4th of July Small Town Style!

4th of July in the Palisades is comparable to a small town celebration in Middle America. Complete with an incredible 10K/5K run for adults, 1K run for the children, 'Best decorated 4th of July House contest' and a parade that begins w/ skydivers and ends w/ Clydesdale horses. The boys were in hog heaven!

 

Our friend Matt and I ran the 5K, while the boys did the 1K!

We broke up the day with a lemonade stand

Penelope and Levi enjoying a very American 4th of July

It was HOT and we loved every minute of it

The day ended with an old fashioned ribs/ potato salad bbq in our backyard. LA Living.

Felix, My Office Mate

We have a detached garage, which has been renovated to serve as my office. I spend most mornings there; throughout Felix pops by. He always makes himself known, but then after a couple of short minutes, he goes about his business, playing trains, giving me drive-by-kisses, or does a puzzle. He's such an easy-going, sweet, and independent boy.

Summer Is Here!

It was 80 degrees all weekend, and the days were light until 8:30pm, which is late for LA. Summer has arrived!

The boys relaxing in their new 'stars and stripes.' I love Baby Gus Gus expression b/c it captures his love for for big brother Levi.

We spent the day with our English friends at the Annenberg House. All three of the boys loved the pool, splash fountains, and snack shop!

Levi got flippers and absolutely loves them. Felix tried out the pools water wings. He quite liked them and actually started kicking and paddling on his own!

Levi and Frankie having a jumping contest

Team swim

Baby Gus Gus relaxing after post-lunch swim

Levi did some art over the weekend

Levi displayed all of his favorite art installations; he needs his own gallery! 

Camp site #89

John and I took Levi and Felix on their first car camping trip to Leo Carillo in Malibu (we decided to leave Baby Gus in great care at home, so we could play man-to-man vs. our normal zone-to-zone). The boys were in heaven cooking food outside, sleeping in a huge tent with us, and getting dirty!

We arrived around 4pm. The boys set up the tent, and I BBQ'd burgers and hot dogs. Levi and Felix were loving every moment!

Levi and Felix exploring our tent!

Cooking s'mores

Levi enjoying the fruits of his labor

Getting ready for bed. Felix looks a bit silly in a sleep sack, especially when he's snuggled in a sleeping bag!

Bedtime stories. Our children don't sleep with us, so this was a huge treat for them.

Bedtime giggles

Making breaky for John on his bday!

Levi requested pancakes for John's bday breaky, so pancakes were had by all!

And homemade strawberry cake in the shape of a bunny (again, requested by Levi)

Felix was such a trooper for being only 2. Enjoying his breakfast birthday cake

We spent JWG's bday at the beach

Hanging out 

John took Levi out on the paddleboard for the 1st time

The boys spent a good portion of the day climbing the rocks

A birthday hug

Headed to the sandy part of the beach, so John and Levi can paddle out

John and Levi enjoying a paddle

Felix waiving his magic wand

Levi dug a huge moat, while Felix danced around

 

An evening scoot ride (there were gangs of children on their bikes and scooters going around the camp ground)

Felix passed out at 8:30. He was fried.

Levi getting ready to crash. A huge day! Those are Poppy's legs sticking out; she's a doll I bought him when he was 1, and she's been all around the world w/ us.

The boys saying goodbye to our tent

This trip was a dream come true for both John and I. He was most excited about taking Levi out in the ocean on a board, and I have been eager to take the boys camping. I grew up camping, beginning with car camping and then long backpacking trips. There really is something so magical about sleeping under the stars, cooking meals over an outdoor fire, and having no where to be.  I'm so appreciative of this experience and can't wait for baby Gus Gus to join!

Father's Day 2013

I love Father's Day. I was dealt an ace card when it comes to my own father, and John is without a doubt one of the most caring, patient, and fun dad's I know. Obviously I'm biased, but the looks on the boys faces when he's in the same room as them is so endearing. He continues to teach them, inspire them, make them laugh, cuddle them, read to them, cook for them and, most importantly, nurture them. I've loved watching him grow into this role on his own. Lucky boys, and lucky me!

John getting ready to pedal 4 kids around the neighborhood on Father's Day

Swim time with Dada

Baby Gus hanging out post swim

Baby Gus doesn't look so little...he's huge!