Not the best pictures you have ever seen

I decided to try to take some pics of the kids quickly in some holiday attire before Emerys school Christmas Party. With only 5 minutes to spare before her class started these didnt really turn out to great and I dont have enough storage on my computer to edit the pictures. so it is what it is.

Emery had her preschool Nativity performance today. She was Mary (obviously). She was excited to hold baby Jesus and her friend Will's hand. 

With there now only being 3 of them in the class, the characters were limited. Kye represented all 3 Kings. It was cute and maybe something only the parents can enjoy but I posted the videos for the family to watch if they are curious enough.

Will didnt really have the parental instinct kick in the few short minutes he had to be a father. He was a great partner though! ha ha 

The Jingle Bell performance of a lifetime-you wont wanna miss this!!

(really, you wont mind if you do)

Halloween in December

Obviously this post is a tad late but I just wanted to get these pictures up before the world ends in just a few short weeks!! 

BEFORE

AFTER

 Rapunzel and Vampire (clearly)

 Zombie Circus Performer (inside joke)

Baseball Player

The actual Halloween night, Emery would not go trick or treating and we really didnt do too much (having just traveled to Arizona) but the church Trunk or Treat was great and some friends hosted a fabulous Halloween party allowing us all to get a little dressed up more than once. I love Halloween so much and hopefully next year Emery won't be so terrified of everything and we can go out and have a great time (what I actually mean is get a whole lot more candy). 

daddy daughter date

David had the opportunity to take Emery out for an evening last week to enjoy some Christmas festivities. I thought these pictures were just too cute not to share.

                 She braved riding a pony. Her first time ever. We were definitely super proud of her!

She also got to meet Santa a few times this season. None of which she believes to be the real deal. What can we say, the girl is smart. It doesn't stop her from asking for a popcorn maker and a Hello Kitty bubble gum machine. This little one knows what she wants.

She might as well have moved out!

Emery Scout you started school today. You were so excited. That is all you talked about for days and days. You wanted to buy a back pack for all your "stuff," which mostly meant your Yo Gabba Gabba dolls Muno and Plex. You insisted on carrying them with you, I think to help you feel more brave. 

 I am not sure where you got this 'hand on your hip' pose but you wanted to do it in every picture. You are a doll. On the drive over you said you wanted to practice your ABC's so you could show your teacher (Ms. Sheena Gunter) you are smart. Which, I might add, you are very smart. 

I dropped you off and you said good bye like it was no big thang! You are growing up fast and I am so proud of you. I will say, I am a little nervous you won't be the nicest of kids to your friends, you do have a little more sass than the average 2 year old, but I am sure you will learn quickly. Love you girl. You've got this.

Since you cannot read this yet, I hope years down the road this means something to you. 

You love: Yo Gabba Gabba, Hello Kitty, and your toothbrush

 Baby dolls

Rivers

  Your friends

   Your family

You love to sing and dance

         and the flavor 'Pink' (you love all things pink)

        you can almost count to 10 without missing numbers

you can sing the alphabet near perfectly 

and you are the sweetest, funniest, sassiest sister and daughter around.

We love ya kid!

Play Dough. Play Duh.

I don't know why this is my first time making homemade play dough, but it was as easy as 1, 2, 3. Even a 2 year old could do it, and she did.

 Clearly E was stoked to help out and even happier to get to play with it afterwards. Everything about this recipe is perfect. The color that turned out was also exactly what I wanted. Rivers birthday party is this weekend and I will for sure be making this for party favors. One batch can go a long way. Hours of fun. Why not?

You will need:

1 cup flour

1 cup water

1/4 cup salt

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 Tbls. vegetable oil

Food Coloring of your choice ( I used 4 drops of blue, 5 drops of green)

Dump all ingredients in a pot and stir constantly on medium heat. Once ball forms, put on counter and knead when cool. Enjoy!

I cannot take credit for this recipe, I found it HERE

Newport Newbies

We made a spur of the moment decision to head out to Newport Beach for a day trip (my favorite vacation spot in California aside from Mendocino).

David, always being the more reasonable and responsible one, usually always just laughs off my crazy (and usually expensive) suggestions. I figured it would be a lost cause trying to convince him to do something this last minute, but he came to his senses and was clearly just as excited as I was.

It was a little chilly when we arrived at 9 am. 

Rivers' face

 

Action shots. Rivers was a pro in the sand. Emery was a pro and getting sand everywhere.

                                           

When we first walked on to the beach Emery said "that's too much water, it's big water"

She was amazed and terrified. She thought the dolphins that we kept seeing were going to eat her. I don't know what we are letting her watch to make her think that.

Emery and I both really enjoyed the Ferris Wheel. We definitely got our moneys worth with the excitement she felt every time we came back around and she could give her dad a wave or thumbs up.

These next shots were taken with my iphone

Rivers took an hour long nap while Dave and Em played in the water.

We obviously had to take the ferry over to Balboa Island (which E loved) and get us some Balboa bars and salt water taffy. We ended up spending just as much money on the candy as we did the ice cream. Oops. We get a little over excited when sugar is involved. 

The only "melt down" of the day, if you can even call it that. She was upset that I wouldn't let her put red pepper flakes on her pizza. She got over it when she realized hunger was taking over her pre teen emotions. 

I love this picture. I can't wait to frame it. While Rivers was asleep on the beach chair with me, E and D spent over an hour just running in and out of the water. Once she got brave enough to go in, it was almost impossible to get her to come out (bribing her with boat rides and ice cream finally did the trick).

This was a first for the kids on the beach and it was absolutely perfect and totally worth it. Even the vinegar baths and aloe vera treatments due to some harsh sun burns won't keep us from going back soon.