Santa Ana Botanical Gardens

We have been in southern CA for almost 5 years now, and have still not run out of new places to try.  I love that there is so much to do.  We got back to some favorites again and again, but I've been trying to get to some different sites as well.

I took Ethan, Preston and Elise to the Santa Ana Botanical Gardens.  Ethan and Elise were being particularly silly this day...and enjoyed posing for the camera as such.

Ethan's favorite spot was the butterfly pavilion.  He was so excited to have butterflies landing on him.

I loved the variety of colors and space for kids to run and explore.

Elise loved this 'fancy' bridge with all the gems.

we all had lots of fun, obviously. :)

Yesterday, Brielle also got to go to the gardens on a field trip with her school.

She said her favorite part was learning about the different colors of the plants and how you can know how much water they are getting or need.

Sea World

After James' conference, we were able to go as a family to Sea World.  The Warnick's drove down to join us.  And, since it only cost an additional $2 to get a season pass, we all decided we'll go back a few more times this year.  We've already been back once...so this post has pictures from our first 2 visits to Sea World.

Ethan was the only one of the kids that wanted to sit in the soak zone for the shamu show.  He and James, who sat with him were rewarded with a great view, and only got a little bit wet.

James had this thing spinning faster than it has probably ever spun before.  The kids loved it.  Luckily no one got sick.  And in fact, Gavin, who hadn't been feeling very well before this ride, came out feeling much better and ready for more play time.

We've loved all the aquariums.  Especially the touch tanks.

Brielle loves Manta, the big roller coaster they have there.  Ethan isn't quite tall enough to try it out yet.

But they both love the Shipwreck Rapids ride and were soaked after going three times in a row.

Ethan doesn't seem to mind getting wet. :)

San Diego

Last month, James attended the American Association for Cancer Research Conference in San Diego.  

The kids and I were invited to come along.  The lab rented this penthouse for everyone to stay, and I was in charge of the food while we were there.  I would make everyone breakfast, help get lunches packed, and then while everyone attended the conference, the kids and I would explore until we needed to be back to get dinner ready.

A few of the things we did...enjoyed the outdoor organ concert, and toured the international houses at Balboa Park (which was only about a mile from the place we were staying)

Went to the Mormon Battalion Center.  Preston is enjoying the gold panning (aka splashing in water)

Explored the museums in Old Town Stake Park.

And got some great time playing...

...eating dirt... 

...and sleeping at the beach.

One of the nights we were invited to join everyone for dinner at Carlotta's Uncle's house for her birthday celebration.  

His house is on the cliffs above the beach, so we had a nice (and steep) hike down to the beach before dinner.

Fun family time!

Fly-On-The-Wall Tuesday

Tuesday, May 13th

2:30-Up with Preston
He still doesn't want to give up the middle of the night nursing.  Usually just up twice now.

6:30-Rise and Shine!
Time to get the rest of the house out of bed to start getting ready while I go down to make breakfast and pack lunches.

7:30-Driving to School
A bit of traffic today, but we'll still be on time.  We are currently working on memorizing the Old Testament Scripture Mastery Scriptures during the drive to school using this app since we are learning about the Old Testament in Sunday School and Family MTC reading.

8:30-Ethan Speech
Spent some time with cousins after dropping of Brielle.  Now Ethan gets to go to his class.

9:30-Ethan Pick Up
I got some exercise done with Preston while Ethan was in class, since it's going to be hot today and I have a meeting tonight, wanted to fit it in this morning.

10:30-Scanning
Getting some of my computer work done.  I try to scan papers once a week so they don't clutter up the house.  Here are my Mother's day cards from the kids...now on my computer, backed up to save and thrown out.

Ethan is playing next to me while I work, Preston is taking his morning nap.

11:30-Dentist Calls
Ethan I and were working on house cleaning.  He is still at it while I am on the phone to reschedule our dentist appointments.

12:30-Dinner Prep
Ethan is still finishing his lunch, while I'm getting dinner started.  Jalapeño chicken tonight.

1:30-Feeding Preston Lunch
He usually takes his best naps in the morning.  Slept for almost 3 hours, which is longer than normal, but he sure is happy about it.

2:30-Coming home with Kids
Dropping Brielle off for her birthday date with Ian and Annie, then coming home with the boys.

3:30-Putting Preston down for 2nd Nap
He doesn't always take a 2nd nap when he takes a long morning nap, but he is acting tired.

While I was putting preston down, Ethan made me this flower.  He said it was for Mother's day.

4:30-Clean Up
Unloading dishwasher and finishing jobs for the day while kids work on homework.  I do a lot of extra cleaning and computer work on Tuesday, since Monday and Wednesday I'm busy doing school time and activities with my nieces over.

