When Stalking is Okay or Meet the Beesons

It's very rare that stalking is socially (or legally) acceptable.  Blog stalking is a notable exception.  And I have been stalking one particular blog since my early blogging days in Rhode Island. (Did you know we used to live in Rhode Island?  Than you haven't been reading long enough!)

It's called None of Your Beeswax and is written by Kelly Beeson.

This is a picture of Kelly and her family:

On a typical day in Arizona

I don't remember exactly how I found Kelly's blog, but I got hooked pretty quick.  She's a very funny writer, loves books, loves Jane Austen, loves travel, loves to eat, and, the clincher; vacations every summer in the same town where I finished high school.  (I forgot to ask her if she also has a not-so-secret crush on John Cusack.  But really--how could she not, right??)

  

This year when they came to town, we got to meet for the first time.  It's a little bit weird meeting someone already knowing a lot of random personal details about their life.  But I've always been a big fan of stalking so I was down with it.

Turns out, they usually go to the same beach we go to, and even attend church at the same church building.  So we actually got to hang out with them quite a few times!  The kids all got along and we had a lot of fun with them.   Wish I got better pictures!

 Can't wait until they visit again!!!

Families Are Forever

Mid-June was busy around here.  First, Doug took a spontaneous and quick weekend trip home to see  his Dad in the hospital.

His brother Dave was in town to see his Dad too.

While he was flying to Utah, his sister Beth, her best friend Steph, and Beth's two kids Spence and Anna were driving here for a visit.  Happily, Doug was back in plenty of time to party with all of us.

Terrible Pipes picture.  But delicious food.

Max and cousin Spencer

Thai Food with Beth and Steph

Though they stayed in a hotel this time, we had lots of fun meeting them at the Beach, swimming in our pool, and going out to eat.

Legoland!

Thanks to our kind and generous neighbors the L's, we got more free tickets to Legoland and took the kids one Saturday in June.  The boys had a blast.

 The Star Wars displays in Mini Land are always the boys favorites.

This was the first time we've been to the water park.  It was fun but cold so I stayed out with Gray.  Towards the end he tried to go back in the water in his diaper.  

When we stopped at Ruby's for dinner on the way home, they thought they'd died and gone to heaven.  Legoland + Rubys = Very happy boys!

Stay-Cation

Once upon a time (in early June) we went on stay-cation.  That means we wanted to go on vacation but were too broke.  So we stayed home and went somewhere close.  Our good friends the W's had just been to Torrey Pines and recommended it so we tried it out.  You have to pay $10 to park at the State Park parking lot but it's was well worth it.  We drove to the upper parking lot up at the top of some cliffs and then hiked down to the beach.  

Even coming back up it was an easy trek.  The temperature was perfect, the boys enjoyed it and didn't whine, and the scenery was beautiful.  (I've never seen flowering cactuses/cactus'/cacti in real-life before!)

This is definitely a place we'll visit again.

I couldn't help thinking "Why didn't I know about this place?  Why didn't any of the boys I dated in High School ever take me here?"

And then I audibly "Hmmpffh"d.

And then I was glad I married Doug.

...for the billionth time.  (no offense old boyfriends.)

Anyway, come visit and we'll take you to Torrey Pines.  Unlike my lame ex-boyfriends/friendi.

It's worth the trip!

Napoleon Dynamite in Training--With a Little Scott Hastings Mixed In!

LaFawnduh:  Why are you so sweaty?
Napoleon Dynamite:  I've been practicing.
LaFawnduh:  Mmmm. Practicing what?
Napoleon Dynamite:  Some dance moves.


D-Qwon: [excitedly]  
Welcome to D-Qwon's dance grooves, are you ready to get your groove on? 
Napoleon Dynamite:  Yes. 
D-Qwon: All right then, let's get started! 

A Few Little May Things

*Sam starts Karate after months of begging.
First class Monday.
Second class Wednesday.
Suspended from school Friday for Karate kicking and punching a class mate at recess.
Awesome.
(Don't worry--his Sensai had a talk with him and he hasn't had any problems since then.)

Actually, he LOVES Karate.  He has three classes a week and walks out of every one grinning from ear to ear.  After trying gymnastics, soccer, and basketball, we've finally found the sport for Sammy!

