Barcelona II

Coronado Beach Day 2013

 Sooooo....Addie and Jake had to have rolling backpacks this year and thanks to a sale at DownEast Home I was able to oblige them.  They were having so much fun wheeling them around the house pretending to go on vacation...that I thought. "We really should break these puppies in!"  What good is it being married to a pilot if you don't use your freakin' flight benefits. Of Course, so close to school starting the calendar was pretty tight...It would have to be out and back in one day. So Cal Beach day...here we come.  I was hoping for the OC, so we could pal around with our JuJu and Gram, but flight loads got too tight and we ended up heading to San Diego.  We woke the kids up early, and caught the first flight out.  Riding the Employee bus to the terminal we actually met the Captian for our flight.  He invited to the kids to come hang out in the Flight Deck and boy did they ever.  They sat in the Captain's chair, wore his hat, and even talked on the PA. Little Delta wings were worn with pride the rest of the day.  I ran into an Old Mission Comp on the flight...who now resides in San Diego. What a crazy small world.

 

 We grabbed a rental car and headed to Coronado for the day. It was the perfect beach for the kids.  Just enough sand and surf.  We chased waves, buried each other in the sand, made a sand castle, and found sea shells by the sea shore. (HaHa..I couldn't help myself.) Delighted kids squealing and laughing, running and playing....just what we needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 Sand Monster....She brought some of the beach home with her.

 Jake and his "Carry On"!  We purchased a beach toy set that came in this great Dump Truck before we left...I told the kids I didn't think we could take the truck with us at the time of purchase...but Jake so earnestly pleaded his case...that Mama consented and it was properly stowed under his seat for both flights.

YoHo, YoHo, a Pirates Life for ME!!

 Can't believe this little guy is 5yrs old!!! Our Pirate King was super excited to party with all his favorite Wenches and Matey's. We all dresses up in pirate attire then went out side to Walk The Plank.  Pretty sure that most of these scallywags have been naughty enough to need to Walk The Plank at least once in their lives.

 Piracy is all about sea battles...so we lobbed cannon balls in an attempt to sink each others ships!  200 cannons sure go fast with eager pirates!!  Of course, we searched for buried treasure...some nice Pirates left us a few clues to find a Jolley Roger full of candy.  Yum, Yum!!

 Jake couldn't wait to open his presents...and boy did he get a lot of booty!! A Skate board, Legos, Spy gadgets, Nerf guns, Transformers, Sponge Bob punching bag...and more.  Not sure where all this stuff is going to go.  He was so delighted by all his new treasures that his Prayer tonight included thanks for each toy by name, " Thank you for my Skateboard and Shaun White Helmet, My Legos, My Spy Stuff," etc...It was too cute to see and hear him be so excited. There will be no bored kids tomorrow!!

I'm FWEEEY!!!

Sam is offically 3!!! What a big boy!  He got the low-key Lighting McQueen family birthday bash this year.No Fancy McQeen cake ..I ran out of time, but those cupcakes do bare McQueen's racing number 95.(I think I might owe Sam a HUGE party after this year...but that could just be Mommy guilt talking cause Sam seemed thoroughly content with our merriment)   

Big Wheel for the Big Boy...now to keep the other Big Kids off long enough so Sam can ride it.

 

When we brought out this big box earlier in the day...Sam said, "Is that my Happy Birthday?!!"

Can you believe I get to kiss this adorable face everyday ?!!

Jake enduring...until the grandparents showed up for dinner.  He couldn't wait to get the party started.

A Birthday Story

Addie decided to host a Fashion Show for her big 7th Birthday Bash. We rounded up some fabulous prom and pageant dresses from era's gone by for the little fashionista's to adorn themselves with and walk the runway. Even our resident Pirate had to get in on the fun. AARGH!!

 Mom's best attempt at the Fancy "Wedding Cake" Addie ordered for the party.  It tasted much better than it looked.  Strawberry sour cream cake with coconut butter cream frosting...YUM!!!  But I still have a lot to learn about tiered cakes! I am definitely not the Cake Boss.

 

 

 

Addie was completely spoiled with presents. 

I know Addie only turned 7 and not 61 but 6 +1 = 7 and since Mom couldn't find the other candles. It was the best we could do. FAIL...I know...especially since I was staring at the candles in the baking isle only the day before thinking to myself, "I should get some of those...just in case....No, I know we have candles."

After the Fashion Show...we bedazzled picture frames.  Each girl received a picture of herself all dressed up to put in the frame.

And of course no party is complete with out a pinata.  With 15 girls, I was worried not everyone would get a chance to give the purse a good whack...but it made it through...a round and a half before giving up it's goodies.  It was a great day..The best part was how much fun Addie had being a princess for the day. 

Jakie's Graduation and Kid Shine in LV