Itsy Bitsy Dinosaur

May had...

Three birthdays
Mother's Day
Two cookouts
One day at California Adventure
One weekend in San Diego


What does all this mean?  It's been a wonderful and busy month, but also a lot of opportunities for making bad eating choices.  While I have enjoyed the multiple birthday cakes, burgers, hot dogs, and pizzas, all good things must come to an end.  June is time to get back on track.

Please send motivating thoughts my way...

Memorial Day Weekend

Another awesome San Diego weekend!  This time we stayed in the town of Carlsbad, about 30 min. north of downtown San Diego. On Saturday we shopped and explored this cute little seaside town.  Sunday was spent at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a beautiful zoo with some amazing animals to see, including lots of babies!  Sunday we hit the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, home of the Dino Quest.  Love these long weekends spent together with my family.

Ready to start our day at the Safari Park.




Zoe's cute little hand compared to a gorilla's!

 


Family shot




Amazing view + hugs from my girl




Feeding the lorikeets-the highlight of the day.



Maddie taking an elephant ride.



Giant diplodocus at the Discovery Science Center.




Darryl, Madelyn, and Zoe posing on his tail.



One Year Old!!!

This post marks the end of what has been the fastest year of my life.  My baby girl has just turned one and she is growing at lightning speed.  This first birthday is a huge milestone- so much to look back on, and so much to look forward to.  Since our family is officially complete, it's hard to realize I will never again have a snuggly newborn and I miss that already.  But instead I have this amazing little toddler who brings joy to my life each and every minute.  Madelyn, we love watching you learn, grow, explore, and laugh.  Happy First Birthday, sweet girl!!



Cruising in her new buggy



What Maddie's doing now:

* 21 lb. (50th percentile)

* 29.5" (75th percentile)

* size 4 diapers

* size 12-18 month clothes

* takes a pacifier in the crib only for naps and bedtime

* two naps a day

* stands independently

* takes up to 4 wobbly steps on her own

* added the word "book" to her vocabulary

* can point to these body parts when asked- head, mouth, teeth (clicks them together), tongue

* loves to pull up your shirt, find your belly button, and tickle your tummy

* uses sign language-more, eat, all done, &  milk

* drinks whole milk from a sippy cup (good-bye bottles and formula!)

* likes to push buttons that produce a sound

* has discovered the tupperware cabinets

* can roll a ball back and forth

California Adventure

After  having to work on my birthday and Mother's Day, we were excited that Darryl was given a day off this past Monday.  We decided to take advantage of this pre-summer rush, pre-kindergarten opportunity and head to California Adventure for the day.  The weather was perfect (a cool 65 degrees with slight breeze), the lines were minimal, and, although this park is smaller than Disneyland, it was just the right size for the under 5 crowd. 

First stop, Pixar parade!! Wasn't sure how Madelyn would react to the loud singing and the giant furry monsters coming right up to her, but she was totally into it and even giggled at these crazy guys!


                                           

 On to "A Bug's Land"...


Flik's Flyers



Tuck & Roll's Bumper Cars



Heimlich's Chew Chew Train (the fake food actually smelled like the real thing-watermelon and animal crackers- yum!)

Daddy and Madelyn on Mickey's Fun Wheel

Snuggling to keep warm!

Madelyn taking in the view from up high. 

Other favorite rides from the day were Toy Story Midway Mania (a ride and video game combined!) and Soarin' over California, where you actually believe you are flying over oceans, mountains, and cities. Awesome! 

Pigtail!

Easter Weekend

We had three wonderful days filled with a combination of fun, busy activities, and quiet, relaxing family time. 

Saturday started off with an egg hunt and some Easter crafts and activities. 




The pony ride is always a favorite!



Loving the freedom of crawling in the grass.

Then, after lunch and some rest time, we headed to the Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks.  It was small compared to Norfolk's Botanical Gardens, but it was beautiful just the same. 

Zoe posing for a shot.



Maddie, always on the go.

 

First attempt at a family picture...



second attempt. Oh, well- at least no one is crying.



Cuteness



Sunday morning the girls had fun checking out the goodies in their Easter Baskets and finding the eggs he had hidden.  We went to church and the rest of the day we relaxed at home, went for a long walk, and watched a movie.  Totally low key and relaxing- awesome.



Happy Easter 2011