Naptime Diaries: Fun in The Summer Sun!

I wrote about the first day of school yesterday and I didn't write one thing about our summer adventures!

We did a lot of playing in our kiddie pool because it has been an oven out here. The boys just love, love, love being set free outside! They just run wild, as they should--they are rowdy boys! They go from "swimming" in the pool, to scooter riding, to bike riding to skateboarding and then the trampoline or "tramp" as they call it. It's a little inappropriate and makes me giggle everytime they say that because they don't know any better. Hee hee!

It's so amazing watching them from my window (in the cool AC) play together so nicely. It's like an alternate universe when they are playing outside, 9 times out of 10 they are so courteous and play

togther without fighting. It's AWESOME!

The cutest thing is Ryan. He watches the older two so intently and then mimics everything they do. If Gav and Jord jump over a stick, he jumps, if they make a funny face, he makes a face. When they bike/scooter ride, it's always in a line: Gavin, Jordan then Ryan trying his hardest to keep up. Gavin is so good with Ryan, he turns around every few steps to make sure that Ryan is still following closely. He is such a great, nurturing and protective big brother!

I hope that they remember the fun times and many shananagans they got into here! I sure will. =-)

Waiting for our shuttle to go to Disneyland!

We also went on our annual family vacay to the Happiest Place on Earth -- Disneyland! The drive up there was not too bad. I packed a "car bag" with lots of new toys, coloring tools, books, and dvd's with was a hit. The girls were excellent, they slept just about the whole way there. Ryan's legs kept falling asleep and I know how weird that feels and sometimes hurts really bad. But considering it all, we did great!

Our room was really nice, I wasn't too comfortable with the humidity in the room though. Everything felt wet! YUCK! That really grossed me out.

The girls hanging out by the pool.

The first day at Disneyland was......well......STRESSFUL! We were not prepared at all, the boys were cranky, tired and overwhelmed. As were James and I. So, we just choose to wipe that day from our memory and move on. LOL

Ok, so fast forward to the second day at Disney. It was awesome! Ryan was much more manageable. We packed lighter and James and I had our game faces on and a plan. We had a game plan to get the most out of our day at the Happiest Place on Earth! Sorry, I just love to say that, ok one more time: The Happiest Place on Earth! Alright I'm done. We went on rides, saw Goofy, met Mickey Mouse and Ryan got a kiss on the cheek from Minnie Mouse. He was not expecting it, he was laying on the bench about to fall asleep and she walked by him, leaned over and kissed him. <3 What a memory. :-)

Ryan laying on the bench right before Minnie kissed him.

Day three we went to Disneyland and then California Adventure. I really wanted to go on the log ride but there was such a long wait. Maybe next time.

Ryan would only meet Mickey, no other characters.

We spent the day at the beach our last day in California. That was fun. The kids had a blast splashing in the waves and making sand castles. James went in the ocean and had fun in the waves too. I just put my feet in. I don't like oceans, well getting in them anyway. I received an email once about weird, ugly and scary fish that washed up on the shores of where a tsunami hit and those pictures stayed with me and I will never swim in the ocean again. *shivering

My boys playing at the beach!

All in all, we had a great time. I am so very proud of James and I for:

1. taking on the adventure of taking 5 children on a road trip
2. taking 5 children to Disneyland
3. taking 5 children to the beach
4.living to tell the story

Haha! Good times.