Aquarium of the Pacific

One good thing about my kids waking up at the crack of dawn is that we get out and about before most people are out and about. We were one of the first people at the aquarium yesterday morning when it opened. It was great. The kids got to run around by themselves and see what they wanted without any crowds. By the time we left the place was so crowded we could hardly move, so it was a great thing that we got there so early.

Hudson touching the stingrays. Cannon touched them too but I couldnt take pictures of it since I had to hold him.




SHARKS!


Hudson had his two little fingers out to carefully touch them but Cannon was ready to jump in and swim with them.


Awesome stingray.


They loved running around and looking at the fish. Hudson would match the fish in the tank to the pictures outside so we could learn the names.


This is a lionfish (which he was excited about because we have a picture of one of these in a puzzle at home).




Cannon didnt really know what to think but he was excited and running around so fast.




Ugly eel.


Brother love.


Mommy's a sucker.

Must. Climb. On. Everything.

Cannon has a serious need for climbing. Always has. It was even hard for him to sit still when he was a baby. We couldn't keep him down. And now I am so sick of pulling him off of things that, after some careful consideration and some 'research', I've decided to let him. I read somewhere that if you don't let a climber climb, they will just keep searching and keep climbing on things (and the 'thing' tends to get higher and higher). So if you let a climber climb and they fall, they will learn. I am not sure Cannon is learning.... But since he is definitely falling, we will see.


And of course we dont let him climb on the high chair anymore like he is straight out of Cliffhanger. We move that into the garage after each use. We dont want him to crack his head on the travertine.


And we fold the strollers down when they arent in use. We dont want him to crack his head on the concrete garage floor.



But otherwise, for the most part, I have given up, and I let him climb. Prior to this new thinking, I was honestly spending most of my day pulling him off of the couch, off the side of the stairs, off the high chair. It was driving me crazy. I was consumed.


I cannot child proof any more than we already have, so now, climb away Cannon.

Cuzzies, part two

Here are two more cousins


that love each other so much.


And while these two might be a little more....rambunctious...


...and crazy...


...and fearless as they keep up with the older kids...


...they are still cute.


And so much fun to watch together.

Big Bear Lake July 2010

We spent a wonderful weekend in Big Bear this weekend. Perfect weather, nice boat cruises and good company! So much fun. We are so lucky to be able to go to Big Bear and now enjoy the water too! Thanks parents!

The boys rode their plasma cars down to the docks.


There were thousands of little frogs all over the streets. Hudson held one.


And so did Cannon. (It jumped onto his shirt/pants)


All the little black spots are little frogs. There were tons.


The boat! Big Bear is now equipped with an awesome little boat. The guys went fishing, we all went cruising and, eventually, someone will be brave enough to ski, knee-board or tube in the cold water.


Chilling on the front.


Hudson learned that putting his thumb up meant 'go faster' to the boat driver.


Cannon's seat.


The boys' favorite spot.


Us.


Two of my favorite men.


My mom and the boys looking at the beautiful lake.


We boated over to our friends' house and the boys climbed on the deer.

Family Meeting

Hudson called a family meeting at the office the other day. To discuss important business.


You know, like riding around in shopping carts together.


And cruising on the quads.


Lots of trips together to Pretend City.


And just hanging out with Lollipops.

Nekkid Jaybirds

Our day-to-day activities are fun and exciting and on-the-go and out-and-about. But our evenings are R-O-U-T-I-N-E. After dinner, the boys take shirts and shorts off and we have a family dance party in the play room.

I put big boy undies on Cannon the other night and he loved them. Anything that is more like Hudson is a good thing in Cannon's mind since he copies everything Hudson does. He was so excited to wear them but he couldnt keep his hands off... you know.... I guess he isn't used to having the cotton on.

After dancing around to a few songs (in their underwear), we head upstairs for a shower or bath.



And then it's off to sleep.... hopefully.

Beachcombers

We had so much fun at Beachcombers Restaurant this weekend. What a great little place to go. The kids loved the beach part more than they loved the 'sit down and eat part' but we all still had a great time and can't wait to go back again.









We looked like tourists at the beach because the bigger kids ended up running around the beach in their underwear. It was late in the afternoon and I didn't think we'd be on the beach that long before dinner. O'well. They had fun and we were smart enough to bring extra clothes.