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Spring Break 2012

Posted on April 16, 2012 Written by Tonya

Today I’m missing my little side kick, but I am proud to report I we survived Spring Break!

In the beginning there was worry and dread. Lots of dread and then, I made a list! I outlined each day and before I knew it I was actually excited about Lucas being on Spring Break!

The days were long, I’m not going to lie, but we had so much fun together.

There was a trip to the aquarium, a birthday party, a play date, ice cream, scooter time, a much needed hair cut, plenty of park time and we started swim lessons!

There were also at least 20 rounds of the game Cars & Trucks cards, pizza and macaroni and cheese lunches, a couple of afternoons with no naps that we filled with crayons, paint and multiple viewings of Rio. Oh, and there was one afternoon spent with a babysitter so Mommy could get her yoga on.

All in all the week went by super fast and we didn’t even get to everything on my list, but the memories of our time together and Lucas’ first Spring Break will last a lifetime.

Linking up with Galit (These Little Waves) and Alison’s (Mama Wants This) monthly link up, Memories Captured.

I’m His Mom

Posted on February 22, 2012 Written by Tonya

While at the park today, someone asked me if I was Lucas’ babysitter.

Could it have been the hoodie and Converse sneakers that prompted the question?

It certainly wasn’t the lines on my face or the hair pulled up in a bun on top of my head.

Or was it?

Don’t we look alike?, I thought.

Don’t we have the same blue eyes?

If you spent any time with the two of us together, you’d recognize in an instant the same short temper, extremely strong will and an inability to sit still for too long.

If you listened to us, you’d hear the same phrases coming out of our mouths and inflection in our voices.

If you watched us chasing each other across the grass, you would have heard the infectious laughter than only two people that spend as much time together as we do can share.

If you looked closely, you’d see an immeasurable love and a bond so pure that only parent and child can share.

If you could look into my head, you’d realize how much space is occupied by thoughts of this boy’s well-being, including his daily nutrition intake, overall health and happiness, growth, sleep cycles, education, relationships, and striving to be the best role model I can be.

I wish you could see the way he reaches for me as if I’m the only person in the world .

We have the same blood running through our veins and his heart is mine as mine is his.

Babysitter?

No. I am way more than his babysitter, “I’m his mom.”, I stated proudly.

I’m lucky enough to be his mom.

Mesmerized

Posted on November 4, 2011 Written by Tonya

The sky was full of dark clouds and it was pouring rain when we woke up on Friday morning. Our outdoor plans needed adjusting…. fast!

Enter: The Aquarium of the Pacific

We have been once before, but not since Lucas was a year old. You can read about it here. I was bound and determined to make this visit different.

I have always thought there was something incredibly soothing about watching fish and other glorious sea creatures effortlessly move through water and clearly, so does Lucas.

He stood and starred completely mesmerized by starfish, sea horse, otters, jelly fish and stringray. The expression on his face was calm and wonderful.

It was the perfect rainy day outing for us.

Plus, we got to wear our new rain boots!

Halloween

Posted on October 30, 2011 Written by Tonya

The best things about Halloween?

1. Candy corn. I know it’s available all year long, but I only buy it during the month of October. I’m the only one in my house that likes it and so far, I’m on bag #3.

2. Multiple visits to the pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkin.

3. After the sun goes down, Lucas has been ~~demanding~~ requesting that we drive around our neighborhood to see all the Halloween decorations; twinkle lights, pumpkins, spiders, ghosts and one amazing pirate ship are his favorites.

4. Carmel apples, cake pops and other yummy treats friends are braver than I to try to make.

5. Holiday arts and crafts.

6. Glow in the dark skeleton jammies.

7. Decorating pumpkins with pipe cleaners, stickers, glue and pomp pomps instead of knives.

8. Watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

9. Trick-or-treating and hoping for the good stuff.

10. Children dressed up as Super Man, princesses, Woody and sharks. Speaking of sharks, will you please check out the face on the shark below? I love having a child! Especially during the holidays.

This post was inspired by Stasha’s Monday Listicles, a linky right up my alley! This week’s topic: Ten Things Halloween.

I’m also linking up with Jessica (Four Plus an Angel) and Tracy’s (Sellabit Mum) Boo! in the Blogosphere Halloween Photo Link Up.

Brave

Posted on September 4, 2011 Written by Tonya

As my eyes ping pong from the two seals bobbing up and down 20 feet from shore to my left and Lucas and his dad standing at the water’s edge to my right, all I can think is: what makes these two creatures so brave?

