Disneyland

At the beginning of May, we put our season passes to Disneyland to good use. We went with our friends, the Fifes, who were there for the annual CDA (California Dental Association) convention. We were originally going to go for three days, but we were having too much fun to stop so we made it a full four days worth. We were going to go for a partial fifth day, but poor Jesse's asthma started to act up, and it turned out that he had pneumonia. We made it back in time for him to get medical treatment and he did much better the next day. I made some of these pictures smaller due to the number of them, but if you click on them, you can see them full size.







Here you see Jesse just chilling out in front of the door in Toon Town. You will notice his little friend on his back. I used to think that parents that had their children on a leash were guilty of cruel and unusual punishment of the children, treating them like animals. I no longer feel that way. He didn't like having the harness at first, but he got used to it. We didn't have it the first day and we worried so much more. The moment we tried to help the older two kids, he was running off into the crowd. We weren't the only parents in the park to use them. Also, Jesse was fond of the Carousel, but not so fond of characters, they had to be on the other side of daddy.




Cecilee was very patient during what I call "Princess Day." She waited for about 1 1/2 hours for hair and makeup. Then she waited an additional 2 1/2 hours for a place at the Ariel dinner party, where she got to meet Ariel and four other friends. You can see she got pictures with some of her favorites. By the way, don't be surprised if you see this same dress on her for Halloween.





Blake was a little more interested in meeting characters and getting their autographs this year. He didn't even get scared off by Cruella DeVil. She was absolutely nasty to all the little kids that came to her. Many of them left the picture from her crying. She asked Blake if he had any dogs, we don't, so she asked him to bring the neighbors dog. Also, Blake was one of the 30+or- kids that was chosen to train to be a Jedi Knight. They let him borrow their robe and light saber, taught him a few moves, and then he fought Darth Maul. The kids on the top of the stage got to battle Darth Vader. At the end the Darths were scared of all the young Patawans and left. Blake got a certificate to prove he is trained. He told his mom, "I am a Jedi Knight now!"


Here are a couple of cute pictures of the two. They are sticking their tongues out to show that the gum I gave them did indeed turn their tongues blue.

You noticed each of the kids getting a little more tired as the days went on. Blake and Jesse decided to take a nap during some down time when mom and dad went on a ride. Don't worry, our friends were watching them. You will notice Jesse still has his blanket. I had to tie that thing in a ball every day so it wouldn't drag on the ground. Lucky we have a 2nd blanket that is identical to it so he could have a clean one for bed time.

Blake's and Cece's favorite ride was probably Space Mountain. Blake had to act a little older to be able to ride alone, but he was not scared. He always seemed to have a smile on his face before and after.




When we came off the Star Tours ride, I noticed some posters for sale, but they didn't have the faces of the Star Wars characters in it. Then I noticed the camera. It was free to try (of course they encouraged it), so we did it with Blake and Cecilee. In case you didn't notice that really isn't Harrison Ford and that is not Carrie Fisher. Kind of weird seeing our little 5 year old with chest hair. Of course, now you see why it was free to try, we just had to buy.

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a good Mother's Day. Our friend, Beth, sent us this Hallmark e-mail greeting card she received. I think it is hilarious. If you do not it could be because it hits a little too close to home. I recommend you turn you computer volume all the way up in order to experience the full and true effect. Copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.hallmark.com/ECardWeb/ECV.jsp?a=3352062435883M200276125Y&product_id=

King's Game

Blake came to me for the last King's game of the season. Not a great season overall, but at least we get to be in the lottery for once after nine years. This was at the game vs the Warriors. It may not get a lot of press, but the King's were the reason they are even in the playoffs. We let them beat us on this game and then we beat the Clippers, that were ahead of them for the eighth seed. Since we were getting blown out, I took Blake down to about the tenth row back in the fourth quarter, and then the let the kids 15 and under go shoot a free throw on the court.

It was better lighting for the picture down here. I don't have a flash on this camera phone.

You can barely see him, but that is Blake right below the foul line taking his shot. That blur just above the lady's head is the ball. Needless to say, it was a tad short.

Easter

Again, we didn't have a camera so the pics aren't the best. I don't know where are time goes now, but I have a feeling it is going to get worse before it gets better. We decorated the Easter eggs on Easter sunday. Then we all went into our rooms to allow the Easter bunny to come hide the eggs and fill the basket. Friggin' bunny left half eaten carrots throughout the house as well, but the kids liked looking for eggs. Then we went to Stacy's and Scott's for Easter dinner and the egg hunt. Jesse went out first with cousin Mason. Jesse was more interested in the swing set (two things top his list: swings and water). I convinced him that the eggs have something yummy. They held his interest for 30 seconds, then he was off to the swings. Next year should be different.





Meanwhile, the other two had their own fun. I did notice that, much like soccer, little ones bunch up together and go for the same egg rather than spreading out. So, when I pointed out an egg about a foot from Cecilee, I noticed Blake come from the other side of the lawn running for it. She did a good job of boxing out and he ended up falling over his bucket and not too happy for a while, but he recovered and his search resumed.

Moving day in Roseville

We had to move our Roseville office at the beginning of May. I was hoping to be sick, but I didn't catch the flu bug this year. Since I had nothing better to do that weekend, I spent some quality time with my bros-in-law and up to 2 in the morning on one of those days. We watched our master mover stack up 20 boxes of files on this furniture dolly. No, he isn't family, but I just like to see a quarter ton stacked in Jenga fashion.

This is more for my buddy Felix that is getting grouchy that I haven't put pics up in a while. Hey, why don't you use that time more productively and respond to my e-mail on Bullard's Bar you slacker!!!

Blake's Eye (Warning! View at your own discretion)

It has been a while since I have posted, so I figure I have to catch up some, but I will have to do it little by little. If any of you have allergies and have lived in the Sacramento Valley, you will know that is not a good combination. Gratefully, I have lived here most of my life and have never had such an issue. Unfortunately, Blake has only been here 5 years and has not been so lucky.

So one day in March he goes to his mom and says, "my eye itches." So like any good Mom, Rebecca checks it out. She sees nothing. But Blake persists, "my eye still itches." So Rebecca tells him, "just rub it then." Well, rub it he did. Then later that evening when I was ready to put him to bed, he showed up with his eye like this. Unfortunately our camera broke at Cece's party, so these could have been much better quality, but I think you will get the point. This is what happens after you mash on your eye all day. For the record, I don't recommend it.


Fortunately, with the help of a retired eye doc and Aunt Lisa, we located some allergy drops that changed this back to normal in 5 minutes. Otherwise, I was going to have to buy him a bionic eye. At least he would have been able to see the TV better.