When we came home from Mexico, we already had Seth and his three youngest waiting for us there.
At first I thought it sounded exhausting, but it was a blast!
And let me tell you, my kids have had the summer of the century between Mexico and their millions of cousins.
One night, we got Seth’s three youngest and Navy and Scout all geared up for the local movie in the park.
(Navy picked out her own outfit that prepared her for any weather that might come our way.)
She was so stoked to have her cousin Rose there to play with.
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Before the movie officially started, there was lots of action.
Navy caught a pet.
I did a silhouette photo shoot with them.
Here is the first shot.
Then they were getting a little crazier.
And finally, my kids were doing what they do best — both doing the booty shake towards the camera and cracking up.
In case you can’t tell, that is Scout, Navy, Rose, Covey and finally Grant from left to right.
When the photo shoot was over, they ran the hills with gusto.
They finally settled with the enticement of free popcorn and a big blanket spread.
But there was one locked-up kid with has favorite thing - cousin Covey.
Did I mention Dash came too?
He was on his way to bed, but got tipped off that we were heading out, and stood by the door crying “bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye”.
Of course I am a sucker, and brought him along.
All was well until Micah let him out of the stroller and he ran like a dog was chasing him through the crowd as he laughed hysterically.
We buckled him up again, and all was well.
Dash found some knee socks and insisted I put them on him.
So fresh out of the bath, look who was walking around tall and proud, with some very warm legs.
How classic is this kid.
They were so cute, I hated to put a diaper on him, but I gave in to avoid any sort of accidents.
We had the BEST trip to Mexico. It was an absolute blast, and I would repeat again and again. The kids were thoroughly entertained, we were pleased with the resort, the food was good, the rooms were nice, etc.
Here is a little picture montage of the 7 days we were there:
The EXHAUSTED kids after our red eye flight through Mexico City.
But as exhausted as they were, the kid water park was up first on the agenda.
It was like a mini Raging Waters, and they loved it.
We were poolside a bunch of the time, and these two loved playing in the hammocks.
Sweet thing got to hold some monkeys that she died over!
Dash was OBSESSED with the all-inclusive part.
Especially the pina coladas, strawberry daquiris, virgin mojitos and fresh coconuts.
He would drink half of anyone’s drink if he got that first sip!
This was an attempt at a kid picture on our way to lunch.
Here is Dash putting on his own shoes to get to dinner.
We were worried about the food, but it ended up being REALLY good.
This lobster dinner was especially great.
My kids opted for a lot of pasta!
Here is her attempt at spinning the fork!
And then there is Scout who spun one noodle around his finger and then ate the whole thing like a sucker.
Here is the happiest baby on Earth giving Nonnie knuckles.
After dinner we hit up the “mini disco” where the kids had a sweaty blast!
Here is Navy sporting one of her Mexico purchases.
The kids club was amazing, and had stuff going on all day long — even well into night!
Here they are on their way to the trampoline launch.
Scout went crazy high!
And then Navy did too!
Here was our Japanese dinner that everyone loved.
Another attempt at a group shot with crazy kids.
One of the nights was the “Newlywed Game”, and when half of the crowd went up to “vote” for their favorite, Dash arched his back and kicked until I let go. The he ran as fast as he could to get to a side set of stairs to run up and start dancing with the others on stage to “Gangham Style”. We were all dying! He was hilarious, and loved the attention.
Here is the traveler of the century. We brought NayNay, and she was a blast to have along, and my kids die over her.
Anytime my kids wanted a drink, they would get NayNay in the pool and they would swim to the pool bar to get their drink of choice.
It was awesome!
But I think these two created a bond that will always be tight from this trip!
This was an awesome day when a huge storm came rolling in.
It was awesome and creepy at the same time.
Our final attempt at a group shot!
Nice work NayNay.
This was the official shell collector.
She could have collected all day every day.
When we flew home, it was a day flight, and our kids were crazy!
CRAZY!
I felt bad for those around us.
But I felt the worst for me who wrestled and entertained Dash for three hours on our second flight.
And when he finally laid down to rest, I heard that seat belt ding go off for our descent into LAX.
I think the look on my face might just say it all.
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It was a blast!
But I might hire a plane babysitter the next go around!
Guess what little senorita graduated from preschool?
Here she is!
In attendance: one darling little bambino and her mama.
Location: The one and only Abalone Beach - where starfish are a plenty.
When all of the graduates lined up, Navy made her way to the prime spot next to Ms. Dianne.
Of course she did!
And when they passed out the awards, Navy got the same one Scout did — “Math Whiz”!
Takes after her dear old mum!
These two were happy to be in class together, and so were their moms!
During the ceremony, I restrained this little stinker who kept trying to get in the graduate line up.
