Trip to Disneyland and Legoland and SO MUCH FUN!

We got to take the most amazing trip to Southern CA. And we just happened to head down the day after my birthday! We went to help out our dear friend who needed to travel for some medical appointments and had to take 3 kids by herself. So how could that go any easier? Take along 2 more kids and their 2 moms! With 3 moms and 5 kids, ever changing car seat arrangements, 3 different hotels, and lots of brain power to figure out the logistics of everything, nothing could possibly go wrong!

There were hiccups, of course, but I had an overwhelmingly wonderful time! The other moms might not have been as enthusiastic though. ;)

Sunday, August 17th. 

On the way there we drove their minivan, so we would have something to transport all these kids since they flew down with their mom. We passed by the San Luis Reservoir and were shocked to see just how serious this drought really is. That green and dry brown should be all water!! 

Road trips are hard with kids. Hadley hasn't been crying as much in the car now that she's in her more comfortable car seat, but she still doesn't like being restrained for so long. And she's at an age where you can't really do much to keep her entertained. Makena had a hard time too, despite the snacks and books and movies and other activities I had carefully prepared for her. There were times towards the end where the baby was crying and Makena was crying and Pam and I wanted to rip our hair out.

We finally arrived at our hotel, left our home at 8am, got to the hotel a little after 4pm. 8 hours!! We had to stop a couple times so we were behind schedule but thankfully we got checked in with just enough time for Pam to rush over to the airport to drop off car seats for our friends rental car and take a couple kids back to the hotel.

Monday August 18th.
The next day we took the 4 little kids to the Discovery Science Museum, and C and I met up with us after his appointment. The museum was so much fun! It was great to get to experience a new thing to do in the area.

In this exhibit Makena, I and C got to decide what they would take on their wagon. Watching them decide what to bring and what they would do without was interesting. I'm not sure they entirely thought it out, because they wanted to bring vinegar without really knowing why, lol.

These two are just so sweet together. When they were little babies I used to wonder if they would grow up and be friends and play together. I never imagined they would honestly love each other so much! Us moms always joke that they will be married some day, and I know that's so cliche but oh gosh, they would have the best wedding slideshow ever!! Then back at the hotel we went for a dip in the pool.

Tuesday, August 19th.
When planning this trip and looking at the astronomical costs for everything, we weren't sure what exactly we'd do, and since we weren't the ones buying the tickets we were up for anything! But of COURSE I wanted to go to Disneyland! C decided we would do it, and I told her that if she wasn't up for it we'd be happy to take the kids. It was her birthday and she said that sounded like a better plan! So she kept baby A with her and went shopping at the mall, while Pam and I took Makena, Hadley, I and C and went to DISNEYLAND!!!!! First I was dropped off with the girls and C, and Pam and I took the shuttle bus and met us at the rope drop inside. We were crossing our fingers that we would get to meet Anna and Elsa, but the line was already over 2 hours long since there was an magical morning earlier, and some guests got in an hour before the general admission. Oh well. Thank goodness Makena was okay with it, I was worried she would be upset. Pam and I were definitely more disappointed than she was!!

We quickly changed gears and headed over to Dumbo since the line was short. Hadley enjoyed it!

Then me and these two went on the teacups.

No line to meet Mickey!

Ice cream sandwich break to wait for the parade.

Hadley took a nap on me while Pam took the big kids on Splash Mountain. I can't believe I didn't get to go on with Makena for her first time! But I'm glad she was with Pam. It's nice when they have special firsts together too! Pam sent me a text that they were almost about to go down the drop and I took a video with my phone camera to be sure and spot them, and then got a photo. I had bought myself a Mint Julep that I've always heard was delicious, and it was yummy!

One last quick ride since there was no line!

We did a lot more than what's pictured. Pirates of The Caribbean, Big Thunder Railroad (just the boys and I, Makena didn't want to go on) lunch at the Pizza Port, caught the end of the Jedi Academy show, and played at Toontown, watched some of the Mickey's Magical Map show (but it stopped 3/4ths of the way because of technical difficulties). It was a really great day with my favorite kids. We had to rush out and catch a shuttle bus to get back to the hotel in time for dinner and an early bedtime, since I (not me, I the boy) needed to be well rested for his testing in the morning. The one thing C asked us to get her was cotton candy, and it was only as we waited for the shuttle bus that I remembered, and in a panic I ran alllll the way back inside the park and up main street to find a cotton candy vendor.

Wednesday, August 20th.
We spent the morning enjoying the same daily breakfast buffet, and then we took the 4 younger kids to Downtown Disney since we didn't go inside a single store the day before. We browsed the toys and soaked in the last of the Disney vibe, then headed back to meet up with C and I and we checked out of the hotel. The valet guys thought we were crazy, switching around car seats and figuring out which luggage went with which car. Then we drove our girls and C, and headed to Carlsbad to the next leg of the trip!

