Pony Love

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love riding horses and what a big part of my happiest childhood memories riding holds for me. That is why I am so happy that Marissa is finally old enough to ride, and more then that, she loves it just like her mamma! Here are some beautiful photos that I will treasure forever. All of these photos except for the last one were taken by a really, really nice dad at the barn as a favor to me since I always ride in a different ring at the same time as Marissa.

Taking the trio out and about

M emulates a wooley mammoth. This picture makes me smile.

Daddy has been working very, very, very hard the past few months. I've been on my own everyday and night until the wee hours save for Friday nights, Saturday nights and Sundays. I don't mind it that much, although I really miss spending the time with Leo and sharing the kid's with him. I always find that I am such an unbelievably better mother when he's home. I delight in sharing the kids with him. It's so fun to share in the little things that they do that make us laugh or that we just "get." They are growing and changing everyday, sometimes it seems like every hour and who in the world would I want to share it with more then their daddy?

The weekends are the hardest because it feels like everyone else is with their families, complete and I'm just hanging all alone with my three little munchkins. Don't get me wrong, there is no where in the world I would rather be, but I would rather us be all together. Since Marissa is at school so much these days, she loves to get out and about on the weekends, I really can't blame her. She is a social little girl anyways and loves to stay busy. She really wanted to go to a local park we call "Pirate Ship Park" that I had taken the boys to during the week. She also gets jealous when the boys get to have mini-adventures with me during the week (can't really blame her.) Honestly, I was tired, I felt like staying home or at least walking to our local park... Cue, we all load up and drive to Pirate Ship Park. The whole gigantic parking lot is of course shut down due to a UCLA football game at The Rosebowl. The kid's are disappointed and are now begging to go to The Museum of Natural History which is downtown. I'm a sucker and I say yes. The boys both fall asleep on the way. Get off the freeway and yeah, there is a USC football game and all roads to the museum are fully closed. Metro only entrance. Traffic is a mess, I'm freaking out. Call daddy at the office and he advises me to go to La Brea Tar pits. Alright, the boys are sleeping, it's not the worst idea. Still stuck in street traffic and of course T and O wake up grouchy. Drive to La Brea Tar pits and The Paige Museum, get hit by a guy on a bicycle (what the what?) Make it there, parking lot is full, find parking at LACMA. Try to maintain a civilized dining experience for our fellow diners at the LACMA café, try to make sure everyone eats, then try to make sure everyone pees without anyone peeking into a stranger's stall and no one runs away while I go to the bathroom myself. Dear God, we've only just begun. Make it outside. The Calder sculptures are extremely calming. Teddy yells "elephant!" for the first time when we see the faux Mastodon in the tar pits. Proceed to navigate/herd them through the museum. Pick Teddy up by his shirttails numerous times as he tries to crawl under the rope to the live action short nosed bear exhibit (most tots are backing away in fear.) Thank God for the short film on the excavation of the tar pits and funding issues in the dark air conditioned theater where I quickly nurse Teddy and the kids are still for five minutes. Wrangle them all while trying to look at the pictures the museum took of us at the entrance (didn't buy them, but now wish I had shelled out the $30 for overpriced pictures that actually included mamma for once.) Tried to save three precious heads from getting whacked on the head by the penny handle turning machine that they always insist on using (after getting change from the gift shop (more wrangling.) Actually had a lot of fun in the museum and checking out the tar pits and learned a lot, we will see how long it stays in my brain.

After we went outside it turned out there was a tar pit music fest. The kids went nuts running down the hill that is built into the museum, or rather the museum is built into the hill? Felt stressed when Marissa went up and over the hill onto the roof of the museum where I could not see her At All. Waited patiently for her to reappear as Teddy was for once relaxed in the stroller. Watched the kids hula hoop to the crazy punk music. Watched the kids climb an awesome tree climbing tree. Felt sufficiently exhausted told them it was time to go. Kids wanted to look at one more tar pit and of course leaned against the railing and got tar all over them. Yup, does not come off easily. Learned that in the film, and was indeed true. Went home. Love my three nuggets. Fell asleep at 8:30.

