Home

It has been so good to be home. We spent a month in Tennessee at my moms house. It was really great to see friends and family but this time was a little different. We came home early but not because I was tired of being there but because I wanted to come home. This is honestly the first place in 3 years ( since we moved from Orange County) that has really felt like home. Living in West Virginia certainly had a homey feel and I really liked our house and loved being close to friends and family, but it just didn't feel quite right. I longed to be in San Diego most of the time we were there. It is great being together again as a family. Just being able to have dinner together makes a big difference.

I really missed the beach while we were away (although I love the mountains too!). We have been exploring our "north county" beaches- and oh my! I think they are soooo much better than the beaches we used to go to! I have a new favorite beach that has everything you could want from a beach! We have been making up for lost beach time this past week. lol!

Last week we did an overnight trip, stayed with some friends in Los Angeles, and went to Magic Mountain. Honestly, I was not that excited about it because I couldn't remember what they had for little kids and knew I wouldnt be able to ride many adult rides because of the little one. Magic Mountain used to be one of mine and Clintons favorite places to go. We both really love roller coasters and Magic Mountain has some AWESOME ones there!!! There were 9 of us total that went and it ended up being really fun! One of our friends that went didn't really like roller coasters so she entertained Aidan while we waited for an hour and 45 minutes to ride one coaster!!! Ridiculous! However- the kid in me thought it was totally worth it! lol! We then had lunch and then we ALL went on a water ride ( including Aidan). He didnt like the ride but he really loved waiting in line and playing with our friends 2 girls. lol! The rest of the adults then went and did some more big rides while I took Aidan to the kids section for a couple of hours. It wasn't crowded at all there and he pretty much got to ride whatever he wanted as many times as he wanted. Fun! For the last ride we all waited in line again and did a switch off with Aidan with our friends. So I only got to ride 3 rides the entire day but I thought it was fun, Clinton thought it was fun, and Aidan thought it was fun- so the day was a success. Aidan has already asked when we can go back.

Yesterday our Moms group did a playdate at the Zoo. These are my favorite play dates! We get to go in before the park opens, we have our own tour guide, and we get to see parts of the zoo that we normally don't visit. Each month the zoo has a theme. This time it was about reduce, reuse, and recycle. They educate the kids ( and the moms too!) on whatever theme it is for the month and always end with the guide reading the kids a story that goes with the theme. This time we got an added bonus of a free train ride. yippee!! Trains are always good and free is always good so it was a big score!

Now on to some pics....

Yes that is a bird cage Aidan is standing in- Tweeties birdcage to be exact.
riding the kids train at magic mountain...

wascally wabbit....

The kid sized teacups. I think this was one of aidans favorites.

Driving a jeep. Aidan was driving and I was sitting in the back.

THIS is my new favorite beach! Look at the view I have when I push Aidan on the swings! Nice!

They have a playground there with a play structure...

knotty trees to climb....

and even a train that goes by every hour and blows its horn. When we had a playdate there with our moms group all the boys would stop whatever they were doing when the train went by and would just stare the entire time. lol! Boys and trains.....

Its just a short walk down a little hill to get to the beach....

Eating his blue ring pop thing a mijig...

I took this picture because it was actually kind of a big deal. Aidan is going through a stage where he doesn't like the water- ocean, pool, or otherwise. The first time we went to the beach when we got home he wouldn't even get close to it. For him to actually sit in it and play was a major improvement! He was really proud of himself for doing it!

pretending he was surfing on his dads boogie board.

Getting a ride from dad!

At the zoo yesterday. See the meerkats in the background?

The boys checking out the meerkats...

I had no idea that the zoo had its own "nursery" for animal babies that for one reason or another need to be there! Complete with rocking chairs, crib beds, and an isolete.

A pic of the baby marmoset that had been staying there but I think was out when we were there with her mama.

The group of boys that hung together for most of the day. Getting ready for story time.

But first they brought out a special animal guest. That is actually a hawk she is holding. It is the smallest variety of hawk.

Ending the day with a train ride. We went through a little tunnel and all the boys held up their arms when they were going through- like they were on some type of BIG ride. to cute.