Halloween festivities

We're keeping busy. Last weekend Kailani made a Halloween countdown sign at the teacher store. We hung out and played with the cousins for a while and then we headed to Kailani's cooking class. The kids made pasta salad with ingredients the teacher thought might be new to them...mushrooms, avocado, pepperoni, etc. Kailani had already tasted all of the ingredients but avocado. She seemed to like it. We shared her pasta salad as a side for dinner on Sunday night.
Saturday night we headed to Legoland for brick-or-treat. We met Becky and her family there. Nicole and her kids joined us. We all had a pizza dinner together and then waited in line for about an hour for the brick-or-treat trail. There were a lot of things to look at while we were in line, so it wasn't so bad. The kids had a lot of fun and they both fell asleep on the way home:)
Sunday our meetup group had a "Not so Spooky Halloween Spooktacular" event. They had lots of activities going on at a park on base. There was a bounce house and a maze. The kids could either make a hand print bat or a footprint ghost. Kailani did the bat and Zachary did the ghost. Kailani participated in a race after I wrapped her in toilet paper like a mummy. Becky and her kids and Nicole and her kids joined us for the event. We always have a great time with the group. Last night we went to Chick-fil-A...they had a Halloween party. Both kids were in their costumes and we got their picture taken with the cow.

Kailani is starting to be a big help with Zachary. She loves to help feed him. He really likes food now. Tonight he ate peas and bananas.

Friday is the Halloween parties and parade at KinderCare...at 9:30 of course. When I work 8-12, 9:30 is tough...I would have to take the whole day off. I didn't want Kailani to be wondering why I wasn't there. Becky offered to go and Kailani knows she will be coming. It's so nice to have family here! Although I still wish I was going, I am glad someone is able to go. I will be picking the kids up early anyway to go to a Fall Festival at one of the parks in Chula Vista.

I talked with Gram this week and she is doing well. We are very glad she is home.

AJ's kids crane

I've been so busy I haven't had much of a chance to blog. We're still out and about and doing lots of things...enjoying the cousins being here. Last Friday we went to AJ's kid's crane. Every year this radio dj goes up in a crane in the Ikea parking lot until he collects a certain amount of toys for Rady Children's Hospital. Each year the number of toys increases...this year it's 101,000! There was a Halloween party since Friday was the first day he went up in the crane. People who showed up in costume and donated a toy got a free ticket to Legoland. Kailani had a good time. I think she really understood the idea of giving a toy for the kids in the hospital.

Saturday Kailani spent the day with daddy because I had a test. She did art at the teacher store...a scarecrow and they had lunch together at Applebee's. Zachary spent the day at Becky's house. Saturday night, Makenzi spent the night. She's been bored without school. She started school on Monday and is enjoying it.

Sunday we took the kids to the splash park...a playground with sprinklers. The kids played and then we had lunch at Subway.

We got back into the swing of things with work and school this week. Yesterday I got a call from the daycare...Kailani had picked the wart off her nose and was bleeding. She was okay, they just called to let me know. At least the wart is gone now. The wart on her hand seems to be going away too, but it does look sore. We've stopped using the medicine for the past few days to let it rest.

Zachary continues to eat his fruits and vegetables. So far he's had apples, bananas, pears, carrots, and sweet potatoes. He loves to eat!

Last night we went to Chick-fil-A. Mad Science was there doing experiments. Next week there is a Halloween party...can't wait:)

Looking forward to the weekend...lots to do again!

Becky's arrival

We've had a very busy week. Becky, Makenzi, and Jaylynn arrived on Wednesday afternoon. Kailani has been enjoying time with her cousins. Friday night Kailani and Zachary had their pictures taken at the Picture People for Halloween. They each wore their Halloween costumes and a "trick-or-treat" shirt. Saturday morning we did the Walk on the Wild Side at the zoo. The kids had a lot of fun going through the zoo. We got to see some animals up close and got some goodies at the end. Kailani had her cooking class in the afternoon. They made no-bake chocolate eclairs. The teacher said it looked like Kailani enjoyed making them the most out of all the kids. She had to mix the filling and layer it with graham crackers in a foil container. She topped it off with chocolate frosting. We brought the dessert home to put in the fridge and save for dessert, but we forgot to eat it.

