Disneyland at 4

4 years old...WOW!  I thought that Disneyland was the most appropriate way to celebrate my baby's (I will call him that forever!) 4th birthday and seriously, we had a lot of fun.  Between meeting all the Mickey Mouse characters (minus Pete, Clarabelle and the Professor), Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore, going on Small World, Jungle Ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan, Nemo, Cars Ride (which by the way is amazing) and the gigantic Ferris Wheel, Goofy's Kitchen for a birthday breakfast...and staying in a great room..WE HAD FUN!!!  Zackary got our undivided attention for one day and then Emeline came along the second day.  She had fun too, was a little nervous with the characters at first, especially Goofy, but warmed up and soon was screaming in excitement every time she saw them.  Zackary did really really well.  He behaved himself, endured the rides that made him nervous, stood in the lines and genuinely ran after the characters to give them a hug and try and play with them.  It was fun for us to watch him, at the most magical place in the world.

Um...how cute!

I love this shot.  They brought him a breakfast birthday cupcake and Pluto was right there for the whole event...it was special!

Finally, Mickey!  The first day we were at the park the wait to meet Mickey was too long for me.  I knew we would be able to meet him the next morning with our early entrance into Toontown.  But then there was a parade we went to before going back to the hotel that night...and guess what, Mickey's float broke down before reaching us and they had to reroute the parade but Mickey never showed up.  So sad. With the second day finally upon us, guess what our mission was...find Mickey and give him a big hug.  We got to Toontown bright and early.  We waited over by Mickey's house...and all of a sudden he appeared but he was walking over to the courtyard.  Well, my precious child took off after him, me after Zackary and Ben and Emme after us!  It was hysterical.  

We went over to the new Cars Land...it's amazing.  We all felt like we were in the movie, actually at Radiator Springs...which I guess we were.  The fast ride there is worth the wait, amazing.  Ben was a little hesitant about taking Zackary on it but I felt confident that he would love it...(he loves the movie Cars).  And HE LOVED IT!  So did we!  Lightening McQueen came out driving through the town where you walk...and that was cool too.  Zackary was just in ahh!  

We had a birthday party for him and our family the night before his birthday.  His favorite character is Martian Mickey...so my friend made him a Martian Mickey cake.  It was yummy!  It was more fun to watch him open his presents this time..he was very appreciative of all the cards-he kept going, "ahhhhhh." 

Here we are in a tea cup!  My babies!

This was our view from the hotel.  Zackary ran over to it and never left it until we left the room!!

If he could have he would have ridden the carousel over and over again. Cute pic of him and his Dad!

Silly Donald!
Zackary's really showing amazing growth both with personality and language.  He loves helping in the yard, collecting things (currently rocks, sticks, pine cones), waterfalls/fountains and he makes his own creations that if not perfect he becomes very frustrated about.  He's a great eater, tries whatever we ask, and loves running around with his sister.  He has a lot of new and exciting things happening this month and I can see it catching up to him...it will be nice when things calm down.  He still takes about a 1-2 hour nap a day, wakes around 6:30 and goes to bed now with school around 7-7:30pm (summer was 8pm).  He misses my Mom as she is taking care of my Stepdad at home.  We have a new nanny that watches them on Friday while we both work (BC) and she is really good with the kids.  Our other nanny (AP) still is with us Tuesday and Thursdays, and we love her!!!
We love you Zackary...very much.  Congrats on turning 4!...now slow down.  :)

Family Pictures

 Impromptu pictures, but I liked them!

The boys-Ben's father (missing my Dad and John)

 The girls-Ben's mother and my mom and grandma (missing Kathi and Baba)

With the Great Grandmother (GG).  They love her, especially Emeline.  She runs to find her and then walks right up to her and just smiles...for a long time.  It really is precious. Emeline is so funny too with picture taking, she doesn't like to just sit there while you take them...you really have to distract her or be ready to take the shot and move on!

Adorable, my kids!  I am so happy they have each other.

With their Grandma.  They both love her so much.

 My  little 4 year old.  WOW..can't believe it.

Ben's parents...grammy and papa.  They were visiting and got to spend a lot of quality time with the Zackary and Emeline.  The kids loved it.

Making Progress

We are making progress with Zackary's fear of the ocean waves.  His swim classes were a challenge for him this summer as well, he did not want to go under or get his face wet.  Each day when the class was over he would comment on how much fun he had and that he loved it but the following day before class the mean anxiety would creep up and he would become fearful again.  At my Mom's last weekend he made progress in her pool and then at the ocean yesterday he did amazing!  Me holding him in the waves to one finger, then hand, then feet, than as you see above, whole legs in the ocean water!!!

