october 1st.

Because the temperature outside is currently 91*, during this southern California heat wave that seems will never end, and because as a result I have spent far too much time perusing "autumn-themed" tumblrs, I'm posting these pictures on my blog today.  I would kill to wear some boots, drink some hot chocolate, and crunch some fall leaves. Summer, I love you, I do, but dang, it's hot with no A.C.  And come on now,  it's October 1st already.  

Here's to the forecast predicting cooler temps towards the end of the week... I think I'll go light my pumpkin scented candle now.  Thanks. 

And p.s. I do realize that in 3 months I'll be dying for a perfect beach day.  Whatevs. 

After a morning of swimming, 
sometimes it's just so hard...

to stay awake.

pop it.

Pop-its + 16 month old = a heckova good time.  Especially when we all need to let off steam after three hours of church during nap time.  I sure should have appreciated the days when I could just sit and listen to a lesson, instead of chasing an overtired child through the halls.  Ah, well, his sweet smile and cute face make it worth it.  So does his two hour nap once we finally get home. 

He sure did love those little pop-it things, though.  I especially loved seeing his surprised little face after he threw the first one - looking back at us with a worried look until we assured him that all was well. After that he went to town, beaming with pride as each one he threw popped with a satisfying crack. Well, not each one.  We tried to explain to him that a few were just duds, but he tried his darnedest to pop those bad boys anyways. He's a determined child, that one. 

cloudy.

via

The past few days have been cloudy, cloudy, and even a little rainy.  Normally I wouldn't mind, but c'mon, it's July!  The time of endless sunshine here in the golden state.  Cloudy weather makes me tired.   And mine and Ace's go-to activity of hitting the beach is out, so I have to be creative in entertaining him.  How the heck do people do it where it snows?  Hmm... 

Lately I've been contemplating how I really need to be a better journaler.  Which in turn makes me consider turning this blog into more of a journal, and less of "hey-look-how-cool-and-cute-we-are-and-we-are-so-fun" type of blog, which I am *not* claiming to be, but which I inevitably feel pressure to be after viewing other blogs of super cute peeps.  Because really, my pictures are never going to be that awesome, that's what my sister is for (heh).  And this blog is mostly for me anyways, so I can look back and see what was going on in my life at a certain time.  Besides, don't tell anyone, but I think the blog trend is declining.  They're too prolific.  There are really only a few that I read anymore, and they are the good ones, the big ones (and my family and friends, of course).  I'm also considering making this blog private in the process... we'll see.  Anyways, I'm off my soapbox now.  Here's to being a better blog journaler.  Not blogger. 

Kirk had to go into work today, which is always a bummer on a Saturday but it happens from time to time.  However, we have a fun date planned for tonight which is always a good thing.  And yesterday he took the day of and we went to the Santa Ana Zoo, which is cute and basically just has a million monkeys.  But, if you know Ace and his mad love for Curious George and animals in general, it was a home run.  He was fascinated.  And he was hysterical petting the goats in the barn section of the zoo - I love watching that boy laugh and giggle.  It's just about the greatest thing.  

Have a good weekend folks!  I'm off to attempt to catch up on laundry while Ace is napping and Kirk is still at work.  Exciting, no?? ;)

feels like summer.

It's summer!  I know people are obsessed with fall and Christmastime, but really, summer is my absolute favorite time of the year.  It just is. 


^This is where we've been.  Pretty much everyday.  And I'm not even mad about it. Mr. A, much like his Dad, gets a little stir crazy if we're inside too long so generally, we're out and about most of the day.  The beach is our favorite.  Despite my earnest attempts at dousing him in sunscreen, Aceman is rocking a pretty good tan these days.  He is off and running towards the water the second we hit the sand. And the holes in the sand that other kids dig are his favorite.  Sometimes the other kids are a little miffed that this little boy is suddenly splashing in their hole they've so carefully dug, but really, I can't keep him away.  If he spots a hole within a 100 feet from us either way down the beach, that's where we'll be the rest of the day.  I really need to get that kid a shovel. 


The best days are when Kirk comes with us, though.  For some reason it's just a heckova lot more fun, even when he wants to lug the entire contents of our garage and our refrigerator down there with us... anyways.  I'm really not sure who has more fun, Kirk or Ace, as they go swimming in the ocean together, fill up an endless number of buckets with ocean water, and of course, dig holes in the sand.  Such a good Dad.  Ace and I are so lucky to have him. 

This week, we're looking forward to spending a lot more time at the beach, celebrating a birthday (mine), watching fireworks, and spending some quality family time together.  It's gonna be a good one.  Happy 4th!

saturday days.

 "Stop taking my picture. MOOOORE!"

