Social Butterflies--or were they Bunnies?

Lexie still loves going to her social butterfly class every Friday! This week, we got to go on a MONDAY!!! She was so excited! This special class was a make-up session for a snow day...and also doubled as their Easter Party! She proudly said "hello" to Miss Melanie (her teacher) and professed that she was "ready to dance" the second we walked in the door! Needless to say, she didn't disappoint once the music began to play!

Lexie dancing and tapping her sticks to the music!
Still dancing and tapping!
After music/dance time was over, the kids made bunny ears to wear during their Easter Egg Hunt. Even though Miss Melanie hid enough eggs for each child to find 3, Lexie was quite content after finding one. It was really cute to see all the kids looking all over the classroom for eggs and helping each other find them!
Just after the hunt for eggs was over, and snack time began, Lexie got another BIG surprise! Russ was able to skip out of the office and join us for the last 30 minutes of Lexie's class! She was soooooo surprised to see him! So was Olivia---
Lexie discovered a new "toy" this week....she scooted around on this contraption for a while!
Row...row...row your boat!!!
Olivia looks around at all the "big kids" playing in the gym!
After gym-time was over and we sang our good bye song, we loaded up and headed home while daddy headed back to the office. We all had a GREAT time!!!

Rain Rain Go AWAY

I know they say April showers bring May flowers...but Lexie wanted so desperately to go outside to play!!! She kept going over to the window to see if it was still raining!

Spotted!

It is amazing what kids will play with! If you are anything like me as a parent, you keep your eyes peeled for great new educational toys, research the latest and the greatest ideas...find the perfect gift...only to have your toddler play with something as common as chip clips, boxes, cupcake holders, or Lexie's favorite the toilet paper roll (her spotting scope)! I love the imagination of toddlers!!!

Going INSANE

For those of you that don't know, Russ and I have been following a workout program called INSANITY. Though we try to do the workouts together as much as possible, Russ' s crazy schedule isn't always conducive to a normal workout time...so we try to squeeze them in whenever we can to be sure to get our daily workout completed. On this particular day, Russ decided to exercise shortly after Lexie woke up from her nap. Since she had a bunch of energy to expend, she decided to join him! The pictures are just toooooo cute! (Don't mind Lexie running around in her pullups...she had just sat on the big potty--and we didn't get a chance to put her pants back on before her workout!)





Olivia and I were watching from the other room while we were shoveling our faces full of food!!! Thankfully, I had already completed my INSANITY for the day!!!
Mmmmmmmm, mmmm, good...she loves her puffs!!

Sharing and Caring

Getting an almost 2 1/2 year old to share isn't always the easiest thing to do, but Lexie is pretty good at it...unless, it means having to share with her younger sister that is. It is a work in progress, but for the most part, she is coming around. The other day, I just so happened to have my camera close by to capture a few good sharing and caring moments...

Lexie found a "binky" and decided that Olivia needed to have it. (UNLIKE her big sister, Olivia never really got into the whole pacifier thing--though she is playing along. The look on her face is priceless!!!)


A very rare moment--Lexie decided to share her blankey with Olivia!!! Blankies are prized commodities around this household!!!

I'm Leaving...on a jet plane...

So sad....but all good things must come to an end. Sadly, this meant our vacation! We really enjoyed the west coast, seeing family, friends, having wonderful weather...now back to 'reality'!
I have to admit, I was so surprised...and so incredibly grateful--the kids adjusted almost immediately the first day back! Maybe all the running around got the best of Lexie, but she ended up falling asleep on the airplane around 11am PST...which is about the time she would go down for a nap at home. Olivia on the other hand, slept like a rock on the first leg, but not so much on the second. She was completely wiped out by the time we got back--no wonder she was able to fall asleep!!!


Lexie enjoying the flight...she did sooooo well!!!
Olivia enjoying the "beverage service"...



It is always nice to visit...but it felt great to be home!

Last Supper

Since this was our last night in California, and we hadn't been to Old Town, we decided to head out for some authentic Mexican cuisine! What a great little place to walk around and people watch...and a great way to end our vacation!



Getting ready to leave the hotel for our last meal together. Olivia was ALMOST as excited as I was for some authentic Mexican food!
The crazy balloon man (not that he is crazy--well he could be, but I was referring to the balloon figures he made)
Spencer helps keep Olivia entertained before we ordered dinner.
Aunt Debbie and Spencer checking out the menu...Olivia puts her two cents in!
Molly and her special balloon monkey.
Dancing to the music...I don't know who was having more fun!


