Quotes of the Day

5 years old is a fun (diffcult) age. In our home all the fun (difficulties) are times 2.  As a result I am being stretched to my limits lately..but what are twins for?  Along with twice the crazy there is also twice the fun, love, and joy. 

There have been some great quotes from them recently that I REALLY don't want to forget so here they are....

The kids have been fighting more lately especially with Taylor off track. Instead of intervening every 2 seconds I have instructed them ever so gently to "solve.their.own.problems!"  Ashlyn's reply in a cry that only Ash can produce and if you have heard it, you know what I am talking about. Finger cut off or milk spill and its the same blood curling cry.  "I don't want to solve my own problems, its too hard!"

Andy has become a crier lately and has been called a cry baby more times then he likes. ( I thought boys were supposed to be tough?) So now he says while crying, "You guys are making me a cry baby."  At least he is owning up to his new nickname which I do not condone by the way.

Seriously love these 2!

Tae Kwondo

 In January Andy started Tae Kwondo.  You are allowed 4 free classes before you commit. Guess what happened after his first class...his sisters decided they wanted to join too.

I was actually fine with that.  Being able to drop all 3 at the same place at the same time sounded pretty good to me.  Well....Taylor lasted 2 classes before she decided the discipline and structure wasn't really her thing.  Ashlyn lasted 3 classes and decided gymnastics is HER thing which we all agree is true.  So Andy got to have his OWN thing again and he loves it.  He attends 2-3 classes a week, gets to go with one of his best buddies Leonard, and is really doing well and he can't wait to be tested for his yellow belt.  It has been about a month and he earned his first stripe on his belt today for great improvement.  I carpool/baby swap with our friend and so I don't get to watch him often.  I was happy to be there today to see him get his stripe.  As I was watching him I couldn't believe this was My Andy Man, he seemed so grown up, looked way too tall, and was following along so well and just acting like a big boy.  He is growing into such a handsome sweet boy and I just adore him! 

Epilogue: Taylor is now participating in a low key cheer group and Ashlyn is back in gymnastics at the Talent Factory.  Both girls are loving their new things.  All 3 start Spring Soccer this week. We are a little busy but we sure enjoy all these activities.  Poor Chase has a couple more years but would LOVE to be able to participate in all the fun with his 3 favorite people.

Arroyo Grande

 Our last night in Pismo we met friends for dinner in the cute town of Arroyo Grande.  We went exploring before dinner and this is what we found.  LOVED it!

 Found a fun bridge

 The kids (and Grandpa) had a great time scarring Grandma (and me) by shaking the heck out of that thing and jumping up and down.

 We loved this part of California and have thought many times since our visit to move there....but we are not ready to live that far away from the grandparents...you can see why. 

Sand Dunes

 You can't go to Pismo without experiencing the San Dunes, right?  Still so weird to me that right next to the beach are these amazing sand dunes...its just doesn't add up.  Thanks to Tyler's radio show he was able to score 2 4 person buggies for free in exchange for an interview and publicity shout out on his show.  SWEET!

 The kids had a blast.  Even Chase survived...I was so worried.  Those helmets are crazy heavy and he had to sit on a cushion just to be able to be strapped in.  He had his paci in his mouth and didn't make a peep the whole time.  I did have Tyler stop a few times so I could make sure he was still alive.  The poor kid was probably wondering what on earth was going on. 

Taylor could he heard screaming in excitement for more on each hill we went on and I could be heard screaming in fear from the back on every hill.  However when we were done, we were done.  I think everyone was ready when the time was up and our necks were a little bit stronger. 

Morro Bay

We continued our central coast trip with a visit to Morro Bay, another beautiful beach perfect for the kids with a cute little town to explore as well.

The kids had fun catching crabs with Grandpa J.

Once again I was not prepared with swim suits.  It was cold, hence the sweatshirts being worn by all the adults present.  That didn't stop the kids from getting wet from head to toe.  Thankfully the beach showers were warm and they got cleaned up and never complained about being cold.  I love my outdoorsy kids! 

1st trip of 2012!

The kids had another week off school after the holidays so we decided to take a little trip to Pismo Beach. I have wanted go there ever since I saw Clueless about 15+ years ago and Cher was organizing the Pismo Beach Disaster Relief (that is the 1st thing that comes to mind every time I hear Pismo, anyone else? just me? ok) Anyway...fell IN love with that area of the California Coast and how could you not when this is what is looks like....

It wasn't loose sand so it was perfect to run and play on.

It didn't matter that the water was freezing and it wasn't real warm outside, Andy and Taylor had so much fun playing in the water.

Grandpa J braved the cold to stay close by them.

And to yell RUN if a big wave came.

There were lots of great sea shells and Sand Dollars to find. We even caught a live Sand Dollar...how come I never realized those were living things at one time???? Should have paid more attention in Oceanography class.

Taylor in her element. She was not born to be a city girl, put her in any kind of outdoors and she is in heaven.

There were fun caves to explore and it was great to have Grandma and Grandpa J with us on this little vacation.

Ashlyn had a big fall into the water and was content to spend the rest of the time searching for sea shells.

This was our view for 4 days....it was really hard to leave.

1/1/12

 On New Year's Day we continued our 4 year tradition of going to Balboa for the day.  

It is always an amazing day, fun and beautiful. 

A picture with all kids looking forward.....

 

And then the boys are off and the girls are posing! Love it!

 

I am blessed to be surrounded by handsome, sweet boys.

 This little man is looking way too grown up for my liking.

He gives the BEST loves EVER!  He pretty much has all of us wrapped around his little finger.

Our friend Viwe from South Africa was visiting us for the week.  Tyler had fun showing him around LA and we got to take him to see Wicked...such a fun visit.

 I am also surrounded by beautiful girls....I am one lucky momma.

 

A perfect way to start the new year!