On Saturday, we headed down PCH a bit and stopped in at Ruby's Shake Shack.  The view alone makes it worth it, but the hamburgers and shakes don't hurt either. (Their date shake?  Amazing.  Sounds weird but so good.) Ace was a big, BIG fan of the hamburgers.  His dad was quite proud. For once at a restaurant he actually sat in the high chair the whole time instead of trying to climb on top of the table, under the chairs, underneath someone else's table, etc. It was quite a miracle.  I think it helped that he found a little bird to peer at on the ground below us.  That boy is an animal lover, for sure. 

Later in the afternoon, we all took a family nap, bbq'd some dinner, and Ace practiced riding a skateboard.  He's pretty darn good for a 14 month old. (Kirk, of course, was beaming with pride.)  After the whirlwind of a month we've just had, it was a low-key and relaxing day.  Love those boys of mine. 

ace had a birthday. part I, II, and III.

This post is long overdue.  I guess throwing a birthday party for a one year old really took the blogging right outta me.  Kidding, April was just an exceptionally crazy month.  


But!  We did celebrate Aceman's birthday around here, and it was awesome.  


His actual birthday was on Friday, and he had a little birthday cupcake and opened his presents.  

He was really excited to get some sweet shoes. ;)  Unfortunately, after being dragged around on errands all day trying to get things ready for his party the next day, he was so tired and really just wanted to go to bed at this point.  Poor thing didn't even want his cupcake. Mom fail.  




The next day was his party.  I had dreams of having a super cute picnic party in our awesome backyard, complete with patio lights and a barbecue.  But on the day of Ace's party, it rained buckets.  So, we moved the party inside and ate pizza instead.  


I'm kind of sad because I really didn't get many pictures of his party A. because I was too preoccupied with running the whole shebang and B. because the lighting in our house was terrible, especially because of the rain.  But here are the few I did get.  

In all honesty, the most fun Ace had at his party was when he was here, playing with all the other kids.  


We tried to give him his cute cake I made, but kid does not like being the center of attention of a whole bunch of adults.  So this is basically what he thought of it:

But that's okay, because he really did have fun the rest of his party.  Big thanks to all his family and friends that came to celebrate with him!  I think his Mom is partied out for about 5 years, though.  




I felt bad about the cake fiasco at his party, so the next day for breakfast, I plopped it down in front of him and let him go at it.  


At first he was a little hesitant.

But then he realized that it was cake and dug right in.

"This is the best breakfast you've ever made me, Mom!!  Forget that oatmeal junk!"

So that was Aceman's birthday party, parts I, II and III.  All in all, I think he thought it was pretty awesome.  Especially the cake part.  We sure love that little boy and still can't believe he is 1!  On to year #2, Aceman.  You're the best. 

happy birthday, ace!

One year ago today, our little Aceman joined our family and made Kirk and I parents.  It's been a whirlwind of a year and we can hardly believe it's gone by so fast.  Every day with Ace is filled with joy and learning, for both Ace and his parents.  Most days I have moments where I sit back and think, "Kirk and I really keep this child alive and breathing everyday?  And entertained and happy and (most days) healthy?"  It never fails to stun me each time I think about being utterly and completely responsible for this little human being.  But guess what?  We did it!  For a whole year!  And today, he is happy and funny and smiley and he loves us, too.  And has no idea the kind of sugar rush he'll be enjoying for the next two days.  Boy, will he enjoy that!  

Aceman spaceman, you are the greatest little boy we've ever known.  You've changed your mom and dad's lives, do you know that?  Now we get a lot less sleep and deal with a lot more diapers, but more importantly we laugh and love and sing and hug and have a lot more fun with you.  You are sweet, funny, silly, and oh so smart.  Your little personality is so bright and happy and you make our home a sweeter and more loving place.  We are so grateful to be your parents, Aceman, and we secretly think Heavenly Father sent us one of his very best spirits to our little family, and boy, were we ever lucky!  Ever since you got here, we're even more grateful that we are an eternal family, and we get to keep you around forever.  

We love you Ace, we love you oh, so very much.  Happy birthday, Aceman! 

almost.

A certain little someone around here..

 is almost...

 walking! 

 Especially if mom baits him with a really cool ball. 

And just in time for his first birthday next week (!).  He's only taking a few steps at a time so far, but it's progress!  He suddenly decided to start walking Sunday morning before church, and practiced all day.  Unfortunately, the past two days he's been a poor, sick little guy with a very high fever, and I think he kind of forgot that he knew how to walk.  But he's feeling much better today and this afternoon he started remembering, hooray!  Soon he'll be off and running, I know it.  


Now I'm off to plan his little birthday party we're having here next weekend.  Can't wait!  

remember that one time...

...when we went to Big Bear in October, when Ace was 6 months old?  And everybody tried to fish, and Ace and I sat in the shade with him in the baby carrier.  I got bored, so I turned the camera around and snapped a couple pictures for fun, even though I couldn't see Ace's face while I was doing it.  And remember when I turned the camera around and saw this?:

I do.  A little blurry, but two of my favorite pictures of him ever. And dang, look at all those neck rolls he had!  

I just love that little man.