Happy Trails

Franklin Canyon Park between the Valley and Beverly Hills has over 5 miles of hiking trails from beginners to advanced.  It was a bit foggy this morning but so peaceful, great way to get exercise and best of all an inexpensive hobby.

Rainy Day Play

I love this play space located in the Fashion Square Mall in Sherman Oaks. The theme is the sea and there is so much to crawl under and over, slide down, and explore.  There is seating all the way around and its so great that the parents sit and watch while the kids interact. And all the kids are Grants age because there is a height limit to the play area so its so much fun to see them interact while the parents get to know each other. We've been a couple of times, I love to watch Grant run wild and have so much fun.

Quiet morning, its usually crawling with little ones. This is 1/2 of the play area.

Making friends

Loves the boat, spends a lot of time crawling in and out of it.

Climbing on the sea otter so he can slide down on either side

Sliding is a favorite past time

Tunnel under the whale slide

Tired from all the play so he layed his head down on the starfish

Superman (Clark Kent)

Grant and I went for a fun and festive Halloween morning at the La Habra Childrens Museum! Lots of costumes, a DJ spinning tunes, and a parade through the museum to show off everyones costumes. Glad we were able to dress up and have fun this morning because Grant didn't make it out for Halloween night, he fell asleep.



 

Doing a little light shopping, even Superman needs to eat healthy

I try to teach him not to touch the stove and here we are, a play stove...great.

The little princess opened the door for him and told him to crawl through, sweet of her.

Chop Stix, Heart and Sole, I take requests!

Loving this museum, so much to touch, see and do.

National Guard Reserves

 Dave enlisted in the National Guard Reserve which is part of the Army.  We now officially have an entire closet dedicated to uniforms from combat to dress in both the Marine Corps and the Army.

 

Waiting for Dave to take the oath

 

The room where you sign your life away

 

Taking the oath to support and defend the constitution of the USA and the state of California against all enemies foreign and domestic; and obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of the State of California; and the orders of the officers appointed over me according to regulations; so help me God!

A picture under the Army flag....but still close to the Marine Corps :)

 

New Uniform! Sgt. Hawkins with his Marine Corps sword in back of him which will soon house an Army sword too.

 

October Fun

Spent the day at Irvine Regional Park and it was a 1st for us. Started at the childrens petting zoo and then off for a train ride.  There was also a pumpkin patch, face painting, hay rides, horse rides, etc.. So much to do and see. I tried to get Grants face painted with a cool blue shark but he didn't want to sit still for it.  Still too young I guess.  

 

 

Exploring the childrens petting zoo

Train ride



Us exhausted, more me since I had to hike a mile to the car, up hill with 30lbs on me since the shuttles stopped running early. Positive side, I got my excercise for the day!

Apple Picking

Went to the Julian Apple Orchards in San Diego with a 4 car caravan for the day to pick apples, sample honey, gold mine, and have some BBQ.

 

Sampling the merchandise

Grants friends, Ava (3) and Charlotte (2)

Making apple pies in the window, the lines were out the door so we missed out.

9 adults, 8 children, and 1 on the way.

1 Year Update

Grant has been walking for 2 months now and he’s getting faster and faster.  He seems to want to run everywhere rather than walk.  His favorite things to do are play with and in water especially swimming pools, push things like toys and his stroller, ride his motorcycle, cars, and rough house by doing assisted somersaults and hanging upside down.  Peek a boo and chase are still a favorite as well. We’ve been lucky that he is a healthy eater with a great appetite.  I add foods to the list on the right hand side of this blog as they are newly tried. There is nothing so far that Grant will not eat and the variety is endless. He’s been drinking out of different stage sippy cups for a while and recently started drinking from a juice box with a straw.  I try and keep him engaged in activities so a typical week will have trips to the park, story time at the library, mommy music and me class, a visit with the grandparents and a day to relax at home and play with toys and read books. Grant went on his first casting call yesterday in Hollywood and he was great since he loves to be around other children.  Number 7^th tooth has broken through, still have several to go. He says Momma, Dad and Ca (cat) but understand and mimics a lot. His favorite video is the Einstein Video, Animals around us with puppets and sing a longs. He has never really taken to baths maybe its because he has to sit still, right now he prefers the shower. Sitting still is definitely not a Grant trait, he can’t even have a bottle in my lap without taking a sip and rolling and kicking his legs and moving positions. Which brings me to diaper changes and sitting still. Yes, we still do most of them standing up or running away. Its been a great year, so thankful for our lil man.