The aftermath

Who ever invented the whole themed party thing should be shot. What ever happened to the simple cake and ice-cream get-togethers? Plain and simple, just have some friends over to celebrate your birthday. Now a days you have to send out annoucements like it's a wedding... then you gotta pick a theme to tie it all together... then you gotta list out the shopping list for everything you're going to need because if you don't budget it right, you're doomed financially.

I am a victim of the perfect themed party for my kids. I know, I shouldn't bitch if I do exactly what I complain about. .. but when I get started, I really don't leave myself much of a choice. Kids like the commercialized charactors. For Bailey right now it's all about Elmo and sometimes Dora and Teletubbies. But Elmo has always been the one to capture her heart. So it's the little red monster it is for her second birthday.

The banner across the living room

The cake

The table setting, paper plates, cups

The party goodies for the kids to take home

And then when she opened some of the gifts... MORE Elmo!

Gotta love it. Here are some photos. Happy birthday baby!

Bailey turned 2

I can't believe she's 2 years old now. It's amazing how fast time really flies by when you're busy. Yesterday was her birthday, Reese and I woke her up by singing the birthday song to her. All she wanted was for us to turn on her Dora on TV. What have I done? She's already addicted to TV. lol.

Today was her 24 month check up. The next one will be in a year and there are no more shots until she enters kindergarten. I asked the doc about moving to AZ and what should we do to prepare both the kids. She recommends just keeping them hydrated and use plenty of sunscreen. She also said that we shouldn't make major changes while in the midst of moving. i.e. don't try to potty train her or take her off the bottle while adjusting to the big move. It will be trauma enough having to learn new lifestyle of not playing outside during the daylight hours most days.

Bailey now (6/08)

Bailey one year ago (6/07)

Bailey two years ago (6/06)

Tomorrow is her party at our house. Complete with a jumphouse and games. I will post pictures next week!

A day at the beach

Harbor Beach, Santa Cruz

This past weekend I took the kids to Santa Cruz. I knew it would be one of if not the last time they will see the Pacific Ocean for a good long time. Phoenix will be a great place to live, but it's a good 5 hours away from the water front.

Bailey had the greatest time in 'big sand box' as she called it.

The water was cold and it was way too windy for me, but the kids braved it. All they need are the simple things... to see the big bath tub called the Pacific Ocean, to dig a hole as far as they can go in the sand, to fun along the beach until they're out of energy.

Bailey was fascinated by the water, more than anything the tides. She loved the big bubbles that touched her feet everytime the water came back up. Reese just wanted to run into the ocean. At one point he ran in and back and tripped on the sand and fell. He swallowed some sea water and was surprised it was so salty.

We were lucky enough to have some friends who lived so close to Harbor Beach. As close as 2 blocks away. Parking is a pain there for visitors because there used to be a problem with people randomly parking infront of residence blocking drive ways during peak beach season. Our friends gave us a parking pass so we can park in front of their house for the day.

It was a fun and particularly emotional for me to go to Harbor Beach. Chris and I shared a lot of time there together in the past 4 years. It will always be a special place in our hearts... and now it's special for our kids too...

At first she wasn't quite sure about the big bath tub called the Pacific

It wasn't long before they both headed towards the water

She was mad the water and bubbles made her pants all wet. But she didn't stay mad, she ran right back into the water.

From looking at this picture you wouldn't have guessed it was freezing cold. They didn't care!

She didn't like digging the sand at all, can you tell?

Bailey had a full on conversation with this seagull. She called it her 'birdie' and wanted it to come to us. The bird stood there for a good long time yacking back. I suspect it might have thought we had food to throw at it. The conversation was long enough for me to watch for a bit, get the camera out and took this picture.