Full Cheeked Teddy at the LACMA café. He's yummy.

Teddy yelling at the Mastodon.

The Nuggets.

I don't even know why there are two Teddy's in this picture?!
Resembles my frazzeled state of mind.

M compared to an extinct short faced bear.

Teddy copying Marissa. Didn't put him here.

Hair flying, he was running full out.

Gah, I really, really love him.

Brother and Sister. He really, really loves her and looks up to her.



Sass at the Tar Pits

These guys.

 

Fire Truck, Fire Truck, I Want to Ride in a Firetruck

We had a fun outing today to our home town's fire and police stations open house. They put on a great open house and even had a real CHP helicopter land, Smokey the Bear was there and they showed the K9 dogs in action.Teddy and Oliver really love fire trucks so this was a must do in my opinion and I'm so glad we went, everyone had a great time. I had to leave a little early because Teddy was wiped and needed a nap so I missed seeing Smokey the Bear and the dogs show off their stuff, but I'm hoping to see them next year!


Teddy Loving on the "Woof" as he calls them. He hung with
this guy for a good 15 minutes. Great k9, so sweet and
didn't blink an eye while you patted and patted away.

The big tough cop juxtaposed with the sweet dog and baby.
Makes me thankful for those who protect and
serve our country and town to keep us safe.

Fireman Oliver

Hey, Girls like Fire Trucks too. Especially if they can climb
higher and higher then their mamma wants them to.

Yeah, he liked it. Boys and trucks just go together, at least mine do.

 

I had to add this one for my own enjoyment, the little face peeking out is just too cute.

 



Big Sis spots little man at the helm.



 

Smokey Da' Bear!




 

First Day of Preschool for Oliver

It doesn't seem possible that Oliver is old enough for preschool. He still seems so little to me, despite his actual tall height. But, off he went to his very first day of school. Oliver, you did so amazingly well, and I was so incredibly proud of you. Before going, on the way to Orientation Day, you told me, "Mamma, I will just cry when you leave me." said in your deep baritone voice. Oh no I thought, please don't cry, please have an easy transition. Unlike Marissa, you didn't get as many activities and play dates to experience. This was going to be brand new in every way for you. You are used to being with Mamma every single day, getting my mostly undivided attention and what you need when you want it (e.g. your beloved chocolate milk and applesauce.) But, you amazed me. You did so fantastically! I dropped you off and you waltzed right in and began playing with the play dough (actually some kind of unusual beaded play dough we haven't used at home) at the group table and sat right down and got to "work." When after a few minutes I said it was time for me to go, you big eyes filled for a moment with tears, but none actually spilled. And, you asked me in the cutest/saddest little boy voice, "but who will play with me?" Oh so sweet. So I brought Mrs. Garcia over, your teacher aide and she happily sat down with you and you were just fine! And, then at pickup I spied on you through the one way mirror and you were doing just fine! Oh how relieved I felt, you have no idea. All morning I was so worried about you, I couldn't even drink my coffee! I could tell you were following directions and standing up and joining hands with your neighbors at circle time. I have a feeling you are going to have a very fun, very special year. I know you are also so proud of yourself, even if you were "just a tiny bit nervous as you told me." I love you so much Oliver and am so proud of you! You are now an official "Nursery Bunny." I can't wait to hear all about all of the adventures you have at school this year!

Showing me your strong muscles right before we left for your first morning!

Standing in front of your cubby on Orientation Day.

Oliver in the Play Kitchen on Orientation Day

Construction Site Alert! Orientation Day.

Sand Dinos on Orientation Day. Can you say up your alley?

Actual first day, this is the only picture I got at school.

Orientation Day, you are so tall! You have the youngest birthday in the class,
 but I'm pretty sure you are much taller then all the other children.