*Speaking of sports, Gabey finished in-door soccer and had a great time.  He got "Player of the Week" once (which came with a plastic gold medal necklace and a certificate!!!) and made a few goals and thinks he's pretty much the best soccer player ever.  Which makes it a win in my book.

"Look!  This says I'm AWESOME!!!"

*And because we can't let any of the boys have too much time to relax, we're making them take swim lessons.  A very nice young lady named "Miss Crystal" comes to our (community) pool every Saturday morning and splits 40 minutes between the four boys.  Even little Gray is getting a few minutes this summer.  She's teaching Max and Sam different strokes (Not to be confused with Diff'rent Strokes) and how to dive, and Gabey is working on the basics.  (He can swim, but it's not pretty.)  They actually all like swimming and are getting pretty good.

Let's pretend this is a picture of me, okay?  Thanks!

*In May we also went to the beach a lot despite the sometimes chilly "May-Gray" weather...

Sammy loves to Boogie

*...sometimes with friends like the amazing SHELLY who came for a visit over Memorial Day weekend...

*...which was also the weekend of the AAPD meeting and a get-together with Rhode Island friends.  (Thanks you for babysitting Shelly!)

 (Wish I'd gotten pics with everyone else, but happy I got this one with Diane!  It was fabulous to see you Jen, Melissa, Ginna, and everyone else!!!)

*Finally, we wrapped up the month with Max getting his Webelos award.  Did you know Webelos means We Be Loyal Scouts?  I did not.  

Nor do I approve of the syntax.  

However, I do approve of Max because he worked really hard and he's super cute!

And there you have it.  May in a nutshell. 

It was a great month.

Gabey Turned 5

Our "Little 3" turned FIVE not too long ago and I wanted to mention a few great things about our sweet Gabey-Boy.

Since this is an odd-age year, Gabe didn't get a friend party.  He was a little bummed he wouldn't have a huge Ninja party with all his friends.  (Namely, David T.)  Instead, we planned a "family" party down at the pool with pizza, Root Beer floats and a Ninja cake.

But it just so happened we had visitors staying with us for the big day: my cousin Kim was in town with her husband and son, and our good friend Robert W. was in town from Japan for a dental convention.   Add to that some neighbors, and we had a pretty fun "friend" swim party for him after all.

A word about Gabey.  Sometimes Gabey seems too good to be true.  Sure, he has his whiny and naughty moments...that sometimes last all freaking day long.  But over all, he's a very very sweet kid.  He's the kind of kid people want to have at their house because he plays nicely.  He has a tender heart.  He loves and protects his little brother Gray.  Plus he has really cute pouty lips and gives great hugs and kisses.  A few more things...

Silly boys!

Gabe is a total Mama's Boy.  He wont admit to loving me more 'cause he knows that would hurt Doug's feelings...buuut we all know he loves me the most!

Cuddle with Grandma Fae

He still wants to be tucked in at night, (by Mommy mostly) and likes to have at least one story and three songs.  His most common song requests are;
Twinkle Little Star
Give, Said the Little Stream
and
Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam
Other favorites are "The Pie Song", "Tell Me Why", "I am a Child of God" and "You Are My Sunshine".

Destin, FL

When he turned five, he decided he could in fact, say prayers all by himself.  I love his little prayers.

Disney World

Gabey loves going to Primary at church and comes home and tells me all about his lesson and what he learned about Jesus.  This is not something Max or Sam ever do, so it always surprises me.

Sweet thing!

Gabe loves to learn.  He is the first boy to request that I teach him to read and he likes to do "Home School" with me.  (It should be noted that I have NOT taught him to read.  But I did buy the Bob books!)

On the "Day of the Bunny"

Gabe has a great imagination.  He plays with his little buddy David a lot and they stay entertained for hours playing the games they make up.  One recent favorite is "Super Babies".  What powers do Super Babies have you ask? According to Gabe, "PEE AND POOP!"  (Did I mention that Gabe is a boy?  He is.)

Adorable (slightly jaundiced) baby!

So to sum up, we love Gabe.  And we're very glad he's part of our family!

Beach boys

Learning to swim

"Player of the WEEK!!!"

Ninja cake!