Zachary rolled over for the first time yesterday, from his belly to his back. Of course he did it right after I left to take Kailani to her food class. I am waiting to actually see him roll over. I put him on his belly, looked away, and he was on his back, but I haven't actually seen him roll yet. I'll be on the lookout now.

We finally go the fish tank moved back yesterday...it's been in Kailani's toy room since we had the new flooring put in. They were supposed to come back and fix the base boards, but I was getting tired of waiting. We're having kids over today for a Piggies & Paws party, so I wanted the house to be put back together. So far, the fish is still swimming:)

We're getting ready for the party today...lots to do yet.

Apple picking

Today we headed out to Julian, about an hour and a half drive, to the apple days festival. The festival wasn't really what we had expected, but we had a really nice drive out there. We were able to pick some apples at the orchards but most of the trees were empty. At least Kailani had a good time. Since Julian is up in the mountains, it was much cooler there than down here in Chula Vista...Brrrr!

Zachary continues to grow. He is eating cereal and fruits now. So far he's had apples and bananas. He loves the apples, but is still not sure about the bananas. Zachary is officially in size 3 diapers. At this rate, he'll pass Kailani. I think she only ever made it to size 5, and that was when she was 2!

Hopefully we'll get some rest this week after our busy weekend. We've got a lot going on though. Chick-fil-A on Tueday of course. Becky and the kids fly in on Wednesday afternoon. Then, another busy weekend ahead of us.

Fun-filled October

Yesterday Kailani went to the dentist for a regular check up. As always, her teeth are fine...no cavities. She did a great job opening her mouth for the cleaning. She wouldn't sit in the chair by herself yet so she sat on my lap. The dentist reminded us that she should stop sucking her thumb by the time she turns four. I've told Kailani that already and as we pulled up to the dentist's office, she asked if she was four already.

Last night we went to one of the military wife's houses for the monthly cooking club that was postponed last week. The theme was everything European so we made German potato salad. Kailani had a fun time playing with her little friends and she enjoyed the pierogies and kielbasa the most. She was given her "Kailani, Kailani, who do you see?" book that they made at a meetup this week. We weren't able to attend because it was a weekday, but we sent pictures of Kailani and Zachary with one of the girls and they made books for us. They turned out really good.

We had a very busy day today, but we had lots of fun. We got up bright and early to participate in the Shamu and You walk at Sea World. We opted for the shorter walk today...one mile instead of four. The one-mile walk was through Sea World. We got to see a few animals along the way for special encounters. At the end, there were lots of vendors giving out free things...Chick-fil-A was giving out free chicken sandwiches. We love Chick-fil-A. Kailani painted a tile to hand on the fridge. Zachary slept the whole walk.

We stopped home for a short break and then headed to the Chula Vista Fire Station. Today was open house. They had lots of booths set up with information about fire prevention and safety. Kailani got a digital id on CD so we have a picture in case she goes missing. She wouldn't get her fingerprints done. We usually do all this at school, but we missed this particular day at school this year. They were giving rides on a little fire engine. We waited in line for about 15 minutes and when we went to get on, Kailani had a fit. She refused to go on. I took Zachary by myself. Kailani was still crying when the fire engine pulled back into the station. It was only a short ride...luckily for daddy.

After the open house at the fire station, it was time for cooking class. Today Kailani made crepes. She measured her own flour and sugar and mixed in the cream. She even poured her own batter on the hot plate and flipped them with a spatula. She was able to make four out of her mixture. She then filled them with cream, bananas, and strawberries. They were good:) She is enjoying cooking class a lot. Next week she will make no-bake chocolate eclairs.

On the way home, we stopped to pick up a few things at Costco. Kailani enjoyed the samples and Zachary did a great job in his front carrier.

Our final stop for the evening was the pumpkin station. Kailani has been talking about going since she saw them setting up about two weeks ago. We got her a few ride tickets and she rode two rides and spent the rest on the inflatables. She loves those inflatable slides! Kailani picked out a big pumpkin for the house and then we headed to the mall for pizza...Kailani's request for dinner.

Of course Kailani passed out on the way home and Zachary's been sleeping since we left the pumpkin patch. We like to be busy! Tomorrow we're heading out to Julian for the apple days festival. We'll actually be able to pick our own apples from the orchards. There's so many cool things going on in San Diego during the month of October!