll let the pics "speak" for the fun filled day (besides, I'm way too tired to type...)

Days 2, our "easy" day...

I'm back!!!

Ok, I know, I know, it's been FOREVER, sorry! I've been keeping up with everyone on Facebook & have let this go by the way side, sorry. BUT, I'm back.

We are doing something we have never done before, & well, since it's such a big deal for us, decided I would blog about it so you can live vicariously through us. Ok, not really, I'm actually doing this so that I will have a record of everything that we did. So, what are we doing you ask? We are going on our first ever, FAMILY VACATION!!! Now, let me explain... we HAVE gone away as a family before, quite a few times actually, BUT, we don't really count those, because they were always tied into some kind of sporting event. When the boys played hockey, we traveled constantly, & yep, we all went as a family, but the entire weekend revolved around & was spent at the rink. Basketball, softball, same thing. This is really the first time we have ever gone away, all 6 of us, just because.

Where are we headed? Well... right now (yep, even as I type since I'm IN the car on the laptop) we're headed to Southern Cali! We will be gone 12 days & let me tell you... every day is PACKED!!! According to my friend... "this is the most planned vacation ever!" LOL Yeah, she's probably right! We will get to see my dad's family tomorrow, we'll be staying in the city Mike & I are both from & will get to show the kids all the cool places Daddy hung out (& got in trouble). We'll get to spend some time at the beach, I'm getting my very first pedi ever by my aunt. The boys get to go to the Laker game Sun night (watch for them on TV). ;) while the Princess & I will be hanging out at the hotel. We'll be doing Disney for 3 days, Universal Studios 2 days, 1 day at both Sea World & The San Diego Zoo. Yep, told you it was going to be jammed packed! We are SO excited!!!

Ok, I think that's about it for now, esp since I don't have any pics to add yet, but keep coming back, I'll definitely be posting tons in the week to come!

Have a great one everyone & I'll see ya later!

I'm alive!!!

Yes, I know it's been a while, sorry. We had a good summer, the Princess & I took a few trips to Ptld to see Nammy & Papa, but other than those, we stayed pretty close to home. We all enjoyed our time in the pool & just hanging out with friends. I don't think there were more than 3 days total when we didn't have "extras" hanging out with us. We had tons of laughs & made some good memories.

Today is the day we (ok, *I*) have been looking forward to... the 1st day of school!!! I love having the kids home, but at the same time, I love the schedule we have to be on during school. I love the early bedtimes, the structure we have back in our days. I love being able to work in the classrooms.

We did our "traditional" Father's Blessings last night with the boys after we had a nice BBQ in the backyard. All 4 kiddos were in bed by 8:30 (we're going for earlier tonight) & this morning was nice & easy. It's so hard for me to believe Bonez is an 8th grader & C-Man is starting 6th. Where has the time gone? How can they all be getting older when I'm not?

I made the boys stand by "the tree" this morning before catching the bus, unfortunately, the sun was in their eyes, so the pics aren't the best, but oh well, at least I got them!

Funny thing about Bubby... since he doesn't attend the neighborhood school, I have to take him every morning. I knew I would want to walk him in today, so after the other 2 left for the bus, I jumped in the shower to get myself ready (Heaven forbid I show up without a shower first lol). I got all done & was doing Roo's hair after her shower & the next thing I knew, it was 8:48. HOLY COW, school starts at 8:50!!! Yep, Bubby was "late" on the first day of school!!! Luckily, I found a semi close parking spot & we ran in. Turns out, he has a sub today, his teacher had an emergency of some kind & couldn't make it. I know Bubs was disappointed about that, but I'm hoping he has a good day anyway!

Ok, here are a few of the pics I snapped before they all took off.

I had to force them to let me take one of them together lol:
Bonez, 8th grade:
C-Man, 6th grade:
Bubby, 2nd grade:


The Princess & I are loving the nice, quiet, clean house, but I'm excited for the boys to get home so I can hear all about their days. It's days like this that I LOVE being a stay at home mom!!! I wouldn't want to miss this for anything in the world! I have the best job ever! (remind me of this in a month or so when I'm sick of getting up so early).

Ok, I have to tell this funny story real quick... so C-Man's teacher from last year is a HUGE Celtics fan, C, of course, is NOT. This was a major "thing" for them last year, anyway, when the Lakers won the Championship, C announced then & there, that on the first day of school, he was going "All Laker" & then was going to walk into Mrs. W's class to "just say hi & rub it in". Well, he kept his word & wore Laker clothes, including his shoes! He's going with me to pick up Bub's today so he can go see her. Funny kid!!!

Kids+sun+water= FUN!

This is how my kids decided to entertain themselves in the 98 degree weather today (Ok, not sure exactly how hot it got, it was 98 when Prince Charming was on his way home at 5:30 tonight)...









What they don't know is that tomorrow, it's MY turn! LOL

Princess Roo's hair...

Ok, so I found a super cool idea on a hair blog I follow (Yes, I follow hair blogs, does this surprise you?! LOL) anyway, Jenn had an idea on there that I thought sounded like a TON of fun. She usually has great step by step instructions WITH pictures to go with her super cute hairstyles. This time, she decided to NOT add any pics, just give instructions, then it was up to us to "figure it out". After we "figured it out", she wanted us to post our "interpretation" of HER style on our blog.

After Roo got out of the shower, I got busy & this is what I came up with. It's very simple, but cute (I think so anyway) & I love it. We will definitely do this again.

Here are a few pics.

Front


Side


Back/Top


Front/ her just being silly


Top



Thanks Jenn, this was super fun!

Mom, Mindy, Renae...

These pics are for you, pics of the "Star" in Princess Roo's hair for the 4th...

This is how it was when I first did it & yes I know it's crooked & no, I didn't fix it, I left it that way all day!


This is how it looked when we went out that night to watch the fireworks...

This is a "bonus" pic, just because I love it & think it's cute...



(Bonez isn't in this because he was with his BFF for the weekend.) Hope you all had a WONDERFUL 4th of July!

**Disclaimer** I can't take credit for coming up with this idea, I found it on a blog & then went from there with it.