We checked into our Ramada hotel, and then went to C's hotel and to the beach and pool. I'm just not a beach person, I wish I was, but the sand is so annoying. So I was content to be on baby watch, even though Hadley was continuously trying to eat sand.

Back at the pool (their hotel was amaaaaazing, the pool was a huge highlight of the trip! We should've just stayed and played there more!!) we splashed around for a while and then had an incredible dinner poolside as the sun set over the ocean.  What a special evening with special friends!

Thursday, August 21st
We had a quick boring breakfast at our hotel, then joined our friends for a much yummier breakfast (with a view of the ocean) at their hotel and more fun in the pool!

Then we went to Legoland!! I've always wanted to go, ever since I was in 3rd grade and did a report on Legos and found out they were building a Lego amusement park. This is the only whole group shot of us that we took the entire trip, lol. Can you see all 8 of us?!

The little water play area was a huge hit, Hadley loved this swing with a water spray to get her feet.

Mining for "gold".

Makena really wanted to try the dragon roller coaster, but was a little nervous. After her friends walked into the line she decided she did want to join them, so we rushed to catch up. As we were getting buckled in I was chatting away hoping she wouldn't freak out and want to get off. The ride started and she was scared, but okay. Afterwards she was so proud and said she loved it and wanted to go again, with Mama this time. :)

We left Legoland, went back to our hotel, and packed up. In the morning Pam dropped off me and the girls at a friends house in San Diego, then she went to help C get everyone to the airport for their trip home. Me and the kids had a fun morning with our friends that used to live near us but moved when they had triplets, so it was really nice to meet the little ones and catch up! Pam picked us up and we had lunch and hit the road to head home! At 1pm.

I'll say that again because it's hilarious. We left San Diego, heading north, through LA, right in time for rush hour traffic, on a Friday. It was a complete disaster. We had to pull over for Makena to use the potty, and as we parked the car we saw this sign!! What are the odds?!

Hadley was crying a lot in the car, Makena was crying too. We decided to stop at a park and let the kids run around a bit because traffic was so horrendous. But it only got worse. When we got back in the car we realized we needed another plan of action. Tensions were high, we were stressed and miserable. We gave up and pulled off the highway in search of a hotel to try heading home in the morning like normal people. After a couple HOURS of delay in trying to figure out a hotel and a restaurant for dinner, we finally checked into a Motel 6 and went to bed. First thing in the morning we were back in the minivan and on our way.

We got home about 6pm. It was a long long LOOOOOOONG adventure.

But oh, what an amazing trip! Even with as hard as it was at times, I'd still totally do it again and feel so incredibly thankful for the opportunity!

July!

 For the 4th of July we went to the kids parade by Pam's work in Cupertino, then the pool at Blackberry farm, then I took Makena to watch fireworks while Pam stayed home with Hadley.

I've been trying to get as much time with just Makena and I as possible. We have tough moments and really need chances to have fun and reconnect. I really miss our lovely groove we had when it was just us. I love being with both of my girls. But my time with just Makena is always special. A vegan restaurant opened up near us and we got $100 in gift cards for being at the grand opening! After a particularly hard day we went for an impromptu dinner together.

Makena usually wakes up early and either goes into the living room to cuddle with Pam, or climbs into bed with Hadley and I. I try to snuggle with her but I don't want to move too much and wake the baby, or she is nursing so I can't move. So I sadly tell a sad Makena that I can cuddle a few more minutes but then she can go get snuggles from Mama. It breaks my heart a little each time. I love that she has Pam, and I know Pam loves the morning snuggles too, but I miss those moments.

Twice a week in July we went to the library for their summer kid events. We would often bring lunch and stay for a few hours. Hadley would even take a nap in my arms or while I wore her in the Ergo, then wake up and play. I love being out and about with my kids. Our city has so much to offer, I loved growing up here and I'm so glad we live here now! I also feel so happy to be a stay at home mom, I can't imagine missing out on all these days together.

I had some credits that I redeemed to buy passes to the Children's Creativity Museum in SF, and we had SO MUCH FUN! What a great museum. It was a fun family day. Makena made a little claymation movie (about Rapunzel buying a lantern), and she and Pam sang a karaoke duet of Love Is An Open Door, from Frozen of course. It was adorable. Makena was nervous and very quietly singing, and she would catch my eye watching her and smile like she was about to cry, but she held it together!

We hosted a little Teddy Bear Tea Party at Makena's preschool over summer, and it was really cute.

I did a usability study and was paid in Amazon giftcards, and I ordered this pool. Makena had such a great time with it! I had imagined me and the girls playing in there all summer but the water was freeeeezing. Hadley and I didn't like it. Makena had a few different friends come over and it was fun seeing her have something awesome that the other kids enjoyed. I feel like it's often other kids with cooler toys. But maybe that's just me.

Hadley did lots of standing practice! She would do this neat trick of standing up from sitting, without using her hands. Such balance!

