If you take Alex to school...

he will cry.
Yep. I knew it. Today was meet the teacher and it went about as expected.
We have been preparing Alex for a while now. Reading books about going to school.

(this has been a good one!)

Picked out a new lunch box (he wanted the soccer ball- yes mama, soccer ball). Bought school supplies. Bought new shoes. (I love all these "back to school" traditions....they get me excited just like when I was in school and when I was teaching.)
When we first brought up the idea to him and asked him about going to school a few weeks ago he said "yes! go to school!!....and momma go school toooo?!!" :) Smart one, huh. He has seemed interested and slightly positive but I knew how it would really go.
He started crying the minute we pulled in the parking lot and I said "here is your school!" Today was just meet the teacher so he stayed in the classroom for about an hour while I went to the parent info meeting in the sanctuary. He was not happy about being there at all and cried pretty hard. It wouldn't be so bad for me if there wasnt the cutest pair of lil girls sitting quietly, hands folded, pretty little pigtails, sitting in chairs at the table looking like they were about to recite the pledge of allegiance. Geez, who are these kids?! Oh, and to make matters worse it is raining cats and dogs today! Always a good sign right?!

(this was NOT at school)

I was proud of him though. I know its not easy. Even though he was crying he did walk in on his own and wasn't clingy- this means there is an interest. And he did eventually stop crying. He was reading a book with the aide when I went to pick him up. He didn't do the craft (hand prints). I asked if he would do it for me next time and he said yes....sweet boy. We will see. ;)
So no picture with the teacher. We will shoot for that another day. Baby steps. His teacher seems to be super sweet and I think she will be great! She will have her hands full for sure! I met her last week to talk about Alex's allergies and she is totally on board! Her daughter is allergic to peanuts even! It is an answered prayer! Oh, and I am so excited! There is another little boy in our class that is allergic to milk and eggs!! I can't wait to get to know him and his family!

Thursday is our official first day!

Day 3 Monterrey Aquarium

Day 3 of our California trip we headed to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. We got off to a rough start- Ellie had a poop blowout and there went her super cute and warm outfit. It also got on my white hoodie but no one told me till the end of the day- really, thanks again guys. And unfortunately, we had to give Alex benedryl at lunch before we got there due to an unexplained allergic reaction. It breaks my heart when that happens because it made him so tired the whole time and I know he didn't enjoy it quite as much. Travis and I discussed that we learned a lot about traveling with Alex on this trip and we feel like we will be better prepared next time. (Things like eating picnic lunches are key)
Anyway, It was a really great aquarium! It was huge! You could spend days there! They have an awesome wing for kids and of course Alex loved it all! We saw so many cool things and had a great time with Honey and Grandpa Steve being with us.

Alright Eliana, where do you want to go first?!

This was cool. It was showing the tide so every few seconds a big wave would crash down over the glass. This was right when we walked up....

and this was right before the next wave came....and then Alex totally freaked when it fell. Crying like a ban-chi. Silly boy.



While the kids conked out in the car we decided to drive on up the coast on the "17 Mile drive". Very interesting! Huge mansions right on the coast and really neat views...although it was quite a cold and foggy day so I don't really see the appeal. If I am going to live on the beach it needs to be hot and sunny! The drive went through Pebble Beach- neat to see the golf course a little- and through Carmel- cutest little ritzy town. It would be fun to go back and shop there!


It was a long and exhausting day but so fun!

your daily cup of cuteness

I swear I will finish the trip posts someday!

speaking of Cars...

how can you deny a child this much joy?... (sorry its a little long but I am lazy and I dont feel like editing it down)

Gettin Cozy in the Cozy Coupe

That title reminds me of Cars- "Getting cozy at the cozy cone!" haha...if you have a boy and have watched Cars for the gazillionth time, you get it. :)

We had our good friend Evan over today! The weather was so nice we could play outside- shocking!! Alex didn't want them to go home and decided to just hop in with Evan!

The Scoop on the Lightscoop

My friend Shelby is doing a giveaway of a lightscoop!! What is a lightscoop you ask?! Only the coolest thing for your camera Moms!! I have one ordered and its on the way and I can't wait!

You know when you want to take a picture of your precious babies and the lighting is bad because its too dark and the flash goes off...well, here is the difference a lightscoop makes!

It just attaches on the top to reflect the flash.
Check out their site and head over to Bringing Up Madison and Tyler to win one for yourself! :)

Day 2 San Fransisco

Thanks to the lovely and wonderful grandparents that came with us and the awesome family that let us stay with them....we got to go by ourselves to San Fransisco! A day of fun for Mom and Dad! That's right, we left both kids behind (and didn't look back).

Just driving into the city was very exciting to me and it was beautiful! I loved seeing all the colorful houses on the hillside that just seem to go on for forever! Not to mention the natural scenery.

We drove in and enjoyed the sites from the car as we made our way to start our touring at Pier 39. It was a foggy cold start but warmed up and turned out to be just a gorgeous day! We saw all the classic tourist things.... (I feel like I am the last person ever to go to SF so let me bore you with the details)(I love our long lens btw- its like I was laying with the sea lions)

my criminal face- for Alcatraz of course. travis likes this pic of me a lot.

We had fun just being together and laughing and getting to do what WE wanted to do.

Travis said I had to get a picture with the breastfeeding mermaid- I don't think she is but whatever

eating our free chocolate, such moochers

Lunch was perfect- outside, sun shining, cool breeze, music from some street guy that was actually really good, and fish and chips! Sad I didn't get a picture.

gotta do a little shopping when you don't have kids around to stop you!

The only thing we didn't get to do was ride the trolly because we just didn't have time. The line was long and we really wanted to get over to the Golden Gate Bridge. It's okay, we will just have to go back someday :) Really, you can't see a city in one day anyway! At least not such a cool place like San Fran!

The Bridge was amazing as expected! Travis really wanted to go out on the bridge since he had never gotten too before. It was cool until Travis brings up the horrific thought of an earthquake- seriously?! Do you want me to freak out!?!

Travis, being the civil engineer, loves bridges!

coming through....

a great day to sail

We saw it from all angles and went up to the lookout on the far side too. The view was just amazing.

A great end to our adventure! Or so we thought...
We actually had to go on one more! We were both hungry and thristy and thought what better place to go than "In and Out". Unfortunately it was harder to find/get to than we thought (I know, I know, they are everywhere! The roads are not like Texas where you can see everything!) But we made it happen.

Word is that Alex had a blast at the house and Ellie was a sweetheart!

Just for note, this was Eliana's first time to have formula. It was just easier than bringing frozen milk on a plane. She took it very well and seemed to be just fine. So since I didn't see her all day, I had to pump while we were out and about. First time pumping in a bathroom stall and on the GG Bridge. Oh the memories. (Sorry if that was TMI)