5:30-Checking Homework
Brielle has a desk for her homework spot by the window in her room.  

While I'm looking over her work, the boys are playing next to us.

6:30-Baby Bath Time
Just finished eating dinner outside.  James decided to take the big kids out on a date since he is leaving town tomorrow, so I'm just getting Preston ready for bed tonight.

7:30-Relief Society Meeting
Monthly planning meeting to get ready for upcoming activities

8:30-Finishing RS Meeting
James came home with the kids and took them up to get ready for bed while I finished the meeting.  Preston didn't stay asleep (too hot? teething? too long of naps today?), so he joined our meeting and is trying to steal everyone's cookies.

9:30-Helping James Pack
Kids all in bed sleeping.  James is headed out tomorrow morning to a conference in North Carolina, so helping him get ready.

10:30-Bedtime Routine
Reading Scriptures, getting reading for bed.

Brielle's 7th Birthday

With Brielle's birthday on a Sunday, she got to spread out the festivities and celebrated both the weekend before and the weekend after!

The day before her birthday, Grandma Finlay took her to the Ramona Pageant.  She had a great day and loved watching the play in this outdoor amphitheater.

The week after her birthday she was invited for a birthday date with Uncle Ian and Aunt Annie.  They gave her her own special gardening gloves and watering can, and took her to choose plants she wanted to grow.  She is very excited about her tomatoes and pink flowers.

For her birthday she wanted a hot-air balloon cake. She wanted to use the decorations I had made for our Relief Society birthday celebration (hot air balloon themed).  Since her favorite candy bar is a kit kat, I decided to use those for the basket.  I asked her if she wanted the cake decorated with frosting or candy, and of course she chose candy. :)
Her food choices for the day:
Breakfast-Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Lunch-Grilled Cheese
Dinner-Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Breadsticks and Pineapple
Cake-Chocolate Speckled

 These girls love to have matching clothes.  They often plan what to wear when they will be going to the same place to make sure they coordinate.

Thanks everyone, for helping her feel special and make it such a great birthday!

Brielle 7-year Interview and Stats

My name is: Brielle (aka Ellie, Bo, Bo-Bellie, Biscuit)
Height: 51.25 inches (95%)
Weight: 52 pounds 9 oz (65%)
Sleeping: about 11 hours (7:30pm-6:30am)
Catch Phrases: That's Silly!", "vangs"=bangs, legbings'=leggings
Hobbies: Reading (all day long!), Bike (no training wheels), Piano, Swimming.

Brielle's Response to her 7-year-old Interview Questions 

What is your name? Brielle

When is your birthday? May 4th

How old are you? 7

Who is your mommy? Megan 

What does your mommy do? She helps me cook food

Who is your daddy? James

What does Daddy do? He earns money by being a veterinarian

What is your favorite color? Pink

What is your favorite song? Let it Go

What do you want to do when you are a grown up? Be an Ocean Veterinarian 

Where do you want to live when you grow up? In Michigan!

What is your favorite food? Tortilla Soup

What is your least favorite food? Corned Beef and Cabbage

What is your favorite animal? Zebra

Who does our family love the most? All of us.

Where do we go to church? Azusa

Why do we go to church? So we can learn about Jesus.

What is your favorite movie? Frozen

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Strawberry, Chocolate and Vanilla

Where do you like to eat? Souplantation

Who is your favorite person? Coco

Who is your best friend? Emma

What is your favorite book? Junie B. Jones

What is your favorite thing to do? Art

Anything else you want to say? Done

What do you like about being 7? I'm an inch taller!

On the Wall

I noticed the other day as I looked around the house, how many different charts and reminders we have for different things.  As they have evolved, and will continue to evolve, I realized I wanted to capture what is up at this stage in our life.  I walked around the house and took quick pictures of things as they currently are.

Ethan and Brielle each have a chart next to their bed to remind them of what they need to get done in the morning before we leave the house.  Brielle has the same list, only with 'girl' pictures that she chose. I don't remember how long they've had these...a couple years I guess.

By our front door...our family rules, mission and scripture.

The checklist for the bathroom

Our behavior chart.  (Brielle's classroom at school uses this type and the kids wanted to implement it at home as well this year.)

Our calendar and learning station

Number chart on the wall for Ethan to practice.

The kids chore charts on the fridge.  A couple years ago they had charts that the marked with dry-erase markers, but I like the magnets much better (less mess). We've re-done their jobs each school year, so these will change again after summer.

and my cleaning chart on the fridge.  I print from here each month.

our family home evening wheel.  I'm wanting to make an FHE board, but this has been working until I get to it.

Old Testament reading chart we're following from the Friend this year.

and my motivation sign...the background on my ipad home screen.