Russ gave the band a tip after they played...so they came back for an encore...and NO, he did NOT request this song...too funny!!!






Russ and Lexie signing to the music! Everybody..."It's a small world afterall..."
Olivia looking as cute as can be holding on to those toes!!!
This is how Marissa spent most of her vacation!!! Ahh...the life of a teenager! Just kidding Marissa!!! We love you!

Island Time...

For our last full day in San Diego, we kept it low key and headed to the beach. Russ and Michael missed out on the sand/surf in La Jolla, and we were in much need of some relaxation, so we headed to Coronado Island. Home of the Hotel Del Coronado, a flurry of Naval Activity, REALLY expensive houses, and beautiful beaches--Coronado was just the break I personally was looking for. I could have sat at the beach listening to the waves crash all day! It was perfect!!!


Spencer climbing the rocks!!! How adorable is he???
Russ and I with Becky and the girls.
Lexie and her daddy!!!!
I wish her eyes were open here...but I still love this picture! I can almost hear the wind and waves as I look at it!
Ford and his thinking pose...taking it all in!


Molly and Lexie loving the sand!!!

Spencer, yet again, braves the cool water temps and jumps into the Pacific!
Lexie...not so much...more of a tip toe!
So much to see and do at the beach!!! Makes it much more fun with a friend/cousin!
Looking for some shells.
Time for a break...Spencer and Lexie relaxing on the rock wall.
Olivia enjoying a "snack" from the confines of her carrier!
The Houston Crew...Marissa, Debbie, Michael, and Spencer

As our "island time" came to an end (ie lunch time) Debbie and I took the girls back to the hotel while Russ and Michael found a liquor store...and a Captain. Of course they couldn't pass up the opportunity for this photo!

We continued our last day of relaxation at the pool before heading off to Old Towne for Dinner. A perfect last day!

Blocks of Fun!!!

When you hear the words Lego Land, in terms of a place to visit while on vacation...you don't really know what to expect. Until I searched online for myself, I thought we were going to be going to a big warehouse type place to play with....legos! I couldn't have been more wrong! This place is great for kids...toddlers-preteens! There were roller coasters, water rides, driving courses, obstacle courses...etc, etc, etc! Olivia still may have been a bit young to really benefit from it, but I would definitely go back again if I had the chance!

Olivia was sooooo excited to be at Legoland! She was actually awake when we hit the gates!
Molly and Lexie getting ready to tear it up in Lego Land!!!
Checking out the lay of the land...
Which way do we go, which way do we go????
This impressive beast was TOWERING over the visitors...pretty cool!
This was a REALLY cool display of legos/musical instruments! As you walked along the path, the instrument played music and sprayed water. Debbie was trying to get two at once...she is truly a kid at heart!!! I had fun just watching her!


We made it to our first ride! The sign was VERY misleading...I think we waited twice as long as was posted...but we didn't mind...well, most of us didn't! I think this is his "I'm dead sexy" look! Don't let the face fool you...he was having fun waiting in line!!!!

Waiting in line for the roller coaster...these little monkeys loved to climb!!!!

Molly is all about safety first...as she grabs for the safety bar!!! She is ready for the ride to begin!!!!

Everybody say "cheeeeeeeeeeese"


Check out this video of the roller coaster ride!!!




Everything is under control...Marissa and Molly to the rescue in their bright yellow helicopter!!!



Lexie and Russ playing at Swabbie's Deck...this water "park" for toddlers inside Legoland was great! It would have been even better if the water wasn't ice cold!!!
Lexie figured out how to make the water 'jump'!
Down the slide into the cold, cold, water she goes! I couldn't believe she went through with it...TWICE...probably because Spencer was waiting at the bottom!!!!!

Olivia enjoying the swing and watching all the kids play!
My little sun baby loves people watching!

Russ and Lexie making their way back from the Pirate Ship...maybe the water was too cold for Russ too!!!


In line for another fun ride...the girls sure did keep each other entertained while waiting...and of course being able to climb on those bars didn't hurt either!!!

Lexie was sooooo excited to go on a ride with Spencer! Russ stood in line with her and at the last minute, she decided she wanted to go with her big cousin! She love love loves her Spencer!!!!

There's no turning back now!!!!


Brad and Molly wave to the camera as they go boating by!
Spencer was quite the captain of his ship...he was passing boats left and right! (Not the least bit competitive!!!)


The big kids playing on the slides...ready...set........

...G O O O O O......
The little kids were out cold!
Amazing display....made completely out of legos!!!