March 6 - San Diego: Day 2

Today we decided to splurge and spent $35 on breakfast!  We went down & enjoyed a fun breakfast at the cafe at our hotel.  And then we explored a bit.  And Bryan photobombed again.

Stopped and saw the resident seals at our hotel.

Enjoyed some time on the beach!  I LOVE the beach.  I love watching the water.  Something about it is soothing to my soul.

Back to Old Town for some more shopping.

Stopped & got some pizza from Pizza Hut for dinner.  Realized that Bryan had left his debit card at a shop in Old Town.  Panicked.  Stewed.  Froze his card.  Called the shop.  They told us they'd stay open until we got there.  Got the pizza.  Got the card.  Breathed.  To the hotel to enjoy our fancy pizza dinner.

River Cruise on a river boat at our hotel!  Enjoyed the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke before heading to the top level to enjoy the water sounds & swear words coming from the mouths of everyone.  Laughed a lot.  Went back downstairs & watched the waves from the inside.

Back to the hotel.  Watched HGTV until 1 in the morning.  Sleep.

Back at home.....

March 5 - San Diego: Day 1

Grama & Grampa arrived at our house last night!  We're so happy to have them here!  Bryan & I are super excited to have them here because it means that our 10 year anniversary trip to San Diego starts TODAY!

We spent the morning packing & giving instructions to Grama.  And then we played outside together for a few minutes before Grama & Grampa kicked us out.

So we left and got on our airplane!  Yay!  Bryan is the sweetest ever.  He insisted on carrying his bag AND my bag through the airports.  He's just the very best in the world.  The bags weren't light.  And his shoulder has been hurting him.  But he insisted.  I just love him so much.

After we got our rental car and checked in to our hotel, we headed out on the town!  We spent the rest of the day & night in Old Town exploring and laughing.  We had such a great night!

We decided that we had to eat at one of the famous Old Town Mexican restaurants.  We chose the one with the fastest moving line - Cafe Coyote.  It was good!  I made us take a picture on their kiosk even though Bryan knew it was a giant marketing ploy the whole time.  I get sucked in really easy.

And then I tried to take a beautiful picture of some cacti and Bryan kept photobombing with his head.  We shared lots of laughter and happiness today.  It was so nice to hang out together.  We left and went to bed with our treats we'd bought earlier from Walgreen's at around 9:00.  Perfect day 1.

Meanwhile back at home.....

March 4 - New Phone

Cutie little Nora has been feeling kind of sick for a couple days.  Nothing big.  Just a little cough, fever, and runny nose.  And then today she totally freaked me out by waking up with a little bloody nose.  I totally called the nurse at the pediatrician.  She probably thought I was cray, but I don't care.  Glad to see that she's happy & having a good time eating some fruit snackies.

I got a text from wonderful Bryan today that said, "A package will be arriving this afternoon.  When it comes, open it up!"  Guess what was in it?!  A brand new, shiny phone!  My phone has been struggling for a while now.  And Bryan just took matters in to his own hands & bought me one.  Which is excellent because I never would have done that because A) money.  And B) I have no idea about anything about phones.  I have the best husband in the world and I love how he takes care of ALL of my needs.  (And I'm pretty needy.)  Happy to have the first pic on my new phone of he & I.

March 3 - Cleaning Waits

The house was pretty messy today.  It does that when no one cleans up for a day.  So I had really good intentions of cleaning while Nora napped and the big kids played outside.

BUT, Andlie came home from school pretty upset about some things that happened with friends today.  She came inside and plopped down after playing outside with Haze for about 10 minutes and said, "I had a rough day today."  So I asked her what she needed from me.  She said she wanted to color with me.  So we printed off some pictures and went outside to color in the sunshine.  And it was wonderful and she smiled and we giggled and it was the best way to spend that half hour.

And then Haze said, "Mom, can you ride bikes with me now that you're done coloring with Andlie?"  So I rode bikes.  Up & down the street.  Several times.  And his eyes lit up and he giggled and we had so much fun.  And that was the best way to spend that half hour.

Kids don't care about a clean house.  They care about time spent with their Momma.  And so I'm trying to be better at giving them that.  And you know what?  Today was a great day.  I'm so blessed.  What wonderful kids we have.

March 2 - Copycat Nora

Haze walked around in his underwear for a good hour this morning.  He kept telling me that he "was a warrior!"  Nora wanted in on the warrior action too.

I played with my new hair this morning.  I really love it!  I'm excited to have a fresh new 'do for Summer!

Cute Andlie.  She came home from school today and just looked so grown up to me.  So I made her take some pictures.  And she did some crazy/silly poses first because that's her signature "let's take a picture" move.  She's so fun and happy and I love her.

Nora wanted in on the picture taking action too.  She just loves to do everything the big kids do.  Because she is a big kid too.  Obviously.

Since today was Dr. Seuss' birthday, Andlie came home with a "Cat in the Hat" hat.  And she put it on when we turned on "The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That" tonight for quiet time.  So, guess what Nora wanted.  In on the "Cat Hat" action.  Daddy went downstairs and made her her very own hat and she was THRILLED.  Like she was giggling and in little Nora heaven.  It was so cute!

March 1 - Morning Boy, Sand, Books, & A Surprise

Cute little Hazey.  Always puts a smile on my face when he comes to wake me up in the morning.  Best way to wake up - with his cute little smiling face and crackly voice right next to mine.

Nora has REALLY good vocabulary.  She's been speaking in full sentences since she was about 15 months and hasn't stopped.  She LOVES talking.  She is always talking.  And she really understands and comprehends waht you say back to her.  Today we were reading a simple book.  I didn't say anything to her - just let her "read" to me.  Here's what she said about each page.

"He's eating his lunch!  He eating oranges and chicken and pink beans.  And there's his drink!"

"She building a tower!  A taaaallllll tower!  She's building an ice castle!"

"She's pushing in her stroller!"

"Awe.  That's her friend.  Her Momma giving her a hug.  Awe."

Tonight, I went somewhere secret while Bryan and the kids hung out at home.  And Nora got to open one of her very most favorite Summer toys - the sandbox!!!

Andlie (AKA Chandi Jr.) organized & re-shelved all of the books that were scrambled in a mess behind the rocking chair!  Yay!

Meanwhile, I was .......... getting my hair cut!  I've been wanting to cut it for a while now and tonight was the night!  I kept it a secret from the family (especially Bryan).  I cut about six inches off and went really light!  I'm so happy with how it turned out!  Bryan was a bit surprised when I walked back in the door, but he really likes it too!  Win!

February 29 - Chicken Hat

Today is Leap Day!  Found this little gem on Facebook and had to steal it.  Thought it was pretty interesting.

And, then there's this gem.  Went shopping with Shennie & Kacie this morning.  Ended up at Zurcher's.  I found a fun chicken hat.  Haze was not as thrilled about the chicken hat as I was.  (And judging by the look on Nora's face - neither was she.)