The playful and curious mammals are enjoying riding the waves and being propelled closer and closer to the land, only to be pushed back out to sea again. They are visibly having fun and it’s a joy to witness.

My two year old is just as confident with every single step he takes further into the Pacific Ocean. The glee on his face makes me giggle as I shake my head. He adores the water but cannot swim, so I’m also a bit on edge.

The difference?

The seals instinctively know that they can turn towards the ocean and go “home”. They have other challenges there, but if a foreign object or human came too close, they know to retreat or attack.

Lucas is armed with his dad at his side gripping him back to safety as needed and a sturdy life jacket. He is too young and little to know how to really protect himself, especially from the strong current and rough waters. He is thrilled to have the seals as company.

For now, both pairs are safe from predators and having the time of their lives.

The Summer That Was

Posted on September 1, 2011 Written by Tonya

If Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer, Labor Day marks the end.

Sigh…

Here are our summer highlights:

We celebrated someone turning two with a bounce house party and someone else (gulp) turning 39 on a Duffy boat. Both parties included cupcakes!

There were toes in the sand, afternoons spent in wet bathing suits and sun screen applied almost daily.

There were trips to the park, sweet treats devoured and rainbows found while sailing on the ocean.

We had fun at the circus, on the water pad at Legoland and met idols at Disneyland.

There was a girls’ weekend in Palm Springs, a blog conference in San Diego and a glorious week in Hawaii.

Lucas started school and we have already proudly covered our refrigerator with adorable art work.

There was a visit to Grandma and Grandpa’s house and a mini roller coaster ride with fearless cousins.

It was a great summer, full of milestones and memories.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Labor Day weekend!

In Her Shoes

Posted on August 30, 2011 Written by Tonya

I’m a walker.

I’m a stroller pusher (although these days, Lucas would rather run up ahead).

I’m a comfort seeker.

I’m a park goer.

I’m a networker.

I’m a beach comber.

I’m a diva.

I’m a mom.

Linking up with Alicia’s Wordless Wednesdays.

Week One

Posted on December 18, 2010 Written by Tonya

In our first week in Orange County we’ve been to Disneyland, the annual Newport Beach Boat Parade and a shopping trip to South Coast Plaza and have managed to settle in to our new home. There are still many boxes to unpack and a garage full of items to organize, but the basics are done.

I was five years old the first time I went to Disneyland in the Summer of 1977. How my parents managed to get this shot without another soul in it is beyond me. Fast forward to 2010 and this is what Sleeping Beauty’s Castle looks like today:Lucas loved his first visit to Disneyland or “the Mickey Mouse park”, as it has come to be known in our house. If you ever get the opportunity to visit during the holiday season, it is really worth it. The Happiest Place on Earth becomes the Merriest Place on Earth with holiday decorations abound and it even snows!

We took Lucas on the It’s a Small World ride and he was bright-eyed and excited the entire time bouncing along to the soundtrack and enjoyed being on the boat, even after waiting in line for 40 minutes.

I was pleasantly surprised that he sat through the entire “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade, which includes all the Disney characters and Santa Claus too, after waiting another 40 minutes. He was mesmerized by the lights and dancers.

Handing us the park map so we can find our way to the “choo choo”.

Way more interested in his Mickey balloon than meeting Minnie.

It was a memorable and magical first of many trips.

Back to unpacking…

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Aquarium Of The Pacific

Posted on August 8, 2010 Written by Tonya

Last week, Lucas and I visited the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach for the first time with my friends Colleen and Wendi, their two little boys and my sister.

It was not my best mommy day.

I was on day four of Lucas’ dad being away and my patience was shot and nerves were fried. It was hot and very crowded and Lucas refused to eat and proceeded to scream his way through lunch. All he wanted to do was run around and be free of the stroller. Who can blame him, right?

Lucas loved being up close and personal with the sting rays and friendly sharks, but a 13 month old doesn’t quite understand the command “gentle, two fingers only”.

The water-squirting playground was a huge hit with all the boys, but next time, I’ll bring a towel and a change of clothes. For both of us!

It’s a beautiful aquarium and home to over 11,000 ocean animals and I highly recommend it if you are traveling to southern California.

The sea otter exhibit was our favorite. It was a lot of fun and dare I say, soothing to watch the silly energetic otters swim back and forth in their habitat.

The best is yet to be.

Spring Break 2012

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I’m His Mom

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Mesmerized

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Brave

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The Summer That Was

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In Her Shoes

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Aquarium Of The Pacific

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