Celebrate America

After cleaning house with Trung all morning, we grabbed dinner at Enterprise Fish Company's happy hour and then headed to Santa Monica College for their annual fireworks show.  We arrived around 6:45 and sat around chatting with Mike, April, and Emme, Sophie's former classmate.  The three hour wait was worth it though because the show was spectacular.  Set to popular American songs, the fireworks were constantly going and directly above us; one of the best shows I've ever seen. 

Waiting, waiting, and waiting some more

Excited about the show

Yankee Doodle

In awe

Bees and Brains

 This morning we finally got our first chance all week to sleep in.  Then after breakfast, the girls had free time to play computer and watch TV, which I always try to avoid, but it gave me the time to start cleaning our place.  My parents are coming to town next week and I don't really get a chance to clean because I try to keep the girls out or else they start asking to play with the iPad/computer or watch TV.  After lunch, I made a quick visit to Cafe Luxxe for their free coffee in celebration on their six anniversary.  While there, I happened to see actress Selma Blair...pretty cool!  After my caffeine pick-me-up, we went to Whole Foods to learn a little bit more about harvesting honey bees.  Then a brief stop at home before going to a private event at Marbles: The Brain Store at Santa Monica Place.  It's a really great games store next to Gymboree; finally a place to purchase a kids' birthday present!  We walked away with a recyclable bag full of goodies too!

Selma Blair looking great at 40!

 Lydia getting a bee tattoo.  Loved the striped dress, which I was told was dyed yellow.

 "Bee" friends

"Share the buzz"

 

Everyone kept asking to take pictures of the girls

 Sophie using her "marble" to make a ball

Tia and Lydia working the Rubik's cube

Checking out Carsland

 Right after my dental appointment this morning, I picked the girls up from swim class and we headed to Rowland Heights for a Taiwanese lunch.  Then off to California Adventure to check out the brand new Carsland that just opened on the 15th.  Just as we entered the park, a parade was starting up, so we quickly found a shaded spot and enjoyed the entertainment.  Then we went on two out of the three rides at Carsland; the third ride had a two hour wait and Sophie was too short anyways, so we will go next time when Trung is with us.

It seemed like all the other rides in the park weren't so busy since everyone was swarming to Carsland, so we were able to go on three in just an hour!  Time passed quickly; before we knew it, I was picking up our packed meals and settling down for World of Color.  As always, the water show did not cease to amaze us; new clips of Brave was also added to the show!  Sophie feel asleep just minutes after I left the parking lot, and Lydia soon after.  Gotta love Disneyland!

 This "monster" came over and "high-fived" the girls

 See Boo up top?

 I found the walking Himelich segments very amusing

A Bug's life

 Woody, Jesse, and their look-alikes

 At the Junkyard Jamboree

 This tractor reminds me of a pig

 Waiting...

 Like floating on air

 Radiator Springs

 Tire swingin'

 Deer in headlights

 

 Lydia shooting targets all by herself

 "Brave" in World of Color

Thank goodness for the library

 Our monthly potluck Saturday night, the theme this time was Italian.

Abbit the Average entertainer at the Main library Monday afternoon

 

 Musician Dave Winstone at the Montana branch library Tuesday afternoon

 

 My first time hearing a didgeridoo

 

 

Sophie making a homemade instrument sound good

  

Honey sticks at Farmer's Market this morning

Summer has begun

This week was the first week of summer for the girls, meaning no school and mommy/daughter time 24/7.  I have a pretty packed schedule planned, so hopefully we won't be stuck at home too much because all the girls want to do at home is play computer/IPAD or watch TV.  

 

 Fro-yo at Munchies on Tuesday

 Sophie probably swallows most of the pool water from smiling too much

 

 The Guppy Girls

 

 Sophie can swim!  Now if she would just breath too.

Friday afternoon cheese and wine, the perfect way to end the first week of summer.

Viva Las Vegas

After five long years, Las Vegas and I finally met again.  Last time I went with Cora for our first girlfriend getaway when Lydia was only 8 months old, this time I got to go with just my hubby...no kids!  We arrived Saturday afternoon, got situated in our complimentary upgraded room, and headed to dinner at Planet Hollywood.  This would be the first of four buffets within 24 hours...darn that Buffet of Buffets!  After dinner, we watched "O" at the Bellagio and was amazed at the performance.  The performers were constantly moving, not to mention the stage.  

Sunday we literally just hung out, hitting three buffets, shopping, and lounging at the fabulous pool.  It was nice not worrying constantly about the kids, though they would have LOVED the buffets!  Monday came too quickly.  Since we had to tote our luggage around after check-out at 11, we didn't go far and stayed indoors as much as possible.  Before we knew it, we were waiting for the airport shuttle and were soon on our way back home.  Though I didn't want to go on this trip that much to begin with, I now agree that a break from the kids, even a mini one, really makes a difference.  See you in another five years, Vegas!

Approaching our "home" for the next two days

The view from our room on the 23rd floor

Vegas at night

The always breathe-taking Bellagio

One of the many pools at Caesar's

Lunch at Flamingo

The Forum shopping center

The famous dancing fountains

 

 I actually won $12, but lost it all thinking that I could win more

 

Hmmmm...

Ciao!

Last Day of Kindergarten

Lydia's class had their end-of-the-year pizza party today.  Most of the parents showed up to bid everyone a good summer.  We really enjoyed Mrs. Scholder and hope that Sophie will get her in a couple years.  I feel like the school year just flew by, but it will be nice getting to sleep in a little during the summer.

Party, pizza party!

Lydia and her newest best friend, Vienna

Presentation of the teacher's gift

Lydia and Mrs. Scholder

We dropped by Christie's place on the way home from school to say "bye" before their road trip back to Ohio on Monday

 

  At UCLA Commons again, but this time to paint a mug for Daddy

Extra Extra

This morning Snow and I went to The Grove to run errands and maybe even grab some lunch, but we ended up doing the "touristy" thing and watching the setting-up and shooting of Extra with Mario Lopez.  The celebrity interview was with Nia Vardolos from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which I was excited to see, but they had interviewed her at another location at The Grove.  So, what was our real reason for sticking around?  Not necessarily to be on TV because I was on for all of five seconds, but to get the giveaway, a Venturi Flame, basically a portable fire pit.  Pretty cool!

Being an "extra" on Extra

The set-up

Sophie trying not to smile, but cannot help herself

The production manager passed around the microphone for photo opps

Look, it's Mario Lopez, with tons of make-up

I got a Venturi Flame like the one the left.