favorite k&m moments: feb 2012

favorite faces: feb 2012

one last february disney day

We met up with the Z family at California Adventure and had a great day. It was so fun to see friends from Utah and to get to know their kids. And what cute kids! June and Kapria were so chatty once they spent a little time together and they had a lot of fun on the rides. Isaac was okay with me as long as I shared snacks with him. Jeniel adored Mila and wanted to carry her everywhere. Normally Mila would love it because she loves when older kids carry her around. But for some reason she was being especially shy. I think David was the only one I didn't get to talk to much. But I love his face on the Monster's Inc ride. I wonder which monster he's staring at?

Anyway, we had a lot of fun and next time I need to get a picture with Erin!

bouldering

A new bouldering gym opened near us, and Trav was counting down the days until it happened. The grand opening day offered free climbing to everyone, so we headed down as a family. It was pretty crowded, but Trav managed to climb several routes, and the girls tried it out too. They are little monkeys and have hopefully inherited their dad's natural athleticism and talent for sports.  (And if they haven't, we'll make sure they learn it!)

Bouldering is rock climbing on large boulders or low cliffs without a harness or rope. Typically you have a crash pad below you to land on if you fall and spotters to help out. However, I think falling without hurting yourself takes a certain kind of grace and agility, both of which I I don't have. Hook me up to a rope and I'll try it. Take the rope away and no thank you.

disney day

We love going to Disneyland with Jen and her girls. Our kids get along so well, and Jen and I get to talk all we want and help each other out with kids running back and forth between strollers and making sure everyone is together. It is fabulous.

The big highlights of this day were joining in the Phineas and Ferb dance party, meeting Sully and Peter Pan, and playing in the fountain water. Jen was a good sport and went on the teacups even though she hates them. I love how happy the girls are in that teacup. And Ellie - looking so darling as she tries to open Mr. Rabbit's door. Too bad the Disney people don't open it anymore. Travis says they used to when he was a kid.

Mila is always nervous about the characters, especially ones that aren't human. She was terrified of Sully, and in the picture she's trying not to look at him.

Mila's reactions to the other characters made the fact that she talked to Peter Pan even more surprising. She was the only one who would answer him when he asked their names! Kapria and Paiton were so shy and just kept giggling. Silly girls were smitten with him.

(PS. Yes, this Peter Pan looks an awful lot like Terrance, whom we met a few weeks back.:)

I didn't get a good picture of it, but Kapria and Paiton sat in their own seat together on the Ariel ride with no adults. They were a little nervous at first, but then loved it when the worker let us ride twice without getting off. What big girls they are getting to be!

The time is going so quickly that we get to enjoy these fun family days, and I am loving every minute of it with my girls.

cookies

We decided to make cookies for family night. The girls were so excited. But when we pulled the chocolate chip cookies out of the oven they said, "Where are the pumpkin cookies? We don't like these!"

Oops. We'll be making pumpkin cookies tomorrow.

a visit from spiderman

andrew & sammy come to visit

 

imagination & the ancient arts

Kapria makes me so happy every day. She's always coming up with fun things to do with Mila. In one day they'll pretend to be mom and daughter ("No Shar, I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to Mila. She's my mom right now."), or girl and pet ("Come here, Sammy. Be a good cat and let me give you your medicine."), or prince and princess ("Will you please dance with me Prince Eric? I really like this song.").

Today Kapria decided they needed to practice "the ancient arts." You'd think she's been watching Kung Fu Panda recently, but she has not. I have no idea why this came up. She tied toilet paper as her sash, wrist, and ankle wraps. Then she got a set for Mila and tied them on for her. Unfortunately, Mila's didn't last long enough for me to take her picture. But Kapria was really excited to show me her skills.

Yep, she's pretty much the raddest kid I know. I adore her so much and admire her imagination. And now we need to get her into some martial arts classes so she can hone those crazy-amazing skills.

love day

Trav took the day off from school to spend it with us and that was the best gift ever! We loved having a whole extra day together. 

a new hobby

Trav bought a slackline and has started bringing it to the park every time we go. Kapria and Mila think it's so cool. Kapria especially wants to try it over and over, and every time we head to the park she asks if we're bringing it.

We really liked the idea of starting it because slacklining helps increase balance and focus, and Trav and I can see how that would help all of us. We also like that it's individual - we each can improve and try new tricks at our own pace.

As part of our Valentine's Day, we headed to the park to play.

 

utah trip

  

 

 

disney day with paiton & ellie

Jen and I carpooled up to Disneyland, which is always exciting for the girls. They love it when we have friends in the car with us. The weather was great and the girls were all so good. Jen and I always have plenty to talk about and our girls get along really well, so our days together are really fun.


Mila didn't want to meet Pluto, but had lots to say to Tinker Bell and the Princesses.

Paiton and Kapria were so cute when meeting Terence. They couldn't wait to talk to him. But then when it was their turn, they got super shy and hardly said a word. They giggled and stared. They definitely have a different reaction around the boy characters than the girl ones! Mila refused to even talk to him, but then as we left, she regretted it and kept calling his name. He waved to her, so she was happy.

We went on several rides, too, but I've quit taking as many pictures on rides so I can just enjoy the time with the girls. I love this time together, their wonder and excitement every time we go.