Huntington Beach

In early October the Hicks Family got together for our annual fabulous get-away to somewhere warm. This year was Huntington Beach. I now want to live there so my children can attend the public high school. I won't ramble on about it except it does look like a mini-resort/state park/Mensa headquarters.

We stayed in this beautiful place right off PCH and directly across from the ocean. Aside from Disneyland, we spent most days lounging around the patio or beach. The girls LOVE the beach. It took Lila some time to get her feet wet but Uncle Tom was able to sway her. Meanwhile, Maya needed a leash (I don't own a leash) to save her from being swept away to sea. My baby has no fear and is bound to cost me a trip to the ER soon.

Thanks Grandma and Poppy for our the great vacation! We look forward to it every year!

Because It's so Cold

I found these photos of Lila taken back in July. It was warm and cozy then. Getting the girls dressed to leave the house was blissfully easy. Unlike now that I dress them as little Sherpas.

So, our good friend Jane invited Lila to join her son Jasper's swimming lesson group. We went everyday at 4:30 and had private lessons. I did NOT have to get in the pool which is why these particular lessons are so coveted. No pictures of her actually in the pool though. It turns out my little Lila Bean does not like swimming lessons. In fact immediately upon getting her hair wet she melts. It was painful to watch. We lasted two tortuous weeks instead of the four we signed up for.

She looks super cute in her bathing suit though.

Yosemite Valley

I think it's against the law for native Californians to go their entire life without ever having been to Yosemite. I'm happy to report that both Lila and Maya can now say they have been. This was my first time though. Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Yosemite Valley

Curry Village Tent #990 and the bear box

Eating junk food on the bear box. No one got hurt.

So excited to see Bridal Falls!

Us girls at Yosemite Falls. Maya had to be locked down.

Eric & Lila at Yosemite Falls

Taking a break during our bike ride.

Very early one morning we were visited by a Daddy Buck.

Lila was pretty impressed.

Riding through the valley. Eric carried our precious cargo.

It would be unusual for Maya to miss a nap.

Lila demonstrating her newly discovered passion for rock climbing.

Lila providing rock climbing tips to the local boys in our camp.

One beautiful view from camp.

Hey, are you trying to take pictures without my mug in it?

Look! Another waterfall!

This one causes my heart to skip. I'm a goner.

Thanks!

Another Flagstaff Fourth

I know it's September and I'm blogging about July. This is how I do things now. Be nice.

Once again, to my delight, we traveled to Flagstaff to spend the Fourth with my family. It's without a doubt my favorite time of the year for a several reasons:

1. God bless America! I love my country.
2. Perfect weather, barbecued tri-tip, cornball Americana t-shirts and flip-flops and barrettes
   
3. Lila sings God Bless America perfectly. I don't have it recorded yet, but it's my current mission in life.
   
4. Purchasing, wrapping and shipping presents are not involved.

We drove from Oakland to Flagstaff this year. It was worth the 16 hour drive. I have a phobia of flying with two little ones, two car seats, a stroller, a pack n play and luggage for four. I also feel bad for the people who sit in front of us on the plane. I know I shouldn't. But it makes me feel really itchy and tense when my kids are screaming and harassing the man in front of us because he looks like Steve from Blue's Clues.

We had a great visit as usual. Here are a few pictures. Funny how they look like last years only now Maya is running and Lila is wearing a bikini (which she will never wear again until she's 14. Got it, Gigi?).

White Rabbit

It kills me to even write this. After nearly two years, Lila ended her stint at the White Rabbit Daycare. She started attending in September 2008 when she was 18 months old. I was only a few months pregnant with Maya and needed some help keeping my toddler entertained. Plus I was exhausted and sick of play dates. Anyway, enrolling her was a huge splurge especially since I'm a stay-at-home mom. I found Barbara (aka The White Rabbit) on a parenting message board and the rest is history. A lot of history. I was a nervous wreck about leaving Lila back then. I couldn't imagine that she would behave like the other little kids there. No way is she going to sit down for circle or lunch time. Good luck trying to get her to throw her plate in the garbage can. She'll never hold your hand on a walk. Forget about getting rid of her sippy cup and, by the way, it's craziness to think she's ready to sit on the potty. Well, obviously she ended up doing all of these things while Barbara and Gene rooted her on. It's so difficult to trust total strangers with your kids. If your lucky, they make it easy for you and eventually become like family. That's what happened for us. Today we all cried (well, mostly me) as we said good-bye. I thanked them for everything with a touch of overkill, but I couldn't help it. We are grateful.

We will miss all our friends at the White Rabbit especially Barbara, Gene, Betty, Skyler, Dyllin, Lola, Liam, Nora, Jade, Lorelei, Elise and Morgan!

Maya's New Doo!

My baby girl has had hair since day one and I love it. In fact, it's one of the first things I asked about when she was born: "Is she BALD? Does she have HAIR???" I'm definitely one of those mom's who, if I had it my way, would never cut her child's hair. The longer the better! Maya has a lot of hair though. Since she needs her eyes to see and enjoys eating barrettes, we decided it was time for a trim. She sat so still in the salon chair. She's only 15 months old! I was gushing with pride. The stylist called her a dream client. Well of course she is.

Before...

Mid-trim...

After!

Grandma, Poppy & Uncle Tommy

Thanks to the Hicks' for visiting us in April. It's not often that everyone is together at the same time. We are grateful when it works that way. There was lots of hugs and kisses, park time and a belated birthday celebration for Maya. Thank goodness for family.