Recently

We went to "Ratatouille" at my Grandma's retirement home.  They have a pretty great movie theatre.
I want to retire there.  Tomorrow.

This little guy has found his voice.
We had to exit the theater and get our puzzle on while we waited.

born to read - per her request

I made onesie graphics/drawings for my supervisor's grand baby.
She's a hippie type with the last name 'Awe' hence the slogan/peace sign.  

My dad took the boys to the train museum.
They saw the train my dad drew 30 years ago and hung in my home growing up.

I went out dancing for a night with these girls.
My hair is FINALLY long enough for a side braid, which lasted until I got sweaty from dancing.

Themed footwear here.

Dom gave birth to a baby monkey after about
3 hours of maternity.

Sol started First Grade and I picked the world's worst place for a back to school photo.  

Dom met his super awesome PreK teacher.  He starts tomorrow.

Not to be out-shined by his brothers with their big changes, Wilson had his first food this week.
Mashed bananas.  He has now had it 3 times and we are actually getting a bit to his tummy now.  

He also has started waving and sitting up. 

Back to Business - which is in no way business

Vacation wrap up:
It was pretty exciting, but I made the mistake of writing about the magic of Disney theme parks BEFORE our second day at a Disney theme park, which happened to also be grad day.  That means that high school graduates fill the park making hiccups throughout to ruin the 'magic'.  So, I say now:  Do not go to a Disney Park until you have called to find out if there are any sponsored days at the same time.  If so, I would strongly recommend NOT going on grad day.  Unless you're a grad, or you love lines and crowds packed tight.
Still, it was a great vacation, highlights below.

Conveyor belt sushi in Little Tokyo.

Pool time

Star Wars Ride

Right before Space Mountain.

The REALS and IDEALS 

Goal #2 was an epic failure.  I give myself an F.  I was late a lot last week and only sort of had a handle on the clutter.  

Last night, I came back to a surprise.  My brother-in-law Austin took this old desk that was worn and old and unfinished and re-did the wood on it with new varnish.  For no reason because he is awesome. So I was pleased and so were the boys.  They took about ten seconds to make it look like this:

Why would anyone post that chaos?   

Because, my friends, that is Goal #3.  My REAL for this week, is that the desk looks like this ALL THE TIME!  I pick it up, I make the kids pick it up, I weed out the clutter, and this ends up looking like that mess.  SO, I want a better, more Montessori-like kid-friendly set up.  So, my goal is to make this an easier place to keep organized for my little artists.

IDEAL

(found here:  http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843213065528/ not sure of the original source.)

Feel free to post any great ideas for this, or make and share your own goal, - or don't.

Happy Father's Day to my husband and the 0 other dads reading my blog.  Shawn's a good guy, so I'm gonna keep him.

Shawn smoked us a Father's Day Dinner of pulled pork, we ate this squash dish with garden squash, and salad with greens from the garden.  I love summer.  

Picturesque Chaos

This day was really nice.  San Diego is like storybook beautiful.  The family spent a day there doing what we do best:  talking and eating.  And seeing the gorgeous sights.

How do I get the she-shells out?

Whoa!  Waves!

Fred loves it when I make him pose for pictures.  

Seals on a rock.

The one coming out of the water is cute.

Seal puns ensued for some time after this.

pensive baby

why mother, why?

This family photo was brought to you by: room for improvement.

Gus and his girlfriend Danielle. 

Gretchen, Mike, the girls

Solomon is so happy when he's eating.

First bite of anything - avocado.

artsy square in Balboa Park 

 We definitely engaged in a 20 minute family debate on how these pieces of playground equipment work.  It followed with almost all of us trying them out to make our point.  And, it was an Oxler debate, so no one was wrong because we all were right.

We also got dessert at a fabulous restaurant.  I sat out dinner at the Italian place in the car with Wilson and Solomon.  Sol was just wired and I was just done.  1 hour in the car beats on hour of trying to keep a tired Sol socially enjoyable and from giggling and arm flapping himself into a knot.

Sunday Best

Grace is doing a Sunday Best link up and I love love LOVE to dress up myself and the kids, especially for Mass.

However, we went to Mass last night, because we are in Orange County at the most beautiful vacation house I've ever seen compliments of my awesome dad.  There are 14 of us total, my parents, 4 kids, + 2 spouses + 1 girlfriend +5 visible grandkids and one hiding out inside my sister.  So my dad is both generous and crazy.

generous and awesome Dad with Dom.

My mom snapped a photo of us on the flight.  So enjoy until Shawn sees it.

Wilson made a friend

pool, hot tub, wading pool, fountain, slide - love

selfie on the veranda at nap time?  sure.

Walk in the neighborhood in our vacation best.  Gordmon's maxi, Walmart sandals and $5 shades.  Swimsuit under because . . . 

Shawn and the kids.

Mass grades:
Solomon- a C which is a deviation from the typical A
Dominic:  F (3 million times worse of an F than usual)
Wilson: A+  (teacher's pet)

I blame pre-vacation excitement - excuses, excuses. . .

Well this nurse/post is over, time to hit the patio party!