But a bunch of snacks kept him occupied nicely.
But after the ceremony….Dash got to hang with the big kids!
Including this one-armed-swing bandit!
But of every moment of the afternoon, nothing could compare to the ice cream trough that Missy came up with.
It was highly impressive!
The kids died over it!
And I MADE SURE Navy got the end spot so every other germ was at arm’s length!
Or spoon’s length.
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Happy Graduation Day you little Math Whiz!
(Hideous Picture)
Navy has had a love affair with her nails since she was little. She bites them, and I found out today….then she eats them. So yesterday as I was cutting Scout’s nails (he who used to bite them, but changed his behavior on his own with a little bribing), Navy asked him if she could have his nails. Scout had just gotten in trouble for being stinky to Navy, so he replied in a very sweet sing-songy voice, “Sure Navy, you can have them ALL!” I then asked what she wanted to do with them. She was sheepishly quiet, so I jokingly asked her if she wanted to eat them. Then she gained all the confidence in the world and said, “Yes!” Meanwhile, Scout was handing all of the nails over to Navy as I was reprimanding Navy on her disgusting behavior. She had her hand out in front of her with all of the nails sitting on top, and I knew I had to do something fast! So I went over and hit her hand from the bottom, and the nails went flying.
If you would have seen the sadness that overtook Navy’s face, you would have cried right with her. At first it was partly because her beautiful nails were all gone. But then I realized that she was especially sad I was the culprit. Scout and I were cracking up, but I ended up feeling so bad that I brought her on my lap and told her that what I did wasn’t very nice and that I was really sorry. Then we talked about how nails in a tummy would probably cut it all up, and that eating them was a bad idea. She told me she wasn’t going to forgive me, and moped away.
It was really a funny sight that turned into a decently sad one. But turned funny all over again when I called after her that if she would just try, she could have beautiful nails like Mommy….. When she looked back to see my nails that have grown over the past two weeks, she ran back and grabbed my hand as strongly as she could and tried to bite MY nails off.
This girl is as disgusting as it gets.
But that is almost what I love about her most.
Her unapologetic ways.
She is who she is!
Camp Pendleton opened the Mud Run to the kids this year. There were two races, and Scout qualified for the 4-8 year old kids. He was really excited to run it, and did an awesome job. At first Micah walked him through the obstacles he would have to run up/through, and then he lined up. He was definitely one of the older kids, but when he took off, he was out in front with a few others. By the end of the race, there was one girl in front of him, but he ran his little guts out, and passed her to get first place!
He was SO stoked!
He certainly has come a long way from the days he had in a bright red body cast!
Scout, Navy, Dash and I went on our annual strawberry picking jaunt.
I’ve learned the tricks of the trade, and have this day of ours down to a science.
Wear junky clothes.
Or bathing suits.
Let the boys go shirtless.
Purchase the smallest bucket, because by the time they get in the car for home, they are stuffed to the brim with strawberries.
And bring wipes.
Lots of lots wipes!
Just when I thought I was lucky enough to get a really sweet sleep-in because my kids were getting some extra zzz’s also, I realized I was wrong.
Unfortunately, someone taught Scout and Navy to use the remotes.
Guess which two got an extra Saturday morning chore?
I think Dash has found my Achilles Heel.
I am all for one of my kids asking for something a few times.
But when Dash asks for something 1000 times in a row, I could go NUTS!
(Here is Dash seconds after waking up, saying “BaBa Baba Baba”.
(Good thing I am sometimes prepared with one and the camera!)
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His latest asks:
Muh Muh Muh
“More” which has been around a long time, but hasn’t gone anywhere.
Buh Buh Buh
“Book” which is usually directed at my mom, so this one is manageable.
BaBa BaBa BaBa
“Bottle” and he doesn’t let up until it is literally in between his lips.
Poo Poo Poo
“Pool” and if anyone is in it, then clearly it is his right to be in there also.
Ereo Ereo Ereo
“Cereal” and he wants to have his own bowl with his own spoon.
Bye Bye Bye
“Bye” he will stand at the door and ask every minute of every day to go bye bye.
And if someone leaves without him, he lays on the floor kicking and screaming in a tantrum!
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I am sure there are more things that he constantly says, but these are the handful of favorites he has.
I think it is VERY safe to say that he will definitely be my persistent child.
Let’s hope that translates to getting good grades, getting the top-notch girls, getting raises, and becoming the President of the United States.
Time will tell.
On any given day, you can find this boy with a wad of bread in his hand.
Don’t be fooled, he wasn’t modest this time around with only two pieces.
There is a third hidden piece behind there.
I feel like our grocery bills have increased lately, but this whole scenario is probably one of the reasons.
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