So proud...

First Family Trip - Big Bear Lake

We took a long awaited family trip up to the beautiful Big Bear Lake.  The weather was amazing.  Beautiful blue skies and water.  Crystal clear.  We all let loose, relaxed and enjoyed all our time together.  The first thing we did was my favorite-the lift at Snow Summit up to the peak!  All 4 of us, and the kids did so well on this crazy high lift! A short hike at the top, some amazing pictures and off we were back down to get Emme to her nap.

Look at her knees...she had fallen so many times...and just kept going.  Good thing she had pants on!

Zackary started climbing on all the rocks looking for lizards.  He got to the very top here and told me to take his picture...it turns out it's one of our favorites this trip.  Now, if only he'd realized he is standing on top of a mountain!  

Here was our view from the top.  Amazing huh!?  I knew I had to get out on that lake soon!

While Zackary took his afternoon nap, Emme and I went to a farm where she got to pet the goats, watch the chickens, listen to the rooster crowing and ride a pony.  She looks like a natural...and loved it!  I can't wait to get her on more horses when shes a bit older.  One of my favorite childhood memories-horseback riding and taking care of horses (after school job).

Saturday was a special day-Emeline turned 18 months!  Went by so fast!
She got to spend it hiking on the other side of the lake in a backpack!!!  She did really well-she looked like she was lounging...laying back in the backpack relaxed and content!  Zackary found every lizard on that hike and followed them.  He wanted to go off the beaten path and discover things.  I loved it...reminded me of his grandpa.  We had to turn around after awhile, but we all had fun. 

I knew this swing would deliver a cute picture of my precious kids! 
My stepsister has a house at Big Bear on the lake and she was nice to invite us over and take Zackary and I out on her platoon boat while Emme was napping.  For Zackary's nap, Emeline got to go to the Zoo with her Dad!  They had a good time seeing the bears, wolves and bob cats!  What a fun 18 month birthday!

Zackary spent hours throwing all different size rocks into the lake and he had a friend join him.  He fed the ducks too and had several ducklings come over and visit with him.  He'd talk to them and laugh when they thought the rocks were food...gurrr...

This trip was a bonding experience for us, especially the kids. Watching them play together was priceless. Zackary was in his element...from playing the acoustic guitar we found at the home we stayed at to throwing the rocks in the lake to hiking to taking the lift up the mountain and exceeding his comfort limits only to find out how much fun it was...it was perfect.  They slept great and looked forward to knew adventures each day.  

We love you Big Bear Lake.  See you soon!

Zackary's Last Day of Summer School and Emme's Supposedly First Day

Zackary did great in Summer School.  It was 6 weeks long Mon-Thur and every morning after showing me the toys outside to play with he literally was like bye mom!  Music to my ears after his whole first year at preschool he never wanted me to leave.  Emme came to class that day with us and she had so much fun she didn't' want to leave.  

Can you see her blending in with all the kids as they washed their hands before school started.  The girl on the end was teaching her how to wash her hands!  So cute.  

After hand washing she just walked over to the toys and started playing while Zackary joined her!  When it was time to leave she walked around the classrooms for awhile saying hi to everyone and then walked over to the church where we were early to watch Zackary and the kids in a sing a long.  Emme wanted to be a singer so she walked in and sat down in the front where the kids do when they sing.  Then she started dancing!  So funny.  There were only 4 moms there but we were all laughing at her cuteness.
Zackary now says, "I don't have to go to school again until after my birthday!"  I am glad he enjoyed his teachers and the new students over summer that he got to meet!

Where Troubles Melt Like Lemon Drops...

We had to say goodbye to Bentley last night.  He was there when you guys were both born, he was the ring bearer in mommy and daddy's wedding and he was mommy's best friend for 8 years.  Before I adopted him I didn't know that much about his breed...Bichon Frise's, but they are so smart, inquisitive, loyal and perfect family dogs.  He was so sweet to you both and know matter how much you bugged him he didn't care he let you.  We walked him everyday after breakfast, before lunch, and before dinner together.  We will still walk in his memory.  I will miss him dearly!  Dogs are the best!

Happy 4th of July!

These are just some pictures I took on our morning walk together.  Ben had to work Independence Day so I took the kids on a long walk.  We had a lot of fun and Emme sure did get a lot of compliments.  Felt bad for Zackary, should have dressed him cuter I guess!

Notice the doggie sling.  He walked that sling the whole time!  LOL

                                                                     Precious

I am practicing getting off and on.  Once she accomplishes something she moves on right away to mastering something new!