I love taking these photos of her in the same clothes Makena wore! I think they look very similar, in face shape, mouth, and nose. But their eyes are definitely different. I can't wait to see what Hadley looks like as she gets older! I wonder if her hair and eyes will get darker. I was really hoping for a kid who looked more like me this time, but I'll settle for extremely gorgeous children. ;)

I noticed a white spot near the corner of Hadley's lip, and wondered if it was thrush. I looked in her mouth but nothing seemed abnormal. The next day the spot was gone, but then the day after that I saw a glimpse of a white spot on the roof of her mouth. I felt intuitively that it was thrush, and then a friend noticed her diaper rash seemed like a yeast rash. I took her in to see a doctor. I was not looking forward to it, because I don't like to take the kids in unless there is a reason to, and it was a new doctor so I didn't want the whole vaccine lecture. But I was pleasantly surprised!

Hadley's appointment was awesome. She has a very mild case of thrush in her mouth, and a yeast diaper rash. We have a prescription to clear it all up. The doctor was shocked it was so mild considering I first noticed it on Wednesday night. She said Hadley must have a strong immune system. Then later she asked if we wanted any vaccines today, I said no and she asked if she is vaccinated at all. I said no, bracing for lecture, but instead she exclaimed, literally, "Well! No wonder her immune system is so strong!" We talked about her home birth and she said, "I love hearing about babies born at home, and you are breastfeeding and not doing vaccines! She is such a healthy baby!" I wanted to hug her. She was this tiny old middle eastern lady and I get the feeling she loved me from the moment I walked in wearing my baby. Also she mentioned that the doctor we saw last time went on maternity leave and named her daughter Makena. Hmm, I wonder if my Makena was the inspiration?

---------------------------------------

We had a fun visit with friends. Seeing my high school friends as parents is such a cool thing. At 16 years old I had no idea what my future would look like. I assumed I would be married and have children, and I figured I'd still be in touch with some of my friends, but the reality is really awesome. I have super great friends!

Makena's half-birthday! I can't believe she is 4 and a half. She is getting closer to 5!! FIVE! Everyone says age 4 is hard, and there have been rough patches, but mostly she is such a pure delight. I love spending time with her, she says the funniest things and is so sweet and loving. She's smart and thoughtful and I seriously love her.

She loves to write all of our names. And she writes them in our favorite colors. (She's decided that Hadley's favorite it pink.)

At the park she wanted to take a video of me and Hadley on the swing. I got this photo from the video. It's nice to be in a picture for once!

Last summer Makena and I went in the pool a lot. I love that we have a pool! But it's been really hard for me to take both kids by myself. It just doesn't feel safe to me so I decided we could only go when Pam is home.

Hadley loves the water, and so does Makena!

June! Summertime fun with friends!

Makena is such an amazing helper. She loves Hadley so much and is so eager to pitch in. She likes to feed her, but then Hadley grabs the spoon away or makes a mess and then Makena is like, "Ah! Ok I'm done here!" She was very excited the day I asked her to bathe the baby.

Baby A and Hadley!

We went to the beach near Half Moon Bay, and though it was overcast it was still sunny, and Hadley ended up with a sunburn on the side of her face while she slept in my lap. :( I felt awful. 

Hadley wasn't a fan of the ocean, the water is freezing and I think it scared her. Pam and Makena had a great time! I'm not a beach person, and it was a lot of work to keep the baby out of the sand and sun (which I failed at) but it was fun to watch Makena enjoy herself.

We went to Happy Hollow with friends!

Hadley was making the funniest shrieking noises when she watched the kiddie roller coaster go by. She was excited, then scared, and we stood there watching it for a while as she wrapped her mind around what was going on.

We also went to the Oakland Zoo with preschool friends.

My mom was away visiting family on the east coast for a long time, and Makena missed her very much. She made this countdown calendar all on her own, and wanted me to send this photo to Grandmo and tell her that she wants to go berry picking together when she returns. We did go berry picking at Webb Ranch all together, and got 6 baskets of the most delicious raspberries and ollalieberries. 

Father's day-

Hadley loves the chickens at Grandmo and Grandpoppy's house!

For several months I was keeping track of Hadley's naps to see what pattern she was falling into. I used this app on my phone, and she seemed to take 40 minute naps pretty consistently! Not every day, but most of the time! (Also, I want to note that the night time sleeps that are shown here do not reflect ant night wakings she has. But she just rolls over and nurses and neither of us fully wake.)

Best little sister!

We spent Tuesday mornings at the library for their summer sing-a-long kid concert series. The girls had a great time! We packed snacks and hung out outdoors. I love living within walking distance to downtown!

We spent a lovely afternoon at Shoreline lake for a dear friend's christening party.

Makena went on a paddle boat with Mama! They tried a kayak next, and I thought Makena would get tired but Pam reports she did great!

I was selected to be interviewed by a baby food company. They wanted to talk to real moms in their homes, about what, how, and why we feed our children the way we do. It was a lot of fun and I got to talk about my parenting philosophy and the choices I make. The video apparently will only be used for research in-house for the company to decide what changes to make to their products. I won't be on tv or anything. Unfortunately. ;)