Skuut Bike

Today we stopped by a local consignment fair and we found an almost new Skuut Balance Bike. It was priced just right and so I picked it up. After dinner tonight, we took him for a ride! Sooo fun. I imagine by the start of summer he'll be skuuting around the court all by himself. We also got him to put on AND wear his helmet! Only been working on that one for five plus months! YEAH!!!

Not wanting to let go of Mommy

At least we got a smile!

What a big boy!!!

 

Starting out

Getting the hang of it

Almost ready to do it on his own!! Just look at that smile!

We are just so lucky to have such a wonderful little boy who embraces new things and is ready to try just about anything Mom and Dad decide he should!

A Perfect Mother's Day

This year my Mother's Day was probably the best one yet. Collin got up with Tyler, letting me sleep into 8:30! Whoo hooo. I figured I would have woken up when Tyler woke up and I did, but not enough to get out of bed. While I slept, Collin and Tyler made me a delicious breakfast of wild berry bread french toast with Nutella (YUM!), powdered sugar and fresh strawberries. There was bacon on the side along with a wonderful glass of juice. The tray that was presented to me in bed when Tyler ran in yelling "Wake Up Momma" included fresh cut white roses from our back yard. It was wonderful!

Then there were gifts. Tyler gave me a great frame that says "Mommy & Me" which he apparently picked out himself! What a sweet boy. I have the perfect picture to put in it!

I also got a new bottle of my favorite perfume - Burberry! It is such a treat to put it on each morning. 

We got dressed and headed down to Manhattan Beach to meet Collin's parents for lunch. It was a very lovely day. Collin made reservations at the Tin Roof Bistro. It's a newer (at least to us) restaurant near our old home in El Segundo. It was so nice to be near our old home. We love it down there and the weather was absolutely beautiful that day.

The best picture we could get of the two of us

We had a great lunch and then headed over to the park in El Segundo. Tyler had lots of fun playing on the slide with Grandpa and Daddy. He had fun in the firetruck with Grandma and I had fun taking pictures!

We ended the day with an ice cream treat. Grandma and Tyler shared a smoothie while the rest of us had a little ice cream. Tyler passed out in the car and we had a quiet evening at home with the three of us. The boys have a lot to live up to in future years. A Mommy could not feel more loved than I did this day! I also have a lot to live up to...Father's Day is not far off! I have to make sure he knows he is SUPER loved by us too!

Visiting the Butterflies

The Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles holds a special place in my heart. It was the first field trip I ever took my students on when I was a teacher in Culver City. Each year we went we heard about the butterfly pavilion but it was never possible to take my students there. Last year I took Tyler. Although he enjoyed it, he was a little young. The pavilion recently opened up again for the Spring/Summer and so we went again. We went Morgan and her two daughters, Sophie (2) and Norah (born this year on Tyler's birthday!). The kids loved the exhibit! Tyler got to see caterpillar eggs, a few chrysalises, and of course a BUNCH of butterflies. One even landed on Morgan's shoulder which was cool for the kids to see.

Painted Lady

  

See the chrysalis?

Sophie and Tyler

On the move again

Looking closer

 

Buddies!

Enough already

What is really awesome about this exhibit is how up close and personal the kids can get with the butterflies. It is a great learning experience and one I hope we can take Daddy to!

Hot Spring Days in the Pool

This spring has had it's fair share of beautiful days. In the last two months we've had a handful of days in the 90's and it's not even June yet! We are lucky to have become such good friends with DezRae and her daughter Peyton for a number of reasons, including the fact that they love to swim as much as we do. They live in a great community with a PERFECT beach entry pool. We have been fortunate enough to spend a few afternoons lounging in the water. Tyler is so comfortable now. At the beginning he clung to me so tightly. Now I have to remind him that it gets deep and he shouldn't stray too far away from me. Here are a couple of fun pool pictures from this spring.

Checking it all out

Preparing for the pool. He loves Mommy's hat!

Tyler and the ladies - Sophie and Peyton.

A Funny Moment

This morning Tyler and I were in the shower and just about finished when he said "I need a bath." I asked why and he said "dirty." When I asked what was dirty he said "my penis dirty. Wash in bath." Only a boy would think that after taking a shower he needs a bath to clean his penis. I love my little boy. He makes me laugh!

Easter Sunday

For Easter this year we headed up to Roseville to spend time with my family. It was going to be a great day because Katie and her family would be there, Emily was there, my aunt Lynne was there and Wendy and her kids were there. I haven't seen all of these people together in one room in I don't know how long...maybe my wedding almost five years ago?!? So it was a great thrill to me that we could make it happen.

We left Friday evening and began the long road trip. Tyler and Daddy had played at the park that afternoon while I had an acupuncture appointment so he was nice and tired. He fell asleep about ten minutes into the trip. We made it three hours before we stopped to grab some dinner and a stretch. Tyler was so good in the car. The last hour and a half or so we pulled out the portable DVD player and surprised him with some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He sat there in his seat, carefully holding onto that DVD player as if it was gold. He LOVED having the DVD player and was so good. By the time we made it to Roseville he was pooped but in a great mood.

Saturday was a pretty casual day at my parents house. We hung out and enjoyed spending some time together.

Sunday was really the highlight of the weekend. The Easter Bunny visited that morning at my parents house. As usual, we were all VERY spoiled. Tyler loved his basket of goodies and couldn't wait to open everything up.

What a nice Easter bunny!

"Look Mommy, a dinosaur!"

It didn't take long to find the candy

More candy...

Once Katie, Lynne and Wendy got there the house was full of energy. We had an egg hunt in the backyard for all of the kids. In the end I think there were about 80-100 eggs for five kids! LOTS of sugar inside those eggs, that is for sure.

On the move...Chance, Noah and Hannah

Tricky Easter Bunny...hiding eggs on the Frisbee IN the pool

Tyler found his first egg

Loving this!

On a mission

Getting some help from Daddy

ANOTHER ONE!

Still searching...the basket is getting heavy

Daddy, you hold it!

Don't look so happy, Tyler.

We had a lovely Easter dinner outside and enjoyed a great day of family time. Collin flew home that evening while Tyler and I planned to stay for a few extra days. It was sad to see him go, but am glad we could spend the day together.

Jammin on the piano with Lila

Playing ball with Ashley

Holding her hand. He just ADORES Ashley

Cheering her on as she holds the baseball

What a great job sharing the bat with Ashley

He was shirtless because he kept dumping freezing water from the pool on himself. Silly boys!

Matt and Grammy

Cousin Ashley - 6 months old