Balboa Park

We took abuelita to Balboa Park to hang out Sunday afternoon.  It was a perfect Sunday afternoon, the weather was warm and the kids were ready to explore a different part of the park.  We first checked out the World Beat Center and walk in but nothing was going on as far as performance, then we hit the Centro De La Raza and they were having a private performance.  So, naturally the hits saw the playground and we stopped for a few hours of some creative fun time.  Kaleb found a rail to boardslide.  I never thought I'd know what that meant but I do now that I have a skater boy.  Olivia found a few dinosaurs in the sandbox to play with.  And of course we couldn't keep Nathaniel off the slide.  

We then walked around the park and enjoyed the sites: beautiful cathedrals, gardens, and street entertainment.  My mom and I were craving burgers and by the time we were on starve mode from all the playing and exploring we ended up at El Prado, a restaurant I've been wanting to check out.  The burgers were delicious and expensive $17 but worth it!!!

Kaleb's boardslide

Olivia playing with a long neck

Nathaniel playing on the slide

Abuelita and the little grandkids

The day was extremely fun!

   

Olivia's Birthday Party

We finally celebrated Olivia's 4th birthday today!  Originally, the party was planned for May 7th and Nanna, and Auntie Jordan came to celebrate that weekend with us but unfortunately the party was cancelled because the flu hit our home.  Olivia had been anticipating this day with such excitement especially since we started planning the day after Kaleb's birthday in February.  She picked out the theme - pink dinosaur.  Which I just loved because dinosaurs still continue to be her biggest interest. But also, because I knew this was going to be an original theme and I'd get the chance to get creative.  She helped me plan out each detail and even helped me through the crafts!  We had so much fun planning this amazing party!  


The morning of the party Olivia woke up so excited she immediately wanted to get her dinosaur dress that Nana made "special for her party".  It's an adorable pink dress with a t-rex wearing a crown.  How appropriate for Olivia and the event. 


We invited Olivia's friends from preschool and a few of our closest friends outside of school.  We were extremely sad that Daddy, Nana, Auntie Jordan, nor Satya could be here to celebrate with us!  


Party Details:  We started the party with a craft, decorate the stegosaurus. The kids were given markers, glitter paints, and foam letters. Then once the kids were finished with their craft I had each one of the kids step into our photo booth for a photo opportunity with their favorite dinosaur mask.  Then we had a dinosaur dig.  The kids were amazed to find "real" dinosaur bones (that Olivia, Kaleb and I made out of molds and plaster of paris). Kaleb and Sarah the older kids of the party were the dig experts.  Sarah found 11 bones.  They were kind and put back some bones for the younger kids to be able to find some.  The dig was a big hit!  The kids kept coming back to the dig site after they completed other activities.  Then we had lunch all of Olivia's favorite foods- dino chicken nuggets, and a few variety of sandwiches nutela, turkey, and pbj, fruit kabobs,  chips, pink lemon aid and strawberry lemon aid.  For the adults I made a few of my favorite foods, chicken salad,croissants, pear and blue cheese salad, fruit. Then after lunch we made bracelets which even the boys had fun making.  We finished the party off with a dino pinata which the kids loved.  And then the finale the cake.  Olivia had a blast hanging out with her friends, sharing her home, her party and activities with each one of her guests.  


Some of the guest stayed a little longer and played in the sandbox together.  Then Olivia opened her gifts.  She loved each and every gift she got and was extremely gracious in thanking her guest.       


The party was a success!  What fun to turn four! And even more fun to have such an amazing little girl and make her day so extra special for her.  


Here are a few of the 250+ pictures taken of the day.

The cake

The craft table

Decorating the stegosaurus

Olivia the triceratops

Olivia at the Dino Dig

Luca and Massimo digging

Sophie digging

The dino bones all put together

Josh digging

Eating lunch

Olivia, Mommy and Nathaniel

Our family

Ashleigh and Olivia

Sophie 

Josh

Ellie, Olivia and Sophie

Sophie, Ellie, Josh, and Olivia at the pinata

Kaleb hitting the pinata

Olivia and her pink dino cake

Mommy and Olivia

Singing happy birthday

The big flower bow made by Ms. Rebbecca her preschool teacher

Opening gifts

Paloma

Sophia and Enrique 

Cute little birthday sandals and toes

Kaleb's 2nd Place CASL Competition - Camarillo Run #2

I am so proud of Kaleb he placed 2nd in the CASL Camarillo competition.  His run really shows how much he's improved in the last six months and also how his confidence keeps increasing.  I wish I'd been there in person to witness his skating but JJ was there to cheer him on.  You are amazing Kaleb!    

Nathaniel's First Haircut

I've trimmed Nathaniel's hair a few times when his bangs were getting in his eyes or when the sides were covering his ears but I figured he finally needed his first real hair cut.  We went to Kids Kutz in Encinitas a toddler friendly establishment.  When he first walked in he was so excited.  They have a slide, cars to drive and toys in the front area to play with.  They sure know how to make a child feel comfortable.  Nathaniel chose to sit in a red car and drive for a few minutes.  He was so happy doing this.  But once Misty put the cape on him it was all over.  He screamed and cried during the full cut.  I was amazed that Misty was able to cut his hair with all the moving and noise he was making.  Luckily, the cut was complete in less than 10 minutes and the amazing thing is as soon as the cape came off the screaming stopped.  In fact, it was hard to get him off the car.

The crying was worth it.  He looked so handsome and grown up.  In fact, he looked just like Kaleb his older brother.  

Nathaniel at 1 year 11 months

Kaleb at 2 years and 10 months

Here is a picture of Kaleb to prove it!

Potty Interest

Nathaniel has been showing quite an interest in sitting in the potty recently.  He follows Olivia any time she needs to go and sits on the little potty.  We keep books and magazines at arms reach for him to peruse while sitting in the potty.  Hopefully this interest lasts and he can learn to make something in the potty soon!