The Happiest Place on Earth

We visited Disneyland today. You know what they say, " A Picture is worth a thousand words".  So, here are a few that provide highlights of our day.  

And then there were walls

Things are progressing along quite nicely with our remodeling project.  Today, in the midst of a small earthquake, the walls went up.  The framer joked that he knew our house was earthquake safe as he watched the rafters and new walls as the one today was happening.  Now that the walls are up, we are getting quite excited as you can really start to see the shape of things to come. Cooper was adorable when he stood in the space that will soon be a bathroom and said, "what if it rains when we use this bathroom, there isn't a roof."  I think our excitement today confused him into thinking that the project was finished.  Ah, to be five again!

Ballerina Girl

A few weeks ago, Bella started taking dance, or Ballerina class as she prefers to call it.  Last week the studio was closed because all of the teachers were at a convention, but this week it was time for class again.  There is nothing more adorable than a bunch of three year olds dressed in their favorite color (pink) watching themselves spin around in a mirror.  Watching them love life so much, makes you think about how great it is to be a kid and not know much about being self-critical.  As far as Bella is concerned, this is really the first thing that she has done that she has chosen and not Cooper.  She certainly loves it!  Who wouldn't love an hour of dancing to the Disney Princess songs and the Wiggles (which she is really loving since at home Cooper has decided the Wiggles are boring).  Our only challenge now is convincing her that wearing a leotard and tights is probably not the best attire for a day at daycare in 100 degree weather.  Dance on Bella!

Dabbling in the arts

Yesterday was a day filled with the arts.  I can't think of a much better way to spend a hot summer day.  The kids are doing the summer reading program,"Catch the Reading Bug",  at the library and when they completed their first twenty five books, they got a voucher to go paint a ceramic bug.  So in the morning we went to this adorable ceramic's studio that is every parents nightmare.  The place is filled with things that could break with the touch of a small finger.  But both kids were great and had a wonderful time creating their masterpieces. 

Then in the afternoon, we headed to Redlands to see The Wizard of Oz at The Redlands Bowl.  It is an outdoor theatre venue that offers free performances every week during the summer.  Being somewhat of a theatre snob in the sense that I get really annoyed when little kids are at plays and are loud, I thought an outdoor, relaxed theatre venue would be a great way to introduce my own loud kids to a full length musical.  We met a group of my friends from Girls Gone Active there, so we had a group of loud kids.  Before the show we had a delicious picnic a la Trader Joes, which we all invaded before heading to the theatre.  Great wine, crackers, cheese, veggies, and chocolate for the adults and PBJ sandwiches for the kids.  I have to tell you, the Wizard himself must have been on our sides, the kids were so quiet and enthralled the entire show.  Viva la culture!

Iron Girl Revisited

In April, I traveled to Vegas with five of my friends for the Iron Girl Triathlon.  Four of us were competing, and Jess was along for moral support and to be our team photographer.  It was an amazing experience.  It was physically exhausting, but so motivational to finish and to finish with a group of thousands of women.  The location was beautiful, we felt like we were at a resort in Italy, the course was challenging and the free massages after the event were wonderful.  This Saturday on NBC from 2:30-3:30 EST, the race is going to be broadcast.  If you have nothing to do, check it out.  I was in the white swim cap wave.  For a preview check out this clip on youtube.

Twelve Years

One Marriage, twelve years.  One house. Two dogs.  Two kids.  Eleven summer trips to Iowa.  Twelve Christmases. Seven Trips to New York City. One Cruise.  One trip to Cancun.  One tandem bike.  Numerous days at Disneyland.  Hundreds of hours by the pool.  Hundreds of meals at restaurants.  One remodel (still in progress, but we'll survive). Just a few disagreements. :)  Twelve years of joy!

Girls Night Out

Today, Kristi, the woman who brought all of us together through her commitment to starting a women's fitness group in the High Desert is leaving today for  SIX MONTHS of training to become a CHP officer.  We decided we needed to send her off and in honor of all that she has done for all of us, we'd have a Girls Night Out. The night got of to a rough start as the restaurant we chose to go to...DIDN'T HAVE A LIQUOR LICENSE!  Imagine the look of devastation on the face of each woman who had been dreaming of dinner and a drink without a child in tow.  Did I mention that the air wasn't working in the restaurant and the food was horrible.  We should have left, but it's hard to relocate a group of 30 to a new location on a Friday night.  After the less than successful dinner, we all went to see Emily, one of our team mates in a summer theatre production of Harvey. Emily is a dear friend who long ago, was my student.  I directed the first play she was ever in, The Diary of Anne Frank.  It was such a joy to watch her perform again.  For the girls on our team who had never had the pleasure of watching her perform, it sure was a treat.  After the show some of us headed to Oggi's, which I must add, was air conditioned, had nice cold beer and good appetizers.  All in all it was a great way to send Kristi off!