Yosemite 2019

In June, after the kids were out of school, we drove to Yosemite for a little mini vacation. Every year the entire family goes for a few days. This year we were leaving the kids with my mom for a week!

The second day the Oliveiras went home and we hiked lower Yosemite Falls with my mom and Auntie Connie.  I use the word hike VERY loosely since it's not very difficult at all.

On our last day we explored swinging bridge. The bridge didn't swing (which would have been cool) but the views were GORGEOUS. 

Kid Update

OLIVE UPDATE

- Doesn't like boys (especially Gustavo)

- Favorite TV show is Once Upon A Time 

- Favorite movie - all of the Harry Potter's

- Favorite color is every kind of blue 

- Can ride a bike with no training wheels 

- Best friends are Harper and Holdyn 

- Wants to be a chef, artist, teacher, and a mom when she grows up

- Has perfected a dive into the pool

- Going to be in 3rd grade

- Has lost 10 teeth and has 2 wiggly ones

BUSTER UPDATE

- Going to be a 1st grader

- Excels in math

- Is very sensitive. If I raise my voice he pretty much starts to cry. (I love that he is so sensitive)

- Has lost 2 teeth

- Favorite movie is Toy Story 4 (we literally JUST saw it)

- Loves Minecraft and Roblox

- Got up the first time when he wakeboarded in Sacramento

- Feet are almost as big as Olives

- Had his first breakup (He doesn't like to talk about it)

- Favorite TV show is Blaze and the Monster Machines

Olive's 2nd Grade Video

For the last 3 years we've made videos for Olive's class. Here is her 2nd grade video. Crazy to see how much bigger these kids have gotten.

Buster's Kinder Video

Every year we make an end of the year video for Olive's class. Since Buster is now at the same school we decided we had to do the same for him! Here is his Kindergarten video.

G-A-T-E

 In second grade kids take the OLSAT in public schools. Apparently it's a test to figure out if you are gifted or not. I went to private school so I never knew what it was but Andrew tested gifted when he was younger so knew far more about it then me. We decided not to pressure Olive about it and just see where she ended up. Well....she tested in the top 5% and we took her out to celebrate. WE are so proud of our little girl. And not just because of this. I don't need a test to tell us she is GIFTED AND TALENTED! First we did the outdoor slide at Oue Space. And then we went to Bottega Louie for dinner.

PS. Can you believe the things that Olive packed in her purse?!?!  Bandaids, scissors, lipgloss, sharpie, and a rock!

Peter Pan

In early May the kids performed in a production of Peter Pan at their school. Buster was a Lost Boy and Olive was Chief Tiger Bamboo. There were definitely some tears over the parts (Olive) but in the end it all worked out. They were both fantastic! 

My Birthday

I know it's been a little too long to write about my birthday - but I finally feel like I can breathe. The kids got out of school yesterday so I'm hoping I can focus on doing a couple of blog entries. My birthday fell on a Saturday this year, which was nice. My mom flew in to LA and we did a little shopping, had lunch, and then got ready for dinner with the kids and a few friends at Hedleys. After dinner my mom took the kids home and we went out for drinks and dancing. It was a pretty fun night! 

Hawaii - Must Haves for Buster

One of my favorite things to do before a vacation is to buy essentials! Buster definitely needed new swimsuits and Todd and Lizzy came through and bought him two for his birthday! One less thing for me to get - AND THEY WERE SOOOOO CUTE!  They also got him a pair of flip flops which was also on my list.  He definitely needs some cute pants/tees/shirts and a pair of birkenstocks. Andrew HATES them but I think they are sooooooo cute on kids.  

Buster Turns 6

First let me say that I cannot believe Buster is 6 years old. I'm not sure where the time went - but he is officially a big kid now. I have to say - I am so PROUD of what a cool kid he is. Kind, patient, smart, funny, and crazy don't even begin to describe him. The morning of his birthday he woke up to balloons and a few presents from me, daddy, and Olive. We ditched school and had a special birthday day - just the two of us.  The first stop was Mel's Diner for breakfast.  Then after we ate we headed to Target where I let him pick out 6 toys. 

After Target we went to Castle Park for mini-golf and video games. Let me just say this - neither one of my kids likes losing. I think they definitely take after me! 

After picking out a zillion things that will ultimate break with all of the tickets we won at Castle Park - we had lunch at CPK. No idea why - but it is Busters favorite restaurant. He gets the same exact thing every time - spring pasta with edamame. Of course we had a sundae with a birthday candle too!

After lunch we had to go and pick up Olive, Harper, and Holdyn. Our next stop - Color Me Mine! It's another one of the kids' favorite places. After painting we met daddy and Laura for dinner at the Beverly Glen Deli.

Happy Happy Birthday my sweet baby. We love you soooooooooo much. Now.......we've got your laser tag birthday party this weekend.....

Hawaii - Must Haves

These are all the things I need for our upcoming trip to Hawaii. I mean....how cute is that jumpsuit from & Other Stories? My friend Joann got it for me for my birthday and I can't wait to wear it! Now I've got to figure out what I need for Buster!

Hawaii Here We Come

When Olive graduated from Kindergarten I took her on a trip to Mexico - just us. It was so nice to have some alone time with her.  This year Buster graduates and my mom and I are taking him to Hawaii.  Here's hoping he likes it! I'm starting to plan activities but the more I think about it the more I think he's just going to want to be in the pool or on the beach all day, every day.  Which is totally fine by me. It sounds pretty nice, actually.

Rufer Christmas Party 2018

This post is VERY VERY VERY late. I've been trying to keep the blog updated but with two kids in school, and all the volunteering, the yearbook, the videos we make at the end of the year...... I AM FAILING. This post is basically 5 months late! But better late than NEVER I guess. My parents Christmas party is always a fun affair and this year (OK LAST YEAR) was no exception. The food is always so delicious and the booze flows freely. The kids are finally at an age where they enjoy it and we aren't having to watch their every move. Now I just have to figure out what I'm wearing to the next one!

Happy Birthday To Me

Well....looks like I turned 44 this year.  Lord help me.

Spring Break - Last Night/Morning

After going on the slot canyon tour we got into the car and drove 4 hours back to Vegas. We ended up staying at the SLS hotel which was a bummer because the room was tiny and there was no bathtub! The kids were bummed it wasn't a huge suite like the Palazzo. We had dinner at the Stratosphere at Top of the World. The kids loved that the restaurant actually did an entire 360.

The next morning we had breakfast - made a few stops to get some pictures and then we were homeward bound.  You have NO IDEA how happy I was to get home!!