It really, really is the Happiest Place on Earth

I am obsessed with this place! For Dave's September break, we loaded the kids in good 'ol Francy (our minivan) and drove down to LA. The first night we stayed with my sister and brother-in-law (that's another post) and the next morning we were off to the happiest place on earth. We went for two days and loved every second (even though the weather was 99 degrees the first day and 98 degrees the second day, and we are spoiled San Francisco people who can't handle anything over 78 degrees).

Day 1
I felt like Audrey and I transcended the mother-daughter relationship and became best friends for those two blissful days. She was so excited about everything, which made me so excited about it all too. She couldn't believe she was actually at Cinderella's house, and whole experience was nothing short of magical.

We even got to hang out with Max for a bit!

Princess Land. Heavenly.

Story Time. Cinderella came out and told a story. This is Audrey's first glance at her.

Does the slipper fit? Audrey probably has her mama's big feet genes. It will look more like it did on Anastasia and Drisella (the evil stepsisters for you unsavy Cinderella people).

My fabulous sister came to the hotel while the kids napped so Dave and I could go on some rides together. We headed over to California Adventure and went on some great rides there. Thanks Sara! After the kids woke up, it was back to the party!

Good 'ol goofy

The parade on the first night. Audrey loved watching all the princesses come by.

Aurora waving right at my Audrey! How exciting!

Day 2
Audrey loved wearing her Cinderella dress for two straight days (gross).

Oh Audrey, you are simply divine.

Audrey felt more comfortable the second day. The first day during the Coronation Ceremony, Audrey wouldn't even get out of her seat. On the second day however, we had a hard time keeping her off the stage.

That's my Audrey, front and center.

The princesses came off the stage to do the ribbon dance, and here is Audrey attacking Belle.

My sweet husband waited in line (three times, an hour each time) so Audrey could meet the princesses. Meanwhile Audrey and I went to princess story time and the Coronation Ceremony. By the third time through, the princesses knew her by name, which of course she (and we) loved. Yes, we were so those parents.

Hanging out in Minnie's house.

Cooling off a bit.

Proof that our angel baby was there. He was such a good boy. He slept (and sweated) in his stroller like a champion.

I love the candy corn! Notice the Golden Gate bridge in the background. I live there!

Inside California Adventure. I was obsessed that they had a replica of the Palace of Fine Arts. Again, I live there! I think I am obsessed with these things because I know our time here is limited and I am so sad about it.

Riding King Triton's carousel.

No naps for the kids on the second day. We wore them out all day long and after the parade, and knocking on Cinderella's door (the castle door) one last time, we loaded up our very own princess and prince and took them home so we could all live happily ever after.

Something we can agree on

This is worth watching. It's reassuring to know that whoever is elected President understands the importance of Prop 8 and how important families are to the foundation of our society. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to get out and vote YES on Prop 8...the future of our socitey depends on it.

Habitot

For playgroup a couple of weeks ago, we ventured to Berkeley to go to Habitot. It was a great place to take the kids, and since I had to park a million blocks away, Audrey, Joshua and I got a great tour of downtown Berkeley.
Our little artist

They had this great booth where you could paint your own face. I even let Audrey use them, surprising being the germ-a-phob I am.

I won the "Best Mom of the Day" award. Thinking about those germs makes me shiver.

It was worth it.

Audrey's finished project. She made herself a "princess".

My little princess climbing through the tunnels.
We walked all the way back to the car with her looking like this. I wonder if people thought she (or I) was crazy. Since we were in downtown Berkeley, probably not.

The fog was rolling in while I drove back to San Francisco. I love this place.

Yes on Prop 8

Proposition 8 is very important to me. I am voting yes. I urge each reader to do their own research on the issue and hopefully do the same.

"Man-woman marriage is the only natural way to build families, which in turn builds a society. In the United States, same-sex couples are free to live as they choose. It is dangerous, however, to treat marriage as a "social construct" that is changeable. Husband-wife unions are the basic source of society. Because society is not the source of marriage's definition, it cannot change the accurate description of marriage by its own will." -from http://www.yesonproposition8.com/

http://protectmarriage.com/

An article I thought was interesting

What a difference a year makes...

One year ago today we found out that the little baby in my tummy was a boy. I had no idea that I could love this little boy so much.

So You Think You Can Dance

Addi, Angela and I made the trek down to San Jose for a fun night of dancing in the parking lot, and watching the SYTYCD tour. 4 REAL!!
Since all of our husbands are students we were in the nose bleed seats (there was NO ONE behind us), and we were so far in the corner of the arena that we could see behind stage. This picture was taken on full zoom. During intermission, we decided something had to be done...

Yes, the "Bleeding Love", the "New Day", and the "Mercy" dances were much better from the front row!!!

Thanks for the great night ladies.

The Circus

The circus came to town, so we went to see the madness with Angela (and family), Addi (and family), and Nadine (and family). This was the first trip to a three ring circus for my little family, and it was a little...interesting. We sat near the entrance so the performers would walk right in front of us to get their ring. One of them touched Audrey's hand as she walked by, and Audrey said that was her favorite part of the whole circus. My favorite part was the trapeze and the drive through McDonald's french fries on the way home.

Giddy

Hurry home honey. We have missed you so much.

The Story of Solids

Once upon a time, in a beautiful (yet somewhat corrupt) land called San Francisco, lived a handsome little man named Joshua.

One fine day, (Sept 10th) Joshua's mommy decided it was time to feed him solids. Being the big helper she is, big sister Audrey helped make the magical concoction for the sweet little boy.

"Here is your food sweet man," said Audrey.

"What is this stuff?" thought Joshua. "I don't think I like it very much."

"Say aaaahhhhhhh. Just taste it. Yull like it, I promise," Audrey said .

"See, it is yummy."

"Why is it all over my face?" Joshua wondered. (It was because big sister Audrey doesn't have the best aim)

"I guess I could get used to this stuff," Joshua mused.

Audrey's story went a little something like this:

Once upon a time, in a land that didn't used to be as corrupt as it is now, lived a beautiful little princess named Audrey. When Audrey was almost six months old, her mom decided to feed her solids.

Audrey took her first bite of the delicious rice cereal and...

she was hooked. "Give me more! Give me more!" Audrey yelled in her head.

"Ahhhhhh, thank you mom and dad. I can't wait for my brother to come in a few years so I can share this yumminess with him."

And they all lived happily ever after.