just tall enough

We aren't known for "tall" in our family. 

The odds are stacked against the kids for dunking a basketball or playing front row on the volleyball team.

I think I put the bakers sugar on the top shelf just so that I can prove to myself that I'm just tall enough to reach without using the step stool.

In their little world, when you can finally ride the rickety tiger coaster at the zoo, 

you've made it!

At 32 weeks pregnant, it's obvious that I was banned from this ride. 

My Auntie Mary joined us for the day, so "lucky" for her (she's not a real fan of heights), she was Anna's sidekick for her very first tiger coaster adventure.

What you don't see pictured is that Auntie Mary rode the coaster ride with Kieran right before this. He would have kept riding, except two times was her limit, and I don't blame her!

Thanks, Auntie Mary, we love you!

She's got a ways to go before she can go on her father/daughter trip to Disneyland, since you have to be 40 inches. 

For now,

she's satisfied with just tall enough.

i see this...

I see this...

and I can't help but feel happiness as it transfers from my eyes to my heart. I can't help but want to take their happiness and bottle it up in a jar, to hold on to it, treasure it, savor it. This, is the image of an almost 5 year old little boy, a kid, and an almost 60 year old grandmother. 

My son, my mother.

This, is the kind of happiness that is born into this world, and never leaves.

A kid, and a kid at heart. 

They share this special bond, as it was imprinted on their souls the day they were born. 

Ever met anyone like that before?

These two, they got the memo.

I see this...

and I can't help but feel care-free. The kind that I'm certain that if I remembered, I would have felt when I was this age, when I was almost 3. It didn't matter what time it was, I didn't have any deadlines, or pressing matters.

She just hits the ground running, takes in the glorious sunshine, 

and smiles.

My daughter, care-free.

I see this...

and I think the world would be a less happier place if it weren't for ice cream.

I see this...

and wonder what she's thinking, it must be very important.

I see this...

and I think to myself, life is an amazing miracle, isn't it?

I see this...

and I think to myself, how proud I am to be his mother.

I see this...

and I feel blessed. 

Thank you, God.

Life is good.

you say it's your birthday...

Monday was Mom's real birthday, but we had her over for a birthday celebration on Sunday that began with Dad painting (yes, my room has been in perpetual painting hell for months now and still is), and us taking a trip to our beloved zoo. 

This was the end of the night, but we forgot to take a picture at the zoo, so I started with this one :)

In addition to taking Mom to the zoo, we also got to meet up with the Bell's (our good friends and Anna's godparents). Kieran has a few idols (our next door neighbor and Cousin Catherine-who will appear shortly), but his main squeeze is Elyse. 

They had a blast together...looking at the otters,

the turtles and reptiles,

climbing the big frog,

hanging out inside the turtle shell,

and riding the tiger coaster.


These two are so sweet together. You know it's "love" when they live 300 miles apart and are two peas in a pod immediately.


Anna fully enjoyed her day as well. It's a lot of fun to take her to the zoo now, because she is taking everything in at warp speed. She wants to do everything that the "big kids" do...

like climbing the big frog...

or walking right up to the glass to get a piece of the action,

or using her zoo key.
She is keenly aware of her surroundings and it is very important to her to say hi to everyone that she sees...

even if it's through a pane of glass. And what you don't see is the people on the other side whom Anna managed to catch their attention :)

She even watched the turtle as he ever so slowly hunted for the cricket that I'm sure had to have filled him up. If it didn't, I can only imagine that it takes forever to eat lunch!

A couple of thousand steps later, dreamland had finally arrived.

Perfect timing to fall asleep, because the sky ride is 20 minutes! Sorry for the blurry picture,  I zoomed in too far with my small point and shoot. I REALLY need to get my SLR fixed!

Still, are they not the cutest?

It was finally time to hit the road so that the B's could embark on their 4 hour excursion, and we could get back to the house in time for the family to come over for Mom's birthday dinner.

Typical boy, doesn't say goodbye to Elyse. Typical girl, Elyse stomps off.

Smart girl, learns that if she pouts (and this is one good pout, I might add)...

she'll get exactly what she wants. 
Way to go Elyse!

I tell ya', it was one happy day for Kieran. The zoo, Elyse, playing Top Gun on Nonno's iphone, and relishing every minute with Cousin Catherine.
And the other items that Kieran relishes?

Opening presents even when they're not his, 

blowing out birthday candles, even when they're not his,

not once, but twice!
And of course, eating the pumpkin bundt cake with rum glaze  (which looks different than the linked one because I used rum which made the glaze turn clear), twice :).

I was even demoted! He was so excited that Catherine read his bedtime story!
A good time was had by all,

all including Mom and Auntie Mary, and for some reason the big fat ZERO pictures I took of Dad, Erik, Johnny and Gina. Not sure what happened with that?

Yes, you already saw this picture, but this picture deserves to be posted a second time. My mom is the most selfless, giving, kind, caring, cool, FUNNY person I know. This woman lives life to the fullest, more than anyone I've ever known. She gets it. She knows that life is too short to carry guilt, hold grudges, sweat the small stuff. She knows that life is so precious, wonderful, that if you can't laugh at yourself, you aren't really living. She knows that life is all about family and friends. She knows that life is helping others, even if they are perfect strangers. She knows that God listens and she listens in return. My mom, my idol, my friend.


You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too--yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.

Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party.

I would like you to dance--Birthday
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance-Birthday
I would like you to dance--Birthday
Dance
I love you mommy!

a quick visit from grandma

Kieran and Anna were especially happy to see Grandma (Papa is on a golf trip with Erik in Oregon). It's been a while, so it was a special treat that Grandma drove all the way from Bakersfield, to spend one night and then go back home the next day!

Playing in the backyard at the water table with little plastic bugs:

Giving each bug a name and following along with the story line:

Being carried by Grandma:

Laughing because she knows she's funny:

"Boys like shooting", Kieran says. "Mommy doesn't like shooting", I reply. "Just pretend shooting", Kieran explains.

Kieran with his "shoot":

Giving Grandma love:

Happy to go down the slide:

I was lazy at the zoo today (that and my camera card is full), so all I got was this one picture of the kids eating the Teddy Grahams that Grandma bought, because I forgot to bring their lunch-oops!

We had a great time, though it was far too short of a weekend! Kieran and Anna are blessed to have grandparents who would drive 4 1/2 hours one way, to spend such a short amount of time with them and then drive another 4 1/2 hours back. It was a quick visit, but worth every minute of love.